Grace of the Void

The Void is one of the essential dimensions of humanness, argues Esther Lightcap Meek (A Little Manual for Knowing, 35).

The Void is the recognition that we might not be, which can arise from curse, betrayal, or from “a brush with death or fear, depression or danger, an uncomfortable situation, even boredom.”

The Void is not necessarily paralyzing. It is rather the root of wonder and gratitude.

It is impossible to manufacture: “It comes unbidden from outside of us. . . . we cannot manufacture it; the Void comes unbidden, perhaps graciously, from outside of us. We cannot manufacture it, but we can do right by it, and we can cultivate it.”