Connection Inspirations middle ground Mindfulness New Perspectives Self Discovery

Potter and Space

by Val Boyko
Comments 38

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

Without space there would be no substance. Substance is not everything, although our mind likes to think it so.

I remember a time when I was painting watercolors, and learning about negative space. This is the space or background that the subject is set against.  Imagine choosing a tree to paint, and rather than painting in the tree, you paint the space around it.

watercolor trees
Source: Pinterest

Space must be considered in order to allow the subject to shine forth from the paper. Its brings harmony to the piece.

When we consider that nothing is essential, it turns inside out how we see things. I know it also reminds me how limited our thinking mind can be.

Nothing is essential.

 

 

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

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About Val Boyko

Val Boyko is originally from Scotland and came to the United States over 25 years ago. At "Find Your Middle Ground" Val brings together her experience as a life coach, yoga teacher and mentor, to inspire awakening to the light and inspiration within us all. This blog is a place of exploration and discovery as we all explore finding harmony and peace, in the highs and lows of life 💛

www.findyourmiddleground.com

38 comments on “Potter and Space”

  1. Hariod Brawn
    August 11, 2017

    Great post, Val. I choose to think of awareness as the lucid, empty space within which consciousness (the brain’s output of thingness) is revealed. H ❤

    Liked by 2 people

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  2. Maria Gianna Iannucci
    August 11, 2017

    Thank you for providing a shift in perspective today.

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. Jennifer Kelland Perry
    August 11, 2017

    I love this, Val. Funny how limited our minds and thoughts can be, until someone or something enlightens us.

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. Donna Guillemette
    August 11, 2017

    Great reminder! Thanks Val

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. nrhatch
    August 11, 2017

    Good post, Val. Nothing is essential!

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. Infinite Living
    August 11, 2017

    I love this! This concept feels profound to me every time I read anew.

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. Bela Johnson
    August 11, 2017

    Nothing IS essential! If it weren’t for nothing, we could not experience ‘something.’ I love that you mention art, for when I produce a pastel drawing, I always begin with negative space first. Then the image emerges from that. And then there’s the Big Bang theory … 😉

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. Betty Hayes Albright
    August 11, 2017

    I love thinking about this. Not being an artist it isn’t something I considered before. Maybe it’s true of poetry also. There is always something between the lines, though it appears to be empty space. The unspoken upon which the words are formed…. ?
    Thanks for the thought provoking post, Val.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Val Boyko
      August 11, 2017

      Something between the lines that is unspoken, yet felt…. I love this Betty ♥️ Words come from the empty space within. We create them with thought and give them substance as they come into the world I’d substance.
      Lots to reflect on. Thank you Betty 💕

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      Reply
  9. Healing Grief
    August 11, 2017

    When there is space we can expand and see the path with new vision. Beautiful reminder Val 💕

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. shobhna
    August 11, 2017

    Thanks Val. Such a liberating feeling to pause and be with this centering thought… nothing is essential

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. Carrie Cannady
    August 12, 2017

    What a lovely post, Val. Nothing is essential. Therein we dwell…in quiet. I really love your presentation of this concept! Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. Ann Koplow
    August 12, 2017

    Your posts are essential to me, Val. And this reminds me how silence in group therapy is as important as what people share.

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. Paul Handover
    August 12, 2017

    Val, I so, so love your posts!

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. smilecalm
    August 12, 2017

    thanks for giving
    us some space, Val 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. D. Wallace Peach
    August 13, 2017

    This reminds me of the thought that without silence there can be no music. A lovely post, Val, and your artwork of space around the tree is stunning.

    Liked by 2 people

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  16. sloppy buddhist
    August 16, 2017

    i loved pottery and teaching it…this puts a smile on my face…thank you Val… 😀

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. IreneDesign2011
    August 19, 2017

    Lovely post Val and useful in all life’s facettes ❤

    Liked by 1 person

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  18. amandavanniekerk
    August 23, 2017

    I think we are too quick to rely on our 5 senses and to dismiss what we cannot experience physically. Maybe we can be reminded here that in the greater scheme of things, ‘nothing’ came before ‘something’. Thanks for this lovely post Val.

    Liked by 1 person

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