[...] we must recognize that in our own experience of…
![“[...] we must recognize that in our own experience of emptiness, that even though one feels "empty", one must have a self in order to feel this emptiness; a loss cannot be felt unless what is missed is really a lost part of the self. Unwholeness is a feeling which belongs only to a being born…” quote by Susan Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/9cc/susan-griffin-8475_emptiness_we-must-recognize-that-in-our-own-experi_2574268.jpg)
““[...] we must recognize that in our own experience of emptiness, that even though one feels "empty", one must have a self in order to feel this emptiness; a loss cannot be felt unless what is missed is really a lost part of the self. Unwholeness is a feeling which belongs only to a being born whole and somehow denied access to this whole self. A being born "unwhole" would be whole in that partiality, happy with that cavernous state, and feel no emptiness, miss nothing, feel at home in a vacuum of identity. It is precisely because we have selves that we mourn.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Emptiness is felt only by a self; mourning arises from loss of a part of that self.
In simple terms: Loss creates emptiness.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge loss.
Themes
identity
emptiness
wholeness
grief
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- therapy
- bereavement
- self‑discovery
- spiritual practice
- creative work
Key Concepts
psychology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What part of yourself feels missing?
- How can you find wholeness despite loss?