Emptiness

The Buddhist idea of emptiness has been rolling around my thoughts this morning. As I understand it, the mind is not just empty but open and receptive to the new, the changing dance of life. It intersects, I think, with various forms of meditation, not just Zen. The idea has been understood by Christian mystics such as Meister Eckhart and recent Christian teachers of Contemplative Prayer.

I have known people whose minds are so full that there is no space for a new idea. Some minds are like a hoarder's house, packed to the rafters with junk. These are the know it alls - my mind is made up, don't confuse me with facts.

I have known people who don't want to think through things, so they take the word of others. It has been said the word God has no content unless one has an experience of God, of the Holy. Many people have a second hand religion filled with words that have no content for them.

It occurs to me that the scope of things is infinite, so it is impossible to know all. It might be best to be still/empty and give God space to enter. Fill the word God with content by opening to the experience of God.

Teach me to be still. Lead me to emptiness. Create in me a place for You.