Emptiness (Śūnyatā) in Buddhism


Emptiness (Śūnyatā) in Buddhism does not mean that nothing exists; rather, it means that nothing exists independently or permanently. All things—thoughts, emotions, bodies, relationships—arise from causes and conditions and lack an inherent, unchanging essence. When we truly see this, our rigid attachments and fears begin to dissolve. Emptiness reveals the fluid, interconnected nature of reality, allowing us to respond to life with greater clarity and compassion. This insight is not merely philosophical; it is profoundly practical. By understanding emptiness, we loosen the grip of ego and open ourselves to wisdom, freedom, and compassionate engagement with the world.

The Empty Mind – J. Krishnamurti


In this profound Saanen talk, J. Krishnamurti explores the nature of intelligence born of insight — an awareness that acts instantly and without conflict. He questions the conditioning that makes human beings seek satisfaction through conformity, ideology, or authority, and urges the listener to sustain a “flame of discontent” that leads to true understanding. When all patterns of comparison, imitation, and suppression are dropped, the mind becomes empty — not void, but free and alive. In that emptiness lies insight, and from that insight, spontaneous, unmotivated action arises — pure, immediate, and transformative.