Tag: Emptiness

My Religion Is Liberation

Religion need not be a creed one defends or a ritual one performs. For some of us, it is the recognition of the bars we forge around our own minds—and the relentless devotion to dissolving them. Liberation becomes both the path and the sanctuary.

This isn’t about conversion, salvation, or belonging to any particular sect. It is about noticing the prison of belief itself. Every concept, every identity, every longing for certainty can become a gatekeeper denying entry to our own boundless nature.

Liberation demands a fierce honesty. It asks that we examine the illusions that hold our suffering in place, not as moral failings but as invitations to see through the lie of separation. The true heresy in this religion is clinging to what we think we know about ourselves, about others, about reality itself.

No priest is needed here. Authority resides in awareness, and awareness has no master. The teacher is the arising of life as it is—grief, joy, confusion, clarity. Each moment grants a new chance to recognize the play of experience without getting caught in it.

Liberation is not found by rejecting the world but by perceiving its emptiness and fullness simultaneously. Every object, thought, and sensation is free of substance even as it shines in unmistakable vividness. This paradox isn’t a puzzle to solve but a doorway to live through.

When liberation is the religion, love ceases to be a commandment and becomes the ground of being. Judgment collapses, not because everything is permitted, but because everything is understood as oneself. The compulsion to divide the sacred from the profane, the pure from the impure, loses its grip.

Such a path offers no final doctrine. It holds no promise of eternal reward. Yet it is more generous than any creed that trades truth for comfort. It is the faith of those willing to die before death—to watch every cherished certainty burn so that what cannot be burned may reveal itself.

Those who walk this path do so alone, yet never apart.

Morgan O. Smith

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Nothing Exists

The Witness Alone Remains

Every belief we hold about reality begins with a fundamental assumption: that something exists. Objects, thoughts, emotions, and even the concept of the self are taken as undeniable truths. But when we look closer, reality reveals itself to be far less solid. Strip away perceptions, dismantle the narratives, and what remains? Nothing. Not the nothing of absence, but a profound, living nothingness that holds the potential for everything.

The paradox lies here: if nothing truly exists, then what is aware of this nothing? What observes the rise and fall of sensations, thoughts, and forms? The answer is the witness—pure awareness, untouched by the shifting currents of existence. It is not an object that can be grasped, but the context in which all objects appear.

What Is the Witness?

The witness is not the thinking mind or the personality you’ve constructed through years of conditioning. It is that which observes even the mind itself. The witness is silent, still, and ever-present. It is not bound by time, nor does it possess a location. While the body and thoughts belong to the world of form, the witness transcends it entirely.

When you recognize the witness, the illusion of existence begins to unravel. The objects of your awareness—whether external events or internal thoughts—are revealed to be fleeting, momentary phenomena. They appear, they shift, and they dissolve, leaving no trace of permanence. The witness alone remains unchanged, untouched by the dance of creation and destruction.

Nothingness as Freedom

The recognition that nothing exists liberates you from attachment. If everything is transient, then clinging to any experience, belief, or identity is an exercise in futility. This does not mean rejecting the world but meeting it with openness, seeing it for what it is: a play of appearances arising within the vastness of nothingness.

This nothingness is not cold or lifeless. It is the fertile void from which all existence springs, a source of infinite creativity and potential. The witness watches the unfolding of this creative process, yet remains uninvolved, free from entanglement.

Who Experiences Existence?

The ultimate question arises: if nothing exists, how can existence be experienced at all? The witness is both the perceiver and the essence of existence itself. It is through the act of witnessing that “existence” takes on meaning. Without the witness, there is no one to perceive existence. The world, as we know it, cannot exist independently of the awareness observing it.

This insight has profound implications. The separation between the experiencer and the experienced dissolves. Reality is no longer something “out there” to be analyzed or controlled; it is a dynamic flow that arises within you, as you. The witness is not apart from existence—it is existence, recognizing itself through the illusion of separation.

Living as the Witness

To live as the witness does not mean rejecting the world or detaching from life. It means fully engaging with reality while knowing its true nature. You move through life with clarity, seeing that every thought, every sensation, and every moment arises from nothing and returns to nothing. The recognition of this emptiness brings freedom—not a withdrawal from life, but a deeper immersion in its sacredness.

When the witness becomes your anchor, suffering loses its grip. Challenges and emotions no longer define you; they are simply waves in the ocean of awareness. Relationships deepen, as you no longer seek validation or fulfillment from others. The peace of the witness is enough.

