The Wisdom of Insecurity

When the forms of an old culture are dying, the new culture is created by a few people who are not afraid to be insecure.

-- Rudolf Bahro, as quoted in Letting Go of Hope by Margaret Wheatley, who goes on to say:

I find it hard to imagine how I can work for the future without feeling grounded in the belief that my actions will make a difference. But Bahro offers a new prospect, that feeling insecure, even groundless, might actually increase my ability to stay in the work. I've read about groundlessness - especially in Buddhism - and recently have experienced it quite a bit. I haven't liked it at all, but as the dying culture turns to mush, could I give up seeking ground to stand on?

Comments

[Camy]

We scrabble about in the quicksand trying to find 'our' solid ground, but every way we turn the solid inevitably turns to mush. The secret is to solidify our little bit of quicksand, and always have faith in yourself.

[Kitty]

And be willing for that little bit of solidity to turn to mush at any time, I guess, and then find another point to stand on. Well, as you indicated, the true point of solidity is within us, not someplace outside in the world.

From what I've heard, scrabbling in the quicksand has the effect of increasing the speed at which you go under. The way to slow the process of being pulled down is to lean back into it ... and relax? :) Easier said than done ...