In Buddhist teachings, it is said that everything is ultimately empty (Tongpa). But if life is empty, why do we endure pain and hardship to pursue this emptiness?

Let’s explore this idea. Both Buddhism and science, particularly quantum physics, agree that there is no solid, unchanging world. At the atomic level, most of an atom is empty space. Buddhism teaches that the true nature of all things is emptiness because nothing possesses inherent value or fixed qualities. Instead, our minds shape the world through perceptions colored by thoughts and experiences. For example, someone who has been hurt by a cat may fear cats, perceiving them as harmful, while another person might see them as loving companions. The cat itself has no fixed identity, it is a constantly changing being with infinite possibilities.

The concept of impermanence in Buddhism reinforces this, everything is in a state of continuous flux, change is the only constant. Science echoes this idea on a cellular level, showing that everything, including our bodies, is constantly changing. Millions of cells die and regenerate every moment. Birth, death, and renewal occur endlessly, even if they are invisible to the eye.

Grasping at life, which is constantly changing, is grasping emptiness, this behavior guarantees suffering.

Despite these truths, few people understand emptiness intellectually, and even fewer grasp it experientially. As a result, we often live in ignorance, blindly following paths laid out by others who are just as unaware.

So, why do we endure pain and hardship to pursue this emptiness?

To answer this, we must start at the beginning. You were born without choosing your family, name, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or nationality. You inherited beliefs and values from parents, teachers, neighbors, and society. Who you are today has been largely shaped by others. Recognizing this is the first step toward understanding yourself and the world as they truly are.

This conditioning is not your fault, it is a universal experience. From a young age, we mirror desires and aversions inherited from others. We lose our individuality in pursuit of group identity, striving to acquire what society values, money, fame, attention, and fleeting pleasures, often at the cost of our well-being. We seek acceptance and validation, yet, surrounded by people and possessions, many still feel empty and alone.

The way forward begins with two steps. First, understand that your mind and body have been molded by external influences to serve someone else’s vision. Second, if you seek change, you must patiently and mindfully rebuild yourself, one piece at a time. This journey will be slow, but it will lead to deep meaning and fulfillment.

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