The Uses of Not
“Thirty spokes share the wheel’s hub. It is the center hole that makes it useful. Shape clay into a pot. Where the pot’s not, is where it’s useful. Cut doors and windows for a room; the space inside makes “room” for you. Therefore, the profit in what is, lies in the use of what is not.”
From the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. Translation by Gia-Fu Feng, Taoist Priest (1919 – 1985) and Ursula K. LeGuinn, Novelist (1929 – 2018)
In a culture orbiting around acquisition, finance, politics and global strife, this reference to an ancient sage and his commentary about the power of emptiness might seem pointless. Yet, the two examples below might serve to demonstrate just how much nothing can contribute to making sense.
Example #1:
tobeornottobethatisthequestionwhetheritisnoblerinthemindtosuffertheslingsandarrowsofoutrageousfortuneortotakearmsagainstaseaoftroublesandbyopposingendthem
Example #2:
To be or not to be. That is the question.
Whether it is nobler in the mind to “Suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune?” Or to “Take Arms against a sea of troubles,” and by opposing end them!?
The difference in the examples is not the raw text, but the inclusion of more and more “space between the notes.” Nothingness. As space (nothing) is added, the meaning increases. (Of course, punctuation helps you may say. But the classical purpose of punctuation is to indicate the use of space/silence.)
Some advice: Despite the omnipresent cultural arguments to the contrary — silence, space and contemplation are meaningful additions to our lives. Add more “not” to your day, and notice your mood improve.
In Conversation: Add more space between the notes, and notice your partners respond to your magnetic personality.
In the Gym: Add some calm silence to your workout and savor the slow stretch. Contentment follows.
In Presentations: Pause a little after your major statements. The silence will allow your audience to digest and consider the arguments before you move on.
In Meetings: Resist leaping into the silence when your colleague stops talking. Show your respect in reflection.
At Home: Be quiet. Rub your partner’s feet.
Perhaps there are more uses for “Nothing” than we realize!
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