Getting Close to Zero

In the intricate tapestry of human emotion, three pivotal figures hold the threads: Expectation, Fear, and Hope. Expectation serves as the foundational axis, stretching infinitely in two directions. Anchored by Fear and Hope, it’s these poles that determine our reality.

The Poles of Expectation: Fear and Hope

Fear resides at the negative end of the Expectation spectrum, penning stories replete with calamities and setbacks. It amplifies our natural tendencies toward anxiety and apprehension. At the opposite pole, Hope inhabits the positive stretch, spinning narratives of joy and favorable outcomes. It shapes our collective consciousness, steering us toward optimism and happiness.

The Fiction of Fear and Hope

Both Fear and Hope are fiction writers, drawing from the same uncharted territory of the future. They craft compelling narratives that may or may not materialize, but these stories exercise a profound influence on our present emotional states and actions.

Reality: The Ratio of Actual to Expectation

The emotional equilibrium we experience is ultimately determined by Reality, represented as the ratio of Actual to Expectation. Here, ‘Actual’ is a constant, the objective outcome arising from the dynamic between past and future. It’s the Expectation variable—anchored by Fear and Hope—that can distort this ratio, inducing emotional peaks and valleys.

The Goal: Zero Expectation

To navigate the complexities of our emotional landscape effectively, the aim is to draw as close to zero on the Expectation axis as possible. Zero Expectation isn’t an absence of care or investment; it’s an open receptivity to all outcomes, a stance that minimizes emotional suffering while maximizing potential joy. By consciously working toward a state of Zero Expectation, we liberate ourselves from the fictional extremes penned by Fear and Hope, finding a balanced emotional space where we are most free.