Understanding and Practicing Emptiness

• Published in: Mindfulness 2021-07, Vol.12 (7), p.1845-1848
• Main Authors: Van Gordon, William, Sapthiang, Supakyada, Barrows, Paul, Shonin, Edo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ancient languages; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Buddhism; Child and School Psychology; Clinical trials; Cognitive Psychology; Ethics; Meditation; Mindfulness; Mindfulness in Practice; Pediatrics; Psychology; Public Health; Sanskrit; Social Sciences
• ISSN: 1868-8527; 1868-8535
• DOI: 10.1007/s12671-020-01586-1

[...]the human body is composed of, and exists in dependence upon, water (e.g., from rain and the ocean), air (e.g., from the wind), animals, plants, nutrients, the heat of the sun, etc. [...]it can be said that the human body (or any other phenomenon) is “full” of all things but “empty” of a self that exists either inherently or independently. According to some contemplative adepts, waking reality might be thought of as a shared dream that appears real and adheres to physical rules, but that ultimately does not exist outside the realm of collective consciousness. [...]generation mindfulness-based interventions follow a more traditional approach to mindfulness by teaching it more in line with the aforementioned three-trainings principle (e.g., teaching mindfulness in conjunction with ethical, socio-empathic and wisdom-based meditative techniques). [...]there are certain practices that can help to remove some of the psychological barriers that prevent the experience of emptiness from arising organically. [...]when we talk about practicing emptiness, we are really talking about practicing specific contemplative techniques that help to soften our normal way of perceiving, so that the right conditions for experiencing emptiness can arise.