The Peace & Joy of Unknowing

In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few. — Shunryu Suzuki

As I felt the cool grains of sand upon my feet and as the first rays of morning light began to sparkle off the ocean waves, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for another day to live. The salt tinged air brushing against my skin, the seagulls swooping and dancing above, the driftwood scattered upon the shore sculpted by time, all of these gifts serving as reminders of my good fortune. I stopped to look out to sea and a fish jumped, it’s body arching against the cloudless sky, free and alive.

No one really knows what the future holds. Of course we pretend otherwise, but our pretending makes this reality no less true. We typically want answers and explanations to feel safe and secure amidst all the unpredictability of living. Despite the fact, as Helen Keller said, ‘Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.’

An alternative is too un-know. My invitation is to drop the desire to know and tune into the infinite uncertainty of being. In so doing we are liberated, our innocence returns and we become like a child again, free to not know and be ok with it! It is a bit unnerving at first but with a little practice it can be glorious. The truth is, each day is a mystery, we never know what will come next, so why not take a deep breath and settle into the peace and joy of unknowing.

Leave your front door and your back door open. Allow your thoughts to come and go. Just don’t serve them tea. — Shunryn Suzuki

Meditation can be most helpful is this respect, I recommend it with great enthusiasm. As there are so many different approaches to meditation, just go exploring and see what resonates. I typically sit quietly for a few minutes in the morning and evening, close my eyes and follow my breath. Sometimes, I’ll repeat a mantra silently in my head, sometimes I’ll gaze at a candle, but most often I just let go and let my breath lead the way.

It is important to expect nothing, to take every experience, including the negative ones, as merely steps on the path, and to proceed. — Ram Dass

Of course we do need to work, and live, and set goals, but as John Lennon said, ‘Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.’ In this respect, proceeding without expectation can be immensely freeing and healing. So often, our tendency is to let our thoughts — that never ending story being played in our head — run the show, and we either attempt to predict what is to come or we wallow in what was. In either case, we slip back into the ‘knowing.’ This habitual lack of presence takes us out of the moment, the only thing that’s real, and creates stress for our body, mind and spirit.

Peace doesn’t require two people; it requires only one. It has to be you. The problem begins and ends there. — Byron Katie

Another consequence of ‘knowing’ is that it often puts us at odds with what is, which further perpetuates our suffering. As to quarrel with what is, is a battle we will loose every time. Acceptance, non-attachment and understanding are also our friends here. Along with the wisdom of impermanence, and the truth of No-self.

As you proceed on your journey, enjoy the process of discovery that accompanies the unknowing, be compassionate towards yourself as you make your way, and welcome the peace and joy that come with being here now!