By Remez Sasson
Regular practice of meditation can lead to experiencing brief flashes of inner silence, or as some spiritual traditions call it, emptiness. As one progresses with meditation, and meditation gets steadier and deeper, these brief moments, which may last for split seconds in the beginning, get longer and deeper. In time, the inner silence or sense of inner emptiness can be experienced not only while meditating, but also in everyday life too.
The state of inner silence – emptiness requires some clarification. It is not a morbid state of indifference, numbness and lack of energy. It is not a state of lack of life force, zest and confidence and of feeling worthless. It is not the emptiness and silence of nothingness or darkness, but the majestic emptiness and vastness of endless and limitless space, full of life and light.
It is an uplifting and blissful experience, brought about when the mind and the thinking process slow down or stop their restless and erratic activity, without losing consciousness or awareness. In this state you are completely conscious and alive, blissful and peaceful, without thoughts, boundaries or limitations.
At these moments you experience a sense of expanded consciousness-awareness and nonduality. There are no thoughts such as “I am not thinking now”, “My mind is silent” or “I am experiencing emptiness”. You just feel peaceful and blissful, forgetting about your personality-ego and just BE.
More on nonduality:
Articles on nonduality
Quotes on nonduality
