Emptiness Cafe
Life moves
Like shadow and light,
Instantaneously appearing,
Though I cannot find time itself.
Cities mirrored in thought,
Nothing standing alone.
There is no seer without the seen,
No thought without thing.
Subject and object inter-rise.
Feelings, perceptions, none self-made.
Not even the heart
Lights its own flame.
The separate self departs.
There are sensations, conversations,
Aromatic contemplations,
But no I to claim
This emptiness cafe.
Susan Kahn teaches the philosophy and practice of Emptiness Teachings also known as Middle Way Buddhism or Madhyamaka. She is also a practicing psychotherapist.
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: What does hanging out in the emptiness cafe mean to you? Can you share a personal experience where time disappeared and life appeared? What helps you see non-duality in duality?