In our modern lives, we chase after what we can see, touch, and count—material things, titles, achievements. We measure, define, and label in an effort to control or understand. But what if the true value lies not in what is, but in what is not?

As the Tao Te Ching reminds us (see the short video I made on it):

“Existence makes a thing useful,

But non-existence makes it work.”

It’s the emptiness, the hollow, the space—that makes it all function.

A cup is useful because it is empty. A room serves because of the space inside it.

This concept runs deep in Taoist philosophy and parallels the core of yoga practice. In Taoism, it’s the balance of Yang and Yin. In yoga, the equivalent lies in Hatha and Rāja—the physical and the subtle, the effort and the inner stillness.

We live in a world obsessed with form—what can be measured, displayed, consumed. Yet a whole body of wisdom, ancient and ever-relevant, speaks to the invisible realm. That which cannot be seen or held is what gives life its depth and meaning. This is the spiritual realm.

Think of love between two human beings. You can’t measure it or put it in a box. But when it’s real, it’s the most powerful force in a relationship. Without it, the form—the structure of the relationship—means little. With it, everything flows.

So what do we value in our day? What do we fill our time and minds with? Can we pause to notice the space between things—the silence between breaths, the stillness between actions, the invisible that gives rise to meaning?

The Value of Nothing

“Nothing” is often dismissed—an empty schedule, a blank page, a pause in conversation. But these are actually portals to clarity and renewal. In Taoist thinking, and in yogic wisdom, it is in this emptiness where life reorganizes and rebalances itself.

Emptiness is not absence—it is potential.

It is the stillness before sound, the space that allows movement, the silence that makes music possible.

Pause is the practice of honoring this space. In a world that never stops, the person who can pause is the one truly in touch with life.

The Power of the Pause: Inhale Through the Nose

One of the most practical ways to engage with this emptiness, this intangible space, is through your breath. More specifically, by pausing to inhale gently through your nose before speaking—or before reacting, replying, deciding.

I cannot overemphasize this point, as this video confirms .

This small, simple act does several things:

• It shifts your nervous system toward parasympathetic balance, helping regulate stress and emotion.
• It ensures you’re not running on adrenaline or habit, but connecting to the moment.
• It sets the rhythm for calm, clear communication and protects your vocal health.
• It offers your body a moment to receive, rather than push—aligning perfectly with the Taoist and yogic understanding of flow. When you pause to breathe, you activate a deeper intelligence in the body. You allow emptiness—spaciousness—to do its quiet work. This is not just good for your health; it’s essential for your well-being, your clarity, and your connection to others.

Apply this today:

Let there be space in your day.

In your breath.

In your thoughts.

In your interactions.

And begin to trust that what cannot be measured might just be what matters most. A visit to Samahita has the identifiable components such as classes and the food. But true magic lies in the personal time, space and clarity that arises in your system after a few days.

Paul and the Samahita Team