Mature Relationship with Doubt

~ By Ajahn Jayasāro ~

In most academic tests, students can safely trust that all the questions on the exam sheet have answers, and that they possess (providing they have revised well) all the knowledge necessary to answer them.

Outside of the classroom we cannot be sure that the questions facing us are legitimate. They may be wrongly formulated. They may be trivial questions concealing more important issues. They may have no answer at all. We may not have the knowledge we need to answer the questions. Our knowledge may be faulty or incomplete.

We needn’t feel oppressed by doubt and uncertainty. They are not enemies to be crushed. They are mental states to be recognized and incorporated in our considerations. The craving to be sure is more of a hindrance than being unsure. A mature relationship with doubt is a fundamental aspect of true humility.

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"Food for the Heart", a series of Dhamma teachings handwritten weekly is posted on the Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives page with Ajahn's kind permission.

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For other teachings by Ven. Ajahn Jayasāro, please visit the Panyaprateep Foundation website.