Mystery

A mystery is much more than the unknown of an unfolding plot. It rises above the who-done-it and the where, how and why of an incessant quest for understanding. Mystery dwarfs attempts at control and our egotistic thirst for power and predictability. Indeed, mystery demands surrender.

We need to immerse ourselves in a world much bigger than ourselves, to have a feeling of life’s majesty, to appreciate the unbounded depth of another person. Without mystery, we become hobbled by our arrogance and never learn the open quality of humility. Likewise, humbleness in the face of mystery is what helps a person want to excel. Humility allows us to be open and forgiving. When self is arrogant it is not possible to be open or forgiving toward self or to the world.

Mystery and wonderment demand our compassion. Self centerdness keeps us locked within narrow and suffering world views. Many people have said that mystery helps humankind to keep striving to understand. We think we are hunters of mystery, capturing its manifestations and then neatly caging the spoils of victory into the large container called knowledge. What fools!

Mystery is a magician because we will always remain dumbfounded; left wondering how the unknown creature escaped. Off we go on the hunt again to realize that mystery has only assumed a different form. Enjoy the game but don't get lost believing in the reality of a score.