We have discussed the dream-like nature of the phenomenon as well as the lack of inherent existence of the phenomenon in the past. Over the next few weeks, I want to discuss a very deep and profound subject called emptiness. Before we talk about what emptiness is, we need to make sure what it is not.
Emptiness is one of the most misunderstood concepts in spirituality. Emptiness does not mean nothingness. It does not say nothing exists at all. It says all phenomena are empty from their own side. And that is the key distinction here. From their own side means separate and independent existence. The English language defines emptiness as the feeling of loneliness but that is not emptiness at all. In Sanskrit, emptiness is called Sunyata.
Emptiness is the true nature of all phenomena. It means there is something and that something is ready to take any form that is necessary. So there is a huge difference between emptiness and nothingness. Different people grasp the concept of emptiness in different ways. So I am going to try and get an explanation in two distinct ways.
First, let’s look at the physical way of looking at emptiness. Before we take a look at this, we need to look at how space is defined. There are two types of space; producing space and nonproducing space. For example, we see there is a brick wall. If we try to go through the brick wall, we will fall down as there is no way to go through the brick wall. The brick wall is called producing space. On the other hand, space, where you can easily move through, is known as nonproducing space. So let’s look at an example. If you look at an empty room, you will there is nothing but space. Now, if we put a chair in that room, obviously a chair is occupied in the room. The chair is called the producing space. There was space where there is a chair right now. Where did space go? That space that was there before the chair was present is known as nonproducing space. The space occupied by the chair is the emptiness of that chair. Another thing to keep in mind is that the chair and the space occupied by the chair are not separate phenomena; they are one and the same. They are non-dual. This is a very important point to note that the chair and the emptiness of the chair are one and the same.
Another way to look at this is that emptiness is a way of looking at the world as it is without adding or subtracting anything from it. What does that mean? Let’s say we see a series of events through our eyes or in our heads. That normally brings some kind of feeling in us. Once that feeling surfaces, we tend to identify with that feeling and get wrapped up with our “I” about that feeling. This is what causes all the suffering. The more we get involved in it, the more it sucks us in.
Instead, if we look at those events from an emptiness lense, and not react at all but just observe, you will notice that feeling is empty of anything to identify with. This is the true meaning of emptiness. We clearly see this, we will realize that labeling or identifying everything with our “I” is the cause of our stress, anxiety, and so forth. When we drop the “I”, we are free from all the drama. I know it is easier said than done but this is one key to true happiness.
So as you can see emptiness can be looked at from different points of view. However, all of these lead to one single goal. They are targeted to get people to focus on what is important as opposed to day-to-day thoughts of anger, attachment, jealousy, hatred, and so forth. If we look at the world from an emptiness point of view, our delusions will gradually decrease and eventually be eliminated. This will allow us to operate from a happy state of mind. A happy state of mind brings inner peace allowing us to be aware. An aware mind is a perceptive mind and as we discussed in the past function of the mind is to perceive. Imagine what we can achieve if our perception is crystal clear.
I know there is a lot to unpack here. I am hoping to continue this series for the next few weeks and have an extended Q&A session at the end similar to what we did after the Karma series.