Living with Uncertainty – The Way of Phi in Practice

Not knowing where to go isn't weakness, it's an invitation to pause, reflect and let the answers emerge when the time is right.

What do you feel when you do not know? Is it an uncomfortable feeling? Or does it excite you? Perhaps both...?

We are now in the second week of February 2025 and my journey has begun with some unexpected turns. For one thing, I decided to postpone my departure to France with a few days for a few different reasons, including not having received any invitation to stay with anyone via Couchsurfing. See, one, of the guiding principles I am applying is to go where I am invited. Another reason was that I got half an invitation to support someone on a short trip. Now I have got word that is not going to happen, so I have some additional days to prepare, which feels good. I have also just received a message from the US Embassy that my passport is ready for pick up, so that feels promising.

The Power of Not Knowing

In The Way of Phi, one of the core principles is embracing not knowing. When we step into the unknown, we create space for something greater: curiosity, intuition, and the co-creative dance between logic and presence.

The Joy, Freedom, and Peace of Not Knowing

Uncertainty does not have to be feared; it can be celebrated. In The Way of Phi, I explore this through three states:

The Joy of Not Knowing (JoNK) – Like the exhilarating moment before a rollercoaster drops, uncertainty can bring a thrilling sense of adventure. When we let go, we allow life to surprise us in wondrous ways.

The Freedom of Not Knowing (FoNK) – By embracing uncertainty, we free ourselves from the weight of expectation and control. We step into a space where creativity and new possibilities thrive.

The Peace of Not Knowing (PoNK) – At its deepest level, accepting the unknown brings tranquility. Rather than resisting change, we align with the natural flow of life, trusting that each moment holds precisely what is needed.

Practicing Uncertainty

Living with uncertainty is not about passive resignation. It is an active practice—a willingness to explore, question, and engage with the unfolding mystery of life. Try this:

Step into the unknown: Deliberately engage in something unfamiliar and stay with the discomfort. What insights emerge when you surrender to the experience?

Speak with someone wiser than you: Seek perspectives that challenge your own and remain open to learning from them.

Observe paradoxes: Instead of resolving contradictions, sit with them. How does it feel to hold opposing truths simultaneously?

Finding Balance in the Abyss

Just as nature moves from darkness to light, we too must navigate the cycles of change. In The Way of Phi, uncertainty is not a void but an invitation—to wonder, to explore, and to grow. When we stand at the edge of the unknown, rather than retreating, we can choose to lean in. We might just find that what awaits us is not chaos, but a deeper, more profound sense of harmony.

If you are ready to start creating your dream life, in the face of uncertainty and not knowing, click here to schedule a call to discuss.

Christopher Sigmond

The Listening Philosopher