“Inter-be.”

When we say a cup is empty, the cup must be there in order to beempty. When we say that we are empty, it means that we must bethere in order to be empty of a permanent, separate self.

For me, the word emptiness means nothingness. However, Thich Nhat Hanh explains, “emptiness does not mean nothingness. Saying that we are empty does not mean we do not exist,” which has changed my perspective on what the word means. While further reading Emptiness: The Wonder of Interbeing by Vietnamese teacher and monk Thich Nhat Hahn, I noticed the analogies he uses when describing emptiness. I found one of them to be inspirational. Thich Nhat Hanh connects with the Greek Philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus, stating, “You can never bathe in the same river twice.” Thich Nhat Hanh further explains that, like water in a river changes every time, we also do.

“In our body, cells are dying and being born every second. Our thoughts, perceptions, feelings, and state of mind are also changing from one moment to the next.” (p. 16)

This is true because it shows the constant processes of renewal and change, both physically and mentally. Every person’s thoughts, perceptions, feelings, and state of mind constantly change every second. We are all different and can change for the better or the worse. That is one to decide.

I agree with Thich Nhat Hanh that we are a continuation of our ancestors and parents. Scientifically, we are. He mentions that we copy and show it in how we talk, walk, and act. Genetically, we can look alike. However, spirituality-wise, I disagree that we are the same as them. As stated by Thich Nhat Hanh, “Whatever we do, our parents are doing it with us.” (p. 14) and “We can see their presence when we express a talent or skill they have transmitted to us. We can see their hands in ours as we prepare a meal or wash the dishes. We can experience profound connection and free ourselves from the idea that we are a separate self.” (p. 15) Our parental figures influence us throughout each one of us. However, he explains that even in moments of personal independence, there is a connection with our parents and that when individuals express a talent or skill, they inherit it from their parents. In the end, they manifest a tangible link to their familial lineage. I am not into the notion of spirituality here. Instead, I recognize the diversity inherent in each of us. We are all different in some way, shape, or form.