No one feels totally comfortable being vulnerable — it's scary, and we might often think others might take advantage of what we're sharing from a place of trust. It's likely the same for even those in our communities who appear secure in their beliefs and selves — our religious leaders and ministers of faith.

In this episode of The Missing Conversation, Robert explores how sharing our insecurities, grief and anger can actually help us bond better with each other. When our religious leaders don't share their humanness from us, it prevents us from learning how they use a combination of divine values and human qualities as part of their wisdom, which guides them to take better care of themselves during challenging situations.

As humans, there are many, many things we still don't know. From not knowing what's in the depths of the ocean to what happens after death, the faith we have in God or the Universe keeps us grounded and helps us deal with the 'not-knowing'.

Indeed, sometimes our faith transforms into a staunch belief, one we begin to force upon others — despite their different thoughts, values, and attitudes. Most of us want to 'know' — we need assurance or understanding of what might happen to us. But this belief, especially with some religious leaders, robs them of their experience of humanness especially out in the open.

Being receptive to 'not knowing' brings us together more than we can imagine. Accepting our feelings and reactions of 'not knowing' helps us have our best chance to move toward healing — the first step is awareness and wanting to find our sense of wellbeing. This understanding of our shared uncertainty and not knowing helps us better identify with other humans around us.

There is strength and clarity in admitting that you may not know what will happen — whether it's tomorrow or after death. And it takes courage too. Robert talks about how it could help us loosen the rigidity around the need to have a clear understanding or enlightened view that might make us think we're above being human. After all, our humanness is a major part of what keeps us connected to each other.

For religious leaders, this humanness has great potential value to help their congregations and followers live according to spiritual values, to embody the values and attitudes that serve not just ourselves but also other humans and the planet we're blessed with.

Read the transcription and listen to this episode on The Global Bridge Foundation website.