---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: With mindfulness, loving kindness, and…"
description: "\"“With mindfulness, loving kindness, and self-compassion, we can begin to let go of our expectations about how life and those we love should be.”\" — Sha..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d9/sharon-salzberg-562_buddhism_with-mindfulness-loving-kindness-and-sel_3219986.png"
---

#  With mindfulness, loving kindness, and self-compassion, we…

![“With mindfulness, loving kindness, and self-compassion, we can begin to let go of our expectations about how life and those we love should be.” quote by Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d9/sharon-salzberg-562_buddhism_with-mindfulness-loving-kindness-and-sel_3219986.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d9/sharon-salzberg-562_buddhism_with-mindfulness-loving-kindness-and-sel_3219986.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d9/sharon-salzberg-562_buddhism_with-mindfulness-loving-kindness-and-sel_3219986.png)

> ““With mindfulness, loving kindness, and self-compassion, we can begin to let go of our expectations about how life and those we love should be.””

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Mindfulness, loving‑kindness, and self‑compassion free us from rigid expectations about life and loved ones.

**In simple terms:** Being present and kind reduces expectations.

Key Takeaway

Practice compassion to ease disappointment.

Themes

mindfulness compassion expectations relationships

Mood

calm hopeful

Type

spiritual inspirational

When to use this quote

- meditation practice
- relationship counseling
- stress reduction
- personal growth

Key Concepts

psychology spirituality well‑being

Questions to Reflect On

- What expectations are you holding?
- How does compassion change your view of others?

A Different Perspective

Expectations can still arise despite practice.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [Letting go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letting-go/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love quote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-quote/) [Loving kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loving-kindness/) [Mental health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-health/) [Metta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/metta/) [Mindfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mindfulness/) [Relationship quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship-quotes/) [Self compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-compassion/)

## Related quotes

> [“Wholehearted acceptance is a basic element of love, starting with love for ourselves, and a gateway to joy. Through the practices of loving kindness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/wholehearted-acceptance-is-a-basic-element-of-love-starting-with-love/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [“Concepts such as loving kindness should never be used as weapons against our real feelings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/concepts-such-as-loving-kindness-should-never-be-used-as-weapons/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [I admire the fact that the central core of Buddhist teaching involves mindfulness and loving kindness and compassion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-reagan/i-admire-the-fact-that-the-central-core-of-buddhist-teaching-involves/)

[Ron Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-reagan/)

> [“Monks, even if bandits were to savagely sever you, limb by limb, with a double-handled saw, even then, whoever of you harbors ill will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/monks-even-if-bandits-were-to-savagely-sever-you-limb-by-limb-with-a/)

[Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/)

> [Metta is the ability to embrace all parts of ourselves, as well as all parts of the world. Practicing metta illuminates our inner integrity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/metta-is-the-ability-to-embrace-all-parts-of-ourselves-as-well-as-all-2/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [To reteach a thing its loveliness is the nature of metta. Through lovingkindness, everyone &amp; everything can flower again from within.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/to-reteach-a-thing-its-loveliness-is-the-nature-of-metta-through/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [It is only with true love and compassion that we can begin to mend what is broken in the world. It is these two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/it-is-only-with-true-love-and-compassion-that-we-can-begin-to-mend/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [Mindfulness is loving all the details of our lives, and awareness is the natural thing that happens: life begins to open up, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/mindfulness-is-loving-all-the-details-of-our-lives-and-awareness-is/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [So let Compassion begin within. You dont have to solve all the problems of the world. Just love the world, do it mindfully and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemmy-nola-http-wwwamoreloveforlifecom/so-let-compassion-begin-within-you-dont-have-to-solve-all-the/)

Kemmy Nola Http://wwwamoreloveforlifecom

> [Metta sees truly that our integrity is inviolate, no matter what our life situation may be. We do not need to fear anything. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/metta-sees-truly-that-our-integrity-is-inviolate-no-matter-what-our/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [When we practice metta, we open continuously to the truth of our actual experience, changing our relationship to life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/when-we-practice-metta-we-open-continuously-to-the-truth-of-our/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [Simple kindness to one's self and all that lives is the most powerful transformational force of all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/simple-kindness-to-one-s-self-and-all-that-lives-is-the-most-powerful/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Kindness to self will put you in the perfect attitude and position to be kind to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/kindness-to-self-will-put-you-in-the-perfect-attitude-and-position-to/)

[Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/)

> [“When we practice viewing others as perfect right now, we increase our capacity to view ourselves with more compassion, kindness, and self-love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anella-wetter/when-we-practice-viewing-others-as-perfect-right-now-we-increase-our/)

[Anella Wetter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anella-wetter/)

> [“What good are kindness, self-sacrifice, energy, and a sense of responsibility if they are so jealously guarded that only one's brothers and sisters may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-campbell-bartoletti/what-good-are-kindness-self-sacrifice-energy-and-a-sense-of/)

[Susan Campbell Bartoletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-campbell-bartoletti/)