This realization is not a conclusion but an ongoing experience. Every moment offers an opportunity to rest in the witness, to see through the illusions of existence, and to marvel at the profound simplicity of being.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Emptiness and Form

Exploring the Essence of Ultimate Reality

In the vast expanse of spiritual philosophy, the concept of ultimate reality often emerges as a profound focal point of contemplation. At its core, ultimate reality is a paradox: an emptiness encompassing all that takes form. This paradox invites us to explore the intricate dance between the seen and the unseen, the manifest and the unmanifest, and the ever-present flow between these states of being.

Emptiness, in its essence, is not a void in the conventional sense. It is a fertile ground, a boundless potential from which all phenomena arise. This emptiness is not devoid of life; rather, it is the very source of existence, the womb of creation. It is in this emptiness that the seed of every form, every thought, and every experience is planted and nourished.

When we speak of “everything that takes form,” we refer to the myriad expressions of life—mountains and rivers, thoughts and emotions, stars and galaxies. These forms are the manifestations of the underlying emptiness, brought into being through the dance of energy and consciousness. They are transient, ever-changing, yet intimately connected to the unchanging, formless essence from which they emerge.

This understanding challenges us to look beyond the superficial appearances of the world. It encourages us to see the impermanent nature of forms, not as a cause for despair, but as an invitation to connect with the timeless reality that underlies all existence. This connection fosters a deep sense of peace and acceptance, as we recognize that everything, in its transient nature, is a part of a greater whole.

To truly grasp the nature of this ultimate reality, one must move beyond intellectual understanding and into direct experience. This requires a quieting of the mind, a stilling of the incessant chatter that often distracts us from the subtle truths of existence. In moments of deep meditation or profound insight, we may glimpse this ultimate reality—a state where the distinction between emptiness and form dissolves, and we perceive the unity that lies at the heart of all things.

In this state of awareness, we see that emptiness is not a lack, but a fullness—a fullness that contains all possibilities, all potentialities. It is a space of infinite creativity, where the play of consciousness unfolds without limit. This realization transforms our perception, allowing us to live with a sense of wonder and reverence for the mystery of existence.

As we navigate the challenges and joys of life, this understanding can be a guiding light. It reminds us that, at our core, we are not separate from the world around us, but deeply connected to it. In embracing the paradox of emptiness and form, we find a deeper meaning in our experiences and a greater compassion for all beings.

The journey to this understanding is a lifelong one, filled with moments of clarity and confusion, insight and doubt. Yet, each step on this path brings us closer to the heart of the mystery, where we may find a profound sense of peace and a recognition of the sacredness of all life.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Unveiling Infinity

The Journey Beyond Spiritual Constructs

In the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, a paradox often emerges: the journey toward liberation can inadvertently become a new form of bondage. It’s an intricate dance where the very tools and practices designed to free us can subtly entangle us in a new web of spiritual identity and attachment. This realization beckons a profound question: how do we liberate ourselves, not just from worldly entrapments, but from the constructs of spirituality itself?

**The Illusion of Spiritual Identity**

Spirituality, in its essence, is a quest for understanding, a search for the absolute truth. However, in this quest, there is a risk of creating a ‘spiritual identity’. This identity, though seemingly elevating, can become a subtle trap. It fosters a sense of separateness – the ‘enlightened’ versus the ‘unenlightened’, the ‘seeker’ versus the ‘found’. To truly transcend, one must recognize this dichotomy as an illusion.

**Dissolving the Constructs**

The path to true liberation involves dissolving these constructs. It’s about transcending not only material attachments but also the conceptual frameworks that spirituality often constructs. This includes letting go of labels, practices, and even the concept of enlightenment itself. It’s a journey into the uncharted territory of pure being, where the mind’s compulsive need to categorize and define is relinquished.


**The Freedom of No Identity**

In this space of ‘no identity’, true freedom is found. It’s a state of existence where one is not defined by spiritual accomplishments, knowledge, or experiences. Here, the individual merges with the totality of existence, experiencing a nondualistic state where the observer and the observed are one. This is the pinnacle of spiritual liberation – a state beyond states, a presence beyond identities.

**Embracing the Void**

Embracing this void, this absence of identity and construct may initially seem daunting. Yet, it’s in this emptiness that the fullness of life is experienced. It’s a paradox where the absence of everything is the presence of the absolute. In this space, there is no ‘you’ that needs to be enlightened, no path that needs to be followed. There is just the pure, unbounded essence of being.


