Question: Guru, when I have a feeling of emptiness, how can I tell if it's good or bad?

Sri Chinmoy: There are two types of emptiness. One emptiness is a very high state of consciousness when the seeker is at a very, very advanced stage or on the verge of realisation. That emptiness is the seeker’s receptivity. But in your case when you have emptiness, you have to feel that inside that emptiness something else is looming large, and that thing is called drowsiness. Not only are your eyelids drooping, but also your consciousness has fallen asleep, fast asleep. Because your consciousness is enjoying very good sleep, this emptiness comes.

For seekers at your stage, for the disciples that I am blessed with, emptiness comes because of the descent of consciousness. But again, there is another emptiness which is a very high state of consciousness. That is the absolute receptivity of one who is aware of the universal Consciousness, and is on the point of entering into the universal Consciousness. That kind of emptiness is not for you today. Tomorrow you will have it. Today, no.