image by f/oxymoron

I love a question’s sense of curiosity, its longing to connect and understand, even its doubt, and it’s ability to prompt a response. Even if it’s a question you refuse to answer out loud, even if its asking offends you, you find yourself thinking about it, pondering, wondering, and maybe, eventually, arriving at knowing.

• an expression of inquiry that invites or calls for a reply; an interrogative sentence, phrase, or gesture
• to seek, ask, inquire, quiz, query, examine
• a subject or point open to controversy; an unsettled issue; a point or subject under discussion or being considered; a difficult matter or problem
• uncertainty, possibility, a feeling or expression of doubt about the truth or validity of something, not knowing

A life coach once told me that the essence of coaching was knowing the right questions to ask, gently guiding clients to their own truth, allowing them to investigate, consider, and arrive at an authentic answer, a personal realization, deep knowing.

image by f/oxymoron

And you, when will you begin that long journey into yourself? ~Rumi

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
~Mary Oliver, The Summer Day

What are you truly hungry for? ~Rachel Cole

What do you long to say with your life? ~Patti Digh

Why am I here? What is my purpose? What is the meaning of all this? ~Every Human Who Has Ever Lived

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? ~The Kid in That Commercial

Danielle LaPorte’s The Burning Question Series: She says, “Generally, I think people should ask more questions. Of themselves. Of each other. Questions are doorways that lead to higher consciousness…or pop culture trivia. Both are good.”

Writing for me is the process of asking questions and searching for answers.

I ask the birds where to find joy, and expect them to know because of their understanding of song and flight.

I ask the fish “how’s the water?” but their only answer is “what’s water?”

Sometimes, the questions are new, different, and unfamiliar. Other times, it’s the same old question, again and again, over and over, never an answer.

image by walknboston

It’s good to be curious, but at times, it’s also good to be silent, to ask for nothing, to be content, where you are, as you are, with reality just as it is. For me, meditation is an opportunity to listen for answers. And when there are no answers, I sit, still and quiet, with the vast, unconditional silence and space that is beyond questions and their answers.