Groundlessness

Groundlessness is not about flying; it is about having the floor taken from under our feet. This may sound dramatic, but it is a feeling we all frequently experience, and it would seem vital to understand it better and to practise living with uncertainty.

As always, becoming more aware of an issue is a great place to start. So what is groundlessness? I came across the concept in Leo Babauta's book Essential Zen Habits (who in turn borrowed it from Buddhist teacher Pema Chödrön). It describes the feeling of not having solid ground under our feet, and it can range from life traumas like losing a loved one to small things like being put on the spot. In fact, it can also be brought about by a number of common feelings such as fear, frustration, sadness, doubt, and dissatisfaction. The point here is not to label and lump all these unpleasant feelings as one, but to understand that they are often linked and that, as well as tackling the issues that triggered those feelings, we can learn to observe our reactions. We are usually under the illusion that we are in control, and when we meet a difficult situation that challenges this, we can lose our faculty to respond appropriately. The question is: how can we get better at meeting life's many uncertainties?

Groundlessness is usually unpleasant and we tend to want to escape it and return to safety. However, in a world that is constantly in flux and changing at an accelerating rate, it would seem desirable to learn the art of flowing with uncertainty. If we perceive groundlessness as something to avoid at all cost, then we may lose flexibility when it comes our way. What if, instead of becoming fearful of the discomfort associated with uncertainty, we became curious about it? It is known that if we don't push into discomfort, we limit ourselves. There is plenty of scope in learning from small instances that confront us regularly. We may have embarked on a project, for example, and when the going gets tough, when the ground seems less firm, we may be tempted to quit or backtrack.

We often use the image of our life as a journey along a winding path, but the more I experience the modern world, the more I liken our life to being at sea. When the waves are too strong and there are severe risks, it is clear that we are better off in a safe harbour, but most of the time it is so much more rewarding to meet the movement of the big blue. We can learn to stay with the discomfort of the waves, or even come to enjoy them. I see groundlessness as an opportunity to explore uncharted territory, to remain flexible, and to become more resilient.

The month of November can be tough. I wonder if we can explore the feeling of groundlessness when we are confronted by it and learn to embrace the challenge of riding the uncertainties like a surfer rides the waves.

L.