The Conditions of Uncertainty-Ambiguity
“Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the ground we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.” -William Shakespeare
On our tour of the conditions of uncertainty, our next stop is ambiguity. Ambiguity is a condition which causes a lack of decisiveness or commitment resulting in a failure to choose.
Ambiguity is associated with doubt. Doubt results from the perception that externally, there is a lack of definition that produces tentativeness, imbalance and confusion about the way forward. Sounds like the times we are living through!
Doubt arises when we become afraid of making a mistake. We begin to turn against ourselves and question our ability to see clearly. We become overwhelmed by possibilities and second-guess our capacity to choose correctly from those possibilities that present themselves. What if we’re wrong? What if we can’t figure out what to do?
Visionmakers approach ambiguity with a different spirit. They recognize that the way forward is often difficult to discern and that when ambiguity appears, it is a signal to slow down or wait for clarity. It is this maturity and discipline that marks a seasoned Visionmaker.
This is wisdom: not to feel compelled to make a choice because the circumstances dictate that we must. Visionmakers assume responsibility in the face of uncertainty and turn their eyes from the outer world to the inner world. They recognize that all external confusion is a representation of an inner state of confusion. Therefore, if ambiguity is present and the way forward is not obvious, inner work must proceed to regain clarity.
Visionmakers also recognize that they have five centers of choice at their command at all times and in all conditions:
• Evaluation, the application of logic, can be applied to situations which require or lend themselves to analysis. Opportunities, problems, conflicts that have mid to long term consequences can be approached from this modality.
• Intuition, supports making choice that cannot be made from inductive or deductive thought processes, including matters of the heart, unexpected circumstances that demand an immediate response and ambiguous or paradoxical circumstances. Trusting gut feelings, hunches and insights support intuitive decision-making.
• Visualization requires both evaluation and intuition. Reason is applied in order to form, assess and understand a coherent strategy in response to an emerging situation or challenge. Creativity and intuition are marshaled to build a visual narrative in the mind to examine and evaluate potential courses of action.
• Instinct is our most ancient guidance system. It is most associated with “body wisdom,” the innate knowledge residing in the back, spine, gut, skin and glands. Primary emotions like happiness, anger, fear, and attraction signal to us instinctual direction as do our drives, including, hunger, thirst, safety, territoriality, and survival.
• Seeing is the fifth modality, and the way most associated with Visionmaking. Seeing occurs when the heart is clear of unresolved issues associated with the past, and we are engaged in a healthy relationship with the self. It comes with complete immersion in what we are doing and the ability to trust ourselves even in ambiguous circumstances.
Visionmakers befriend ambiguity. They recognize that life is complex, even grey sometimes. They take such conditions not as a threat but as a reminder that reflection and patience reward those who make their way with care rather than haste.
© Patrick O’Neill 2009. All rights reserved.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:33 am
Patrick,
When I read this posting, I was reminded of the taoist tale called “The Woodcarver” from the teachings of Chuang Tzu. Here it is as quoted in Parker Palmer’s book “A Hidden Wholeness”:
The Woodcarver
Khing, the master carver, made a bell stand
Of precious wood. When it was finished,
All who saw it were astounded. They said it must be
The work of spirits.
The Prince of Lu said to the master carver:
“What is your secret?”
Khing replied: “I am only a workman:
I have no secret. There is only this:
When I began to think about the work you commanded
I guarded my spirit, did not expend it
On trifles, that were not to the point.
I fasted in order to set
My heart at rest.
After three days fasting,
I had forgotten gain and success.
After five days
I had forgotten praise or criticism
After seven days
I had forgotten my body
With all its limbs.
“By the time all thought of your Highness
And of the court had faded away.
All that might distract me from the work
Had vanished.
I was collected in the single thought
Of the bell stand.
“Then I went to the forest
To see the trees in their own natural state.
When the right tree appeared before my eyes,
The bell stand also appeared in it, clearly, beyond doubt.
All I had to do was to put forth my hand
And begin.
“If I had not met this particular tree
There would have been
No bell stand at all.
“What happened?
My own collected thought
Encountered the hidden potential in the wood;
From this live encounter came the work
Which you ascribe to the spirits.”