Mark Solms

Neuropsychologist
South Africa

Embracing uncertainty in order to overcome despair: An experiential-existential point of view

Certainty can be understood as the experience that we have our existence – ourselves, the other, the planet and the beyond under control. As we widen our perspective, it is obvious that certainty is only a timely experience, and once we experience its opposite, we might feel betrayed or (self-)deluded. Experiencing uncertainty is often accompanied with existential shattering: the experience of angst, despair, a loss of meaning, existential isolation, and sometimes shame and guilt. In today’s world, we are not only facing uncertainty through our moments of personal brokenness. A larger uncertainty is looming in the background: climate change and all its consequences in the shape of ecological disasters, wars and mass migration. Climate change immediately endangers ‘our’ existence, ranging from plants and animals to us, human beings. How can we cope with all of this? Are there any beacons of hope, and can we be certain that everything will be alright in the end? Or are these beacons of hope only fata morganas we would like to believe in in order not to drown in the overwhelming sea of despair?

Paradoxically, we can only find new meaning, courage and wisdom by rooting deeper and grounding more firmly in existence on the one hand, and by integrating uncertainty and other aspects that threaten our existence (such as death, isolation, and meaninglessness) into our lives on the other hand, as Tillich suggests. Reaching for connection beyond ourselves might become a resource from where we can courageously embrace the state of our world (and ourselves) and act bravely. What is your beyond yourself(-ves)?

Karin Wagenaar has interviewed Siebrecht Vanhooren, to talk about his presentation during the EFT World Summit. Watch the whole interview here.

Emily Nagoski

Psychologist & Sexologist
USA