## More by Sharon Salzberg

> [Some things hurt, you know, and there's pain. But we magnify the suffering of it often, I think, by our reactions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/some-things-hurt-you-know-and-there-s-pain-but-we-magnify-the/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [“How we traverse the space between us when conflict arises has a profound effect on the health and longevity of our relationships.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/how-we-traverse-the-space-between-us-when-conflict-arises-has-a/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [“Even when we do our very best to treat those close to us with utmost respect and understanding, conflict happens. That’s life. That’s human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/even-when-we-do-our-very-best-to-treat-those-close-to-us-with-utmost/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [“Loving ourselves calls us to give up the illusion that we can control everything and focuses us on building our inner resource of resilience.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/loving-ourselves-calls-us-to-give-up-the-illusion-that-we-can-control/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [In order to do anything about the suffering of the world we must have the strength to face it without turning away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/in-order-to-do-anything-about-the-suffering-of-the-world-we-must-have/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [“When we believe a wounding story, our whole world is diminished.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/when-we-believe-a-wounding-story-our-whole-world-is-diminished/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [“The paradigm for our relationships is formed from our earliest experiences and is actually hardwired into our neurological and emotional network.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/the-paradigm-for-our-relationships-is-formed-from-our-earliest/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [Vulnerability in the face of constant change is what we share, whatever our present condition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/vulnerability-in-the-face-of-constant-change-is-what-we-share/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [“Asking questions is an opportunity for creativity and personal expression, both for the person asking and the person answering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/asking-questions-is-an-opportunity-for-creativity-and-personal/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [Compassion isn't morose; it's something replenishing and opening; that's why it makes us happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/compassion-isn-t-morose-it-s-something-replenishing-and-opening-that/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [“When we open our hearts to the breadth of our experiences, we learn to tune into our needs, unique perceptions, thoughts &amp; feelings”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/when-we-open-our-hearts-to-the-breadth-of-our-experiences-we-learn-to/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [“As we explore new ways of loving and being loved by others, we need to equip ourselves with open, pliant minds; we need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/as-we-explore-new-ways-of-loving-and-being-loved-by-others-we-need-to/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [Even in the midst of devastation, something within us always points the way to freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/even-in-the-midst-of-devastation-something-within-us-always-points/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [“It's important to investigate the nature of anger because it is such a powerful energy and can be so destructive. When we can face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/it-s-important-to-investigate-the-nature-of-anger-because-it-is-such/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [“When we contemplate the miracle of embodied life, we begin to partner with our bodies in a kinder way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/when-we-contemplate-the-miracle-of-embodied-life-we-begin-to-partner/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

[Explore all 473 Sharon Salzberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

## More Buddhism quotes

> [There are places that are very draining. There are places where there is another dimensional crossover but to a dimension that is not powerful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/there-are-places-that-are-very-draining-there-are-places-where-there/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Enlightenment is lightening up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-myers/enlightenment-is-lightening-up/)

[Mike Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-myers/)

> [The very best players, when they are practicing, put everything they've got into it. But then they leave it for a while. And it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/the-very-best-players-when-they-are-practicing-put-everything-they-ve/)

[Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/)

> [Everyone will admire you when you do well. What a horrible thing to do to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everyone-will-admire-you-when-you-do-well-what-a-horrible-thing-to-do/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Nirvana is a word that means enlightenment, being beyond the illusion of birth and death, the illusion of pain, the illusion of love, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/nirvana-is-a-word-that-means-enlightenment-being-beyond-the-illusion/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [I think the most miraculous thing is learning. I get out of the way and let the students learn. Then you get to watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/i-think-the-most-miraculous-thing-is-learning-i-get-out-of-the-way/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [“Exactly. I think the original tantric Buddhists took notice of was some very wise old people who never studied in their youth, but took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-niemczura/exactly-i-think-the-original-tantric-buddhists-took-notice-of-was/)

[Joe Niemczura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-niemczura/)

> [A human being can only absorb a small amount of the mystical kundalini, you can be exposed again and again to it, but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/a-human-being-can-only-absorb-a-small-amount-of-the-mystical/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [One of the things I regret about not putting in that book or I think it's there but I didn't really elaborate on it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-warner/one-of-the-things-i-regret-about-not-putting-in-that-book-or-i-think/)

[Brad Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-warner/)

> [My mom and my aunties are really devout Christians. My mom married a Muslim when I was 12, so I got teachings from both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tech-n9ne/my-mom-and-my-aunties-are-really-devout-christians-my-mom-married-a/)

[Tech N9ne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tech-n9ne/)

> [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [“The extraction of discrete parts of Chöd teachings from their broader philosophical contexts is symptomatic of how Chöd has been incorporated into and transmitted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-sorensen/the-extraction-of-discrete-parts-of-ch-d-teachings-from-their-broader/)

[Michelle Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-sorensen/)

> [Buddhism advises you not to implant feelings that you don’t really have or avoid feelings that you do have. If you are miserable you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/buddhism-advises-you-not-to-implant-feelings-that-you-don-t-really/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“That's all there is, enlightenment on the end of a cock. It doesn't get any more Zen than that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaden-wilkes/that-s-all-there-is-enlightenment-on-the-end-of-a-cock-it-doesn-t-get/)

[Jaden Wilkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaden-wilkes/)

> [Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint. Before I had cancer, I lived my life for my art. After I had cancer, I lived my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-halprin/aging-is-like-enlightenment-at-gunpoint-before-i-had-cancer-i-lived/)

[Anna Halprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-halprin/)

[Browse all 6,100 Buddhism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“With mindfulness, loving kindness, and self-compassion, we can begin to let go of our expectations about how life and those we love should be.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Sharon Salzberg"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/with-mindfulness-loving-kindness-and-self-compassion-we-can-begin-to/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Buddhism"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/with-mindfulness-loving-kindness-and-self-compassion-we-can-begin-to/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d9/sharon-salzberg-562_buddhism_with-mindfulness-loving-kindness-and-sel_3219986.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d9/sharon-salzberg-562_buddhism_with-mindfulness-loving-kindness-and-sel_3219986.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d9/sharon-salzberg-562_buddhism_with-mindfulness-loving-kindness-and-sel_3219986.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“With mindfulness, loving kindness, and self-compassion, we can begin to let go of our expectations about how…” — Sharon Salzberg",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Sharon Salzberg",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“With mindfulness, loving kindness, and self-compassion,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/with-mindfulness-loving-kindness-and-self-compassion-we-can-begin-to/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/with-mindfulness-loving-kindness-and-self-compassion-we-can-begin-to/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
