A digital garden by Miguel Marin Vermelho. Essays and reflections on Buddhist philosophy, meditation, neuroscience, deep work, and more.https://thevoid.garden/enhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/lessons-from-the-mountains/https://thevoid.garden/garden/lessons-from-the-mountains/A transformative journey through the Dewa Sanzan, training with Yamabushi monks in Japan's sacred mountainsMon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMTMeditationmeditationJapanspiritualitytravelpresenceawarenessYamabushiShugendōmountainsawakeninghttps://thevoid.garden/garden/para-la-yaya/https://thevoid.garden/garden/para-la-yaya/Eulogy for my grandma, may she rest in peace. A celebration of a life lived with love, humility, and vitalityWed, 17 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyfamilylovedeathmemorySpanishgratitudelifelegacyhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/two-truths-i-can-get-behind/https://thevoid.garden/garden/two-truths-i-can-get-behind/Reflections on the meaning of truth, the certainty of death, and the wisdom of not knowingSun, 09 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophytruthphilosophyuncertaintydeathknowledgelearningquestionsawarenesshttps://thevoid.garden/garden/hato-san/https://thevoid.garden/garden/hato-san/Written in a café in HiroshimaSun, 02 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMTMeditationJapannaturespiritualityShintoismBuddhismpresenceawarenessYamabushihttps://thevoid.garden/garden/waiting-for-inspiration/https://thevoid.garden/garden/waiting-for-inspiration/Reflections on the futility of waiting for inspiration, written in the Osaka Castle gardensSat, 11 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophywritinginspirationpresencenatureJapanawarenessimpermanencecreativityhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/real-life-magicians/https://thevoid.garden/garden/real-life-magicians/Reflections on traveling through Morocco's Atlas Mountains and witnessing the magical artistry of Berber cultureSun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophytravelMoroccocultureartlearningpresenceawarenessAmazighgratitudehttps://thevoid.garden/garden/desires/https://thevoid.garden/garden/desires/A reflection on the nature of desires as illusions, and why we cling to them despite their emptinessThu, 02 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophydesireattachmentmeditationmindfulnessmeaningawarenessquestionshttps://thevoid.garden/garden/dying-every-day/https://thevoid.garden/garden/dying-every-day/On letting go of attachments daily, dying to the old to be reborn and meet each moment with fresh eyesTue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMTMeditationmeditationdeathimpermanencepresencerenewalattachmentfreedompeacehttps://thevoid.garden/garden/nameless-faces/https://thevoid.garden/garden/nameless-faces/A contemplative poem about transience, beauty, and interconnection, inspired by watching the seaFri, 26 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophypoetryoceantransienceinterconnectionnatureawarenesspresencehttps://thevoid.garden/garden/pensamentos-sobre-o-final/https://thevoid.garden/garden/pensamentos-sobre-o-final/Written while listening to 12 by Ryuichi SakamotoSat, 12 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophydeathmortalitybeautymusicreflectionlifePortugueseRyuichi Sakamotohttps://thevoid.garden/garden/the-zen-garden/https://thevoid.garden/garden/the-zen-garden/A text written in chunks, reflecting different states of mind. A journey from the overwhelming presence of a tranquil mental space triggered by music, to the scattered reality of daily stress, exploring the nature of both calm and chaotic mental states.Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMTMeditationzenmeditationpresencemindfulnessanxietystates-of-mindmusiccalmoverwhelmhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/the-land-before-time/https://thevoid.garden/garden/the-land-before-time/Reflections on finding The Great Valley while exploring Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, where majestic landscapes inspire us to see beauty without labels.Sun, 05 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophynaturephilosophytravelchiletorres del painebeautyperceptionhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/think-like-nagarjuna/https://thevoid.garden/garden/think-like-nagarjuna/A philosophical inquiry into the nature of thought and thinker, exploring the interdependent relationship between thinking and the one who thinks.Sat, 28 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophynagarjunaphilosophythoughtbuddhismdependent arisingmeditationconsciousnesshttps://thevoid.garden/garden/sol-y-canciones/https://thevoid.garden/garden/sol-y-canciones/A Spanish reflection on the morning sun, birdsong, and the symphony of life in the present momentWed, 25 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophySpanishmorningpresencenaturemusicawarenesssilencetruthhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/untitled-and-unfinished/https://thevoid.garden/garden/untitled-and-unfinished/A glimpse into a random bit of unfinished work - a poetic reflection on city lifeSun, 22 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophypoetrycityurban lifepacenatureunfinishedhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/partida/https://thevoid.garden/garden/partida/A Portuguese poem for grandma, may she rest in peace. Reflections on departure, loss, and memoryThu, 29 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyPortuguesedeathfamilygrandmapoetrygriefmemorylovehttps://thevoid.garden/garden/mon-pere/https://thevoid.garden/garden/mon-pere/A French text for my dad, on his birthday - reflections on fatherhood, sacrifice, and gratitudeThu, 22 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyFrenchfamilyfathergratitudelovepoetrysacrificebirthdayhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/ler-e-escrever/https://thevoid.garden/garden/ler-e-escrever/A Portuguese stream of consciousness on reading, writing, travel, and the present momentFri, 02 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyPortuguesewritingreadingstream of consciousnesstravelZanzibarpresencemeditationidentityhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/a-velhice-e-uma-treta-ii/https://thevoid.garden/garden/a-velhice-e-uma-treta-ii/Portuguese reflections on old age, the cycle of life, and caring for those who once cared for usTue, 23 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyPortugueseagingfamilylovedeathtimepresencelife-cyclememoryhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/exploding-from-the-center/https://thevoid.garden/garden/exploding-from-the-center/An exploration of Krishnamurti's radical approach to understanding the mind - moving beyond gradual progress to immediate transformation through direct perception of the whole structure of thought.Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyKrishnamurtimeditationconsciousnessegoawarenesstransformationpresent momentmindhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/have-you-ever-seen-a-tree/https://thevoid.garden/garden/have-you-ever-seen-a-tree/Notes on asking the next questionSat, 24 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyperceptionidentityphilosophyhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/an-act-of-balance/https://thevoid.garden/garden/an-act-of-balance/Life is an act of balance between acquiring knowledge and being present with the real - exploring the tension between mental constructs and raw reality.Sun, 26 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophymeditationphilosophykrishnamurtipresenceknowledgerealitymindfulnesshttps://thevoid.garden/garden/corporate-enlightenment/https://thevoid.garden/garden/corporate-enlightenment/Exploring the intersection of mindfulness practices and corporate productivity, sparked by a conversation about finding enlightenment within the workplace through meditation, nature observation, and deep focus.Sun, 17 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyenlightenmentmeditationfocusworkemptinessmindfulnesshttps://thevoid.garden/garden/constant-meditation/https://thevoid.garden/garden/constant-meditation/Discovering that meditation doesn't require closing your eyes or stopping activities - one can meditate on anything by inquiring into its nature and emptiness.Sat, 20 May 2023 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophymeditationemptinessdependent arisingphilosophymindfulnesspresent momentairportsinquiryhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/photos-and-polaroids/https://thevoid.garden/garden/photos-and-polaroids/A reflection on the nature of experience versus representation, exploring how photos capture only fractions of reality and serve as glimpses into the flaws of the conceptual world.Sun, 26 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyexperienceconceptualmeditationphotographyemptinessrealityhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/the-pull-of-the-conceptual/https://thevoid.garden/garden/the-pull-of-the-conceptual/A spontaneous stream of consciousness exploring the tension between the conceptual world of thoughts and memories versus the immediate reality of the present moment.Fri, 03 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyemptinessconsciousnessconceptualpresent-momentmeditationawarenesshttps://thevoid.garden/garden/emptiness/https://thevoid.garden/garden/emptiness/An exploration of the Buddhist concept of emptiness (Śūnyatā), diving into dependent origination, the Middle Way, and how understanding this philosophy transforms meditation and daily experience.Sun, 05 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyBuddhismemptinessNagarjunaKrishnamurtimiddle-waymeditationdependent-originationhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/oblivious-to-facts/https://thevoid.garden/garden/oblivious-to-facts/Another ramble about emptiness - why we chase facts, truth, and knowledge while missing the actual truth that exists only in the present moment.Sun, 20 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyemptinesstruthpresent momentintellectualizationbuddhaconsciousnessdualityhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/why-are-things-on-our-minds/https://thevoid.garden/garden/why-are-things-on-our-minds/A stream of consciousness exploration of the mind's constant chatter and the search for meaning. Questions about the nature of thoughts, the quest for purpose, and finding meaning in the present moment.Sun, 06 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyconsciousnessthoughtmeaningpresent momentstream of consciousnessawarenessphilosophyhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/eterna/https://thevoid.garden/garden/eterna/A Spanish poem for my yaya on her 103rd birthday - celebrating her eternal light and loveSat, 01 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophySpanishfamilygrandmapoetrylovetimeeternitybirthdayhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/sera-que-estamos-a-ouvir/https://thevoid.garden/garden/sera-que-estamos-a-ouvir/Portuguese reflections on listening deeply, beyond hearing - connecting with reality as it isMon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMTMeditationPortugueselisteningpresenceawarenessmindfulnesssoundsilencetruthinterconnectionhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/o-buzio/https://thevoid.garden/garden/o-buzio/Portuguese