Emptying The Ego

Zen, in a word, is simply “emptying” One who is fully emptied in Zen

finds oneself in everything, literally, and is able to identify fully with everything,

to be all things, and thus act in total freedom, According to the particular

situation demands. Such a one is no longer separated by the illusionary barrier

between himself and the “Other.”

Ruben Habito

Cited in the Mystical Hours

Wayne Teasdale gives us a further look into these words and ideas… “Ruben Habito, a professor at Southern Methodist University, and author of Living Zen, Loving God is a Christian Roshi (Zen Buddhist master) a genuine interspiritual teacher. Here Habito teaches the importance of a non-discriminating mind and how cultivating that state of mind eventually leads to samadhi or enlightenment.”

Becoming empty of ego and any obsession with concepts allows us to experience the true nature of existence. When we are empty, our capacity for connection increases, and we act from an inner ground of freedom, rather than from selfish desires that arises from the ego.

When our boundaries expand beyond this limited identity, we realize our connection with everything. Emptying yourself is not exactly a well condoned social trait in our world! It seems as if it is just the opposite, best described by the bumper sticker “the one with the most toys wins!”

Of course, when coming from a more spiritual, compassionate and simple approach to life, it is easy to be discouraged by all the rampant materialism we see, and the effects it has on our precious earth. Further down the road, there is the attachment to ideas, concepts, and education as being self definitions, and ways to bolster one’s identity and self-worth…

Becoming empty, at least for me, has been an intentional goal since midlife. As the second half of life is less concerned with external goals and social achievements, I found myself increasingly choosing to detach, let go; or trying valiantly to release concepts about myself and others that I once thought held importance or merit.

I do believe that some of us gradually grow towards simplicity, but I find that it has had to be an ongoing, freely elected choice; where I relinquish something I once thought was valuable- a piece of clothing, an opinion, a book, or a person-so that I could experience more freedom from the burden of being attached to that object or individual. To this date, I have let go and eliminated much that was of material value.

I was introduced to a more Zen or what is essential approach to thinking and living through a more indirect or “back door“approach… It was during my study of martial arts, and the need to “see softly” and then to act simply in order to achieve my release or to keep my balance. It was a lesson planted early, that remained of latent and lasting value whenever I have needed it.