Find Your Middle Ground

* Tao Inspiration – Space

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empty pottery bowl

The potter knows she plays with clay but works with space,

For the use of the bowl is its empty space.

It is the same with the room,

Made whole by the emptiness between the walls.

Remember that something is not everything.

Nothing is also essential. *

~ Lao Tzu

 

We forget about the space in which all comes into being.

This is a lovely reminder for me today.

Nothing is also essential.

 

… Tell that to the cat.

cat and empty bowl

 

*Braun Jr., John; Tzu, Lao; von Bargen, Julian; Warkentin, David (2012-12-02). Tao Te Ching (Kindle Locations 211-215). . Kindle Edition.

63 responses to “* Tao Inspiration – Space”

  1. roughwighting Avatar
    roughwighting

    ahhh, yes. Sometimes I wish for nothing but…nothing. That’s when I realize how essential it is.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thanks Pam. Some days its a wonderful reminder to let go into the nothing. 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Ann Koplow Avatar
    Ann Koplow

    You are also essential, Val. And that’s something.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Ann!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. Louise Gallagher Avatar
    Louise Gallagher

    A lovely reminder for me too! Thanks Val.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Louise ❤️

      Like

      Reply
  4. Jill Weatherholt Avatar
    Jill Weatherholt

    “Remember that something is not everything.” Yes! Thank you, Val.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      We get caught up in some things … And remember to let go into no thing. Then we find balance.
      Thank you Jill 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. Jennifer Kelland Perry Avatar
    Jennifer Kelland Perry

    Excellent!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thanks Jennifer. Create it, embrace it and live with it 😎

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Kate Crimmins Avatar
    Kate Crimmins

    Discussing with my cat at this moment!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      An alternative universe is uncovered from a cats perspective.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. Something is not everything. Nothing is also essential. | Dare boldly Avatar
    Something is not everything. Nothing is also essential. | Dare boldly

    […] “Find Your Middle Ground”, Val Boyko shares this inspiration from Lao Tzu […]

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Paul Handover Avatar
    Paul Handover

    Space! That intangible yet vital element of sanity!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Yes indeed Paul. Thank you for being sane 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. soulspeak2013 Avatar
    soulspeak2013

    Reblogged this on At the Table, On my Plate and commented:
    Purrfect😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. Marty Avatar
    Marty

    Greetings Val,

    Your post was my inspiration for my daily post. We also miss what illuminates our seeing anything.

    http://ptsdawayout.com/2016/03/18/we-overlook-so-much-of-life-of-ourselves/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Marty!

      Like

      Reply
  11. nrhatch Avatar
    nrhatch

    whenwedon’tmakeroomforspaceinourliveseverythingrunstogetherandwenolongerseetheforestforthetreesspaceprovidesthedefinitionweneedforclarity

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      So-well-said-Nancy. 😊

      Like

      Reply
      1. nrhatch Avatar
        nrhatch

        I am grateful for clarity-producing space.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  12. Dan Antion Avatar
    Dan Antion

    Worth thinking about. But. I won’t tell the cats. they prefer climbing over stuff. Emptiness seems to bother them.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Cats are not in our dimension in so may ways Dan. Good call !

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. suzicate Avatar
    suzicate

    I’d never heard that quote, love it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Let go of some thing and embrace no thing … Quite the being opener isn’t it! xo

      Like

      Reply
  14. Sue Dreamwalker Avatar
    Sue Dreamwalker

    🙂 Big smiles.. Yes it is the space which holds it all together.. and the space which makes the vessel.. 🙂

    Like

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you dear friend. I hope you have a lovely weekend of planting seeds and enjoying each moment in nature ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. noellevignola Avatar
    noellevignola

    Makes me think of my brain. Sitting between the walls of my skull. We think that the brain is what fills that space, but really it is only a venue for the vast emptiness of my greater mind.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Ah yes Noelle. The emptiness of consciousness itself. 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. noellevignola Avatar
        noellevignola

        Thinking on my brain just now, the Emperor’s New Clothes came to mind.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  16. MK Avatar
    MK

    A perfect thought to take into the weekend. And, can’t help but mentioning that this reminds me of a birthday card I received a few years ago –
    A picture of the Dalai Lama opening a gift from his followers.
    He opens the box and exclaims
    “Just what I wanted! Nothing!”

