What do Buddhists mean when they talk about emptiness?
July 20, 2026 | 2 CommentsAudio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 8:51
Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project meditator.
Before we sit today, I want to share with you a few thoughts about a concept famously associated with Buddhism: emptiness. It’s easy to think this means something like null or devoid of meaning or value. It doesn’t! Have a listen for more on the beauty and power of true emptiness.
With love,
Susan
PS: Please check out my new book, Inexplicable Magic: Meditation for Mystics. It offers seven principles of meditation as a spiritual practice (rather than self-help).
PPS: If you like sitting together (I do!), please join the Open Heart Project sangha. We have a live meditation practice every morning.
categorized in: dharma, meditation
2 Comments
Lovely to hear and see you again after a long time, dear Susan. Thank you for a deep teaching! Much love from Switzerland 🙏🏼🧡
While the Heart Sutra has always spoken to me deeper than I can describe, the phrase, “Form is emptiness, emptiness is form; form is no other than emptiness, emptiness is no other than form,” used to seem, well, empty of meaning. It is a phrase that invites contemplation for sure. Then my meditative mind clicked it open with great relief. it is all about ultimate connection, I think. Consciousness is its myriad aspects. How freeing! How beautiful! And, of course, it is also frustrating to see connection with negativity as well as wonder. Perhaps that allows for some degree of compassion – still working on that.