The Negative Space of Meditation

"There is negative space in every day, within every event, the recognition of which can make our lives sweeter, calmer, and more productive,” philosophy professor Renée A. Hill wrote in her article “Honor the Negative Space,” published in the Journal of Contemplative Inquiry. Hill discusses the benefits of paying attention to the negative space between and around objects as well as the spaces in our schedules—the time before, between, and after activities. 

After I read her article, I started thinking about its implications for meditation. Many people understand meditation as the act of taking a seat, settling, and then navigating a focused practice. But what about the negative space, the time off the cushion? It’s easy to overlook this peripheral time, but as Hill argues, it’s worth paying more attention to.

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