Step Into the Void

Show a picture or read a poem to 20 people and it wouldn't be surprising to get 20 different observations or interpretations. Because we each live unique lives, we each filter information differently. What is beautiful to one person, may be ugly to another. What appears disjointed to one person, may seem linear to another.

While this difference of perception affects each of us as individuals, its even more true when considering belief systems.

In the western world, the perspective bestowed by Christianity represents the dominant paradigm. Under this paradigm, everything is estranged. Life is viewed as a mass of separate entities separated by meaningless space.

The foundation of this perspective of a separation hearkens back to the Genesis story of Adam & Eve. When both partook of the original sin and realized their nakedness, they unknowingly separated themselves from the intertwined powers of the universe. Not only did they create a chasm between themselves and their maker, but they also erected a barrier between each other.

And, by concurrently committing both of these acts, they drove a wedge deep into their own psyches. From this moment on, according to Christian belief, guilt was born.

It’s easy to see how this manifestation has played out throughout the years. Because of this perceived estrangement, western society has raped and pillaged Mother Earth. We’ve denigrated the poor. We’ve discriminated against others whose skin pigmentation happens to be different than our own or whose sexual orientation is not the same as ours.

In other words, we are suspicious of anything and everything that is not of us – as individuals, as families, as groups or as a nation. And anything or anyone who we are fearful or suspicious of, we must dominate and control -- show 'em who's boss!!

We know that something is not of us because of this meaningless space that stands between us. And it will always be that way!

From a Taoist perspective, this is all unnecessary nonsense. This separation is merely a human construction. To put it another way, there is no separation at all.

While the Christian views space as a meaningless void, the Taoist views the void as having supreme meaning. As explained in the Tao Te Ching, what makes a beverage container or a window useful? It’s not the substance we see, but the space we cannot see. It is the void that allows us to fill the container or stick our head out the window.

Remove the space and neither the beverage container nor the window would serve its rightful purpose.

Instead of separating us from everything, empty space connects us to everything. Space can be viewed as a highway to our next destination or the veins that nurture the universal body.

It’s is this belief in the connection – an intertwining interdependence – of all things that motivates a Taoist to engage the world in a totally different way than a Christian.

If we are all part of one underlying force, principle or entity, then we will treat everything with the same level of value and respect as ourselves. We won’t devastate Mother Earth because it is the same as driving a knife into our own physical human heart. We won’t denigrate or discriminate against others because the psychological wound will be felt in our own human psyche. We won’t try to spread hate and fear because it will own mean hating and fearing ourselves.