Spiritual Known Knowns, Known Unknowns, and Unknown Unknowns

Exploring the Principle of Known Knowns, Known Unknowns, and Unknown Unknowns in Gnosis, Mysticism, and Shamanism

The pursuit of knowledge, whether through science, spirituality, or esoteric practices, often grapples with the fundamental question of the limitations and scope of human understanding. A useful framework for navigating the vast expanse of the unknown comes from a philosophical thought experiment that categorises knowledge into three distinct domains: “known knowns,” “known unknowns,” and “unknown unknowns.” While this framework is often attributed to modern systems thinking and famously articulated by Donald Rumsfeld, its applications resonate deeply in the contemplative and experiential traditions of gnosis, mysticism, and shamanism. These ancient paths, which aim to uncover deeper layers of reality and existence, have always acknowledged and danced along the borders of the knowable and the unknowable.

In this article, we will explore how this triad of knowledge categories manifests and operates within the realms of gnosis, mysticism, and shamanism, shedding light on the nature of human understanding and the transcendental mysteries of existence.

1. Known Knowns: Illuminating the Certainties

The “known knowns” represent the realm of knowledge we are fully aware of and can articulate with confidence. In the domain of gnosis (inner knowledge), mysticism, and shamanism, these are the core truths and principles that practitioners have directly experienced or inherited from their respective traditions.

For mystics, the “known knowns” often relate to universal truths revealed through personal experiences of transcendence and union with the divine. The Christian mystic may confidently speak of the ineffable love of God, the Sufi mystic of oneness with the Beloved, and the Hindu mystic of self-realisation (Atman) within the cosmic order (Brahman). These “knowns” anchor their spiritual practice and worldview.

In shamanism, the “known knowns” are often encoded in ritual practices, cosmological maps, and direct encounters with the spirit world. A Siberian shaman, for example, may confidently know the steps of a ritual to journey to the Upper World or communicate with ancestor spirits. These are truths verified through generations of practice and direct interaction with the spiritual realms.

Gnosis, often understood as intuitive or experiential knowledge of the divine, also works within the realm of “known knowns” by affirming certain truths experienced inwardly, such as the interconnectedness of all life, the divine spark within, or the cyclical nature of existence. These are not merely beliefs but experiential certainties acquired through inner revelation.

2. Known Unknowns: The Veil of Mystery and Inquiry

The “known unknowns” are the gaps in knowledge we recognise but have yet to fill. They represent the edges of our understanding, inviting us to explore further, question deeply, and engage in practices that might unravel their mysteries. This category fuels the very essence of mystical inquiry and shamanic exploration.

For mystics, the “known unknowns” often manifest as paradoxes and mysteries about the nature of existence and the divine. How can the finite grasp the infinite? How does suffering coexist with divine love? Such questions are not necessarily meant to be solved but contemplated, leading the seeker deeper into the mystical experience. The apophatic tradition in mysticism—articulating the divine through negation (what it is not)—is a direct engagement with the “known unknowns,” emphasising the humility required in facing the mysteries of God or ultimate reality.

In shamanism, the “known unknowns” might encompass the uncharted aspects of the spirit world or the unpredictable behaviour of spiritual entities. A shaman may be aware of the existence of certain realms or spirits, but their specifics remain veiled until the practitioner enters the trance state or initiatory crisis to uncover more. These known unknowns compel shamans to remain on the edge of discovery, balancing respect for the mystery with the courage to navigate it.

Similarly, in gnosis, practitioners often encounter profound questions about the essence of the self, the origins of consciousness, and the purpose of existence. These questions drive the gnostic seeker to delve deeper into meditation, inner work, and esoteric texts. The recognition of “known unknowns” is, in many ways, the spark that ignites the gnostic journey, a humble acknowledgment that there is more to reality than what is currently comprehended.

3. Unknown Unknowns: The Abyss Beyond Comprehension

Finally, the “unknown unknowns” refer to the domains of knowledge we are entirely unaware of—those dimensions of reality that lie far beyond the boundaries of human perception, cognition, and imagination. In the realms of gnosis, mysticism, and shamanism, this is the sacred abyss, the ultimate mystery that all seekers, at some level, aim to approach.

For mystics, the “unknown unknowns” are the unfathomable aspects of the divine. Even when a mystic attains union with the divine, they often describe the experience as ineffable—a reality that cannot be fully captured by words or concepts. The cloud of unknowing, a term used by 14th-century Christian mystics, beautifully encapsulates this sense of profound awe and surrender to the unknowable. The divine, in its absolute essence, remains beyond comprehension, reminding mystics of the limits of their finite beings in the face of infinite mystery.

Shamans, too, confront unknown unknowns when journeying into the spirit world. The experience of traversing uncharted territories, encountering archetypal forces, or accessing realms that defy logical structures often leaves the shaman with more questions than answers. Unknown unknowns are what give shamanic practices their vitality and potency, as they remind practitioners and their communities of the vastness of existence and the continual need for humility and curiosity.

In gnosis, the unknown unknowns reflect the ultimate truths that transcend the dualistic nature of human understanding. The gnostic path acknowledges that there will always be aspects of reality and divine being that evade comprehension. However, it is precisely this acknowledgement that sets the gnostic seeker free, urging them to continually refine their perceptions and transcend the illusions of certainty.

The Interplay Between the Known and the Unknown

What makes the framework of “known knowns,” “known unknowns,” and “unknown unknowns” so dynamic in these spiritual and esoteric domains is the interplay between these categories. Each step on the spiritual path often shifts the boundaries of what is known, opening new vistas of understanding while uncovering even greater mysteries.

Mystics describe this process as a deepening spiral: the more one knows of the divine, the more one is confronted with its vast unknowability. Shamans depict their journeys as crossings into deeper layers of the spirit world, where clarity and mystery coexist. Gnostic traditions convey a similar process, where peeling back the curtain of illusion reveals deeper truths but also unveils the sheer vastness of what remains hidden.

Spiritual Humility and the Mystery of Being

Ultimately, the principle of known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns reminds us of the humility required in the face of the incomprehensible. Whether walking the path of gnosis, mysticism, or shamanism, practitioners are called to embrace the limits of their understanding while continuing to explore, inquire, and surrender to the vast mystery of being.

This framework encourages spiritual seekers to strike a balance between certainty and open-mindedness, between what is confidently known and what lies beyond the horizon of perception. In doing so, it opens a gateway to wonder—a fundamental quality that lies at the heart of all spiritual and esoteric traditions.

So, whether you are gazing into the clear truths of the “known knowns,” navigating the shadowy terrain of the “known unknowns,” or standing in silent awe before the “unknown unknowns,” remember that the journey itself is the revelation. The interplay of these three dimensions of knowledge does not just define the path—it is the path. Mystics, shamans, and Gnostics have always understood this truth: the boundary between the known and the unknowable is where transformation begins.