Hikma: The Wisdom We Return To in Uncertain Times

As part of the 7th edition of the Cosmic Centaurs Conference, we had the privilege of learning from Rama Chakaki, a leader known for her work at the intersection of technology, innovation, education, systems change, and social entrepreneurship across the region.

In this thought-provoking session, Hikma: Indigenous Wisdom for Uncertain Times, Rama invited us to step away from the constant search for new answers and instead return to a deeper, often overlooked source of clarity: the wisdom we already carry.

In moments of uncertainty, we are often conditioned to look forward, to seek new frameworks, and new solutions. Yet across the reflections shared within our community, a different idea emerged:

The wisdom we lean on in uncertain times is often the oldest. Something inherited, lived, and shaped long before we had the language to describe it.

In the days leading up to the session, Team Centaurs shared quotes, memories, and words of inspiration that captured this idea in different ways. Some reflected on wisdom passed down through grandparents and family stories. Others returned to books, cultural concepts, and phrases that shaped how they lead, decide, and show up. Together, these reflections offer a window into what hikma looks like in practice: grounding, balance, generosity, intuition, and perspective.

Wisdom That Lives in Stories

Hikma is rarely delivered as a clear principle or defined model. More often, it is carried through stories, through observation, and through the way people move through life.

Zeina reflected on how hikma is carried through lived stories.

“𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐚 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐪𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞. 𝐈𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬.”

Her reflection captures how wisdom is often absorbed through lived experience. It is not always something we understand immediately, but something we grow into over time.

Marilyn shared how inherited wisdom shaped her relationship with abundance and restraint.

“𝙐𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚. 𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝙞𝙩. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝.”

Her reflection highlights that hikma is not only about scarcity or survival. It is about perspective: the ability to build, invest, and dream while staying grounded in what is essential.

Staying Grounded While Everything Moves

In today’s environment, leadership is often associated with speed and responsiveness. Hikma offers a different lens: stay anchored.

Not everything should shift just because circumstances do. The ability to remain grounded while everything else moves is what allows leaders to maintain direction, not just momentum.

Tala reflected on this through the concept of sumood (صمود).

“The wisdom we return to in uncertainty is often the oldest. It’s inherited: rooted in us long before we know how to name it.”

Her reflection reinforces that grounding is not passive. It is an active choice to hold onto identity and values, even in changing conditions.

Zeinab reflected on this same need for perspective through a phrase passed down to her.

“غيمة وبتزول ☁️”

Her reflection reminds us that uncertainty is transient. It encourages patience, perspective, and continued presence through change.

Holding Dualities With Intention

Another thread that emerged is the ability to hold dualities. Hikma does not ask leaders to choose between strength and compassion, ambition and restraint, action and reflection. It asks them to hold both.

Razan reflected on this balance through a line by Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi.

"أعتقد أنني نشأت وفي أعماقي إحساس كامن بأن السلطة، بلا حزم، تؤدي إلى تسيب خطير، وإن الحزم، بلا رحمة، يؤدي إلى طغيان أشد خطورة."

Her reflection highlights that leadership is not about choosing one side. It is about holding strength and compassion with intention.

Sabah reflected on another duality: giving and scarcity.

“You give most from what you were denied” or “فاقدُ الشيء يُعطيه”

Her reflection challenges the assumption that contribution depends on abundance. Even in uncertainty, giving can become a form of agency: a way to stay present, grounded, and involved in shaping what comes next.

Trusting What Cannot Always Be Measured

Some of the most important forms of clarity come from intuition, stillness, and experience that cannot be easily explained.

Not everything that matters can be measured. And not every meaningful decision can be justified on paper. Yet these are often the decisions that shape direction most significantly.

Marie reflected on this through a line that stayed with her over time.

“𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝘆; 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘆𝗲.”

Her reflection reinforces that some of the most important decisions are guided not only by analysis, but by internal clarity.

Across these reflections, one idea stands out: hikma grounds us.

It reminds us that even when the external environment is unstable, we are not starting from nothing. We are returning to something.

These reflections were part of a wider dialogue during Hikma: Indigenous Wisdom for Uncertain Times at the 7th Cosmic Centaurs Conference, featuring Rama Chakaki.

In this session, Rama explores how inherited wisdom can help us navigate complexity, lead through uncertainty, and make more grounded decisions over time.

You can now rewatch the full session here.