Does Contemplating the Breath in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Lead to Nihilistic Emptiness

The result of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness meditation is the severance of self-view and the attainment of the fruit of liberation, eliminating afflictions to achieve liberation. Since everyone has afflictions and self-view, all are ordinary people. Therefore, it is necessary to sever self-view, and the severance of self-view begins with mindfulness of breathing in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. Ordinary people possess self, possess all minds, and possess all afflictions; hence, they need to practice selflessness and freedom from afflictions. Practice should start gradually from the foundation, beginning with mindfulness of breathing. Proceeding from the shallow to the deep, one can then realize selflessness and attain an empty mind free from afflictions.

For ordinary people, no matter what kind of emptiness it is, if you can empty even a little bit, it is quite good. Strive to empty, to let go. Do not fear inert emptiness or annihilistic emptiness, because ordinary people are fundamentally incapable of achieving inert emptiness or annihilistic emptiness. Therefore, strive to empty as much as possible; the more emptiness, the better. Forget all previous knowledge and understanding entirely, empty the mind, become like an infant, and start learning anew bit by bit. Previous knowledge and understanding were all entangling vines, obstructing the mind horizontally, stuck in limbo, causing uncomfortable blockage. Now, empty it all, let the mind become clean and pure, and then refill it with pure Dharma. Previous knowledge that could not be digested may turn into sickness. If you can empty it, the sickness will heal. If you cannot empty it, the sickness persists, or you must find a way to cure it yourself. Others can only offer advice; only you yourself can cure the sickness.

The more theories one encounters, the harder they are to digest, all blocking the mind until medicine turns into sickness. If the ability to digest and absorb is poor, one should clear away some of the deeper theories and instead practically apply the Dharma principles that are easier to digest and absorb. No matter how excellent undigestible theories may be, they should be set aside temporarily. Start practicing from the foundational Dharma principles; do not reach for what is beyond your grasp.