Emptiness, the void, darkness, nothingness, uncertainty, abyss, existential dread, feeling numb or like “something is missing” are all symptoms of what I call the emptiness practice (also known as “the dark night of the soul”). It is a tough practice. This Emptiness Survival Kit is based on my learnings in the last couple of years and is a summary of key quotes, tips and practices that helped me and I hope help you to get through it. I plan to post daily for a sum total of 42 posts. See you on the other side.
Nomad of the Universe, nobody special, student of Ram Dass. I write about happiness, meaning and spirituality. Buddhist, mystic, bhakti. My book on Love Addiction is out on Amazon now.
Letting go. So easy to understand its importance, so difficult to do. America faces civil war – let it go? Well there is little else we can do as individuals. These ancient Eastern thought systems are so obviously right. But I wonder whether they preclude us from acting in the world altogether? Perhaps so.
Completely agree, Anthony. Buddhist writings clarify that non-doing does not mean doing nothing (like I did in the last 18mo 😊), it means doing what you have to but w/o attachment to outcome or process or whatever it is you are doing. Go figure. I will let you know more if I suddenly get enlightened 😂
Likewise! The world is such a difficult place. Easy enough to be “intellectually” enlightened. Rather more difficult to feel enlightened and to go about your daily life with the lightness and happiness that that would bring.
Yep. I think when nothing can upset, surprise or shock me (or rather I can be aware of an instant unconscious reaction triggered and do smth about it), I will have been enlightened. Not there yet. Be careful what to wish for though. As I understand now, enlightenment involves full personal disintegration (pain, identity/ ego death, suffering, near madness, homelessness, unemployment, etc). Not a walk in the park…
Yes, I believe it must so. And let us not forget the translation of the word “nirvana” ~ a snuffing out. Realistically, the sort of emptiness described in Eastern philosophy requires a sort of death. Actual physical death or, as you say, a complete change in the nature if our consciousness.
Letting go. So easy to understand its importance, so difficult to do. America faces civil war – let it go? Well there is little else we can do as individuals. These ancient Eastern thought systems are so obviously right. But I wonder whether they preclude us from acting in the world altogether? Perhaps so.
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Completely agree, Anthony. Buddhist writings clarify that non-doing does not mean doing nothing (like I did in the last 18mo 😊), it means doing what you have to but w/o attachment to outcome or process or whatever it is you are doing. Go figure. I will let you know more if I suddenly get enlightened 😂
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Likewise! The world is such a difficult place. Easy enough to be “intellectually” enlightened. Rather more difficult to feel enlightened and to go about your daily life with the lightness and happiness that that would bring.
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Yep. I think when nothing can upset, surprise or shock me (or rather I can be aware of an instant unconscious reaction triggered and do smth about it), I will have been enlightened. Not there yet. Be careful what to wish for though. As I understand now, enlightenment involves full personal disintegration (pain, identity/ ego death, suffering, near madness, homelessness, unemployment, etc). Not a walk in the park…
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Yes, I believe it must so. And let us not forget the translation of the word “nirvana” ~ a snuffing out. Realistically, the sort of emptiness described in Eastern philosophy requires a sort of death. Actual physical death or, as you say, a complete change in the nature if our consciousness.
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Let us see what lies ahead… 😱
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And look what JC and the Buddha went through. Much as you were saying ~ unemployment, poverty, homelessness and in one case a cruel death.
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JC 😂 Yep, it is in a way a horrifying path. The problem is once you peaked behind the veil, you can’t just go back. Sometimes I think I wish I could!
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I guess it is less about doing or not doing and more about your mental attitude to both.
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Yes. Absolutely ~ therein lies the key to true freedom.
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