Stand at the precipice,
That existential darkness,
And call into the void:
It will surely answer.
The precipice represents our dilemma as human beings, the sense that this existence is all too random, all too absurd. Is there order? Is there a force directing things? These are the important issues, so important that we cannot rely on scripture, but must instead explore on our own.
The followers of Tao compare the void to a valley. A valley is void, yet it is productive and positive. The emptiness of the valley permits water to accumulate for plants. It allows life-giving sunlight to flood its surface. Its openness gives comfort to people and animals alike. The void should not be frightening. Rather, it contains all possibilities. Peer into it, call out, not just with your voice, but with your whole being. If your cry is deep and sincere, an echo is sure to return. This is the affirmation of our existence, the affirmation that we are on the right path. With that encouragement, we can continue our lives and our explorations. Then the void is not frightening, but a constant companion.
The ancient followers of the Tao
were subtle, mysterious, and penetrating.
They were too deep to be fathomed.
All we can do is describe their appearance.
Hesitant, as if crossing a winter stream.
Watchful, as if aware of neighbors on all sides.
Respectful, like a visiting guest.
Yielding, like ice beginning to melt.
Simple, like an uncarved block.
Open, like a valley.
Obscure, like muddy water.
Who else can be still and let the muddy water
slowly become clear?
Who else can remain at rest and slowly come to life?
Those who hold fast to the Tao
do not try to fill themselves to the brim.
Because they do not try to be full
they can be worn out and yet ever new.
— Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 15
The void is simply what comes before everything else. What comes before us? We really don’t know for sure, only what we are told and can figure out. We came from our parents, we can see that is obvious as we have our own children. But over time, what came before is lost. We don’t know our original ancestors, what their world was like, how they lived, etc. We can only guess from the few clues we find.
And the origins of the universe itself? All we can do is peer out at what light comes to us on this world, and make our best guess. The origins of matter? Every time we think we know what things are made of, we find ever smaller particles, finally just sources of energy. And what came before that energy? The void. That’s all we know of it.
Nothing scary, just things we don’t know. And the unknown doesn’t have to be scary – just unknown. It becomes fun eventually to learn things you didn’t know and find out new stuff, so discovery of new things does become a constant companion. And discovery of the void is the most challenging thing to learn about of all.
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