In 1980 I had the opportunity to study for a summer in Vienna Austria. Learning the German language was a huge part of this immersion program. While I haven’t retained much conversational ability, I have always had a favorite German word. That word is “ vielleicht” and translates to mean “perhaps”. It is used liberally in daily conversation, often as the first word in a sentence. I remember how much I loved the sound and feeling of this word. It had such an uplifting quality. I often wondered why it was not a word we use much in American English.
On Sunday I had the opportunity to hear Lama Surya Das, one of the foremost Western Buddhist meditation teachers speak at the ACEP conference in Orlando. This is the man Dali Lama calls “the Western Lama”. One of the key points in his discussion on the topic of Enlightened Living was that “perhaps” is a Divine word. Suddenly, I knew why I loved that German word so much. It lives in my heart as a concept of hope.
What is it about “perhaps” that is so divine? It implies an invitation for connection and even a little bit of seduction. It holds a friendliness that is expansive, safe and kind. It is open to possibilities with a full range of freedom and choices.
I love the idea that we can reside in ”perhaps” while we pause to make a choice, then take action.
Perhaps is the beginning of change.
We are facing multiple challenges as people and as a planet these days. We are in a time of radical change and that divine word ”perhaps” is needed critically as we discern what is next. We must open ourselves to creative possibilities and it does not serve us well to be closed minded or clinging to old ways. Old ways may have worked before, but today we face a new world and a new way. Our minds, hearts and souls must work in connection to decipher a code for a comfortable transition. It exists! Perhaps is that potential.
I recommend that we all begin using “perhaps” more in our thoughts, writing and conversation. Think about how your own world opens and unfolds as you do this. The larger world changes when we change. We have more power than we know. Perhaps it is time to use it!
