Living well in uncertain times

We are living in uncertain times, particularly in the light of climate change. Uncertainty can give rise to feelings of anxiety. One response to living with uncertainty is to try to gain control again. Another is to contract into paralytic despair, or denial. Both of those responses are natural human responses, however they are both unhelpful. How can we live well with uncertainty?

Living well with uncertainty does not mean striving to live on a plane of existence where the uncertainties of daily life do not trouble us. Neither does it mean waiting until circumstances are resolved before we get on with the business of living again. Rather, living well with uncertainty means continuing to be openhearted, curious, even playful in response to our uncertain life experiences. As we do so we are able to cultivate wisdom and compassion within us - even as we continue to take appropriate actions.

The term playfulness is in no way meant to demean the severity of the uncertain times we are living with. Rather the term playful holds within it a sense of a beginner’s mind. A beginner’s mind is one that consciously detaches from preconcieved assumptions and judgments about the way life should be; a bit like a child at play. Even so, a beginner’s mind is not a child’s mind. A beginner’s mind both knows the bigger picture reality and chooses to respond with openheartedness.

What does openheartedness mean? Openheartedness requires that when we find ourselves experiencing doubt, indecision, grief, hesitation, anxiousness, vagueness, ambiguity, insecurity, vulnerability, disorientation, or lack of confidence, we do not try to escape such feelings. We lean into such felt experience with the question: how may I/we grow in wisdom and compassion through this experience?