**Conclusion**

Liberating oneself from everything, including spirituality, is not about discarding spiritual practices or insights. It’s about transcending them, recognizing that they are but signposts to a destination beyond any path’s confines. It’s a journey from form to the formless, from identity to the boundless.

In this liberation, one discovers that the ultimate truth is not something to be attained but realized – the truth that you are not just a part of the universe; you are the universe. This realization is not the end but a new beginning, an invitation to live in the fullness of absolute freedom.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith



The Liberation in Letting Go

Emptiness, Ignorance, and Identity

In a world incessantly clamouring with the din of possession, certainty, and self-promotion, the mantra “Embracing emptiness, cherishing ignorance, surrendering identity” arrives like a whisper from another realm. It calls on us to consider the counterintuitive notion that there is profound freedom and wisdom to be found in the very things we are conditioned to avoid.

**Embracing Emptiness**

Emptiness often conjures a sense of lack, yet in many Eastern philosophies, it is a profound concept, pregnant with possibilities. To embrace emptiness is not to fall into the void, but rather to make space for the new, the unforeseen, the life-affirming. It is the fertile ground of being from which all things spring and to which they return. In the spaciousness of emptiness, we find the flexibility and resilience to move with life’s undulating rhythms.

**Cherishing Ignorance**

Cherishing ignorance may seem antithetical in our knowledge-driven society. However, this is not an advocacy for willful naivete, but a reverence for the acknowledgment of our limitations. Socrates’ declaration of wisdom beginning with the admission of one’s ignorance holds here. Cherishing our not-knowing is an invitation to perennial learning, to the humility that keeps the mind supple, and the heart open to the mystery that is existence.

**Surrendering Identity**

Our identities, the personas we cultivate and present to the world, are often elaborate constructs grounded in who we think we should be or who we want others to believe we are. To surrender this identity is to strip away the superfluous and encounter the authentic self, the self not defined by accolades or attributes, but existing in simple beingness. This surrender is not a loss but a homecoming, a release from the exhausting endeavour of upholding our masks.

In combining these three tenets—emptiness, ignorance, and identity—we approach a way of living that is at once liberating and grounding. It invites a life lived with open hands, where attachment is a choice rather than a compulsion, and authenticity guides our interactions.

As we contemplate this mantra, we might find ourselves stepping into a flow of existence that is less about accumulation and more about experience, less about certainty and more about exploration, less about being someone and more about being part of something greater.

The journey toward embracing this wisdom is counter-cultural. It moves against the grain of our societal norms, urging us to let go of what we cling to most tightly. Yet, the promise it holds is nothing short of transformational—freedom from the self-imposed prisons of material excess, intellectual rigidity, and egoic constraint.

In this space, we find that emptiness is fullness, ignorance is wisdom, and surrender is power. And so, we continue to explore, with hearts wide open to the vastness of the unknown.

Morgan O.  Smith

Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The Pursuit of Absolute Nothingness

A Journey Towards Enlightened Emptiness

Introduction: In the dynamic, incessant stream of thoughts, preferences, and subjective biases that characterize the human experience, the concept of attaining a state of Absolute Nothingness captivates imaginations. Is it possible to achieve a mental and emotional vacuum where thoughts, biases, judgments, and self cease to exist?

Understanding Absolute Nothingness:

  • Absolute Nothingness isn’t simply the absence of thought, but a profound emptiness that transcends understanding and defies our typical notions of existence and selfhood.
    • Exploring philosophical and theological contexts (Buddhism’s Sunyata or Zen’s Mu) can unveil varied interpretations and methods to approach nothingness.
  • The Paradox of Pursuing Nothingness:
  • Engaging in a quest towards absolute emptiness ironically imposes a desire and a goal, an antithesis to the state of desirelessness intrinsic to nothingness.
    • Considering the Daoist perspective, acting without intention (Wu Wei) might provide insights on pursuing without pursuing, and attaining without seeking.
  • Dismantling the Self:
  • Dissolving the self involves peeling away layers of personal identity, biases, and preconceptions, effectively blurring the lines between self and non-self.
    • This dismantlement raises questions about existence, consciousness, and whether one can truly function without the scaffold of selfhood in a society constructed upon individual identity.
  • Navigating Through Socio-Cultural Paradigms:
  • The endeavour to transcend preferences, judgments, and selfhood might be perceived as antithetical to societal norms that emphasize individuality, accomplishment, and progress.
    • Achieving absolute nothingness within the structural and cultural boundaries of our world presents a paradox between isolation and immersion in societal dynamics.
  • Ethical and Moral Dimensions:
  • The state of having no judgments, preferences, or perspectives raises questions regarding moral and ethical obligations. Does transcending biases and perspectives dissolve moral compasses?
    • Exploring the ethical implications of an unbiased existence may unravel whether absolute neutrality coexists with moral responsibility.
  • Psychological and Neuroscientific Perspectives:
  • The psychological viability of achieving a state devoid of thought and self-perception opens an intriguing discourse. Can one’s mental health be preserved, or even enhanced, in a state of nothingness?
    • Neuroscientific inquiries might delve into the processes and consequences of perpetually inhibiting cognitive and emotional functionalities to sustain a blank slate of consciousness.
  • Relinquishing Time and Anticipation:
  • With no anticipation, worries, or references to the past or future, time dissolves into an irrelevant concept, creating a perpetual ‘now’ with neither history nor destiny.
    • Contemplating a timeless existence fosters a reflection on how human experiences, relationships, and endeavours are intimately entwined with temporal perception.

