The Thicket of Views and Opinions

a follow-up to my Jan. 3 post. . .

Kornfield says “the wisdom of uncertainty frees us from what Buddhist psychology calls the thicket of views and opinions.”  This is a really great lesson for me right now.  Especially in the light of our listening to the teachings of Andrew Cohen and his comments on “undefended awareness.”  So I have held some very definite views and opinions on what I intended to do this year.  The universe has constructed circumstance such that I’m forced to drop those views and reside in uncertainty.  Kornfield says “when we are free from views, we are willing to learn.” 

His practice at the end of  chapter twenty-three is called “Don’t Know Mind,” and it’s probably yet another example of this book offering me exactly what I need at the very moment I need it.  This will become my core meditation during this week of silent retreat, and I think it’s worth copying here.  It can be found on p. 381 of The Wise Heart.

Sit quietly and easily.  Focus on your breath or body.  When you feel settled, bring to mind a time ten years ahead.  Recognize that you don’t know what will happen then.  Feel the not knowing and relax with it.  Think of the earth spinning through space with hundreds of thousands of people being born and dying every day.  Where does each life come from?  How did it start?  What changes are ahead for us?  There are so many things we don’t know.  Feel the truth of don’t-know mind, relax, and become comfortable with it.

    Now, bring to mind a conflict, inner or outer.  Be aware of all the thoughts and opinions you have about how things should be , about how other people should be.  Now recognize that you don’t really know.  Maybe the wrong thing will lead to something better.  You don’t know.

     Consider how it would be to approach yourself, the situation, the other people with don’t-know mind.  Don’t know.  Not sure.  No fixed opinion.  Allow yourself to want to understand anew.  Approach it with don’t-know mind, with openness.

     How does resting in don’t-know mind affect the situation?  Does it improve it, make it wiser, easier?  More relaxed?

     Practice don’t-know mind until you are comfortable resting in uncertainty, until you can do your best and laugh and say, “Don’t know.”