[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]When we are in a place we do not like or in unwanted circumstances, we hope that things will change. The more uncomfortable we are, the more we focus on the future we want to see. But hope alone does not change things does it. And, sometimes spiritual solutions like prayer or meditation do not appear to make things better either. Another type of hope is called “deep hope.” Let me explain.

The Merriam-Webster definition of hope is “to cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true, hopes for a promotion, hoping for the best.” However, Diane Rizzetto presents a much different definition of hope in her book Deep Hope. The author suggests the Zen Buddhist tradition discourages hope that focuses on specific outcomes. The reason why is that it will lead to further suffering. This is because our happiness is contingent on something happening and diverts our attention from the present moment. Hope is a journey rather than a destination. Maintaining a deep hope has a much broader vision and provides the patience and peace we all crave. In Rizzetto’s words “[Deep hope] arises when we purposely engage in living in such a way as to nurture and sustain our deepest capacity to continue on, knowing that, in spite of what appears on the surface, there exists a fundamental love and connection between all things.”

Changing focus to finding God/Spirit within can provide a peace that passes all understanding. This is because the focus is not on the outcome, but on the journey.

For more information, see my interview in Authority Magazine; Five Steps That Each Of Us Can Take To Proactively Help Heal Our Country, via Authority Magazine – Medium[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]