The Essence of 'Design for Nothing': Why "Design" and why "for Nothing"?
DESIGN FOR NOTHING IN-DEPTH, SERIES NO. 3
1940 words · 8 min readMany years ago, as I began my studies at the renowned Parisian school of art and design, the École Nationale des Arts Décoratifs, I had no idea that I would one day advocate for a spiritual and creative practice that diverges sharply from everything I learned. This approach, which I call 'Design for Nothing,' aims to be a self-help method for attaining an awakened state—whether at home, alone, at work, or in relationships. It encourages us to explore paths often overlooked by traditional education and professional training. No prior experience in design is necessary.
Like the hiker in a half man-made, half natural colossal cave connecting with the infinite view of nature seen from its entrance, Design for Nothing connects you to the expansive true nature of the mind found within.
In this series of posts titled 'The Essence of Design for Nothing,' I introduce the method that emerged during months of study and meditation on the profound teachings from various nondual traditions. As a spiritual seeker, artist, and designer, I found it so transformative that I felt compelled to share it here. For those naturally inclined toward visual imagination, I provide the tools I used to start shifting my perception of the world. This shift transformed my relationship with my inner being.
'Design for Nothing' invites everyone, not exclusively creative thinkers, designers, and makers from my industry, to explore the transformative power of 'Positive Miscreation' on all that is thought, seen, and felt. This approach encourages gaining knowledge of your true nature by providing the mental space necessary for its recognition and self-awareness. For some background on nonduality, check out 'Understanding Nondual Reality,' a previous blog post where I explore the nature of the mind and the Self.
Design for Nothing is an inclusive approach deeply rooted in my interpretations of teachings from mystics of Advaita Vedanta, Taoism, Zen Buddhism, and 'A Course in Miracles,' which espouse a nondualistic philosophy. It offers a pathway to transcend the ego's illusions, cultivate inner peace, and foster a continuous state of unified consciousness. Whether you are a seasoned spiritual practitioner or just beginning your journey, I invite you to explore this approach with an open mind.
With over 20 years of experience in design strategy and serving as a mentor in the startup world, a part of me firmly believes that design is inherently purpose-driven and goal-oriented, aligning every element with specific functional or aesthetic objectives. However, my extensive exploration of various spiritual traditions has led me to appreciate the essence of our being and the value of integrating nonattachment and non-judgment into my daily approach to any subject, embracing the unknown and allowing for a more expansive perspective.
While the name 'Design for Nothing' may be considered deliberately provocative by some, it awakens something profound within me whenever I practice it. Let's delve into the two words to uncover the original concepts from nondual teachings that inspired both the name and its meaning. Through Sam Harris's app Waking Up, I have recently delved into the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, particularly Dzogchen, and Mahamudra, which focus on transcending dualistic perceptions to realize the intrinsic unity of all phenomena. Even at this early stage, linking these concepts to our discussion is pertinent, given the insights I've gained.
Expanding the Concept of "Design".
The concept of 'Design' in 'Design for Nothing' stems from the intentional creation of purposeful thoughts. My exploration of Eastern spirituality and nondual teachings revealed that I already possessed the principal tool necessary to awaken my true nature: the creative mind.
Growing up without a TV in our home, I encountered a type of boredom that propelled me into the imaginative realms of my mind. This state underscored the immense power of the mind—I could distinctly feel the fundamental freedom I had. I could set my mind voluntarily to a position of choice: between a negative outlook and a more positive, constructive, and creative one. I realized early on that everyone could shift their perceptions and that nothing could block my mind. (Check out my Creative Catalysts sessions and workshops where AI tools, practical insights, and guided visualizations foster intuitive connections and potentially unlock everyone's true creative essence.)
Design, by nature, is for everyone—both creative minds and those who don't consider themselves creative. In the 'Design for Nothing' concept, I view 'design' as the intentional creation of the proper mental and emotional spaces needed for any specific project. Intention and desire are foundational to the students of any of these traditions. This state of mind fosters a deeper connection with the fundamental reality of oneness and unity. It is because everyone "designing" their life or reframing their perception around this philosophy can stop at any time and return to more traditional formulas.
In Advaita Vedanta, realizing our true nature involves discerning that the self (Atman) is one with Brahman, the ultimate reality. This realization calls for an intentional and personal decision to cultivate the mental space necessary to abide in this profound unity. It is about trusting and steadfastly living in accordance with this truth. This approach requires the will to look beyond the illusions (Maya) and recognize the nondual nature of existence.
While Taoism emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao, the fundamental principle that underlies and unites all things, entering this harmony implies transcending the dualistic distinctions imposed by the ego. This idea requires the mind to reframe its vision of reality—a design intention in itself. Zazen, a meditation practice in Zen Buddhism, focuses on the decision to let go of the dualistic mind beyond the constructs of the ego, engaging practitioners to avoid any associative and emotional attachment to thoughts that arise, even those related to potential enlightenment—a form of design by elimination or positive miscreation.
