Practice at Stream

Abandon any hope of fruition

The instruction to ‘Abandon any hope of fruition’ doesn’t mean we give up on life or training the mind or improving our well-being or that of others. Instead, it emphasizes the attitude we take, which is to let go of our expectations.

Practicing wholeheartedly without expecting results contains within it the fruit of non-attachment and liberation. For example, if we let go of our ideas about how a yoga pose should look and feel, we experience a kind of liberation. We are free from our own judgement and insecurities.

Observe this with any wholesome quality: when giving love, can you do so without expecting anything in return? We often give conditional love, using loving words and actions with hidden agendas. Notice when your love has strings attached. Do you feel a pull or longing to be loved in return?

When you are generous, do you expect generosity in return? Are you seeking recognition, or do you genuinely want to give without expectation?

When you are patient, are you hoping for a payoff, or have you let go into acceptance?

Love, generosity, and patience are endless and free—they are not ours, not commodities, and not transactional tools for meeting the ego’s needs.

Abandoning hope of fruition is not despair but a deep release and untangling of our confusion about reality. This practice helps uncover hidden agendas about what we think should happen, how we want to be seen by others, our urge for comfort over discomfort, and our desire for certainty over uncertainty.

Noticing the mind’s push-pull around wanting, longing, craving, and clinging unlocks insights into the three seals: suffering (dukkha), impermanence (anicca) and not-self (anattā).

Over time, we recognize the suffering inherent in narrow, self-interested intentions, which keep us hopelessly chasing but never finding lasting satisfaction. Ultimately, ‘abandoning hope of fruition’ reveals the truth that there is no one to attain enlightenment. The belief in an individual to gain results is the heart of the matter, the root of confusion, and the gate to liberation.

“Abandon any hope of fruition” is the 28th slogan from the Root Text of Training the Mind in Seven Points by Tibetan Master Chekawa Yeshe Dorje (1102–1176). The commentary above and collage artwork is part of a work in progress by Heather Fenton. Follow the WIP by folling Heather @mere_name on Instagram.
Heather Fenton

Heather Fenton

Studio Owner, Instructor

Heather combines 25 years of Buddhist meditation training with a lifelong interest in mental and physical health. She takes joy in community practice and teaches from the heart with warmth, compassion and humour. Heather offers regular meditation sessions, workshops and retreats. Her main interests are introducing and supporting simple meditation and mindfulness practices and encouraging others — whatever their background or beliefs — to build and sustain a daily (or daily-ish) practice of stillness and inner reflection.

You’re invited to practice with us weekly in person in Port Colborne, Ontario or live online on Zoom.

Insight Meditation, Wednesdays 7pm ET (90 mins), with Heather Fenton — Start and/or maintain a regular meditation practice. Each week, guided meditations are combined with instructions for bringing mindfulness into daily living. This meditation class is offered freely.

Book now! or email us at hello@gentlydownthestream.org if you’d like more info.

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Stream Monthly Members receive a 20% discount on most pre-registered courses, events and workshops. Contact the studio when registering; or simply send an etransfer for the indicated Member price with a note and we will add the event to your account and book your spot. Membership must remain/be active while the Course is in progress and/or at the time of the event.

819 Weaver Road
Port Colborne, ON L3K 5V3