When you feel the familiar chill of the void opening within you, the deafening vibration of the growing vacuum, the infinite sinkhole of the Big Empty, don’t do what you usually do – run away, fill the emptiness, scratch the itch. Do the opposite. Stop. Turn around, slowly, and face it. Face the emptiness. The terrifying void. Face it calmly, openly, lovingly. Then – miracle. Your soul takes a deep breath. You don’t become empty, you don’t disappear and the billowing clouds of darkness do not consume you. Instead it’s as if you go through, you come out on the other side stronger and full of light. You go through the veil and you see that the terrifying void is again just an illusion. You win this round. 

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    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.