“The Unknown” or “Void” is a part a life. It is an existential reality faced by all humans. We all have a relationship to the unknown whether that relationship is in our awareness or not.
The concept of the unknown or the void often refers to areas of knowledge or existence that are not understood or are yet to be explored. It can represent the mysterious, the uncharted, or the unfathomable aspects of reality. In philosophy and spirituality, the void can also refer to a state of emptiness, potentiality, or the absence of form or structure. It's a concept that has intrigued thinkers and artists for centuries, inspiring exploration, contemplation, and creativity. Whether viewed as a source of fear, curiosity, or inspiration, the unknown and the void point to the vastness and complexity of the universe and our place within it. There are healthy and unhealthy ways of relating to the unknown. Unhealthy ways come from necessity at some point in the individual's story and are not to be judged negatively. However, it generally behooves one to grow past these original ways so that one's life becomes more enjoyable. Unhealthy ways include:
The most helpful relationship to the unknown is to recognize that we are always facing it and to allow its existence without trying to change it. Doing so opens us to the gifts of the unknown. Healthy ways to relate to the unknown include:
The first step to facing the unknown in a healthy way is to acknowledge that it is there and to sit with the discomfort you feel uniquely in your own body. What does sitting with the void feel like to you? Then allow yourself to breath, ground, or center yourself as you hangout with discomfort. Notice that you can feel discomfort and a sense of safety at the same time. Instead of filling the unknown, notice what emerges from it spontaneously. I could be a thought, emotion, sensation, image, or impulse to move. Sometimes an interesting event happens in your life. When something unexpected happens, you may feel vulnerable because it is unfamiliar. Acknowledge that something new is happening while at the same time acknowledging that you feel the vulnerable feelings of unfamiliarity. The more you grow accustomed to the vulnerable feelings of unfamiliarity the more flexible you will become with new and surprising things that emerge from the void. Practices of relating to the unknown like the one described above are so important in the journey to becoming good at and comfortable with change. The more comfortable you are with change, the more likely you will attain personal growth goals that you have for yourself. For example, let's say you've lived a life of emotional pain that stems from trauma. Since pain is all you've known, feel free and unencumbered is unknown territory for you. When you get a taste of emotional freedom, your system immediately retaliates by doubling down on the pain. The reason for this is that your system does not know how to exist unencumbered. Even though freedom from pain would feel really good, the fear of the unknown is the stronger motivator. Thus, to be able to live with emotional freedom, you must recognize and sort out your relationship to the unknown. Simply seeking positive emotional states is not enough because your system does not know how to live life in that mode.
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AuthorProsopon Therapy Archives
April 2024
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