In our culture knowledge is prized. Everyone wants to be in-the-know. When we don’t know we experience vulnerability, humility, and beginner status. People often associate these feelings with negativity, but embracing them can truly change our lives.
Vulnerability is important because it is how we grow. We must be vulnerable when we try new things, or speak up, or love. In learning how to welcome more vulnerability into my life I have to say “I don’t know” a lot, and it is scary sometimes. Fortunately, in the times when I have been able to say “I don’t know AND that’s ok” I have felt more alive, even if the vulnerability led to something less than ideal. I feel as though my experience as a human has been enhanced by exploring vulnerability.
Humility is important because it is how we recognize the value of others. Humility is often associated with low self-worth, but the real definition–“the quality of being humble”–tells a much different story. People who act humbly recognize their own self worth and know that others have something to offer as well. In an article I saw earlier this week (How Humble Leadership Really Works, HBR), Dan Cable gives many examples of how humble leaders created (measurable) positive shifts in their organizations. He even uses the term “servant” to describe a humble leader: “servant-leaders have humility, courage, and insight to admit that they can benefit from the expertise of others… servant leadership emphasizes that the responsibility of a leader is to increase ownership, autonomy, and responsibility of followers.”
Beginner status is important because it is where we start. In my meditation practice I was introduced to the concept of beginner’s mind. My first instinct was that this was bad. “Beginner” was a term I associated with “not very knowledgeable” and therefore, not very valuable; but in meditation being a beginner is a worthy goal. The idea of having a beginner’s mind is that you approach your practice new every time. You put your ideas and your opinions away, and approach your meditation with a clean slate.
When we are willing to say “I don’t know” we put our judgement aside, and we become free to experience more of what life has to offer. With vulnerability we grow more wholesomely; with humility we act more graciously; and with beginner status we see the world from a fresh perspective.