We seek to remove uncertainty from our lives. That is why we want to know answers to our questions. Will I have a job given the situation at work? Does he love me? Do my students like me? Will I succeed? Will I be happy if I move in with him? What will happen to me after I die? Does God exist? These are examples of questions that we spend immense amount of energies on. Here are a few things to know:
- Not all questions have answers– Just because we can ask a question does not mean that there is an answer. Some questions do not have answers because the answer lies in a different frame of reference than our question. Some questions can only resolve with time. Some questions have answers but we are unable to understand them. Whatever be the case, the fact that the answer eludes us, is a reason to be humble and patient. Working up an anxiety does not do us any good.
- To understand some answers you have to make yourself ready for them– There are times when the answer is staring us in the face, but we are unable to grasp it. Truth is reachable if we are able to digest its meaning. So the right approach to finding an answer that continues to elude us is to change the question to: What do I need to do to prepare myself for the answer?
- Know the worst-case options– Some questions only resolve with time. There is no way to know how things will turn out. The best approach here is that instead of spending endless energy worrying about the outcome, it may be better to think though with a clear head what the worst case options are. Be sure you are prepared for the worst-case scenario as best you can and quit worrying.
- Ask the right question– Instead of asking- does he love me? Maybe a better approach would be to ask: What are the obstacles to love entering my life? Instead of asking: Is there God, the question could be: What are the roadblocks to my attaining deeper spirituality? Instead of the question: What happens after I die? The question could be: Am I living a worthy life? Rather than grappling with questions that are beyond our reach, we should rather look for questions that we can do something about.
The Buddha is said to have said, “Three things cannot be hidden: The sun, the moon, and the truth.” There is inevitability about reaching truth. So patience and humility is the key and let the truth unfold by itself as we march resolutely towards it.
Related: On Finding Our Truth: Four watch-outs
Credits:This has been written by Raj Shah and edited by Ketna Shah.