I have been looking at the word, “hope,” and its relevance and appropriateness in our practice. Some people have trouble with this word because it implies a desire for things to be other than how they are. Perhaps hope is related to Karma, we plant the seeds now by taking wholesome action with the aspiration that they will blossom in the future if conditions are right.
Hope is a broad concept. It can include the aspiration for healing and non-harm, for all people to have shelter, sustenance, and safety. It can include wishful thinking, like “I hope the mid-terms bring a change in power dynamics in the government.”
Perhaps hope is a movement towards what seems positive, life affirming and wholesome, while consciously refraining from actions which cause harm. This can be subjective, nuanced and not always apparent. Even with good intentions, we don’t always know how our words will land, and we don’t always know to what extent our actions have caused harm. For example, four years ago I purchased an electric car. Mining lithium and cobalt can lead to habitat destruction. We do the research and make the best decisions with the information we have at hand and try to minimize harm when we can.
From the NY TIMES
David DeSteno is a professor of psychology at Northeastern University and the host of the podcast “How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality.” I have paraphrased his writing:
Part of the problem is that our modern conception of hope is flawed. Research psychologists characterize hope as a positive state in which you feel motivated to reach a goal because you believe you have agency in the world and can identify a clear pathway to achieving that goal. However, that sets an incredibly high bar. On our own, none of us can solve the climate crisis or heal political divisions. Sometimes trying to change the world can seem incredibly naïve. According to most psychologists, aiming for a goal that’s beyond your control, like trying to save a loved one from a terminal illness or ensuring that the government adopts a specific policy isn’t healthy. It’s a false hope, a hope that can open you to disappointment and despair.
The view in Buddhism is similar. Much of the world is beyond our ability to control; thinking otherwise is an illusion. We are encouraged to take skillful and appropriate action, but to let go of outcome.
This recognition of our human limitations frees us from the burden of thinking that our goals are entirely our responsibility to achieve. We can make sincere effort but understand that there are endless causes and conditions which we do not control. However, we do not stop trying because we do not have a guaranteed outcome.
Hope is a way to be, a continuous tendency to move toward the good.
I like to think of it as wholesome, compassionate or life affirming action. Such as planting milkweed in your garden for the butterflies. Delivering a meal to a friend who is recovering from surgery. Supporting a local food bank.
Hope also encompasses nurturing and nourishing our bodies, stretching, and strengthening, taking walks in nature, or watching the birds in the trees outside our window.
Other acts of hope include making art, writing, and reading poetry, singing, dancing in the living room, calling a friend, laughing. Living in hope can include showing up to meditate and reflect, being part of a sangha, sharing our inner worlds with each other, witnessing, and being witnessed and supported. It can even include sitting with and bearing witness to our difficult thoughts and emotions with as much compassion as we can summon.
Hope can include choosing to speak in ways that are respectful, timely and true. At times this includes being open to hearing views that we may not share, with curiosity and the intention to better understand the unmet needs, fears, and vulnerability behind these views. It is an intention to connect and recognize our mutual humanity. Other times we must set boundaries and call out when we see harm being done.
For some, hope encourages us to participate in a protest march or to call or write our elected representatives, support progressive candidates, vote, and do what we can to make sure that others have that opportunity.
Sometimes hope is retreating to places of refuge and rest, inner stillness. Maybe hope is the path of the Dharma, the recognition of the Four Ennobling Tasks as Stephen Batchelor calls them, which helps to relieve suffering and promote human flourishing. How do you define hope?