Uncertainty

Uncertainty is as old as universe itself. It was never certain that amongst billions of stars, there will be one particular star that will give birth to formation of planets and will revolve around that star, and one amongst those planets will undergo a catastrophic celestial hammering for millions of years to create an atmosphere for life to sustain. That same level of uncertainty prevails today and will be forever. 

After billions of years of atmospheric turmoil, planet Earth became suitable for life to flourish on a gigantic proportion. We have discovered many facts about the beginning of evolution of various species on Earth, and how we reached to the present day of evolution. We have invented many things to further our civilisation and technology. And we have also fought great wars killing millions of people. 

Economic system was developed thousands of years ago, and it went through hundreds and thousands of changes to bring the economic system as is prevailing today. We sure know that our economic system is still in a state of transformation. We have known great economic depressions, political conspiracies, natural calamity causing great starvation and poverty, and also great battles to conquer lands and now even terrorism.

Study of history shows that there was never a period where we have felt certain about future. We have either tried to know the future intuitively, or with mathematical equations, or used occult science, but our accuracy has never been perfect. However, as our standard of living improved exponentially due to the advent of electricity, computers and telecommunications, we are habituated to believe that future can be known and it is known by knowing what we really want. We think our future depends on what we want.

If you say you would want to earn loads of money, you will believe that it is possible. We do not quantify how much money; we only aim for lots of money and we take all the steps needed to get lots of money. This attitude has been so much ingrained within our nature that the need to stop and humbly look at the invincible power of uncertainty does not cross our mind until we experience an unprecedented failure causing all our dreams, ambitions, desires and hopes to collapse.

It is only when we fail, shattering all our hopes, ambitions and desires, we realise how ignorant we are to have unknowingly raged a battle against uncertainty. We think what we receive in our life depends on how much efforts we put. It is not completely true. It is obviously a bitter truth that even with collosal efforts, we can lose/fail.

What is the solution? Acceptance. Accept that future is uncertain. It cannot be known and it cannot be made also. After forcibly observing the daily events of our life passing by without any interference of our wishes or control, we begin to experience a strange kind of inner peace. Beware; before this inner peace emerges, a violent and obstinate will-power will fight ferociously to be in control. We cannot lose control because losing control is losing life itself. And as long as we hang on tightly to this control, there will be hope, and this hope will sooner or later be completely anniliated by the all pervasive uncertainty. Lose this control, and win over the indescribable inner peace.

It is hard to believe that losing control over life will actually bring peaceful control over ourselves. All the events that once caused anger, jealously, insecurity and hatred, will no longer be felt by us. The events of life will pass by, and we will remain in our inner peace, and continue to do our daily chores. This uncertainty does not care about our likes/dislikes, our hopes, and dreams. It never did. But we have fought this uncertainty for thousands of years only to accept defeat in the end. And when we lose, that's when change takes place opening the doors to real happiness.

The most unfortunate is we cannot begin to believe in this inner peace until our hopes are smashed by uncertainity, our life turns upside down, and we choose to submit, surrender and forgive instead of getting more violent, aggressive and revengeful. We all have been choosing to get more aggressive and also feeling an increasing need of peace in our life. The more we run after what we want, further it goes away leaving us starving for little bit of peace and relief. The only way is to choose surrender/forgiveness, and experience the inner peace. Believe that this inner peace will show us a better way. Don't run, just wait and observe.

Now we have begun our financial planning education by understanding the amazing results of "Letting Go". Because, financial planning is about knowing what is right for us and not what we want.

The next blog will discuss the amazingly simple facts of economics........so keep in touch.