There’s a saying in the Taoist classic, the Tao Te Ching, “The Tao is an empty vessel; it is used, but never filled.” The Tao defies any easy Western translation, but has been called “the Way”. The nature of it is mysterious, yet it stands for the ultimate road to happiness or enlightenment and the source of all that exists.
A process I use with my clients is called “the Empty Vessel Process”. The purpose of the process is to help people get clear about the Truth about life and the Truth about themselves. In it I ask the question, “What is the Truth about life?” and “What is the Truth about you?”, and we put our minds together and come up with an answer. The basic conclusion of the process is that you make your world based on the beliefs you have.
English philosopher, John Lock, proposed the “tabla rasa”, or “blank tablet”. You come into this world with a blank slate of your mind and gradually through your experience, you fill this slate up with your perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs about the world. In this way the empty vessel is used. It is never filled because the vessel is so vast that no matter what conceptions you may have about the world, you will never completely account for everything that exists and our mind is beyond anything that you could imagine about it.
What does this mean for your daily living? It means that whichever way you approach life is only something that you have created, maybe consciously, but more likely unconsciously. In one sense your beliefs are arbitrary because there are an infinite number of ways to put a life together and you happened on this particular unique, individual course. Of course, you want to have a life filled with happiness and health, but if you are not experiencing enough of these wonderful essences, then you must question your approach to life. When you become aware of the beliefs that color your world, then you can choose freely other beliefs that might work better.
I have been working with a manager of a company who has a habit of creating fear and intimidation with his employees. He has a belief that this is the way he is and has trouble conceiving of himself otherwise. If he becomes fixed in the belief about himself, then this solidifies the way he will continue to be. If, on the other hand, he realizes that he can choose any belief he wants, then he can find one that will allow a greater possibility for change. One possible belief, is, “Yes, I am treating my employees badly, but I am in the process of change and with time and effort, I will be able to create a change in my behavior.” This is nothing earth-shattering, but it creates more optimism and confidence. It works.
Making life work boils down to having a certain faith about life and about one’s self. No matter what situation you are in, the only roadblocks are the roadblocks in your mind. Yes, there are real roadblocks outside your mind, but your mind is what stops you from going around those external roadblocks. Recognizing your own blocks to your goals is the beginning of your success. When life does not feel wonderful, you must pave the way to that joy. Empty your vessel and fill it with a faith that works.