exploring emptiness

On Saturday, we officially welcomed the start of Autumn, the Metal element in Chinese medicine. This time of year invites us to peer into the darker corners, exploring where we can refine and release. 

Lately, I've tried to be more mindful of how I engage with my devices and evaluating my purchases, trying to release my attachment to filling small moments of stillness with distractions. On occasion, I've even left my phone behind during family outings. The result? A refreshing sense of ease and space.

In my morning meditation, I often ask myself what I need for the day (expecting an answer related to my to-do lists). More often than not, the answer is simple: more stillness and space. It's a call for clarity, guided by inner wisdom, rather than external validations or accumulation.

Laozi, a Chinese philosopher, once wrote in the Tao Te Ching:

“We mold clay into a pot,

but it is the emptiness inside

that makes the vessel useful.”

This metaphor prompts me to consider all the ways that emptiness is powerful. I think of the power of "holding space", a term I associate with quiet support. It implies allowing experiences to unfold without judgment or intervention. The emptiness allows for the wisdom to arise. 

Moreover, the concept of letting go is one I am always drawn to. Just as a cup needs emptying to regain its purpose, we must shed unnecessary burdens or attachments. The large intestine, (the yang energy of the Metal element of Autumn) is known in TCM as our body's natural "Dust Bin Collector." It processes waste not handled by the small intestine, compacting it for release. A poignant metaphor for life: where might we be clinging when, in fact, the real value lies in releasing?

What are you ready to let go of today?