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Daily Question, April 15

When have I experienced the transformative power of not knowing?

  • Nina

    During the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine I have found time for things that matter most. This has been a trans-formative and a life changing experience. I have recognized that everything that doesn’t matter has no real value, and never really mattered in the first place. My priorities are clearer and now I have a sense of purpose.

  • Tahsin Tabassum

    more often than usual

    • reality

      Yes, me too, “more often now than usual”, well said; thanx- have a good day 🙂 reality

  • Ed Schulte

    EVERY MOMENT!

  • Andrea

    I learned, that my plans for my life are just my plans! And that life brings challenges, I never knew! And after a long hard process of experiences, I finally learned to appreciate not knowing, what comes up next be it a challenge, a new skill, or whatever a present.
    And I’m grateful every day for being able to understand and live life like this!

  • Malag

    Just now when I don’t know what to answer

  • Carabelli21

    When I cut down “push” media, I realised that I started to look for things I wanted to find out about, that I didn’t know and how much, Infact we can’t know it all in one life time, it’s an amazing creation around us.

  • Toni

    When I answer the call of a friend not knowing where the conversation will lead but wanting to be of comfort and ease in the release of being there for the other.

  • Debra

    When I accept that I don’t know what’s happening in the next moment. Who will be in my life? Who won’t? It isn’t the ‘why’ that really matters. That sucks me into the past? It isn’t the ‘what’ either. What will become of me? What will I do next? That sucks me into the future. The transformational power for me of ‘not knowing’ is in the acknowledgment that all there is lies in the moment. That’s where peace resides and clambering from past to future ends.

  • Mica

    I’m learning to think outside the box, with regard to things I’m used to doing or eating that are no longer available. It’s fun to experiment with different foods when I can’t buy the ones I normally want.

  • BabaYaga
    This sounds like a koan, but it's not. It goes back to something Brother David wrote in his autobiography about "learning to expect surprises" and accepting that "there are mysteries yet to be plumbed." When I am able to accept the extent to which I don't or cannot know things (what will happen next, whether I'll succeed or fail at something, how people will react, when the war in Syria will end etc.) then my whole attitude towards life is transformed. I take my rightful place in the univers...

    This sounds like a koan, but it’s not. It goes back to something Brother David wrote in his autobiography about “learning to expect surprises” and accepting that “there are mysteries yet to be plumbed.” When I am able to accept the extent to which I don’t or cannot know things (what will happen next, whether I’ll succeed or fail at something, how people will react, when the war in Syria will end etc.) then my whole attitude towards life is transformed. I take my rightful place in the universe instead of occupying an oversized place born of an inflated sense of self.

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  • Carol
    This question prompted me to ponder the difference between the word “knowing” and the word “knowledge.” I can go to classes, read books, take on line courses, attend lectures, etc., to gain knowledge but knowing is about “being willing” and it always involves a degree of surrender. It says, “Hear I am warts and all.” I have to admit to “not knowing” who I am and what I need to grow in this moment to release life’s transformative power. It’s in admitting my vulnerability t...

    This question prompted me to ponder the difference between the word “knowing” and the word “knowledge.” I can go to classes, read books, take on line courses, attend lectures, etc., to gain knowledge but knowing is about “being willing” and it always involves a degree of surrender. It says, “Hear I am warts and all.” I have to admit to “not knowing” who I am and what I need to grow in this moment to release life’s transformative power. It’s in admitting my vulnerability that I find the strength and wisdom I need to carry on. Willingness is closely allied with trust. I may be helpless but I’m no longer hopeless. It’s paradoxical and I have always found paradox a sign of deeper truth. To know I know I have to admit I don’t know. Willingness is my only job and it is a challenging one but it’s the only way I “know” to grow.

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  • TeriB

    Pretty much on the daily. I find that the expectations I have set in my mind rarely happen and if they do they don’t always end the way I anticipate. I have learned over time to let go, a little, and try to embrace the direction that occurs.

