September: No-thingness
As we head into September and eclipse season, things could get a bit chaotic on Planet Earth.
Life is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable, and anticipating what comes next is harder than ever, as deep humanitarian crises, unjust wars, and the escalating effects of climate change continue to increase in severity.
However, we live in a culture that is constantly searching for answers. We tend to think of knowledge as power. The more data, insight, and experience we collect, the better equipped we believe we are to navigate the world.
Yet science increasingly shows that certainty can be a trap. It locks us into rigid patterns of thought and behaviour, making us less adaptable when the world inevitably changes.
So what if not knowing, what we can call No-Thingness, is actually one of the most powerful mental states we can cultivate?
Neuroscience and psychology show that letting go of certainty rewires the brain, lowers stress, and helps us adapt in a fast-changing world. So far from being empty or passive, No-Thingness creates the conditions for growth, creativity, and resilience.
The Science of Not Knowing
Cognitive research highlights something called cognitive flexibility, which is the brain’s ability to shift perspective and generate new solutions. This flexibility is activated when we admit “I don’t know” and stop clinging to fixed answers.
Instead of defaulting to confirmation bias, our neural networks remain open to fresh information, unexpected connections, and surprising outcomes.
At the same time, psychology tells us that clinging to certainty comes at a cost. Intolerance of uncertainty, or the inability to sit with not knowing, is strongly linked to anxiety.
Allowing ourselves to rest in uncertainty reduces the stress response and improves emotional regulation, as the brain often fills in gaps with worst-case scenarios.
Creativity research adds another layer. Breakthrough ideas often emerge during incubation periods, when the conscious mind takes a step back. This is why insights show up in the shower, on a walk, or while daydreaming. No-Thingness gives the brain space to connect the dots.
The Snow Globe Effect
Think of your mind like a snow globe. When you’re desperately shaking it, scrambling for immediate answers, everything is cloudy and chaotic. But when you put it down and let the flakes settle, the scene becomes clear.
This settling process is No-Thingness in action. It’s not about giving up, it’s about allowing clarity to emerge naturally once the mental storm quiets.
The Weight of Holding On
The No-Thingness can also help us manage the stress and anxiety of not knowing. Imagine carrying a heavy backpack everywhere you go. That’s what it feels like when you cling to control and certainty. Your body stays on alert, tense and tired. Put the backpack down, even briefly, and you feel lighter, freer, and more able to move.
No-Thingness works the same way. By loosening our grip on fixed outcomes, and trying to guess what to do next we conserve energy for responding to what’s actually happening. When we let go of needing to know, and settle into the not knowing, we find we can act with more clarity and confidence once we know the way forward.
Everyday Creativity Through Empty Space
Creativity can also be initiated from No-Thingness. By not having everything spelled out in advance, the brain is forced into new, flexible ways of thinking that it cannot do when it has a fixed idea of what something is. Think of a child with a cardboard box, who can turn it into a spaceship, a castle, or a time machine.
Here are a few ways you can practice No-Thingness this month:
Pause before solving. When faced with a problem, and you are unsure of the solution, resist the urge to take action immediately. Give it space and let it sit overnight.
Step away from the situation. If you feel stuck, take a walk or shift tasks. Your brain keeps working in the background, and it may find the way through when you’ve let go of trying to work it out.
Acknowledge when “I don’t know.” Instead of rushing to fill the gap, allow and accept the uncertainty. It gives the brain a break from trying to work it out, and naturally keeps you open to learning and understanding new things.
Trust Moment to Moment. Just keep taking one step at a time, no matter how small, trusting that life will support you and meet you, with every step you take.
No-thingness isn’t emptiness or fear, it’s more like pruning a tree; cutting back what you think you know so stronger branches can grow.
it’s the quiet moment when the snow globe settles and you finally see clearly, because the space it creates promotes cognitive flexibility, lowers stress, and fosters creativity.
In a world that glorifies answers, No-Thingness reminds us that letting go of knowing, certainty and expectation may be the most powerful move we can make.
Shamanic offerings for the month:
Pisces Full Moon Eclipse – Sunday 7th September
Join us on the full moon eclipse to recognise what is coming to fruition, find balance in your relationships and find your voice.
Free for all MembersAutumn Equinox 2nd Virgo New Moon Solar Eclipse – Sunday 21st September,
Join us to find balance, stay focused on your goals, and acknowledge what you've achieved this harvest.
Free for Premium Members | 50% off for Basic Tier with code MEMBER50
Receive Rebekah’s inspiring Monday Message each week—rooted in this month’s theme—by joining the membership below!
Enjoy access to one free LIVE New or Full Moon Ceremony, our monthly Shamanic Forecast, and discounts on our Shamanic Journeys, Seasonal Ceremonies and Cacao Ceremonies. You'll also gain entry to our extensive resource library of recorded Ceremonies and Mini Meditations to support you on your journey.
Enjoy all the benefits of our Basic Membership, with our Premium Tier that gives you free access to all our Shamanic offerings. You also have exclusive access to all the recordings in your Portal. This Premium Package is the perfect monthly support you on your journey to feel more empowered and harmonious.