Uncovering Peace and Joy in Welcoming Vacuity
Similar to Neo in the film The Matrix (1999), our consciousness sometimes enters moments of profound stillness and insight — brief mental pauses when all thought ceases just long enough for us to perceive the essence of existence itself.
In these transient intervals between our thoughts, it becomes evident that the ebbs and flows of life are merely… fleeting ‘blips’ of experience that surface and traverse our awareness.
I have come to recognize these instances as realizations of ‘no-thingness.’
During these short breaks, something subtly unfurls within us. We become aware of the obvious — what has forever existed — obscured by the restless waking mind and its ongoing narrative. Our consciousness shifts from being preoccupied with fleeting happenings to perceiving what is continuously present: the backdrop, the container, the eternal.
These quiet mental pauses unveil something profoundly deeper and grander than our personal existence and awareness.
In ancient Sanskrit, this concept is known as svabhāva. It represents one’s authentic essence — the core of who we are beyond our roles, narratives, and conditioning. This term appears in numerous yogic and Vedantic scriptures to characterize the inherent reality or unconditioned self that lies beyond our human ego and thoughts.
Our genuine authentic self is not a destination we reach. It is something we rediscover. When we catch a glimpse of the silence between our thoughts, we are not unveiling something novel — we are reconnecting with our original divine essence. Not the self that reacts and frets, but the self that simply exists. Svabhāva is the aspect of us that remains constant. It is the unwavering presence behind every fleeting moment. It embodies the essence of living a genuinely conscious life.
One of my spiritual teachers, Adyashanti, had an extraordinary ability to direct others back to their inner truth. He referred to it as the “no-thingness that is full” — so complete that it feels like everything. With minimal effort, he could guide others to identify the divine spark within that has always existed.
Allow your mind to drift into the pure and simple. Unite with the infinite. Let all things unfold as they should ~ Chuang Tzu
I studied under Adyashanti for six years in San Jose, California. I resided just nearby and frequently encountered him during his leisure time. What impressed me most was how deeply he embodied his teachings — he genuinely practiced what he preached.
Rooted in the Zen tradition, Adya’s own spiritual awakening revealed to him the unity of all experience and the vast wholeness that resides beyond thought. He could pierce through the illusion (maya) of the mental stories we carry. As I sat with him in the “no-thingness,” the narratives of my life started to unravel. With stillness and presence, I could perceive them for what they truly were: sometimes absurd, almost comical, as if watching a melodrama through a microscope.
Adya showed me that by shifting our focus to what is often overlooked — that silent, empty space between our thoughts, the eternal backdrop of no-thingness — we uncover something profound and transformational. The unchanging presence that underpins all life begins to feel more vibrant, more accessible, more authentic to us. It expands, and we start to find our rest within it.
You might be pondering, “This seems dull. Why should I even care about the so-called no-thingness?”
Try this simple experiment. Ask yourself, Who is reading this at this moment? You may respond, I am. But where is this “I” that is responding? You might point to yourself and say, Right here. Yet upon deeper, honest reflection, you might start to question this “I” you’re indicating. You may find that the ego self starts to dissolve. You may begin to realize that what you are pointing to is simply a lifetime of thoughts, memories, and conditioning. If you look more closely, you might discover that you are not who you always assumed you were.
When we turn inward and observe the one who is conscious of thoughts, feelings, and sensations, what we uncover is pure awareness itself. It’s akin to watching a movie — the scenes of life unfolding on the screen with no actual anchor in the drama. Who or what is the one watching? Who or what is perceiving?
Heaven and earth and I share the same root, The ten-thousand things and I share one essence ~ Seng-Chao
Viewing through the lens of everyday awareness, everything simply is. We often take our daily existence for granted. Things appear, things fade away. As we practice this uncomplicated act of observing without judgment, we begin to cultivate a new ability — the ability of awareness. What often follows is a profound sense of peace and surrender. Life, in all its mundane moments, starts to feel enchanting and precious – infused with quiet beauty and sacred divinity.
What about the pain, suffering, and challenges? What of the tough moments in life? When we grow accustomed to witnessing the truth of our divine existence — when we repose in the realm of no-thingness — a deeper sense of peace and acceptance starts to emerge. A reverence. We still laugh, cry, experience heartbreak and joy, but with a feeling of spaciousness, of okay-ness. Everything is permitted. Nothing is rejected.
Author Tara Brach delves into this transformative ability of embracing our true selves and our life journeys without resistance in her book Radical Acceptance (2004). Radical acceptance is about liberating oneself from the illusion of unworthiness—the erroneous belief that we are inherently flawed or somehow insufficient. Brach urges readers to foster self-compassion in place of self-criticism, release the illusion of control, and embrace imperfection.
