The Power of an Open Question: A Buddhist Approach to Abiding in Uncertainty

by Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel

Asking challenging questions leads to powerful insights. That’s the premise of this first book by Buddhist teacher Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel. How do we find a resting place in a world that is complex and always changing? How do we practice spirituality beyond the limits of blind acceptance and doubt? Elizabeth proposes that we access our deepest intelligence through asking these kinds of questions. “When we ask a question,” she suggests, “our mind is engaged yet open. The process of inquiry protects us from our tendency to reach static conclusions. Instead, we can respond to uncertainty and change with inquisitiveness and a sense of wonder.” Her book guides us on a provocative, playful, and spiritually enriching journey of contemplation that could last a lifetime.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Philosophy, Psychology, Religion, Nonfiction

132 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2010

Reviews

[Craig Bergland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to Buddhism written with a fresh, accessible approach. There isn't any new ground here - if you have read the story of the Buddha's life and are acquainted with the basics of Tibetan Buddhism this will be review for you. For those newer to Buddhism or looking to read the perspective of a Western Buddhist teacher, this is good stuff!

[Jennifer Campaniolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, accessible book from a very personable author, Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel, who has studied Tibetan Buddhism for 25 years. I kept jotting down passages of the book that I found provocative or particularly insightful. For example:

"The fact that nothing is certain, and we therefore can't hold onto anything, can evoke fear and depression in the mind. But it can also evoke a sense of wonder, curiousity, and freedom."

"The process of editing out the uncomfortable pieces of our life so that whatever we don't understand can't touch us makes us feel just fine in our bubble. But can we really exclude the aspects of life that are so fundamental to the human experience?"

"The body does not exist in isolation; it arises in dependence on other."

"The world that we objectify will never offer us a full experience."

[David Chess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, if slightly odd, little book. In short, friendly, and relatable chapters, the author lays out, in terms that are Buddhist but not heavy-handedly so, the idea that the way to go through life is to ask questions, without expecting answers or final conclusions.

This strikes a deep chord in me, because final answers are so often wrong, and being open to the actual always-shifting reality around us is an essential aspect of good practice.

The oddity is that now and then, generally in a footnote, the author writes something surprisingly answer-like, for instance casually describing Tibetan Buddhism, the vajrayana, as "the most developed stage in the evolution of Buddhist practice". Is that so? :)

Relatedly, the author is married to her vajrayana teacher, which is kind of yipes, and perhaps shows a bit in the (relatively small) parts of the book that talk about the teacher-student relationship.

These reservations probably reflect my own assumptions and preconceptions as much as they do the author's, though. All told, this is a short and sweet book that will I think benefit anyone on any path, vajrayana or not, Buddhist or not, by softly stressing the importance of being open and receptive to what happens, to THIS.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author covers the same Buddhist history and practices with a few notable caveats. The author's spiritual teacher is also her husband. This seems to beg credibility from page one. The author has a clear bias for her lineage. This text also falls into the same trap as all other self-help, get-rich-quick books: if you fail, it's your fault. Don't question the teacher, don't question the lineage, don't question authority. Recall Daniel Kahneman's book "Thinking Fast and Slow" where memory is imperfect and decisions are subject to bias. Mattis-Namgyel believes using subjective intellect will lead us to spiritual elation. The author has an impertinent use of the word "we," and intellectual elitism comes into full blossom by the end of the book.

[James A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Advanced and Scattered

I took an on-line course with Elizabeth and found she has great energy and passion for the teachings. However in the book she is presenting, what I believe after many years of practice, are very advanced Buddhist concepts. To throw them out there in what I find a confusing and scattered manner in about 100 pages makes a difficult read. I wish it were that simple to grasp these concepts, however I appreciate her passion for trying.

[Andrew Bysterveldt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was what it was. It contains nothing new to anyone who has read a little about Buddhism. I guess for that audience, it could serve as a short reminder. It was an easy read.

[Marcos Vinícius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meu 1⁰ de 2025. Leitura bem leve. Contém os principais ensinamentos do Budismo. Ideal para quem está iniciando e/ou quer entender mais sobre a prática.

[Chris Scott]

I always feel weird giving a star rating to a book on Buddhism. I finished it and didn't achieve total enlightenment. One star.

[Bruna]

eu posso viver minha vida como uma pergunta aberta?

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

4/11 - I heard Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel speak yesterday, so I'm very excited to read her book.

4/24 - this was my first introduction to Buddhist thought. Several concepts especially resonated with me - the open question, expanding yourself instead of contracting, the relationship with suffering, especially turning "I am suffering" into "there is suffering". I'm glad I have this book as a complement to my experiences at her talk, too.

[Curious · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eu terminei esse livro com muitas perguntas. É um livro curto, porém recheado de ensinamentos, insights, o que quer que seja. Apesar da linguagem simples aborda conceitos budistas complexos. É um livro que precisa de calma, atenção e paciência. Merece ser estudado e destrinchado, porque têm muito a oferecer. Impossível ler e absorver todo o conhecimento ali ofertado de uma só vez, também impossível ler sem aprender nada.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely little book from a woman with a very strong grounding in traditional Tibetan Buddhist teaching, who has obviously metabolized some of the challenging concepts and re-framed them into language that allows either a experienced practitioner or novice to begin get more traction. Thank you, Elizabeth!

[Doug Della pietra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using a very down-to-earth approach, Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel explains Buddhist tenets and practices in an easy-to-understand manner. Each chapter is short and focused on one main point making even some of the most challenging ideas accessible. I enjoyed the book very much and found Mattis-Namgyel's invitation to remain with the open question inviting and inspiring.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel speak at the Vajravidya Practice Center in Portland, ME. She was very enthusiastic about the Madhamakhya teachings. Her book is just as wonderful as her teachings in person.

[Drick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book begins with an interesting question: What does it mean to live life without holding on to it. Her answer was to follow certain Buddhist practices and follow the teaching of various buddhist teachers. I just didn't find this book particularly interesting.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent, always leaving the question open. Always exploring boundarylessness. A wonderful word/phrase

[Ellen Keener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very articulate writer. Says things in a way I'll remember.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very genuine and ... I was going to say 'open' but it is in her title. You can feel her depth of personal understanding, having made the teachings her own.

[Deborah Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel's writing helps us understand life as an open question, a mystery to be explored and appreciated with an open heart. Her insight into the mind is penetrating and inviting.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved loved loved this book. So much to think about and yet helped me create a greater sense of space and ease. I will go back to this one again and again.

[José Marcio da Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Texto direto, coloquial. Ótima tradução. Boas reflexões sobre o Caminho do Meio.