On Emptiness

Have you ever wondered how the most important things in life are free of charge?

If I asked you what are the most important stuff in your life you probably would say: family, work, friends, dreams, etc.

But then I ask you: how about oxigen, water, sunlight or the harmony of the cosmos?

Now pay attention to this: the more you think how stupid this is .... the more you neglect the truth of what I just said... the more distant you are from the reality and the more disconnected you are from the Truth of Life. But yes, I know. The business of life has made you and I think that these are irrelevant and their intense presence has made you neglect their importance. The duality that rules our reality will only allow us to see the power of something in its absence. It is only in the cold that we miss a hot chocolate. And it is only in the summer that we miss a cold drink.

In the same breath, it is indeed only if (when?) the planet runs out of oxigen and water that some people (you?) might recognize their importante.

Did you know, for example, that if Earth were to shift just 1% closer to the Sun (something which is by no means impossible to happen) it could spark a series of catastrophic events? A seemingly small change like this could lead to an intense rise in global temperatures, triggering more frequent heat waves, storms, and the accelerated melting of ice caps. Sea levels would rise, coastal cities would disappear, and crops would struggle to survive in a hotter world. Life as we know it would be at risk. Our protective atmosphere would struggle to shield us from harmful UV rays, increasing cancer rates and wreaking havoc on ecosystems. And if something as simple as the atmosphere changed, weakening its protective barrier, we would be exposed to deadly levels of cosmic radiation, and Earth's temperatures would fluctuate wildly—burning by day and freezing by night.

See? That which you consider to be the most important stuff in your life are actually secondary, mere accessories. It is only because the cosmos is what it is that you can actually think of family, work, friends and etc. Today I want to focus on two of these aspect of reality that we so easily take for granted: emptiness and silence.

Let's talk about the space first.

Note, when I talk about space, I'm not talking about the outer space. I'm talking about the empty space around us like the empy space between you and the walls around you now. At first glance, they may seem like mere blank spaces, but they are the very foundations of a deep connection with the sacred. Throughout this text, I will explore how these ideas can transform your life.

Emptiness, The Body of God ? Imagine a room like a living room, but with no furniture in it. It is a room that you would call "empty" right? Well, science says it is actually not empty at all. Firstly, if you can see the room then it is because there is light in it. So if there is light, then you can no longer say it is empty. But still you might think it is because you cannnot "see" anything in there. This "emptiness" between the walls of the living room, this "nothingness", is actually completely full of energy, what science now calls "dark matter". For those of you who seek spirituality, I would say this "empty" space is the physical manifestation of God, a dynamic, energy-filled, living field that surrounds and sustains us. Emptiness is the representation of the Body of God. It is through emptiness that you can "touch" the primal nature of God.

The Egyptian hermetism, which is thought to be the pioneer philosophy which gave birth to Jewish and Hindu traditions, speaks of "The All" the "Substantial Reality underlying all the outward manifestations and appearances" that cannot be perceived with our senses and that lies beyond it. Think about that for a moment.

Christians believe that God is "allmighty", in the sense that it "allows" everything to exist. Well, isnt that exactly what space does? Imagine a tree or a kid growing up. As they grow up, they take up more and more space isnt it? Isnt it a perfect example of God allowing things to be as they say it? But I can be even more clear. Think of your bedroom. Is it big enough or would you like it to be bigger? Why? If you would like it to be bigger then it is because you are thinking of more confort. Just like a car. Is it not space the number one feature in cars that make it attractive and confortable? Of course it is. It is not technology or engine power, it is space!

Space = Confort = Peace

Think about that for a moment. Why is it that space brings us confort?

If you are religious or spiritual like myself you might see space, as I said before, as the very presence of God. If you are not, then you might see the outer space as a reflexion of the inner space, and that is the reason why you feel confortable in the presence of emptiness. Or is it not empty space 90% of the size of an atom? Wether you are religious or not, when you understand that every space around us is impregnated with energy or divine presence, we begin to see the world differently. We begin to seek to be closer to it, be it to feel more energised or blessed.

The importance of emptiness is also the reason behind the positive effects of meditation for mental health. According to a recent study, titled "Systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials assessing mindfulness-based programs for mental health promotion" published in Nature Mental Health in 2023 (link) explores how mindfulness significantly improves mental health, showing positive effects for up to six months. The research emphasizes that these programs can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, providing long-term mental health benefits.

And what is meditation if not the practice of "emptying the mind"? So, wether you are feeling anxious or sad, try this exercise: observe the empty space surrounding you. Try to feel its presence as if you are touching it. Try to perceive how space allows you to move around it. If you are out in a park and there is an animal flying or running around, observe how animals (specially birds) enjoy the empty space. If you are to this exercise frequently you might develop a deep connection with the emptiness and you there will be a moment when you will feel such a peace within that will cause you to close your eyes to connect your inner emptiness to the outer emptiness.

Try it and come back here to comment how it was.

With Love,

Augusto