Author Byron Katie describes in her book Loving What Is (2003) how the simple act of becoming aware of awareness can alter everything. It may initially sound unrealistic, but what if there’s a treasure in that? What if this awareness is what you’ve been seeking all along? Katie asserts that suffering arises not from external circumstances but from our interpretations of them. By questioning our thoughts, we can liberate ourselves from unnecessary pain and obtain peace. She also emphasizes that accepting reality as it is — rather than resisting or longing for it to be different — fosters clarity, emotional liberation, and a deeper sense of well-being.
When we find our rest in the full awareness and presence of the no-thingness, we unlock the entrance to our authentic self, to the truth of our divine existence, to svabhāva. Once we embrace and cherish ourselves for who we truly are, and radically accept everyone and everything as they are, we uncover a miraculous sense of joy, peace, gratitude, and contentment that transcends our everyday experiences.
Recognized as The Psychic’s Psychic, since 1998, Isadora has provided readings for countless individuals globally, including clients from the Obama administration, Fortune 500 CEOs, and prominent figures in Hollywood. Her detailed (Gemini) precision is truly remarkable, with her capability to perceive individuals at the Soul Level and address inquiries on an expansive array of topics, from relationship issues and business choices to past lives, etc.—anything that warrants clear answers and sharp insight. She can discern hidden patterns that underlie your present situation, equipping you with insights to positively transform your future. If you’re interested in a reading with this compassionate, straightforward, laser-accurate, and committed Psychic, you can locate Isadora at PsychicAccess.com. |
Unearthing Tranquility and Joy in Embracing Emptiness
In a realm that persistently inundates us with clamor, distractions, and relentless obligations, unearthing tranquility and happiness may appear to be a distant aspiration. However, an age-old philosophy suggests that welcoming emptiness can lead us to an immense sense of peace and satisfaction. This philosophy, grounded in Eastern traditions like Buddhism and Taoism, teaches us that emptiness should neither be feared nor evaded but rather embraced as a pathway to enlightenment and inner harmony.
Emptiness, in this view, does not imply a void or a lack of significance. Instead, it symbolizes the acknowledgment that all things are transient and interconnected. It entails the understanding that our attachments to material goods, relationships, and even our thoughts and emotions can result in suffering. By accepting emptiness, we release these attachments and experience liberation from the relentless chasing and discontent that often encumber our lives.
One method to uncover tranquility and joy through the acceptance of emptiness is through the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness entails focusing our attention on the present moment without evaluating or clinging. By monitoring our thoughts, emotions, and sensations without becoming entangled in them, we nurture a sense of inner calm and clarity.
Through mindfulness, we begin to recognize that our thoughts and emotions are fleeting and ever-changing. We learn to relinquish the continuous urge to control or hold onto them. This detachment enables us to access a deeper sense of peace and acceptance, even amidst challenging situations.
Another dimension of embracing emptiness involves the practice of non-attachment. Non-attachment does not signify indifference or apathy; instead, it represents the capacity to fully appreciate and relish life while recognizing its impermanence. By relinquishing our grasp on outcomes, possessions, and even our identities, we liberate ourselves from the burdens of expectations and discover joy in the here and now.
Welcoming emptiness also means nurturing a sense of interconnectedness with all beings and the natural environment. As we realize that we are integral to a broader web of existence, we foster compassion and empathy toward others. This connection enables us to loosen selfish desires and find fulfillment in aiding and uplifting others.
Cultivating gratitude serves as another potent means to discover tranquility and happiness in embracing emptiness. By valuing the simple pleasures and blessings in our lives, we shift our focus from absence to presence. Gratitude helps us cultivate contentment and a profound sense of fulfillment, even in the lack of external accomplishments or possessions.
Embracing emptiness does not entail withdrawing from the world or distancing ourselves from our responsibilities. Instead, it fosters an approach to life characterized by openness and spaciousness. It involves releasing the need for relentless busyness and external affirmation, finding peace within ourselves.
In a society that often equates success with accumulation and achievements, embracing emptiness may seem counterintuitive. Nevertheless, by letting go of our attachments and acknowledging impermanence, we can unearth a deep sense of tranquility and joy that transcends external conditions.
In summary, uncovering tranquility and joy in embracing emptiness is a transformative journey requiring a shift in viewpoint and a readiness to let go. Through practicing mindfulness, non-attachment, gratitude, and nurturing interconnectedness, we can acquire profound peace and contentment amid a tumultuous world. Embracing emptiness does not mean denying or circumventing life’s challenges but rather finding liberation and joy within ourselves. Continue reading