Recognize the Illusion of Certainty to Find Freedom

What would you do if you were given evidence that a task you're completing won't work? No matter how much effort you put in. Would you carry on if it caused suffering? How much time and energy would you sacrifice for this unachievable goal?

Yet this is what the human condition does constantly when we look for psychological certainty in an uncertain world. It's a futile pursuit.

Certainty is an unattainable goal, but we perpetually seek it. Viewing uncertainty as a wondrous possibility provides freedom and relief.

Life is a mystery

A developed society puts more practical mechanisms in place to achieve predictability. Societal norms reinforce our need to control everything.

We have become distanced from life’s mystery, a deeper connection with something greater, and unity with all.

When I consider the events in my life and the paths I've taken, what lessons have I learned?

Many times, other people's decisions have impacted me more than my own. I've worked towards things that have amounted to nothing, yet benefited when I applied no effort.

My biggest life events have been completely random.

One thing is clear: the more I know, the less I understand.

I don’t know what I don’t know
- My favorite saying

Knowledge v Wisdom

As I get older, I live an examined life. A curious lifelong learner, it has included a relentless pursuit of knowledge. This accumulation has many practical uses for my craft and making life decisions.

Knowledge is a continuous accumulation of experiences stored in your memory. Therefore, it's already in the past. Knowledge can reduce feelings and lead to fixed ways of thinking.

Knowledge is necessary but limited. Wisdom is a deeper search for truth. It is infinite and superior to expertise because it incorporates a holistic understanding of life. Wisdom is essential for a fulfilling life because it integrates meaning.

No amount of knowledge will ever be enough. If we live from knowledge, how can we fully experience what's new?

Knowledge isn't always power

Our natural inclination is to label, judge, and categorize everything around us. We try to make the unknown known. We build structures and belief systems in our minds to inform decisions. Our brains revert to shortcuts to speed things up.

We harbor strong biases and preferences that limit our thinking and miss our possibilities.

Understanding people

How much brain power have you dedicated to trying to understand someone? In particular, trying to work out why they did something. Or why they chose something that made you unhappy.

More than anything, we like to figure people out. It's because we feel people have the power to harm us. Humans will do anything to avoid suffering.

People's behavior is influenced by many factors, making it difficult to predict or understand anyone's actions and motivations fully. Yet we run deep analysis on people's behavior. We assume their reasons for actions as if it's fact.  

People are complex, so why would you try to understand why and what they do?

I've concluded that many of our thoughts about people are conditioned and simply not true. It's no wonder why so many people make unhelpful decisions. This is the human condition!

Embrace the illusion

There is an eagerness to know answers for a future that doesn't exist. People find it hard to enjoy the present without assurances for the future.

Seeking certainty in life is a fruitless search. It may feel comforting to have your beliefs or theories, but it can lead to missing out when they are not true.

Life is made up of constant renewal that requires endings to experience the benefit of something new.

You don't know what will happen

You don't understand why people do what they do. You have to find acceptance in not knowing and that it will be okay.

Consider this when you have negative thoughts. Such as assuming your dream job or business is out of reach, you will never find a partner, or your loved one will never return.

Is that true? Are you making assumptions from negative bias or mental conditioning based on what happened in the past?

Embrace spontaneous flexibility

There is no true certainty or psychological permanency. Everything in life, including relationships, thoughts, ideals, property, and life itself, is impermanent.

The best thing about uncertainty is the positive possibility of what could happen next.

If you can avoid the human folly of needing certainty, all that is left is freedom.

Wishing you well,
Howard

"I don't know what I don't know, and I'm always a work in progress."

It’s simple to understand, but it takes a lot of practice to influence our thoughts. Love to everyone on their journey. If you're really struggling, it’s essential to seek help from a professional.