Norman Fischer

‘Each of the six perfections is suffused with the perfection of understanding, which sees the truth of the empty nature of all things. Naturally our discussion of simple ethical conduct would end with mystery and emptiness. Just as tthere is in reality no giver, no gift, and not recipient, so there is also no hurting, no one to hurt, no one to be hurt. There is no ethical conduct.

Saying this may sound scary, as if anything goes and, once we appreciate emptiness, we can go ahead and commit as many sins as we want. But this isn’t the case. Seeing that there are no actual persons, that being is the flow of love, makes us much more passionate about doing good and not doing harm. We’re not trying to be righteous, we’re not acting out of fear; we simply act in accord with the way things are. There’s no other way.’ (The World Could Be Otherwise)

Another clear reminder (you can find them peppered throughout the blog over the years) that emptiness does not equate to nihilism.


One thought on “Norman Fischer

  1. I try to shake my fellow humans out of their delusions. (Of course I have delusions so it is tricky business). Sometimes I offend or hurt the feelings of my companions with my tricky business. Luckily, because I am poor and somewhat disabled and African American and female most people don’t take me too seriously. So you could say that there is no teacher, there is no teaching, and no one is being taught.

    Liked by 1 person

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