THE FULLNESS OF EMPTINESS
Emptiness is not something to be afraid of, it simply means to be empty of something. This is quite a discovery on the enlightenment path. The question to be asked is “empty of what?” The Awakened Heart is empty of a separate self.
There are five elements that comprise a human being. These five elements flow like a river in every one of us. Actually, these are really five rivers flowing together in us: the river of form, which means our bodies; the river of feelings; the river of perceptions; the river of mental formations; and the river of consciousness. They are always flowing in us. So according to Avalokiteshvara (a prominent bodhisattva in Buddhism) when he looked deeply into the nature of these five rivers, he suddenly saw that all five are empty – empty of a separate self.
The concept of the “fullness of emptiness” in The Awakened Heart is a profound paradox that lies at the very core of many spiritual traditions, particularly Buddhism. It is not about a nihilistic void, but a liberating state of being.
Let us breakdown this contradictory phrase into its little pockets.
Here, “Emptiness” entails:
- Absence of Fixed Self/Ego: This is the primary meaning. “Emptiness” (or sunyata in Sanskrit) refers to the understanding that nothing, including ourselves, possesses an inherent, unchanging, separate, or independent existence. Our “self” or “ego” is seen as a constantly changing collection of thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and sensations, rather than a solid, permanent entity.
Freedom from Attachments: Because there’s no fixed “self” to protect or enhance, the need to grasp onto things (possessions, ideas, relationships, outcomes, even life itself) loosens. These attachments are often the source of suffering because they are impermanent.
Lack of Inherent Existence in Phenomena: Beyond the self, all phenomena – objects, experiences, concepts – are also seen as empty of inherent, independent existence. They arise in dependence on other causes and conditions and are impermanent.
Here, “Fullness” entails:
Infinite Potential: When the illusion of a fixed, separate self and independent phenomena dissolves, what remains is not nothingness, but everything. It’s a vast, open space of pure potential, unconditioned and unbounded.
Unconditional Love and Compassion: Without the barriers of ego and self-concern, the heart naturally expands to encompass all beings. Emptiness is not cold or uncaring; paradoxically, it’s the very ground from which boundless compassion and love arise, as there’s no longer a separate “I” to limit these feelings.
Vibrant Interconnectedness: In recognising the emptiness of separate existence, we simultaneously recognise the profound interconnectedness of all things. Everything influences everything else. This leads to a deep sense of belonging and unity.
Clarity and Wisdom: When the mind is no longer clouded by the projections and grasping of the ego, reality is perceived with pristine clarity. Wisdom emerges naturally from this unconditioned state.
Joy and Freedom: The release from the burden of constantly defending and maintaining a separate self, and the freedom from attachment, brings an enduring sense of joy, liberation, and peace that is independent of external circumstances.
Synthesising these little pockets into one, culminates in The Awakened Heart that experiences:
Profound Peace (Shanti): A deep, unshakeable tranquillity that permeates all experience, even amidst chaos.
Boundless Compassion (Karuna): An automatic, unconditioned desire to alleviate the suffering of others, recognising their interconnectedness with oneself.
Unconditional Love (Metta): A pervasive feeling of goodwill and benevolence towards all beings, without exception or judgment.
Effortless Action: Actions flow naturally from wisdom and compassion, without the friction of egoic striving or fear of failure. There’s a spontaneity and appropriateness to responses.
Non-Attachment to Outcomes: While one acts with intention and care, there’s no clinging to specific results, as the inherent impermanence of all things is deeply understood.
Equanimity (Upekkha): A balanced mind that remains stable and peaceful in the face of life’s inevitable ups and downs, acknowledging the impermanence of all experiences.
Radical Acceptance: A complete embrace of reality as it is, without resistance or judgment, knowing that all phenomena are interdependently arisen and empty of fixed essence.
In summary, the “fullness of emptiness” is the realization that by letting go of the illusion of a separate, solid self and the fixed nature of things, one opens to the boundless, interconnected, compassionate, and joyful nature of reality itself. It’s not a loss, but an immense gain – a liberation into the vastness of being.
