Make Use of Emptiness
An Inner-World Exploration
Why is bamboo a symbol of exemplary conduct? Because it makes use of emptiness. That emptiness makes it flexible, open to receive, and ready to respond as needed.
We should cultivate the emptiness of bamboo.
How to be empty
Our body suit keeps us busy. It stimulates us and talks to us. In order to be empty like bamboo, we must cultivate stillness, mindfulness, and serenity.
One waits in emptiness. Does nothing. Says nothing. Sits silent and empty. Not even expectation. Just being.
And therein lies the power of emptiness.
That’s one of the purposes of a spiritual practice.
Be flexible
Bamboo is empty and it is flexible. Just as bamboo does, think of yourself as moving in a soft breeze. Gently swaying. It changes your view, brings you fresh air and gives you more options.
When you are empty, you are present and capable of moving in any direction. And you can also continue to stay perfectly still. There’s no forward movement to stop. There’s no bending to unbend. There’s simply a presence and a sense of expectation. Simply being. Empty. And present.
Be open to receive
When you are empty you have room to consider whatever shows up. You can observe, explore, make choices. You can decide what you want to bring into your emptiness. Or perhaps you would just rather stay empty for a while. You have great flexibility of the possibilities you can choose.
When we fill ourselves too full, there’s no room for anything else. Practice emptying yourself. Empty your mind. Empty your breath. Sit in stillness and see what shows up.
Be ready to respond as needed
There’s a readiness about being empty. There’s no forward motion to check. No backward motion to halt. You’re in a state of simple readiness. But emptiness is even less active the that. It’s stillness. It’s simply being.
Then you can respond, not react. A circumstance presents itself. You see it, consider it, weigh your options. Maybe you explore a bit before you choose. Be flexible in your response to whatever shows up.
The choice is yours
To move or not to move, to accept or not to accept. To believe or not to believe. In your emptiness, there’s an awareness. An awareness of your destiny, your reason for being, your purpose. And in that emptiness is the opportunity to view your options. To consider choices.
Still, you do nothing. You are empty. You observe.
Act only when you are ready
At some point, you may choose action. And for the moment you fill yourself with purpose and plans and readiness and choices.
Then you return to emptiness. Observing. Simply being. Being present. Being still.
Cultivate emptiness
Empty. Being. Simply being. No expectations or concerns, no thoughts, or planning. Simply being present. In an emptiness that’s full of presence.
Until it’s time to fill yourself with a new choice.
How do we cultivate emptiness?
Time Stands Open
I sit before an
empty parcel of time.
Mine to fill.
Mine to squander.
Mine to enjoy.
I sit.
I feel.
I experience
the emptiness.
The waiting.
There is no
expectation.
There is simply
an open space,
a segment of time
that is mine to do with as I choose.
I go within
to see what time
wants from me.
Mindfulness.
Stillness.
Emptiness.
Experience emptiness.
Clear your mind
and soul.
Be empty.
I do.
I sit mindfully
in an open parcel of time.
And simply am.
-Cara Lumen, 1995
Deeper Song Affirmation
I cultivate the art of emptiness.
Deep Song Process
- Sit silently and empty your mind. Simply be.
- With gentle persistence, release any thoughts or worries or mental activity that shows up.
- Simply be.
- Do not make an effort to empty your mind. Simply empty your mind.
- Practice nothingness throughout your day.
- Notice how you feel and how your experiences change.
To Sing a Deeper Song, Consider
The Packed Potential Before the Beginning
How to Walk a Path of Inner Stillness
Another Part of You-The Unseen World
How Do You Make Your Actions Lasting and Meaningful?
How to Interpret the Messages from Within
I help transformational thinkers raise their personal vibration so that we, collectively, can raise the consciousness of our planet.
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