The Power of Leaning into Not Knowing
Being a mom has been my greatest teacher in releasing control. It’s a constant reminder that I am not the general manager of the universe. As the famous saying goes, “We plan, God laughs.” Although I can’t yet say I welcome these moments of uncertainty, I aspire to embrace them as they shake my core and compel me to navigate the unknown.
A key tenet of my spiritual practice is leaning into not knowing, which also involves Non-Attachment to Views. This is beautifully articulated in the second of the 14 Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing, which I’m deeply committed to studying, practicing and integrating.
Non-Attachment to Views: Aware of the suffering created by attachment to views and wrong perceptions, we are determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. We are committed to learning and practicing non-attachment to views and being open to others’ experiences and insights in order to benefit from the collective wisdom. We are aware that the knowledge we presently possess is not changeless, absolute truth. Insight is revealed through the practice of compassionate listening, deep looking, and letting go of notions rather than through the accumulation of intellectual knowledge. Truth is found in life, and we will observe life within and around us in every moment, ready to learn throughout our lives.
I’m grateful to my dear friend and TEL Alumni, Jen Knox, for recently reminding me back into the importance of epistemic humility, a key element of the Social Emotional Ethical (SEE) Learning Curriculum. Epistemic humility encourages us to be humble about our knowledge and open to the possibility of being wrong and this is so vital in a world where we often leap to conclusions based on limited information, sometimes causing harm. To counter this, it’s crucial to recognize that no one fully understands the world. Instead of jumping to conclusions, I’m trying to get better at asking myself:
- Could I be mistaken?
- What other explanations might there be?
In doing this I foster a broader perspective and prevents premature judgments.
Given all that’s unfolding in our world right now and the intense times in which we live we must also be vigilant about not catastrophizing. The worst-case scenario isn’t the only possibility. Focusing on constructive actions is far more beneficial than succumbing to worry. For me personally, action is my most powerful antidote to worry.
Overgeneralization is also another way we limit our capacity of practicing “Not Knowing.” Overgeneralization narrows our perspective and stifles potential growth; it also doesn’t leave room for holding complexity and nuance which are vital in widening our capacity for understanding.
By being mindful of these cognitive traps and approaching situations with an openness and willingness to continuously learn we enhance our capacity for personal growth and our connections with others.
Wisdom isn’t just about accumulating knowledge; it’s about understanding the limits of what we know. By acknowledging our own ignorance, we create room for learning and personal growth.
Uncertainty is often seen as a void that needs filling, a problem to be solved. I invite you to reframe it as a space of potential and opportunity. When we accept that we don’t have all the answers, we allow ourselves to remain curious and open — foundations of innovation and discovery. In a world constantly seeking answers, embracing the unknown can open new avenues of growth, creativity, and connection. Leaning into not knowing isn’t about giving up on seeking knowledge; it’s about recognizing that some of the most valuable insights come from embracing uncertainty. By doing so, we cultivate a deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us.
Author Bio: Meena Srinivasan is a contemplative leader, celebrated speaker, accomplished author, and visionary edupreneur. She is an educator-activist at heart, consistently championing the fusion of Mindfulness, Emotional Intelligence, and Belonging. Meena was featured as one of 2022’s 10 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement in Mindful Magazine and is the Executive Director of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL)™ an organization that supports educational leaders in building more compassionate and just schools. A former public school administrator and National Board Certified Teacher, Meena is the creative force behind the SEL Every Day Online Courses, an instructor of graduate level Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) courses at UC Berkeley and the CEO of Karuna Consulting, LLC, an organization that takes its name from the Sanskrit word ‘Karuna,’ signifying compassion. Karuna Consulting is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) driven by a profound mission: to foster a more compassionate world through Meena’s keynotes, professional learning, coaching, and consulting services. She is the author of numerous publications including Teach, Breathe, Learn and SEL Every Day. The latter was honored as one of 2019’s Favorite Books for Educators by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley. Her TEDx talk on Tenderness is one of the most popular TEDx talks of 2024 (with over 2 million views). Meena has been practicing yoga and meditation for over 25 years, is an ordained Zen Buddhist and serves on the Board of the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. Learn more at meenasrinivasan.com.
