This Uncertain Life - Quareness Series 129th "Lecture".
In this rather uncertain world of ours the illusion of certainty can provide us with a very seductive feeling of comfort and safety and even a sense of purpose and belonging. Where everything (people, places, situations, etc.) is constantly changing, and with our own minds in a constant state of flux, the feeling of certainty is highly appealing. In the circumstances I'm inclined to wonder how many of us come to realise that as human beings we don't really know very much at all, despite this high appeal of certainty for us.
It seems important for us to maintain some grip on reality in differentiating between what we know and what we have been told, believe or suspect. What we actually know is only what we directly experience which itself is constantly changing as each moment gives way to the next...in a way this experience of the present moment is our only real certainty. On the plus side, this understanding provides an opportunity to let go of old baggage and to renew our sense of wonder and curiosity as we no longer need to pretend we already have all the answers. On the negative side in resisting such understanding, we may experience an overwhelming desire to side-step fear, to repeat a well-rehearsed opinion, to hang on to the remnants of belief and shore up any illusion of certainty we might cling to...in short anything to avoid peering into the chasm of uncertainty that is life itself.
There is no shame in not knowing, there is only freedom i.e. an open mind which is curious, interested, reflective and malleable. With a genuine sense of uncertainty we cease to project that which we think we know and instead begin to see both life and people as they really are. Only by letting go of our preconceptions and opinions of others can we allow them to be who they truly are, changing and evolving from one moment to the next. This is the wisdom of uncertainty. And such commitment to uncertainty, in ensuring we do not disrespect the opinions of others or devalue/
negate the experience of others, fosters the search for greater understanding. Here we can see opportunity for a calm and considered response to the events of life...
resolution where there is conflict and peace where there is war.
In addition the wisdom of uncertainty highlights the importance of experiential understanding. Thinking about contentment is not the same as being content. It's hardly enough to simply believe or suspect, like Saint Thomas we have a need to discover and find out for ourselves...to feel and know personally and intimately. Thinking about uncertainty is more about doubt and confusion for us than direct experience of it. The latter in freeing us from judgment, opinion or analysis, opens us to unhindered awareness as the nature of the mind and life itself unfolds before our eyes.
Today it seems increasingly fashionable to have strong opinions. However, we do need to be cognisant as to whether a strong opinion reflects an open, curious and interested mind or one that is closed, fixed and final in identifying wholeheartedly with its every thought or feeling. No doubt we need opinions to make sense of the world and take the edge off the inherent vulnerability of life but it seems more realistic and healthier in the long run to remain open to the possibility of other outcomes and views with the potential to move, shift and change. There's wisdom in remembering that anything we think is right could be wrong and anything we think is wrong could be right. Our opinions become problematic when they are so firmly entrenched that we can no longer see things clearly/objectively or see things through the eyes of others. And because nothing is ever undoubtedly certain, it's surely wiser to keep an open mind through not assuming anything and being well prepared to consider giving up what we stridently believe in.
Our time here on Earth is a learning journey which challenges us to shift from fear of uncertainty to trusting life in the face of what we cannot know and do not understand. Essentially we're each on a spiritual path from fear to freedom which is all about coming into right relationship with uncertainty.
Sean.
Dean of Quareness.
November, 2020.