When we paint we begin to see the subtle interplay of space and light. How they combine and interact to create form. In the most basic sense everything is composed of these two essential elements space and light. Space or Shunyata which is commonly translated as emptiness, is the opening the ground of creation.

We usually think of space as the unoccupied area between tangible things. However, on a atomic level we know that space is everywhere. Really the thigns which we define as solid are space. Atoms and sub atomic particles are really energy, light if you will, and everything solid and that wich we call space exists as an interplay of space and light.

In the language of meditation we call this essential nature, rigpa or the nature of mind. When we look inward and experience the nature of mind we find the same two elements present. Here the Buddhist teachings refer to them as emptiness and awareness.

Often when we hear the word emptiness there is a sense of dissappointment. The western mind sees emptiness as lack, however the word emptiness is a poor translation of the concept of shunyata . Sogyal Rinpoche defines is as that which is free of permanence and non existence. Shunyata is the ground, the space in which all life and matter exists. It is not just the space of nothingness it is the space of existence and the great mother which gives place to all that we call form.

The other element of mind is awareness or consciousness. It is the awareness the intuitive mind. Pure presence. This union of space and awareness are our nature, they are the nature of mind and of all creation. To know this is the pinacle of all the teaching and to live in the awareness of this is the awakening of the Buddha, as we spend time with the truth of our nature everything become clear. In this calm presence the duality of self and toehr dissolve and we experience oneness there is no distinction between self and other pleasure and pain.