Dzogchen and Mahamudra in Tibetan Buddhism emphasize the critical importance of recognizing the intrinsic nature of the mind (Rigpa), which is inherently pure and nondual. Practitioners are encouraged to abide in this natural state, transcending the illusions of samsara (the cycle of suffering and rebirth). This practice involves a deliberate process of vision by elimination, where misconceptions and mental obscurations are gradually removed to reveal and sustain awareness in its most fundamental form.
In 'A Course in Miracles,' Helen Schucman, a clinical psychologist at Columbia University credited as the book's scribe, teaches that true free will resides in the ability to choose between two states of being: 'unity' or 'separation.' In the ultimate reality, this means opting to reside in the natural state of the One Mind—the only truth—or choosing to explore the consequences of separation through an illusory or dream state. As one aligns vertically with 'God's will,' to use the book's Christian terminology, one gains access to one's true nature or Christ Consciousness. This decision process, as explained in A Course in Miracles, mirrors the choice to allow the truth of our being to emerge in our mind space while we reside in the dream rather than succumbing to the ego's illusions.
The Foundation behind "Nothing".
The teachings of enlightened sages that I have studied, including Ramana Maharshi from Advaita Vedanta, Laozi, and Zhuangzi from Taoism, to name a few, share a remarkable and profound similar understanding. They recognize that our essence is not merely 'some-thing' in this world but embodies 'no-thing'—a concept that transcends material existence. While I am self-taught and continue to explore these profound teachings, my goal is to share the insights I have gained in a way that is accessible and practical, even for those without formal training in these traditions.
Zazen, the meditative discipline in Zen Buddhism, is often described by masters as 'good for nothing,' urging practitioners to sit in stillness without worldly desires, especially the desire for enlightenment. This meditation aligns with Zen's teaching that enlightenment is not an experiential state for an individual within the world but a realization of the One Mind. By nature, the One Mind, the only consciousness there is, lacks a concept of self as an individual; it simply is, having never known itself as anything other than that. Through the directive to embrace 'nothingness,' Zazen cultivates presence and awareness. In a similar vein, 'Design for Nothing' aims to inspire this level of consciousness, embracing the paradox of finding value in 'nothing.'
Design for Nothing also aligns with the Taoist concept of Wuji. In Taoism, Wuji represents the origin of creation itself, the ultimate nothingness or emptiness from which everything emanates. 'Design for Nothing' taps into this primordial essence, encouraging participants to let go of personal desires and ego-driven goals, transcending individualistic interpretations. Returning to this original principle allows innate natural creativity to flow freely from a place of purity and simplicity.
Additionally, the approach incorporates the Advaita Vedanta principle of 'Neti neti' (not this, not that), guiding practitioners to transcend all limited and conceptual understandings of reality. By continuously negating superficial attributes, preconceived ideas, and canceling the power that particular objects' stories have layered over them, Design for Nothing encourages individuals to detach from past and future concepts. This rigorous process of negation leads to an experiential understanding of the infinite, unchanging, and eternal reality, the Ultimate Reality of Brahman, that lies beyond all material existence. This approach helps practitioners move beyond dualistic perceptions, forming a unified, unchanging vision of reality that transcends all existential and material experiences of the self.
Moreover, 'for Nothing' reflects the principles of A Course in Miracles by emphasizing true forgiveness—a concept central to the book's teachings, which does not recognize the world as real. Similar to Advaita Vedanta, ACIM describes the world as an illusion or dream from which one can be released by letting go of all physical and social conditionings attributed to other beings and seeing them only as what they have always been fundamentally: one with the unified conscious nature or Christ Consciousness, in oneness, perfect, innocent, and guiltless. The philosophy of A Course in Miracles teaches that our perceptions of the material world are illusions that distract us from our true nature, making all material elements devoid of true value. The only reality is the mind—unified, unchanging, unborn, and unable to die. Your "enemy" is but your Brother, as they are but an image created for the experience of separation that the mind has made, but this image does not represent their true nature.
By focusing on 'nothing' of this world, neither past nor future, worth holding on to, Design for Nothing helps us see beyond these illusions and recognize the reality of life in continuous, unified consciousness. This practice promotes Self-love, safety in all creative endeavors, and guiltlessness, allowing us to dissolve the ego's hold and connect with our true self in stillness and peace as part of the infinite, unbounded Self.
By 'designing' an inner space for 'nothing' but suitable for this transformative state to enter, we consciously let go of the illusory ego and abide in our authentic, nondual essence. This intention to design a mind for 'nothing'—from the moment we wake up until we go to bed—frees us from the concepts that have imprisoned us, the roles and identities we have been subjected to, and the past experiences and future projections that have kept us from living in the present moment.
The Design for Nothing approach encourages a profound shift in our perception, guiding us towards our authentic, nondual essence. By consciously creating an inner space for 'nothing,' we open ourselves to a transformative state of being in harmony with various spiritual traditions that have proven to bring inner peace, a sense of self-love that transcends the individual ego, and a loving awareness that fosters tremendous compassion for everyone at all stages of their development.
Next time, I will explore the process of designing this inner space and the steps involved in its creation.
