Emptiness is one of Buddhism’s most foundational teachings, yet it is often conveyed through apophatic language—negation, absence, the language of “not this, not that”—which can leave practitioners with a sense of confusion or even pessimism. In this article, Guo Gu explores how Chan offers a more cataphatic, or positive, way of understanding awakening as “wondrous existence,” and lays out a practical path for dismantling both the coarse and subtle layers of self.

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Guo Gu has published several books with the goal of making Chan practice accessible to all.

The Essence of Chan, is an introduction to the theory and practice of Chan as taught by Bodhidharma, the 6th Century first ancestral Chan master. This book is also available as an audiobook.

Passing Through the Gateless Barrier: Koan Practice for Real Life, is an exposition and translation of the forty-eight koans of the timeless Gateless Barrier (collection of stories of awakening).

Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening, offers instructions and translations of the writings of Hongzhi Zhengjue, the 12th century master who so beautifully articulated the practice.

Guo Gu has also edited and translated a number of Master Sheng Yen’s books from Chinese to English.