Myswizard

The word “hope” is brandished about unequivocally everywhere you turn lately. Hope brings emotional swells of dreams not yet fulfilled. Along with the word “hope,” come feelings of inspiration and encouragement. Hope feels supportive. It is identified with prayer, religion, and a feeling of spirituality. What is hope?

There are many definitions of the word “hope.” The dilemma lies in the Truth that hope is merely a word with a human definition, non-existent in Reality. Hope may appear as a feeling that what is wanted will happen, or a desire accompanied by expectation. It might emerge as something sought after, anticipated or trusted and relied upon. To be hopeful is expecting to get what you want. Alternatively, you may yearn for a person, event, or something to succeed. Hope is, according to Merriam Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, to cherish a desire with expectation, to place confidence or trust in a thing with an expectation or belief in the possibility of acquiring something. Hope is defined as aspiration, faith, conviction, belief, yearning, craving, and wanting. What happens however, when human beings’ hopes are shattered? Are we to keep hoping for the same desired results, or do we shift our hopes and desires to something else?

In Buddhism, it is said that the act of craving or desiring brings suffering. The more you want or desire, the more desire controls you. Even your faith and beliefs can fail, falter, or be crushed. Therefore, you could say that hope brings suffering. The mere act of desiring something immediately brings the fear of not getting the desired outcome. Fear causes grief, stress, confusion, and anger. The cycle of hoping for outcomes seldom or never achieved brings endless anguish. Consequently, is hope in reality hopeless? The mere mention of the word hopelessness conjures up failure and distress. How do we stop hoping?

On the spiritual path to enlightenment, it is preferable to have no expectations and witness everything as it is. By living fully present and neutrally aware, you are living consciously, in harmony and concordance. Divinity is with you, as you exist as a prayer and live in gratitude for your present life. Then, whatever life has to offer, your consciousness reflects willingness, intention, acceptance, fearlessness, and love. The word “hope” evaporates into a knowing that God is the only sacred trust, which is essential.