Knowing and Not Knowing
The other day, I was thinking about how I many times I hear people say “I know” and what that can mean when applied in different situations. It made me realize that although there are some things I’m pretty certain I know, there are many things that I don’t know as well as I thought I did. I’ve been finding that maintaining a certain level of self-awareness around my own “need to know” can be difficult when sifting through the massive amounts of information, opinions and beliefs. The offerings of numerous “experts” at our fingertips through social media and other accessible sources, muddy up the issue of not only what to “know” but also, how do they “know”?
Sometimes, I don’t even care that I don’t know and am in less of a hurry to give a quick opinion about a particular “hot” topic. I realize that some people feel the “fear of missing out”, but I find this new approach to being open about “not knowing” to be somewhat empowering. There’s a point where we have to choose what type of information and knowledge we are seeking and to what end. It can also be quite liberating to let go of unproductive narratives and the ever present reliance on information (sometimes disguised as wisdom), because we really need to be more selective on exactly what we are taking in.
On the other hand, we may feel that perhaps we have nothing else to learn or that we “know” enough, and live life from that viewpoint. However, this can become limiting, especially if your narrative depends on strict adherence to a specific viewpoint and reality. You cannot expand as a person if you limit yourself on any level, especially if there is negativity in that reality. When you let go of these self-imposed restrictions, however, you open yourself up to many possibilities for inner self growth and a “knowing” of your self. You start realizing that the world is quite a magical place when you can look at things with a “beginners mind” and with wonder of the “unknown”.
It is helpful to have the mindset that to begin “knowing” something, you have to accept some form of “not knowing”. Seeking out knowledge with the right intentions, and without personal bias, helps us grow on many levels. It is especially important if you are on a spiritual path. This seeking may require us to let go of trying to have all the answers, whether based on certain belief systems or not, that can shut us off from learning and connecting with others who may have a different viewpoint. At the same time, it’s also important to take into consideration that certain information and narratives don't necessarily translate to authentic knowledge, especially when there’s a significant lack of introspection, humility and wisdom.
It can be challenging to manage the “ego” and the need to be right in the "information age", especially in regard to conveying knowledge or sharing advice. Knowledge and wisdom require authenticity and accountability, and isn’t necessarily based on one’s degree, social media influence or spiritual credentials. On the other hand, this doesn’t mean that we should totally disregard or pretend to know more than those individuals who are highly knowledgeable, educated and trained in specific areas other than ourselves. We need to recognize our preconceptions when we evaluate certain knowledge, especially if we feel that it isn’t relevant to us because of our personal reality or beliefs. This is a balancing act that requires the real inner work of knowing yourself and admitting that sometimes, we may not know ourselves or our limitations as well as we should.
The journey of a certain kind of knowing starts deep within ourselves. After a lot of introspection, I believe that knowing yourself as well as you can is the most important gift you can give yourself. We can take classes and training on a lot of subjects to improve ourselves or our careers, but self-knowledge is a lifelong commitment that is ongoing. When we connect with our authentic self on a regular basis, we can better understand and enjoy our lives because we are living from who we are. We may never have all the answers about ourselves or the mysteries of life, but we will have hopefully gained the knowledge and wisdom we need to grow as individuals. This is when we realize that the wisdom we seek is truly within. This is the “knowing” that is most important, the voice of your soul.
Zsuzsanna, creator of WellnessWisdom, provides inspiration to seek living life more harmoniously and creatively. Consultations are available for individuals to discover their creative potential and authentic life path through holistic healing wisdom, intuitive card readings and creative guidance/coaching.