Three Skills for Staying Calm, Sane, and Open in a Chaotic World | Krista Tippett
Krista Tippett, host of On Being and Peabody Award-winning broadcaster, discusses countering pessimism and dogmatism by embracing open questions. She shares three skills for thriving in chaotic times, focusing on generative agency, living with questions, and understanding calling and wholeness.
Deep Dive Analysis
12 Topic Outline
From Cold War Diplomat to Human Condition Reporter
Re-evaluating the 'God Question' and Theology's Purpose
Understanding Love Beyond its Watered-Down Meaning
Defining and Living a Worthy Life
Counteracting Pessimism: Tuning into the Generative Story
The Nature of Wisdom and Human Agency
Navigating an 'In-Between Time' and Species Evolution
Learning to Love and Dwell with Open Questions
Refocusing Agency: Getting Proximate to Problems
Reclaiming 'Calling' and Aspiring to 'Wholeness'
Intentionality, Ardor, and Non-Attachment to Results
The Evolution of the On Being Project
9 Key Concepts
Theology's Purpose
Krista Tippett explains that theology, when studied deeply, is less about defining God and more about investigating 'what it means to be human,' exploring questions of existence, morality, and the human condition over centuries.
Agape (Love)
In contrast to romantic or friendly love, agape is defined as a primary form of love that is not merely a feeling but an action and a way of being, emphasizing practical deeds and sustained relationship despite feelings.
Generative Story
This concept refers to the life-giving, creative, and aspirational aspects of human experience, which often go untold amidst catastrophic narratives. It highlights the widespread presence of people acting as forces for healing and kindness, countering the pervasive negativity bias.
Wisdom (Krista Tippett's Definition)
Distinct from knowledge or accomplishment, wisdom is measured by the lasting 'imprint' a person makes on the lives around them, creating ripples of positive influence that extend beyond their immediate actions.
In-Between Time
This describes the current historical period where old forms and systems (e.g., capitalism, political structures, education) have outlived their usefulness and are broken, calling for a generation to remake elemental aspects of society.
Living Your Questions
Derived from Rilke, this idea suggests that in times of profound uncertainty, instead of rushing to answers that are not yet available or livable, one should embrace and 'love' the questions themselves, allowing them to teach and guide with patience and curiosity.
Calling (Vocation)
Reclaimed from its historical and modern diminishment (job title), calling is presented as a multitudinous and expansive sense of purpose that may not be tied to one's paid profession but encompasses all aspects of one's contribution to the world, such as being a friend or parent.
Wholeness
This concept extends beyond 'well-being' or 'wellness,' aspiring to a complete human being and institution that factors in the full humanity of everyone involved. It involves orienting towards reality and flourishing, acknowledging that life involves breaks and learning, and embracing qualities like reciprocity and cooperation.
Pure Intention / Non-Attachment to Results
This spiritual concept emphasizes getting one's motivation and 'why' straight, setting an intention, and then holding goals lightly without attachment to specific outcomes. It acknowledges that we don't control the results of our actions and encourages resting in the purity of the intention itself.
10 Questions Answered
She found herself in Cold War Divided Berlin, which was both a geopolitical fault line and a laboratory of the human condition, becoming captivated by how people create lives of dignity regardless of their circumstances, leading her to study theology.
Theology, as Krista Tippett explains, is fundamentally an investigation into 'what it means to be human,' exploring our nature, our challenges, and how to live a worthy life, rather than solely focusing on the literal existence or definition of God.
The English language has only one word for 'love,' which is often conflated with sexual or romantic feelings and can be watered down, unlike other languages (like Biblical Greek) that have multiple words to distinguish different forms of love like eros, philia, and agape.
Living a worthy life is a matter of constant discernment and keeping the question of worthiness as a companion, allowing it to guide one's choices and actions, rather than seeking a definitive answer or achieving perfection.
By tuning into the 'generative story,' acknowledging that alongside catastrophes, there are countless people acting as forces for healing and kindness, and recognizing one's own agency to contribute positively.
Wisdom is distinct from knowledge or accomplishment; its measure is the lasting 'imprint' or positive ripples a person makes on the lives of others around them.
Instead of rushing to find immediate answers or fixes, we should 'love our questions themselves' (as Rilke suggested), dwelling with them patiently and curiously, as the true solutions may not be apparent yet.
Bryan Stevenson's advice is to 'get proximate,' meaning to focus on the human dynamics and fractures close to home that are within one's grasp to comprehend and touch, rather than being paralyzed by distant, abstract issues.
Historically, vocation (calling) was reserved for religious professionals like monks and nuns; however, Martin Luther expanded it to everyone. Today, it's often reduced to one's job title, but Krista Tippett suggests it encompasses all the multitudinous ways one contributes to the world, including roles like parent or friend.
While setting high aspirations, it's crucial to focus on 'intentionality' and 'ardor' rather than just willpower or hitting a specific mark. One should get their intention straight, act on it, and then practice non-attachment to the results, understanding that learning is possible even when goals are not met.
24 Actionable Insights
1. Embrace Open Questions
In times of uncertainty, “love your questions themselves” and avoid rushing to answers, as they may not be livable or available. This approach allows questions to teach you and prevents denying the gravity of complex issues.
