I think we spend so much of our lives trying to pretend that we know what's going to happen next. In fact we don't. To recognize that we don't know even what will happen this afternoon and yet having the courage to move forward - that's one meaning of faith.

In this quote, Sharon Salzberg reflects on the nature of uncertainty and the human tendency to seek control over the future. She highlights how people often try to pretend or believe they have knowledge of what will happen next, when in reality, life is filled with unknowns. The uncertainty of not knowing what will happen even in the short term, such as the events of the afternoon, is a central theme in the quote, illustrating how fear of the unknown often leads people to make false assumptions about their ability to predict the future.

Salzberg goes on to redefine faith, suggesting that it is not about having certainty about what will happen, but about having the courage to move forward despite that uncertainty. True faith, in her view, involves embracing the unknown and still finding the strength to act and grow in the face of unpredictability. It’s about trusting that even though we don’t know the future, we can still take steps forward and live with purpose, resilience, and trust in the process.

The origin of this quote comes from Salzberg’s deep understanding of mindfulness and meditation, areas where she has had a profound influence as a teacher. Her work often explores the importance of accepting the present moment and being comfortable with uncertainty. This quote captures her philosophy that faith is not about certainty, but about cultivating the courage to live fully despite the unknowns of life.

Ultimately, Salzberg’s words encourage people to shift their perspective on faith. Rather than seeing it as a rigid belief in a certain outcome, faith can be viewed as the bravery to continue moving forward in the face of life’s uncertainties. By recognizing that we can never fully control the future, we can instead focus on the courage to live authentically, embracing both the known and the unknown.