Les 1
What If It's Not The Future?
We often spend our days worrying about what might happen next, but what if all of that worry isn't about the future at all? It's easy to believe that our expectations are a truth about what's to come, but they're really just a form of present-moment thinking that's masquerading as certainty. In this first lesson, we'll explore why believing these thoughts can create significant stress and begin to see that the future is simply a story we tell ourselves in the present moment. You'll begin to understand that an imagined future can't hurt you.
Les 2
The Stressful Friction
Have you ever felt that horrible friction between what you thought should happen and what actually did? That friction is the stress of unmet expectations. In this lesson, we will explore why situations aren't inherently stressful and how we create all of our own suffering through resistive thinking. You'll begin to see that life is just "living," and that peace is available when you stop trying to force it to be something it's not.
Les 3
The Gap Between What Is And What Should Be
For high-achievers, the pressure of "should" can feel immense. This lesson will gently explore how the inner critic uses the gap between "what is" and "what should be" to create feelings of shame, pressure, and failure. We'll explore why this gap is made of thought, not truth, and see how this understanding can lessen the mental load and stop the inner critic's vicious cycle.
Les 4
You Are Not A Story
Every expectation you have is a story you are telling yourself. We may not even be aware of these narratives, such as "I should have done this by now," or "they should appreciate me more," but they influence our reality. This lesson will introduce the transformative truth that you are not the stories you tell yourself. You are the awareness in which they appear. This understanding will help you to see the transient nature of thought and stop taking every narrative so seriously.
Les 5
The Body Keeps The Score
Your nervous system doesn't know the difference between the imagined pressure of an expectation and a real threat. The body is always keeping a score of our thoughts, and it responds with a feeling to let us know the state of our mind. This lesson will gently guide you to see that your emotions aren't a flaw but a gift. They are a wise and practical signal to let you know that your thinking is unhelpful and to encourage you to slow down.
Les 6
Peace Is Always Available
What if peace isn't something you have to chase or work for? What if it's always here, simply waiting beneath the noise of your expectations? This lesson will invite you to see that your true nature is peace, clarity, and wisdom. When you stop pressuring yourself to meet expectations, you will find that fresh thought and insight arise naturally. You will find that you already have everything you need to navigate life from a place of presence, not pressure.
Les 7
Dropping The Ruler
We often spend our lives beating ourselves up with our own thinking, and yet we rarely see the thoughts we are using. This lesson will shine a light on this pattern, helping you to see that our suffering is caused by our innocent belief that we have to keep trying to fix or change our expectations. You'll begin to see that freedom doesn't come from getting rid of expectations but from seeing through them. Once seen, they lose their power.
Les 8
The Power Of Presence
Expectation pulls us out of the present moment and into an imagined future. This course has been an invitation to return to the only thing that is truly real: the present. This lesson will gently guide you into the power of presence, not as another thing to master, but as a natural state that's always available. You'll learn to see how fresh action and insight arise from this stillness, rather than from a place of pressure.
Les 9
From Disappointment To Flow
Disappointment can only exist when we have expectations. It's a painful feeling that's rooted in the belief that life should be different from how it is. This lesson will invite you to explore what becomes possible when you learn to allow life to unfold just as it is. You'll begin to experience a sense of flow and ease, as you release the need to control outcomes and instead align with a wisdom that moves in the now.
Les 10
The Wisdom Of Letting Go
As we come to the end of our journey, we will revisit our most profound insight: that you don't need to get rid of expectations, you just need to see them for what they are, just thoughts. This lesson will leave you with a deep sense of peace, as you learn to trust in your innate wisdom and the natural flow of life. You'll know that you are already whole and that your well-being is not dependent on circumstances or outcomes.