  • pkr

    This current situation we all find ourselves in. I guess it feels like being in limbo or something. Is it transforming me? I am not sure. I do feel that I am waking up to many many things and ideas that have been stirring in me for awhile. I have been doing a lot of self reflecting and spring cleaning. I feel Mother Earth too has been doing a lot of spring cleaning.
    Stay Strong All……❤️?❤️

  • Christine Mutkala-Underhill

    When I feel anxiety over not knowing whether a few dear ones of mine are doing, if they are okay or not okay or on the rollercoaster yoyo flitting between ok and not okay, I just force myself to breathe, express my anxieties, hopes , fears, and give it to God, and go do something that calms me down. Still not knowing the answer to my questions, but knowing that God holds everyone and everything in God’s hand, and is with each of us.

  • Katrina

    I have felt anxiety falling away at not knowing when or if things will happen…Will we be going to my granddaughter’s graduation and then on a big family vacation? I don’t know, and I’m sorry I don’t know, but a certain kind of peace has fallen over me at not having to plan all the details of that upcoming possibility. That’s just one example. I can relax and do other things – work in my garden, paint rocks, actually FaceTime with grandkids…things like that.

  • Eddie
    It feels like a "letting go" prompt to me at first glance. Do I need to know all the news today or is it ok to not know all the updates today - put my newsfeed away and not know what is going on. I recall a conversation I had years ago with an older woman. There was a big local news story everyone was talking about - when I brought up the news story she was unaware of it - she was happy and peaceful and curious about the story, but had no idea about it. I got the impression that she didn't f...

    It feels like a “letting go” prompt to me at first glance. Do I need to know all the news today or is it ok to not know all the updates today – put my newsfeed away and not know what is going on.

    I recall a conversation I had years ago with an older woman. There was a big local news story everyone was talking about – when I brought up the news story she was unaware of it – she was happy and peaceful and curious about the story, but had no idea about it. I got the impression that she didn’t follow “the news”. It seemed she had let go of absorbing all the information available and took in what was useful to her. She was so peaceful, smiling and genuine.

    Read More
    • Pamela

      I love that story!

    • Carol

      A lot of what passes for news today is editorial but it is not labeled editorial (opinion). It screams with an “Us and Them” mentality that in my opinion (No pun intended) is not healthy. The spin on many of the cable news channels today is designed to separate us. It’s all about winning or losing. Reacting instead of responding to life. It should be weighed very carefully.

  • Michele

    I have to agree with the others who have said currently because of covid 19. Also not knowing how a certain person is doing/wondering if I will ever hear from her again. Continuing letting go and hoping for the best:)

  • Pilgrim
    Transformative does not necessarily indicate the positive. When I was very sick with no answers some years ago, the transformative power was extremely fear inducing as for so long nobody could offer explanation or solution. A genius doctor finally figured it out, and continues to treat and walk this journey with me. Fear itself still resides somewhere within, though, and in this current pandemic has risen up to continual worry and perhaps unnecessary concern (fear) for myself and family, and so ...

    Transformative does not necessarily indicate the positive. When I was very sick with no answers some years ago, the transformative power was extremely fear inducing as for so long nobody could offer explanation or solution. A genius doctor finally figured it out, and continues to treat and walk this journey with me. Fear itself still resides somewhere within, though, and in this current pandemic has risen up to continual worry and perhaps unnecessary concern (fear) for myself and family, and so many others, which lately speaks loudly in my head in the middle of the nights. In truth, though, we never know, do we, until we are looking back?

    Read More
  • devy

    Thé world as it is today..not knowing what the future has in store..I try to deal with this by not obsessing with the continuous news reports during the day, by focusing on the present . The transformative power of meditation and gratitude for what I have helps..and opening up more to my faith ..

  • Sarah

    Getting comfortable with not knowing = faith. I need more of this in today’s crisis.

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