Expert: Justin Choo - 5/21/2009

Question
Hello again... it seems I always end up coming here and asking someone
something when I have a question ^_^. You see, I do not know any buddhists
(the place where I live is very irreligious) and there are no monasteries or
other places I can go to when I have questions. So it seems I end up behind
the computer...

Anyway, I just have a two questions. First, on emptiness... I am having some trouble wrapping my mind around this concept. Let me just say what I *think*
it is... if I had to put it in words, then I would say that it is that there is form,
but no "former". Nothing behind the form, only these changing forms. It is
like the world is a river, with everything moving, but with no rocks anywhere
sticking out of the river - there is nothing behind the movement. So to say,
when everything is 'empty', everything lacks 'entity-ness'. Everything is then
like a wave, a swirl - they lack inherent existence, they are not entities of their
own.

... I think I fall short of the mark here - am I just thinking of anatta and
applying it to the world around me? I have heard many books refer to it with
talk of 'interdependence' and such things. The matter escaped me somewhat.
How would you explain emptiness?

My next question is just for meditation - I have trouble meditating with my
eyes open, as I am a fairly visual person and visual stimuli distract me very
easily. However, if I try to close my eyes, then they end up 'drifting open'.
They just won't stay closed. Is it then okay if I wear a blindfold? I have done it
a few times and it seems to work very well.

Thank you very much,
Nicolaas

Answer
Hi Nicolaas,

It is beneficial to study Buddhism and put the knowledge into practice.  However it would not be so if it becomes a burden to you each time you want to investigate a concept in such detail.  Concepts are concepts.  There are usually variations in interpretation of nebulous concepts.  In the end who do you want to believe?  I thought you might have taken offence on my last answer to your question about your meditation problems.  My answer to your question still stands.  

"Emptiness" is a common term used by the Mahayana tradition in the Heart Sutra.  I think I've explained this term before but right now I would not add to your confusion of this term.  You can read more in the internet or refer this site:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunyata

For beginners, it is usually helpful if you can join a proper Buddhist meditation group.  It's just unfortunate that you have not found one yet.  If you insist on practising Buddhist meditation on your own, then please be very careful that you are following the proper method, otherwise you would face problems.


Take care.

Justin Choo