The Nature of "Nothing".

(A metaphor)

Imagine the universe to be an empty space. What is this space made of?

Is there "anything" filling that space?

Let us assume that the figure below represents the universe, filled with "nothing":

As expected, nothing can be seen here.

Now let us populate this universe with objects, planets, people and stars:

The question now is:

What exists in the space between the objects, is it really empty ("nothing") or is there "something" filling it?

If there is "something" in that empty space, what could it be? And why can't we see it?

Let us examine this question more closely. The objects are visible to the eye because they are illuminated. Without a light source shining on the objects, they would not be visible.

So let us return to the image of original emptiness, which was before creation, but now God said "let there be light":

Imagine the "cosmic projector" to generate more than just a light, It projects images, movies and stories.

But that imaginary "cosmic projector" is not within the physical dimensions of the visible universe. It is outside of visible realm. So let us move it "out of the frame" of the known universe.

With a little imagination it may look like this:

Can you see the light, the movies? No, and why not? Because there is no screen, no physical object for the projected images to form upon.

We know that this space is filled with light, energy, images and "movies", but they remain invisible until they can form (manifest) on the surface of a screen, a physical object.

So let there be Earth and planets and animals and poets and terrorists and flowers ("physical objects"):

The cosmic light is now (indirectly) visible as it is reflected from the objects in it's path. And the objects are visible because there is light shining on them, giving them an "existence".

But since in reality, light by itself is invisible, in the part of the space where there are no objects to reflect it.  Than a more correct metaphor would show the objects, but does not show the light beam itself, it would look like this:

From this image it becomes clear that:

For the cosmic light to manifest, physical objects are essential. And for a physical object to be seen, a light source is essential.

The presence of both is necessary for anything to be seen.

That interdependency results from BOTH (light source and objects) being different aspects of one complete reality.

Looking again at this last image (which also appeared in the beginning of this discussion), do you still think that the space between the objects consists of an empty "nothing"?

Can we be aware of the light, which flows through space, manifests itself through the physical objects , and also causes the objects to become visible (tangible)?

And now that we have become aware of it, can we see that this apparent "nothing" which is not a thing, is however, essential for the whole universe to manifest itself.

To further generalize, whenever we see things, hear sounds, think up ideas, they always consist of both an "object" and a "space" which makes the object meaningful.

Becoming aware of that "space" brings us closer to how "things really are".

What is the point of this metaphor?

Many people assume that the material component is all that there is. Their view of the universe assumes that in the space around all physical objects and experiences there is an empty  "nothing".

Others are conscious of a Divine presence (The cosmic light, in our metaphor), which is invisible in by itself, but becomes visible ("manifest") as it is reflected from the physical objects and experiences. I propose that the "light" does more than just bringing the physical realm into view. It actually gives it it’s existence… It also "creates" the myriad of exquisite details of nature, humanity, Beauty and creativity. All of which is would be meaningless without it’s connection to the Divine. The Divine is what causes Love to become manifest in the material realm. 

A real  existence  requires that awareness, without which we are reduced to an unconscious projection, a meaningless image. 

Another point of this metaphor is that the unseen and the formed are like a lock and a key. They are both needed and justified. God's longing to know itself can be fulfilled through the material world, as imperfect and chaotic as it is.      

"As above, same below".

The same relationship between the "objects" and the "space which gives existence to the objects" in the universe is replicated within our personality:

We have a Divine "higher self", which some call "Spirit", it is intangible and invisible, We have a "lower self", or animal nature, which causes us to use others, to hurt them, and to be self centered.

It is possible that the interplay between our Spirit and our "Nafs" (lower self)  is somewhat like the interplay between God and the physical world.

An awareness of both in necessary for a closer grasp of "Reality", And possibly both our higher self and our lower self are there for a good (Divine) reason. They each facilitate (give meaning) the existence of the other.

If that is true, than to attempt and "get rid of" or "subdue" our lower self is unlikely to succeed because it is an attempt to "change the basic design" we are wired with. It is tampering with the Divine.

At best we can become AWARE of our lower self, accept it’s fundamental existence, but prevent it from controlling our actions and feelings by becoming constantly aware of it’s workings. ("Observe, witness, but don't react")

Some other examples where this metaphor may be useful are:

The silence between the musical notes.

The stillness underneath our spoken words. The full meaning of words which is not in the words, but "between them".

The origin of all creativity, which is in that intangible "place of no mind".

The space between an in breath and an out breath.

The essence of being, of consciousness, which is not in deeds or thoughts, but is evident only when the thinking and the "doing" comes to a halt…

When we witness the miracle of a child birth or a death.

Those moments in our life which take our breath away and leave us speechless…

All those examples seem to converge (to "point to") towards an indescribable presence which some call "Being" or "Consciousness", others imagine it to be an old man in the sky, with a white beard and a long staff, others may call it "Love"  or "Light"...

This "consciousness" space, which surrounds, unifies and gives existence to  all objects in the universe also surrounds me, the observer, I am a part (but not "apart") of it.