Thank you, Anakha, for introducing the concept of "Negative Capability" to me at this pivotal time. It perfectly explains the lessons and inner evolution of the last 2 years, and probably one more year in this lifetime of mine, but in reality, every day of all of our lives. Our ego spends so much time and effort prudently plotting what it decides is a safe and sane state of security than never really exists in the first place. Thankfully, I have experienced incredible internal shifts, but then again, it was either shift or go to the loony bin.
John Keats introduced the concept in 1871, describing it as "when man is capable of being in uncertainties, mysteries and doubts without any irritable reaching after fact or reason." He believed that "great people have the ability to accept that not everything can be resolved" and that "the truths found in imagination access holy authority". He believed that authority could not otherwise be understood and writes, "This place of uncertainty is a place between the mundane, ready reality and the multiple potentials of a more fully understood existence. It is a state of intentional openmindedness".
Most religious or spiritual systems speak of this. Certainly, Buddhism hinges fundementally on it in the teaching that "all suffering comes from attachment", as surely where else does attachment really exist, except within the mind. And the Christian Bible says in Proverbs, "Trust the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding". We love the concept that we have things all figured out and neatly planned and have covered our bases, but in the end, events completely outside our control can change EVERYTHING in an instant.
And so I sit today in gratitude for a roof over my head, a soft pillow on which to rest at night, and the love I give and receive each day....which is all there really is anyway.
And so it is! Amen! Aho! Namaste
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