In 1903, Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke wrote to an aspiring poet, Franz Kappus, offering advice on how to live with uncertainty. Rilke’s response, “live the questions,” has inspired generations with its patient and open approach to life’s uncertainties.
Author Elizabeth Weingarten explores how to embrace life’s big questions instead of seeking quick answers in her book “How to Fall in Love With Questions.” Weingarten argues that embracing uncertainty is not always easy, but it can be a transformative practice. She defines this approach as loving the questions themselves, rather than just seeking answers.
Rilke’s emphasis on love and patience is more realistic and attainable than the idea of simply “embracing uncertainty.” Loving someone means being curious about their actions and listening to their response, even when it’s hard. This mindset is essential for navigating life’s biggest questions, whether it’s about relationships, meaning, purpose, or identity.
Weingarten uses a fruit tree analogy to categorize these questions: PEACHES (short-term answerable), PAWPAWS (long-term answerable), HEARTWOOD (lifelong companions), and DEAD LEAVES (questions to release). She encourages readers to think about their questions as parts of the fruit tree, which helps them distinguish between those that can be resolved and those that are more deeply ingrained.
Ultimately, loving the questions in our lives means being open to growth, transformation, and uncertainty. It’s a practice that requires patience, curiosity, and self-reflection. By embracing this approach, we can learn to avoid the addictive appeal of fast answers and cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.
Source: https://bigthink.com/thinking/the-1903-letter-thats-helped-countless-people-embrace-the-unknown/