Does nothing matter?

Just because everything is empty of inherent nature or fixed existence, this does not force us into getting stuck in a feeling of meaninglessness. It means we are free to create meaning in the world. In fact, because everything is interconnected, everything we do matters deeply.

What we do, think, and feel are of utmost importance because they create the conditions for what we will experience.”¹

True understanding is an integration.²

Nihilism is very simply wrong view. It’s an extreme, it’s not a correct interpretation of reality and that is why it is incorrect. It’s denying that which appears, and appearances matter, even if they are unfindable, unpinpointable on the deepest [ultimate] level.

I want to fly a banner in response to the thought that nothing matters that reads:

CONVENTIONAL TRUTH MATTERS

It is still a truth, after all! It’s not the absolute truth, but it doesn’t make it less truthful, either. This is the union of the relative and ultimate truths. This is the middle path.

Much like low self-esteem and high self-esteem being flip sides of the extreme of pride. Low self esteem and devaluing oneself is just as extreme a response to the world as an inflated sense of pride and self worth above others. There is no ultimate hierarchy. All beings are equally worthy of love, care, respect. AND beings have to eat one another to survive. The suffering is built in, but our response can clearly see the interdependence and care in a way that balances effort and letting go.

Antidote to nihilism

The antidote to eternalism is reflecting on selflessness.
The antidote to nihilism is, perhaps, reflecting on the miraculous dependent arising of appearances. And finding appreciation as we rest with things as they are. (See: In Love With the World!)

P.S.

I would love to hear what you have found helpful in your own practice in working with nihilism! get in touch if you’d like to share.

Nihilism could be considered a {near or far} enemy of awakening—if we have genuine realization, then we will not be nihilistic—we will be compassionately engaged. So nihilism is a natural misunderstanding—it is wrong view, wrong engagement, wrong conclusion drawn. It is non-realization. Care, compassion is the natural response from realization. Nihilism is holding back, running away, it is more suffering.
The antidote to nihilism is compassion and engagement with the world. Not running away, turning away.

If everyone is kind to each other, the next morning, the world becomes a heaven.³

Compassion naturally arises

It is possible for our bodies to move in a way that cares for our communities as easily as a hand reaches out to adjust a pillow in the night.”⁴

Please make time to care for and cultivate healthy boundaries even as you open to boundlessness.” ⁵

Footnotes

1. Ben Connelly, Vasubandhu’s Three Natures, p. 173? ↩

2. Ben Connelly, Vasubandhu’s Three Natures, p. 188? ↩

3. Ringu Tulku Rinpoche at Karme Choling June 2024 ↩

4. Ben Connelly, Vasubandhu’s Three Natures, p. 196 ↩

5. Ben Connelly, Vasubandhu’s Three Natures, p. 197 ↩