Not Minding Not Knowing.
“I don’t know.” Just uttering those words brings back a sense of shame from childhood. Feeling dumb. As a Boy Scout, I was taught to “Be Prepared.” Not knowing suggests you weren’t properly prepared.
Of course, none of us were prepared for what is happening in our world today. And before we beat ourselves up for that, we would be wise to remember that the smart guy in the room may have all the answers, but the wise person asks the catalytic questions. Learning to cultivate a comfort with ambiguity is a foundational hallmark of maturity, especially in the 21st century. On the other side of the door of uncertainty is a room full of wisdom. But it may not be your choice when you get to enter that room.
In the meantime, embrace what Buddhists call the “Don’t Know mind.” “Maybe, Baby” is a perfectly fine answer.
P.S. Please join me and David Stewart, the co-founder of AGEIST online magazine, as we unlock wisdom with special guest Alex von Bidder. Alex is a long-time yoga and meditation practitioner, mentor at the ManKind Project, and former managing partner (for decades) of the venerable Four Seasons restaurant in NYC. Tune in on Wednesday, April 22nd at 5:00pm PST. Tickets are free and limited, so reserve today here.
