​​‘In the moment’ 2026

 

My last solo painting exhibition in 2024, exploring a Buddhist approach to ‘not knowing' is slowly developing into new work on being ‘In the moment’. Buddhist practice involves an interplay between knowing and not-knowing. In Vipassana, knowing and seeing deeply into our lived experience is often emphasised. However, it is just as helpful to cultivate a wise practice of not-

knowing, sometimes called “beginner’s mind.” An expert may know a subject deeply, yet be blinded to new possibilities by preconceived ideas. In contrast, a beginner may see with fresh, unbiased eyes. Rather than being anxious and afraid of the unknown this practice calls us to become free from attachment to security, free from the need to know. A simple ‘I don’t know’ can be powerful, opening up a space in the mind, helping it to relax and rest.

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One Zen story proclaims, “Not knowing is most intimate.” Perhaps this means that what is most essential is not understood through the filter of our judgments, past knowledge, or memories. When not-knowing helps these to drop away, the result can be a greater immediacy - a being intimate.

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The practice of not-knowing needs to be distinguished from confusion and debilitating doubt. Where the confused person is lost and removed from lifewith doubt, the mind is agitated or contracted with hesitation and indecision. These mind states tend to obscure rather than clarify. Furthermore, confusion and doubt are generally involuntary. Not-knowing, as a practice, is

a choice to bring greater peace. But lest we take the not-knowing practice too far, Suzuki Roshi said, “Not-knowing does not mean you don’t know.” It doesn’t require us to forget everything we have known or to suspend all interpretations of a situation.

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Not-knowing means being ‘in the moment’, not being limited by what we know, holding what we know lightly so that we are ready for it to be different. Maybe things are this way. But maybe they are not.

 

And so, my meanderings in the Devon landscape lead me to explore with a sense of curiosity and wonder, inviting me to find new approaches to painting and a selection of momentary responses, momentary delights.

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Ref: Adapted from an article by Gil Fronsdal.

https://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/books-articles/not-knowing/

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