The Creation of Empty Space

In my youth, many wasted hours were spent lying among the bindi’s weeds in the grass of my grandparents’ backyard, watching clouds drift by in the shapes of fire-breathing dragons, tall ships and animals that came to life as whimsical clouds. Space for imagination was an essential ingredient of being a child, and I was encouraged to occupy myself with the profound expansiveness of the cosmos with little expectation of a useful outcome. At the time, I misunderstood the value of practicing to pause, believing it was unnecessary and merely filled in the passing moments of long summer afternoons. Instead, this nothingness encouraged the expansion of my mindset by drawing connections in my perceptual map of empty spaces.

Nowadays, the concept of creating space to daydream has become almost irrelevant as I struggle like many others, with the responsibilities and time-restrictions of daily life. My ongoing wake up calls from life's up's and down's remind me to take inventory of my life and step back for a birds eye perspective. Without this regular re-evaluation, the feeling of something missing lingers in the background of one's existence. It’s only when we are faced with the pain of disconnection from this purely empty space, that we are encouraged to begin the life long journey inwards toward personal understanding.

Meditation and mindfulness take us one step closer towards that silence once taken for granted. The practice itself slows the business of the mind, and reminds us that without breath, we would have no life. Anyone who has ever struggled with staying alive understands the value of space for healing and recovery, however, the art of softening and slowing down is perceived as a useful but temporary solution. To incorporate these practices around a stressful lifestyle produces an ineffective existence, as one’s list of daily tasks simply becomes longer and longer. Countless neurosis, coping mechanisms and overwhelming emotions only generate pain; and pain by default is a signal that something is wrong and action is required.

From my personal experience, I now understand this loss of empty space to be where my life-essence lives. My authentic self, creative self, heart-centre and natural joy, exist within this emptiness because it is instinctual and can never truly be solidified or understood. It changes over time, adapting to my values and dreams, ensuring I am always growing and learning. It controls my perspective, the direction of my life trajectory, and can only be compromised by allowing self-doubt to return its existence back into a black hole from which it came.

In a time where science, logic and reason rule, people expect guaranteed results. That may be fine with occupied space (purely because we can see it,) but empty space is like soil - fertile ground for seeds of creation to be planted. In this dirt, seeds of possibility thrive because curiosity and passion cannot be cured, and they feed on determination and perseverance against all odds. It is a dark and mysterious space where gestation occurs, travelling deep below the surface and taking root, ensuring its longevity. Words cannot begin to describe this feeling because it is a force of knowing, a niggling hunch that somehow your seeds will germinate and bare the fruit of your life’s effort for generations to come.

Instead of concerning ourselves with the tangible results achieved through our modern work ethic, what would life look like if we harnessed the power of this imaginative and alchemical state? These foundations would be based on the innovation of instinct, grounded in the expansiveness of the unknown, fuelled by an understanding of something far greater than our limited minds can possibly comprehend. This complete restructuring of life is what we need to survive; a type of soul space that fuses our exterior expectations with our interior needs. A balance of opposites to reflect the relatable chaotic mess of the drifting galaxies stirring and colliding above our heads.

If you don’t believe me – look up once in a while, and recall what you forgot to see in the empty spaces between whimsical clouds, looming overhead.