Conclusion: Absolute Nothingness, both as a philosophical concept and a spiritual aspiration, navigates through paradoxes, ethical conundrums, and existential inquiries, offering a mesmerizing void that invites and perplexes. The possibility and implications of achieving a state devoid of self-thought, and time present not only a spiritual journey but also a philosophical and scientific exploration into the profound depths of consciousness and existence.

Morgan O.  Smith

Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Unveiling Divinity

A Whisper from the Abyss of Enlightenment

The inscrutable odyssey of a seeker ends at the altar of enlightenment, a realm where words stagger and concepts crumble, birthing an existence of boundless essence. It’s at this moment of spiritual enlightenment that a being enters a sphere of profound reality, touching the tapestry of the universe with a feather of transcendental wisdom. The essence of such a moment cannot be captured by mere words, yet we delve into articulating the aura of the ineffable enlightenment.

At the instant of enlightenment, the veil of duality is lifted and the inherent oneness of existence is realized. This unveiling is akin to a droplet finding its way back to the ocean, realizing its essence has always been part of the larger whole. This realization carries a boundless sense of fulfillment and completion, a harmonious ballet where the eternal dance of existence is experienced in its purest form.

The dichotomy of ego dissolves into the purity of being, transcending the shackles of identification and liberating the essence from the mere corporeal existence. This egolessness unfolds a reality where distinctions are obliterated and the quintessence of pure consciousness shines forth. The abstraction of perfection is experienced in the ordinariness of existence, portraying a canvas where every stroke, dark or bright, contributes to a masterpiece called Life.

A swell of profound empathy and compassion courses through the veins, and the heart beats to the rhythm of universal love, understanding the sufferings and joys of existence in its deepest layer. It’s here that the tear of joy trickles down, embodying the essence of divine love and the boundless openness of being. The feeling is paradoxical, it’s both an amalgamation into the vastness and a dive into the deepest core.

The experience of spiritual enlightenment is akin to a surprise, a shock, and a gentle whisper all at the same time. It’s the embodiment of paradoxes – emptiness and fullness, wonder and knowing, liberation and love. It’s a transcendence into a reality where the boundaries of comprehension extend beyond the horizon, into the realm of the infinite. The spiritual enlightenment is a state of pure existence, unadulterated by the conceptual mind, it’s a state of “suchness” – the true nature of being.

This journey from ignorance to enlightenment is a passage from bondage to freedom, from restlessness to stillness, seeking to finding, questioning to knowing. And yet, this knowing is not the end, but a beginning of living in an enlightened existence where every moment is a whisper from the abyss of the profound.

Morgan O.  Smith

Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Embracing Anatta and Sunyata

A Buddhist Exploration of Spiritual Enlightenment

In the rich and intricate fabric of Buddhist philosophy, two profound concepts stand out: anatta, or the principle of no-self, and sunyata, or the notion of emptiness. These ideas challenge our conventional understanding of self and reality, offering a transformative path to spiritual enlightenment.

This blog post delves into the fascinating journey of embracing anatta and sunyata and what changes might occur in a person as a result.

Anatta: The Principle of No-Self

Anatta challenges the notion of a fixed and permanent self, a radical idea that has profound implications on how we perceive ourselves and the world. Upon realizing anatta, an individual may undergo the following transformations:

– **Loss of Attachment to Self-Identity**: Labels, roles, and personal narratives lose their grip, allowing for a more fluid and adaptable understanding of self.
– **Decrease in Ego-Driven Desires**: The pursuit of personal gain or recognition may fade, replaced by selfless compassion and loving-kindness.
– **Deepened Interconnectedness with Others**: Seeing beyond the illusion of separate selves fosters a profound connection with all beings.