2. Tune into Generative Stories
Actively seek and acknowledge what is life-giving, creative, and worthy of aspiration (“the generative story”) to counteract the overwhelming focus on catastrophic narratives. Recognize that those leaning into their “best humanity” are the majority.
3. Cultivate Generative Agency
Understand and leverage your capacity for positive, life-giving action to effectively meet the challenges of the current extraordinary and perilous times. This involves confronting reality directly and articulating your personal agency.
4. Redefine Vocation Broadly
Expand your understanding of “vocation” beyond your job title to include all the multitudinous ways you contribute to the world, such as being a friend, parent, teacher, or kind person. These roles are elemental and defining, shaping your presence in the world.
5. Strive for Wholeness
Orient yourself towards “wholeness” and flourishing in yourself and institutions, rather than perfection. This means integrating all aspects of human experience and aiming for a life of “inner abundance” regardless of external conditions.
6. Focus on Pure Intention
Clarify your “pure intention” for why you want to be a certain way or have a particular presence, and hold lightly to specific goals. This allows for action based on clear motivation while accepting that you don’t control the results of your actions.
7. Embrace Failure for Growth
Recognize and embrace moments of failure, frailty, pain, and precarity as opportunities for significant growth. This counter-cultural perspective allows for learning and re-engagement rather than viewing shortcomings as definitive failures.
8. Understand Love as Action
Comprehend love not merely as a feeling, but as action and ways of being, especially in navigating differences within relationships. This understanding allows you to stay in relationship and act with care even when feelings are not perfect.
9. Keep “Worthy Life” Companion
Maintain the question “how to live a worthy life” as a constant companion and aspiration, using it as a “thresher” to evaluate how you spend your time. This continuous discernment leads to ongoing learning and integration of insights.
10. Refocus Close to Home
Combat existential despair by refocusing your attention on real people and problems “close to home” that you can comprehend and influence. This makes large structural issues less abstract and provides concrete ways to engage.
11. Choose Love as Your Fuel
When addressing problems, consciously choose love and care as your motivation, rather than anger, hatred, or fear. This provides a sustainable and positive fuel for long-term work and personal well-being.
12. Cultivate Joy and Love
Actively cultivate knowledge of what you love and how to take joy, even amidst challenges and brokenness. This provides essential fuel and prevents burnout for long-term, important work.
13. Be a Human Signpost
Strive to be a “live human signpost” in challenging times, offering guidance and hope to others. This positive imprint on lives around you is a measure of a wise life.
14. Practice Navigating Differences
Actively practice navigating differences in relationships, as this is a key aspect of love and allows relationships to endure even when feelings are not ideal or understanding is incomplete.
15. Cultivate Your Intuition
Develop and trust your intuition as a “course corrector” in life. By consistently engaging with guiding questions, intuition becomes more reliable and helps navigate decisions more intuitively.
16. Adopt Long-Term Perspective
View your work and contributions as part of “multiple lifetimes” or generations, acknowledging that your efforts may not be completed in your lifetime. This can be a relief, reducing pressure for immediate, total solutions.
17. Decide Against Weaponized Words
Consciously decide not to use words as weapons for arguing or putting others down. This promotes healthier communication and avoids pathological cultural habits.
18. Acknowledge Your Own Problem
Recognize and acknowledge that you are your “own most vexing problem.” This self-awareness is presented as a beginning of spiritual life and deeper self-understanding.
19. Seek Love & Worthy Life
Actively seek instruction on how to lead a worthy life and how to love, as most secular formation ignores these fundamental truths.
20. Internalize “We Are All One”
Understand and internalize the idea that “we are all one,” not just as a comforting saying, but as a truth supported by science. This perspective fosters connection.
21. Value Diverse Energies
Value and integrate both the wisdom of experience (e.g., the Dalai Lama’s) and the righteous impatience of youth (e.g., young activists). Both energies are collectively needed to navigate complex challenges.
22. Leverage Time for Discernment
Recognize that with time and age, you can gain more space for thoughtfulness and discernment. This is a natural evolution that can lead to deeper self-understanding and wisdom.
23. Cultivate Ardor and Remembering
Cultivate “ardor” (passionate enthusiasm) and “remembering” (re-situating, reorienting) in your aspirations. These practices prevent aspirations from becoming empty and ensure sustained engagement.
24. Awareness of Hiding Tactics
Be aware of the tendency to use questions as a way to hide or avoid being interrogated yourself. Asking questions can be a powerful but sometimes evasive tactic.
7 Key Quotes
Man is his own most vexing problem.
Reinhold Niebuhr (quoted by Krista Tippett)
Why can't we live this way all the time?
Dorothy Day (quoted by Krista Tippett)
There are live human signposts in the darkest places.
Vincent Harding (quoted by Krista Tippett)
Get proximate, get proximate, get proximate.
Bryan Stevenson (quoted by Krista Tippett)
You have to love your questions themselves.
Rainer Maria Rilke (quoted by Krista Tippett)
Out of the monastery and into the world.
Martin Luther (quoted by Krista Tippett)
Suffering is endless and I vow to end it. I am going to dedicate my life to liberating all beings everywhere.
Dan Harris (describing the Bodhisattva vow)