Evaluate an EL expression

    //get current EL context
    javax.el.ELContext elContext = javax.faces.context.FacesContext.getCurrentInstance().getELContext();

    //get the expression factory (for seam). You can probably do ExpressionFactory.newInstance() if not using seam .
    javax.el.ExpressionFactory expressionFactory = org.jboss.seam.core.Expressions.instance().getExpressionFactory();

    //Create value expression as the EL I'm evaluating is a value e.g. #{bean.property} . Create MethodExpression if the EL is a method e.g. #{bean.method()}
    javax.el.ValueExpression valueExpression = expressionFactory.createValueExpression(elContext, elExpressionYouAreEvaluating, WhateverYouAreExpecting.class);

    // get value and dont' forget to cast.
    whateverYouAreExpecting = (WhateverYouAreExpecting) valueExpression.getValue(elContext);

    //NOTE: imaginary code
    Object value = ExpressionFactory.getValue("#{bean.property}");