Sunyata: Embracing the Emptiness

Sunyata refers to the empty nature of all phenomena, a state where things are devoid of inherent existence. The realization of sunyata leads to:

– **Transcending Dualities**: Ordinary distinctions such as good and bad, self and other, become irrelevant, replaced by an all-encompassing view of reality.
– **Detachment from Material Pursuits**: Recognizing the empty nature of material things may lead to a detachment from worldly desires and a more mindful way of living.
– **Harmony with the Present Moment**: Seeing things as they are, empty of inherent existence, nurtures a profound connection with the present moment.

The Journey Toward Enlightenment

Understanding anatta and sunyata is not an intellectual exercise but a profound experiential realization. The individual may engage in various practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and ethical living to cultivate this understanding.

The Impact on Relationships and Society

Embracing these principles fosters compassion, empathy, and altruism, reshaping relationships and offering a model of social harmony. It moves us towards a society rooted in wisdom and compassion, rather than division and selfishness.

Conclusion

The realization of anatta and sunyata is a transformative and enlightening experience that shifts our perception of self and reality. It dissolves the barriers that separate us and leads to a more compassionate and interconnected way of living.

In a world filled with complexity and conflict, these age-old Buddhist principles offer timeless wisdom and a path to inner peace. They invite us to let go of rigid self-identities and material pursuits, to see beyond the surface, and to embrace a more profound and holistic view of existence.

May the teachings of Anatta and Sunyata guide us towards a more awakened and compassionate life, where we recognize the interconnectedness of all beings and live in harmony with ourselves and the world.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The Dance of Emptiness and Form

Unveiling the True Essence of Yoga

The philosophical underpinnings of Yoga transcend the popular perception of it as merely a physical discipline. Yoga, in its quintessence, is a union, a symbiotic dance between emptiness and form. This dance, a philosophical waltz within the vast expanses of the universe, finds a profound echo within us.

When we speak of form, we are drawn towards the tangible, quantifiable aspects of our existence—our body, the physical world around us. These are things we can touch, see, smell, hear, taste—the concrete attributes of our being. On the Yoga mat, the physical form is the obvious manifestation of our practice. Asanas are the embodiment of form, an expression of our grounded reality.

On the other hand, emptiness is an abstract concept, often considered synonymous with void or nothingness. In Eastern philosophies, emptiness does not signify a lack or absence but is regarded as the space that allows the form to exist, the silence that cradles the sound. It is the immaterial consciousness, the observer within us.

In the practice of Yoga, we cultivate the experience of both form and emptiness. Through asanas, we engage with form, enhancing our physical wellness and strength. Yet simultaneously, through meditation and breath control (Pranayama), we connect with the space of consciousness, the emptiness.

The union of emptiness and form in Yoga echoes the concept of Yin and Yang in Taoism. These seemingly opposing forces are complementary and interdependent. Similarly, in Yoga, the physical form (body) and the immaterial consciousness (emptiness) are intertwined in a dance, with neither one being superior to the other.

The realization of this union empowers us to perceive ourselves beyond the limitations of physical existence. We start to experience our oneness with the universe, recognizing that the emptiness within us is the same as the cosmic void, and the form is an expression of universal matter.

In true Yoga, we find balance and harmony between form and emptiness. We start understanding that emptiness isn’t a void but a space filled with infinite possibilities, and form is not rigid but a fluid and ever-changing phenomenon. This balance and harmonious interaction between emptiness and form illuminate the path toward self-realization and enlightenment.

Consequently, Yoga transforms from a practice into a way of life, a journey towards unveiling the veiled, harmonizing the paradox of existence and experiencing the profound unity of all creation. It’s a journey that, while dancing on the stage of duality, ultimately guides us back to unity.

In essence, Yoga teaches us to embrace the dance of life, the continuous ebb and flow between form and emptiness. In this dance, we discover our true selves, learning to live in harmony with our internal rhythms and the universal pulse. Only by acknowledging and understanding both emptiness and form can we truly unfold the potential within, ultimately experiencing the profound union that is the heart of Yoga.

Through this exploration, may we all find our unique rhythm in the cosmic dance and awaken to the truth that Yoga is not just something we do, but rather a state of being. A union of emptiness and form, a harmonious dance in the infinite canvas of existence.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith