We are living in a world with chronic uncertainty. Between the challenges of Covid, war, political division, and the climate crisis, most of us have experienced times of overwhelm and distress. Questions arise – will we ever be able to safely reconnect with the larger world without risk of catastrophic illness or other forms of acute suffering? Is there a way back into the human family?
Buddhist psychology places an ultimate value on the Paramita of patience. Typically translated as tolerance, this virtuous quality helps us withstand the unforeseen, losses of all kinds, disappointments, or even the stress of waiting for something good to happen. It’s easy to get caught in the desire for what feels good, and fraught aversion to suffering. But if we can find a way to open the mind to novel experience, and the vulnerability it will surely stir, we can eventually find a place of rest within.
This takes work. Most people hope for a life that feels safe and meaningful, with resources of all kinds. But the world we inhabit, for many, poses endless challenges. It can be interesting to note that as we allow for the feelings activated by these challenges, we are also more likely to cultivate patience. Directly connecting with feelings without getting lost in them ushers in aliveness and courage. And slowly, the patience to simply ride the waves of feeling, knowing that they will end, will make this whole process safe enough to risk.
How to Live in Uncertainty
