The first thing we are going to do is determine the etymological origin of the empty term that now concerns us. In this sense, we can say that it derives from Latin, specifically from “vacuitas”, which is the result of the sum of two clearly defined components:
-The adjective “vacuus”, which is synonymous with “empty”.
-The suffix “-dad”, which is used to indicate “quality”.
This term (empty), in turn, refers to something that lacks content: that is, it is empty. In general, the idea of emptiness is used to qualify that or that which has no substance or consistency. Suppose a film critic points out the emptiness of a film. The expert will refer to the fact that the film does not have a solid or deep central theme, but, on the contrary, approaches the theme superficially and without digging too much.
In the same way, the emptiness of a book can be related to the lack of sustenance. Take the case of a journalistic investigation that, in the opinion of the experts, does not present data or evidence to support the complaints. Thus, one can cite the emptiness of the journalistic book in question. There are sociologists who argue that emptiness is a characteristic of postmodern societies. Interpersonal relationships, customs and rituals, for example, are frivolous and superficial. The void, in this sense, stains different facets of everyday life, where everything happens quickly and with little reflection, without sustenance or foundation. In some Eastern philosophies, the concept of shuniata seems to name what has no entity. Shuniata, in this way, is empty: something that has no independent existence or essence. Different currents of Buddhism appeal to this idea in their doctrines. Specifically, in Buddhism it is established that emptiness is the ultimate truth and the path to reach it is based on two fundamental stages or phases:
-Identification of the object of negation. At this point, what the individual must do is to proceed to clearly and forcefully identify the way in which the different phenomena appear before the human being, specifically in his mind, as if they really existed and the way in which he is firmly believes that this appearance is true.
-Refutation of the object of negation. This phase basically consists of the person making use of various methods to certify, perceive and assume that the referred object does not really exist. From all this, we have to expose that there are many and varied publications that revolve around the void. Specifically, among the most relevant are the following:
– “Introduction to the Void”, by Guy Newland.
– “Clarity and Emptiness” by Lama Thubten Yeshe, which guides the reader through a kind of meditation process until reaching emptiness.