meditation on a seashell - reflections on connection, nature, and the oneness of all thingsSat, 18 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyPortuguesenatureinterconnectiononenessoceanmeditationspiritualityunityhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/natureza/https://thevoid.garden/garden/natureza/Portuguese reflections on nature, humanity's place within it, and the present momentWed, 15 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyPortuguesenaturebirdspresencehumanitytimeawarenessobservationhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/hemispatial-neglect/https://thevoid.garden/garden/hemispatial-neglect/When half the world disappears - a narrative exploration of a rare neurological conditionSun, 12 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyneuroscienceperceptionbrainawarenessMilanscienceconsciousnessmemoryhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/words/https://thevoid.garden/garden/words/Reflections on the power of words to create meaning, influence behavior, and affect those we loveWed, 04 May 2022 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophylanguagewordsmeaningcommunicationcultureawarenessrelationshipshttps://thevoid.garden/garden/through-the-eyes-of-children/https://thevoid.garden/garden/through-the-eyes-of-children/A creative poem written for FLOWN's February challenge, exploring childhood imagination and its loss with ageMon, 07 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophypoetrychildrenimaginationcreativityinnocenceagingchildhoodFLOWNhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/timing-matters/https://thevoid.garden/garden/timing-matters/Reflections on the importance of timing, chronobiology, and the value of rest in productivityTue, 08 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophytimetimingchronobiologyproductivityrestperformancenatureawarenesshttps://thevoid.garden/garden/a-ilha/https://thevoid.garden/garden/a-ilha/St. Lucia, 13th of November of 2021. While walking on the beach and waiting for sunset...Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyPortuguesetravelSt. Luciaislandnaturereflectiontourisminequalityawarenessoceanhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/where-ends-meet/https://thevoid.garden/garden/where-ends-meet/A little memory of St. LuciaThu, 02 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophySt. LuciatravelnatureoceandualityFort RodneyawarenessCaribbeanPessoahttps://thevoid.garden/garden/hyperreality-in-a-square/https://thevoid.garden/garden/hyperreality-in-a-square/A meditation on perception and reality through the careful observation of a square section of white wall in London, exploring how the mind creates illusions.Sun, 31 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMTMeditationperceptionobservationmindfulnessrealityconsciousnessmeditationlondonhyperrealityhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/time-unfinished/https://thevoid.garden/garden/time-unfinished/An unfinished piece, because nothing can be perfect (August 2020)Fri, 08 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophypoetrytimelifeimperfectionawarenesstransiencehttps://thevoid.garden/garden/silencio/https://thevoid.garden/garden/silencio/Luxemburgo - 05/09/2021Sun, 05 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophySpanishsilenceLuxembourgawarenesspresencemeditationpeacemindfulnesshttps://thevoid.garden/garden/amor-de-mae/https://thevoid.garden/garden/amor-de-mae/05/01/2021Fri, 06 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyPortuguesepoetrymotherlovefamilytimememoryunconditional lovehttps://thevoid.garden/garden/racing-brain/https://thevoid.garden/garden/racing-brain/23/07/2021Sat, 24 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophymindtimeanxietythoughtmortalitygoalsawarenessPessoaoverthinkinghttps://thevoid.garden/garden/no-fim-do-mundo/https://thevoid.garden/garden/no-fim-do-mundo/Cabo de S.Vicente (2021)Tue, 22 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyPortuguesePortugaltraveloceannaturereflectionCabo de São Vicentehistoryawarenesshttps://thevoid.garden/garden/why-do-we-resist/https://thevoid.garden/garden/why-do-we-resist/I ask myself this often.Sun, 06 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyresistancecreativitywritingegofearperfectionisminspirationartself-discoveryhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/coming-soon/https://thevoid.garden/garden/coming-soon/Because one has to start somewhereSat, 05 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyintroductionwritingjourneybeginningmusingshttps://thevoid.garden/garden/loops-on-a-train/https://thevoid.garden/garden/loops-on-a-train/An attempt at a short story that I wrote during a commute (25/05/2021)Tue, 25 May 2021 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyshort storyfictiontimetrainscommuteconsciousnessrealityperceptionhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/what-is-life/https://thevoid.garden/garden/what-is-life/Sometimes a photo can spark some words...Mon, 01 Jul 2019 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophylifemortalityexistencetimeagingawarenessbeautydeathimpermanencephotographyhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/morreu-me-a-caneta/https://thevoid.garden/garden/morreu-me-a-caneta/(2019)Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyPortuguesewritinginspirationironycreativitymortalityreflectionhttps://thevoid.garden/garden/the-rollercoaster-and-the-screen/https://thevoid.garden/garden/the-rollercoaster-and-the-screen/(2019)Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMTPhilosophyworklovemodern lifescreensalienationromanceawarenesschangeintrospection