What do we mean when we talk about emptiness, or voidness?
When the Heart Sutra says "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form," what does that mean?
Does it only mean Samsara is Nirvana, this is that, here is there? It does, but this is still looking at these concepts as if we're talking about opposites. On the conventional level, this may seem to be true. Because of our habitual way of looking through language and concepts--because it's the mind's function to compare--even the absolute, if such there is, becomes the opposite of the conventional or relative.
And so, emptiness becomes, in the mind, the opposite of form. But the Heart Sutra proclaims that these are not different, it seems. And yet, this still implies the idea of difference. And so on and on and on. This is where the mind spins out the world. Even in the midst of a pointer at the truth.
So, what is my point, you may ask? No point, except this: we can spend eternity trying to figure this out with the mind, but the mind cannot understand what is beyond understanding. The Peace beyond understanding.
But this begs the question, how do we even know that peace is possible? For the ego, it's not. But then again, even the ego is peace. Why? Because form is emptiness. Well, you ask, how do we know that emptiness is peace? Find out for yourself.
And consider this: every single thing we apply ourselves to is a search for peace. Isn't it? Misguided, usually, but nonetheless...
Again, where am i going with this? Nowhere. Now-here. Just babbling. But you know what i'm driving at, don't you? And the mind can't figure it out.
So, what does it mean when we say that something is empty, as everything is? It doesn't mean it's nonexistent. It means it's empty of something. It means it's empty, or void, of inherent existence. Nothing exists in and of itself. All things, mental and physical, are interdependent. Relative. And thus, form is emptiness. Doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Or does it? Look into it.
Look inward, and examine. What do you know for sure? Here's a hint, to save you years of sitting on your cushion. Everyone has the same sense of being, of existence. Go into that. Go back the way you came. To whom do all of these sights and sounds and tastes and smells and sensations and thoughts come? You are That. But don't take my word for it. Find out. Are you That?
Ponder deeply what Jesus meant when he said "Judge not." He was talking about resting in That. And not in opposition to This. Because This is That. Get it?
Good! Now explain it to me, because i don't. i never gets it.
Maybe better to ask " Am I?"
Are You?