The Alchemy of Not-Knowing in Polarized Times

In the crucible of community conflict, where clergy and law enforcement clash over the fate of vulnerable neighbors, the instinct is often to take sides. Yet, Roshi Bernie Glassman’s Zen Peacemaker Order offers a radical alternative: the practice of not-knowing. This is not ignorance, but a deliberate suspension of fixed opinions to create space for deeper truth.

When emotions run high—whether witnessing police brutality or acknowledging necessary security—the mind seeks certainty. However, true engagement requires bearing witness to the full spectrum of suffering without immediate judgment. By resting in this uncertainty, one moves from reactive outrage to grounded action. The goal shifts from winning an argument to recognizing a shared humanity enriched by diverse experiences.

This approach transforms polarized debates into collaborative healing. It asks us to see opposing forces not as enemies, but as parts of a single, complex organism struggling for justice. In doing so, we alleviate societal causes of suffering, fostering a peace that is both compassionate and just, rooted in the willingness to remain open amidst chaos.