Living the Questions We Create: Embracing Uncertainty, Intuition, and Inquiry
Posted on July 08, 2025 by Marc Kolman, One of Thousands of Leadership Coaches on Noomii.
“Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.” Rilke
In Letters to a Young Poet (1929), the beloved poet Ranier Maria Rilke makes a beautiful case for the importance of living the questions we create.
Live the questions now – Rather than rushing towards definitive answers, Rilke encourages us to immerse ourselves in the mystery and exploration of the questions themselves. He believes that it is through living with the questions, embracing uncertainty, slowing curiosity and listening deeply that we gradually grow into and integrate the answers when we are ready.
Crafting meaningful questions is both an art and a skill. Crafting effective and insightful questions gives deeper insight and more meaning to our lives. Effective questions invite us into deeper relationship with ourselves through reflection, with others through dialogue a with life through curiosity and wonder.
A skilled coach has the ability to create and hold powerful questions to support transformative possibilities. A skilled coach can support us in knowing what matters, exploring our truths, and leaning into uncertainty with greater trust.
Embrace uncertainty – Rilke acknowledges how difficult it can be to live in uncertainty that can feel uncomfortable and can stimulate fear. And uncertainty is also fertile ground for growth and self-discovery and can open up new perspectives and possibilities. Growth and insight might not be easy, though can be rewarding and impactful.
Trust intuition – Rilke highlights the significance of intuition as a guide in life’s journey. He encourages us to pay attention to our inner voice and to trust our instincts, even when faced with difficult choices or situations. Integrating the mind (rational thinking) and the heart (intuition and feeling) allows us to develop and know our intuitive selves.
“Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.” – Rilke
