Gil Fronsdal talks about To Care and Not to Care. In Buddhist practice, both matter. Don’t measure yourself by the outcome; measure by how you cared.
A note from Sean
It’s not about the outcome. It’s not about feeling better, or happy, or even calm. It’s about noticing what’s here. When we focus on the result and try to get to the state we like, that’s a form of bypassing. We skip what’s actually here.
Try this today. Pick one task you care about, like a hard conversation or a meal for someone. Before you start, say your care in one sentence. Do it. Afterward, skip the verdict on how it went and ask only whether you showed up with care.
Keep going: Caring Curiosity Meditation, with Sean Fargo and Cultivating Equanimity – Mindfulness Worksheet.
This suits anyone who works hard and grades themselves by results. If caring has worn you down, go gently, and let rest count. Stop when you need to.
More from: Gil Fronsdal
