Nothing Exists
Yamaoka Tesshu, as a young student of Zen, visited one master after another. He called upon Dokuon of Shokoku.
Desiring to show his attainment, he said: “The mind, Buddha, and sentient beings, after all, do not exist. The true nature of phenomena is emptiness. There is no realization, no delusion, no sage, no mediocrity. There is no giving and nothing to be received.”
Dokuon, who was smoking quietly, said nothing. Suddenly he whacked Yamaoka with his bamboo pipe. This made the youth quite angry.
“If nothing exists,” inquired Dokuon, “where did this anger come from?”
(http://www.myrkothum.com/the-10-very-best-zen-stories/)
The story above reminds me of the times I believed that it would be easy to empty my mind and the attachment I have to my emotions and thoughts. The harder I tried to do it, the more I was shown my ego and the thoughts that were still controlling me.
When I realised it was my acceptance of “what is” in every part of my life, whether that be my stress, my anger, my pain or impatience with life, it was then I could understand what it meant to empty my mind.
In trying to control our lives or believe we know what the future holds, we keep our minds full and busy. We need to let go of fixed plans and concepts, and let the world unfold itself.
Visualising what I would like to happen in my life is all I really need to create in my mind, how it comes about or when it arrives, is not what I need to concern myself with. In letting go of the attachment to these thoughts, I began to empty my mind and feel lighter.
If we truly want to change our life, we must first change our mind. We must free it from the restrictive thinking that holds us back. If we realise that all things change, there is nothing we will try to hold on to. If we are not afraid of dying, there is nothing we cannot achieve.
Practising stillness and becoming aware of my thoughts and beliefs, has really helped me to empty the busyness of my mind. Each time I practice, I allow my mind to open and let go, and in doing so, I receive the wisdom and clarity I need to make the right decisions.
Empty your mind of all thoughts.
Let your heart be at peace.
Watch the turmoil of beings,
but contemplate their return.
Each separate being in the universe
returns to the common source.
Returning to the source is serenity.
If you don’t realize the source,
you stumble in confusion and sorrow.
When you realize where you come from,
you naturally become tolerant,
disinterested, amused,
kindhearted as a grandmother,
dignified as a king.
Immersed in the wonder of the Tao,
you can deal with whatever life brings you,
and when death comes, you are ready.” – Lao Tzu
LIVING IN THIS MOMENT 
So much wisdom and goodness here Karen! Thank you ❤
Thankyou Val, so very much. There is much to absorb, learn and gain when we empty our mind.
Karen
Karen this is so beautiful. I know we are all afraid of death its only natural. But if we can see that god has a plan for each of us, one that we probably chose ourselves, only we forget when we get here. I like to think life is just a place of learning and when I am done learning what ever that may be? I will go home. There are many people who have already gone there. My only fear is leaving those behind that still need me. Kath.
Great comment Kath, thankyou. I think you made a valid point about those we leave behind after death, because they will miss you and still want you in their life and yet, somehow people learn to cope and accept this journey overtime and maybe it is about trusting that they will be okay, and knowing that your love and light will always live on in them and will help guide them to a place of healing and strength.
Karen
Karen you are very wise thank you.
As Val said… so much wisdom here…
I especially love these lines:
Each separate being in the universe
returns to the common source.
Returning to the source is serenity.
“If you don’t realize the source,
you stumble in confusion and sorrow.
When you realize where you come from,
you naturally become tolerant,
disinterested, amused,
kindhearted as a grandmother,
dignified as a king.”
Thanks for sharing!
Have a nice week ♥
They are beautiful words Frederic, thankyou. We are blest to read them and understand how to use this wisdom along our journey. Have a wonderful week too and I hope you are feeling stronger.
Karen
It’s beautiful you’ve written! Emptying one’s mind might be a very good way to recharge. It’s just so that I’m always doing something which cannot be put off and there are not many hours left. However, whenever I get time enough to paint (and it is not that often as I would like), it feels like some king of emptying the mind of any other thoughts and allowing colors and shapes to guide me. I have always wondered where people get time to engage in something that great? Well, treating some medical conditions and always following the strict schedules can be very limiting, I also cannot sometimes walk or move much, that’s probably what causes to loose quite many hours if I need to get somewhere.
Great post, have a nice day!
Thankyou and for stopping by to read my posts. I think painting or drawing are wonderful ways to empty your mind and focus on your creativity. Sometimes you do not need to have a lot of time to empty your mind. Sitting in nature and just being still, is a wonderful way to just become aware and awake to your thoughts. I appreciate your comment.
Karen