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Love that card!! Thank you MK

      Like

      Reply
  17. MK Avatar
    MK

    🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  18. Ann Coleman Avatar
    Ann Coleman

    I suspect the cat does not agree! But I still loved this post.

    Like

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Cats usually have a different perspective. The interpretation of space varies across humans and species! 😉

      Like

      Reply
  19. Eliza Waters Avatar
    Eliza Waters

    Beautiful truth. Thanks, Val. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Eliza 💛

      Like

      Reply
  20. Healing Grief Avatar
    Healing Grief

    Ah we need emptiness and space! It is so good for my soul. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Karen! I hope weekend is going well 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Healing Grief Avatar
        Healing Grief

        A great weekend as I just launched my book Val. Check out my post!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Val Boyko Avatar
          Val Boyko

          Yeah!! I’m heading over there now 😀

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Healing Grief Avatar
            Healing Grief

            Thankyou.

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
  21. Walking My Path: Mindful Wanderings in Nature Avatar
    Walking My Path: Mindful Wanderings in Nature

    Haha! Tell that to the cat! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Exactly Mary! Different perspectives keep us alert 👀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. Carol Ferenc Avatar
    Carol Ferenc

    My cats would never understand! They must have their food, toys, pillows, hugs, and on and on . . .

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Cats bring awareness to a different perspective here! 💤😾

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. socialbridge Avatar
    socialbridge

    Love this post, Val, as time and space have long fascinated me.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Perhaps you too are a Star Trek fan Jean … Boldly exploring! Thank you 💛

      Like

      Reply
      1. socialbridge Avatar
        socialbridge

        Absolutely not into ST, Val, but boldly exploring, YES!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  24. smilecalm Avatar
    smilecalm

    i’m more content
    to space out
    on this, Val 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Spacing out
      is a lovely
      way to be 💛

      Like

      Reply
  25. Janet Givens Avatar
    Janet Givens

    A lovely, quiet reminder as I strive to empty my office of various unused piles.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Good luck with creating that space Janet. May there be lightness of being within it.😉

      Like

      Reply
  26. elizabeth2560 Avatar
    elizabeth2560

    This is a fantastic perspective on so many things … that the space has meaning once the walls have been put up. I wonder what happens when the walls crash down?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Elizabeth.
      Glad it inspired your thinking! 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  27. Tiny Avatar
    Tiny

    Right now I’m grateful for my own space, the silence, the nothing. And your last remark and picture made me smile 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Helen! I’m glad you are creating your own space and essential nothingness ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  28. Shiva Malekopmath Avatar
    Shiva Malekopmath

    “Nothing is essential as everything is to space in it”.
    Shiva

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Shiva 💛

      Like

      Reply
  29. Rajagopal Avatar
    Rajagopal

    There is nothing and everything in space, for nothing, or ‘shunyata’, is everything.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Beautiful Raj. Thank you 🙏

      Like

      Reply
  30. Mél@nie Avatar
    Mél@nie

    @”Tell that to the cat.” – I do, every day… and he does agree with me! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Love it Melanie!

      Like

      Reply

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● About Me

My name is Val Boyko, a dual citizen living near Philadelphia, originally from Scotland.

This blog came to life one morning in 2013.  I woke up with these words in my mind:  “Life is a series of highs and lows. Be grateful for the highs. Be graceful in the lows. And find contentment in your Middle Ground.”

Find Your Middle Ground blog started to explore, reflect, ask deep questions, share insights about awakening, and connect with wonderful people like yourself. Thank you for being here and being such an inspiration.

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