May You Be Empty- January 23, 2026
What does it mean to be empty?
Do you know the story about the young man who climbs a treacherous mountainside, seeking keys to enlightenment from a venerable monk? The monk offers him tea, and as the monk prepares the tea, the young man rambles on and on about how much he knows, how learned he is. When the tea is ready (and as the young man continues to talk), the monk pours tea into the young man’s cup. He pours until the tea overflows onto the table and onto the floor. And still he pours. The seeker, perplexed, finally asks, “What are you doing? Can’t you see the cup is overflowing?”
“Yes, I see,” replies the monk. “Your mind is like the cup, already so full that there is no room for anything new.” Sue Bender, from whose book, Everyday Sacred, I’ve adapted this story, says, “Only when you are empty will there be room for knowledge to come in.”
May you be empty.
By now, I imagine you’ve watched the Buddhist monks who are walking from Texas to Washington, DC. As they travel, they are housed and fed by the generosity of strangers, sleeping in places they are given, eating what they are fed. They travel empty, except for their clothes, a small bag, and some of them, a walking stick. And yet they are filled- with compassion, generosity, kindness, wisdom, and more. They, and their dog Aloka, fill us who watch, support, and pray for them with the gift of loving kindness.
Empty, if you remember from my last newsletter, is my word for the year. Empty, as in a willingness to accept, a willingness to search for gifts of knowledge, of understanding, and of growth, a willingness to live with ambiguity. Empty, receptive, trusting, waiting to be filled.
Being empty offers us an opportunity to pause, to just be, to breathe in curiosity about the world around us, to consider ideas and emotions that are new to us, or that we’ve long forgotten.
I was invited recently to join a guided bus tour of an area of the city in which I grew up that is rapidly changing, becoming modernized, and gentrified. There are efforts underway to preserve deeply important historical locations and to commemorate notable events that occurred here. I believed I knew lots about the history and significance of this area. I was wrong. I learned so much. There were moments on this tour that brought me to tears. I was filled with anger, sadness, joy, pride, and hope. I am grateful to have an empty space inside me that could be – needed to be – filled with emotions, and filled with a call to action.
At the beginning of every course or workshop I teach, I promise participants only one thing: I will learn something new. My approach to teaching is the hope that all of us – students and teacher – will embark on our journey together in a state of emptiness, so that we all can be filled with whatever we are guided to learn and experience.
I invite you to be empty. May it always be so.
I’m so happy to connect with you, and I’m grateful that you subscribe to this newsletter! If you missed my last newsletter, you can read it here.
Connecting with Spirit- January 6, 2026
Writing Update
I’ve been invited to write for a regional publication, and I’m beyond excited about that. More as this adventure evolves. I’ve submitted my first piece, so fingers crossed that my work is meeting expectations.
I’m still writing a poem every day, such as each is. I want to be Mary Oliver or Anne Lamott when I grow up, but I’m not there yet. I’m working on the skill of saying important words in simple ways. I’m excited to be enrolled in a poetry writing with Janesse Ray and her fellow teachers.
What I’m Doing, Where I’m Going
Saturday, Jan. 31, 2-4 pm Eastern: Meet me in Raleigh, NC at Dancing Moon Books & Gifts! In this workshop, I’ll discuss the gifts the turning of the wheel gives you as we explore our book, Crafting the Wheel of the Year. If you can make it to central North Carolina, I’d love for you to join me!
https://www.dancingmoonraleigh.com/event/wheel-of-the-year-workshop-with-deb-bowen/
Saturday, Feb. 7, 3 pm Eastern US/8 pm UK: Crafting the Wheel of the Year at Imbolc with Deb and Claire on Zoom. In this interactive workshop, I’ll dive deeply into the history, culture, legends, and lore of the Imbolc holiday, and Claire will teach you how to work with accompanying crafts. Invite your friends! Registration closes Thursday, Feb. 5.
https://debbowen.com/product/crafting-the-wheel-of-the-year-at-imbolc-workshop/
New Course! Watch for info soon. If you’re interested in joining an ongoing Zoom group that discusses all things metaphysical, know I’m working on this idea now! Details coming soon!
Crafting the Wheel of the Year is available from my website, your local bookstore, or online retailers, including https://bookshop.org/
Here’s the link on my website:
https://debbowen.com/crafting-the-wheel-of-the-year/
My Published Works
Click on the link below to read one of my works in Salvation South:
“Sunday Fatback”
https://www.salvationsouth.com/sunday-fatback-essay-deb-bowen/
Podcast
Psychic Teachers
Deb’s Facebook Pages
Another way you and I can connect is through my Facebook pages. I’d be honored if you’d follow my pages. They are a great way to see up-to-the-minute news! I so hope you’ll LIKE and FOLLOW and feel free to comment and share posts!
Deb Bowen, Author
PsychicTeachers
Please note: Recently we’ve had several copycat pages pretending to be me or Samantha but we will never send friend requests or offer services through Facebook comments on any of my Facebook pages. If you have any questions regarding our communications, please contact me via my email. deb.bowen.crone@gmail.com
Just One More Thing Before You Go
“Flight of the seabirds, scattered like lost words, wield to the storm and fly. Fare thee well no Let your life proceed by its own design.” From “Cassidy by Bob Weir/J.P. Barlow
Bob Weir, Grateful Dead guitarist and lyricist, died January 10. His gifts to the world are immeasurable, and there is a hole in the hearts of those of us who so loved and admired him. A hawk circled the throng that gathered for his memorial celebration in San Francisco, reminding us that the gift of Spirit is always with us.
Thank you!
When you talk about being empty, Deb, I think of "beginner's mind." I too try to keep one. Also, I'd love to read more about your childhood neighborhood, how it has changed, and what you've learned about it.
Oh Deb I love this. Your words and bidding to us to become empty is so timely. So many things come to my mind when I think of it: release, letting go, trust, openness. The Temperance card also comes to my mind. Thank you for your wisdom.