The unknown is man’s worst enemy.

It’s our greatest fear, even though we may deny it sometimes.

I don’t deny that the fear of the unknown has crippled me many times. I’m sure it has crippled you too.

The future holds power over us because it’s always unpredictable. We don’t know what it holds for us. Is it good or is it bad? We will never know. All we know is that it’s on its way, and we must be prepared for it.

But the way we prepare for it is problematic. We may overthink or get anxious about it. We may draw positive scenarios in our heads or assume it’s going to be horrible. We may replay mental images that haven’t happened yet. We may worry about it without ever knowing if our worry will be useless tomorrow

In our shallow minds, “preparing” for the future helps us to gain a little bit of control over it. In reality, the future is unknown to us, but mentally we try our best to make it known so we may feel safe. Overthinking about the unknown may not yield any big or positive changes, but it will surely help us to avoid failure.

Buddhists have long acknowledged the emotional and physiological suffering that comes from the fear of the unknown. They also believe that the more we avoid or deny it, the longer it stays. So for us to walk the path of fearlessness and stop being consumed by what’s coming next, we need to look fear in the eye.

The sense of security we’re looking for is closer than we think. It’s right here if we’re willing to do the work. It’s within us if we’re willing to look within.

“The only way to ease our pain is to experience it fully. Learn to stay with uneasiness, learn to stay with the tightening, so that the habitual chain reaction doesn’t continue to rule your life.” ~ Pema Chödrön 

In Buddhism, we appreciate the existence of fear. We know it’s there for a reason and it’s normal to feel it. So we don’t run away or deny its presence. We live with it; we accept it; we “stay with the tightening.” Instead of trying to replace it with something more pleasant or more comfortable, we welcome it.

But the only way to do that is to understand that the only thing that can naturally soften our fear of the unknown is this present moment. We’re so preoccupied with what’s going to happen tomorrow that we’re missing out on the most precious moment today: right now.

This complete acceptance of today eradicates our worries. It reminds us that it’s okay to not know everything. It’s okay to surrender and not be in control. Because the truth is we will eventually know what’s going to happen in the future. The future is being created right now. It’s already in our present moment.

“The future is being made out of the present, so the best way to take care of the future is to take care of the present moment. This is logical and clear.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

~