The Buddhist concept of emptiness means we are not adding anything of our own psychological personality to what we are observing. It doesn’t mean we are vacant zombies that sit in numb trance-like states trying to overcome the upsets of life. It doesn’t mean we are brainless blocks of wood.
We are active observers and participants in our myriad experiences. But we do not add mental clutter and garbage to the scene, whether we are meditating, taking a walk, or doing a job. This clutter takes the form of annoying ego-based musings, regrets, and anxiety about the future. Even sitting on a beach watching the waves can turn into a harrowing experience if we bring all our drama into it.
“Look at those waves. They remind me of the day when my father and I used to play at the beach. Now he is gone and I miss him so much. All the people I love are leaving me. No one really loved me the way he did and now I’m all alone! Poor me, I guess I will always be alone. I hate all this sun, sand, and water!”
With an empty mind, we sit at the beach, feel the unity of sun, sea, sand and beauty. We let it stir our hearts without an inner discussion of judgment, regret, hope, and evaluation. It is just the beach. It is not the stage and backdrop for our unfortunate mind-stream of constant inner chatter. It is peaceful and and natural.
We are active observers and participants in our myriad experiences. But we do not add mental clutter and garbage to the scene, whether we are meditating, taking a walk, or doing a job. This clutter takes the form of annoying ego-based musings, regrets, and anxiety about the future. Even sitting on a beach watching the waves can turn into a harrowing experience if we bring all our drama into it.
“Look at those waves. They remind me of the day when my father and I used to play at the beach. Now he is gone and I miss him so much. All the people I love are leaving me. No one really loved me the way he did and now I’m all alone! Poor me, I guess I will always be alone. I hate all this sun, sand, and water!”
With an empty mind, we sit at the beach, feel the unity of sun, sea, sand and beauty. We let it stir our hearts without an inner discussion of judgment, regret, hope, and evaluation. It is just the beach. It is not the stage and backdrop for our unfortunate mind-stream of constant inner chatter. It is peaceful and and natural.
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