On uncertainty
In the light of the story of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people's decision to leave home and establish themselves in India, this quote seems seems very relevant. It tells us a lot about the mindset behind their actions. The writer is Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, and the quote is from his book “What makes you not a Buddhist”:
Fear and anxiety are the dominant psychological states of the human mind. Behind the fear lies a constant longing to be certain. We are afraid of the unknown. The mind’s craving for confirmation is rooted in our fear of impermanence. Fearlessness is generated when you can appreciate uncertainty, when you have faith in the impossibility of these interconnected components remaining static and permanent. You will find yourself, in a very true sense, preparing for the worst while allowing for the best.