Chapter 1. Distinguishing Nothing

Distinguishing Nothing

(Note -- before reading this, you may want to read the intro to this series) 

Presume first that these Chapters and Exercises make up "The Users Guide to Nothing".

To begin to deal effectively with Nothing, we must first distinguish what we mean when we use the term "Nothing" from whatever other definitions or preconceived notions you may already have about the concept of "nothing."

If this were a users' guide to a television set, the manufacturer would be able to distinguish what television is dealt with in the guide by citing which model number(s) the guide applies to.

Distinguishing "Nothing" from "nothing" is not quite as easy.

For the purposes of this users' guide, let us presume that "Nothing" is a concept, representing a perceived lack of anything.  Perception is the key.  An empty jar might be said to contain Nothing for one observer, but to another observer, with a different threshold of perception, that same empty jar might be seen to contain a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen and other gaseous particles.  The presence of these particles allows for other features as well.  These features might be measurable, such as temperature, odor or pressure, or they may be conceptual features such as worth, beauty or importance.  The important thing to note, is that "nothing" (lowercase n) is has different meanings, based on an individual's own perceptions, preconceived notions, and degree of understanding.

"Nothing" (capital N), then, must be distinguished in our minds as a conceptual construct, not a measurable phenomenon.  Since conceptual constructs are created in human thought, and since no two people think exactly the same way, the concept of "Nothing" will by design be personal, differing in meaning from one person to the next.  For purposes of discussion in this guide, consider that if you would consider it to be nothing yet someone else might consider it something, that is the sort of Nothing this guide will deal with.

Points to Consider:

• Nothing is neither good nor bad.
• Nothing is neither desirable nor undesirable.
• Nothing brings neither joy nor suffering.
• Nothing brings neither shame nor pride.
• Nothing has neither a future nor a past.
• Nothing is neither fixed nor changeable.
• Nothing is Nothing.

Give yourself time to reflect on these statements, and then continue to Chapter 2. Nothing is No Problem. I Have a Problem with Something. Now What?