You are 99.9999999% Empty Space (and other good news at the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern science)
Thu Feb 05 2026
Many people think I'm a negotiation coach, but I'm really a practitioner of change working at the intersection of ancient Eastern philosophy and modern Western neuroscience.
The Science: Quantum physicists like David Bohm and Zen masters in the mountains agree: Everything you think is "solid" (your desk, your body, your obstacles) is actually 99.9999999% empty space. Similarly, neuroscientists like Michael Gazzaniga have found that there is no singular, fixed "I" in your brain. You are a "Society of Mind," an aggregate of different parts negotiating conflicting and inherently empty impulses in real-time.
The Philosophy: In Zen, this is encapsulated in a single character: Mu (無). It often gets translated as “empty,” but it can also reference a kind of boundlessness.
The Intersection: When you realize matter is mostly space, the "solid" walls in your mind begin to soften. You realize you are not your self-talk, the very thoughts that lie at the root of professional stress.
Instead, you are the boundless potential behind the action.
What you'll learn in this episode:
02:15 – The Humble, Good News: Why you don’t need a PhD or to become a monk to benefit from these fundamental truths
04:30 – Your "Society of Mind": How the illusion of being a fixed, singular "I" is dismantled by both modern neuroscience and ancient wisdom.
06:50 – Tyranny of Self-Talk: Getting to the root of all professional stress when external circumstances don't seem to go your way.
07:45 – The Liberation of "Mu": What becomes possible when new perspectives enable new ways of thinking, feeling, and responding to circumstance beyond our control.
09:30 – The 3 Stages of Change: A roadmap through Dissolution (of negative self-talk), Mental Rehearsal, and Embodied Brave Action.
11:00 – The Fortress of Trust: Why true trust comes from realizing your "self" is not a fragile, solid thing that can be broken.
12:15 – Creator & Masterpiece: When tangible results like getting promoted and better paid are the byproduct of accessing a deeper truth of who you really are.
To learn more about working with me 1:1, come on over to https://www.jamieleecoach.com/apply
Text me your thoughts on this episode!
Enjoy the show?
Don't miss an episode, listen and subscribe via Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Leave me a review in Apple Podcasts. Connect with me
Book a free hour-long consultation with me. You'll leave with your custom blueprint to confidence, and we'll ensure it's a slam-dunk fit for you before you commit to working with me 1:1. Connect with me on LinkedIn Email me at jamie@jamieleecoach.com
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Many people think I'm a negotiation coach, but I'm really a practitioner of change working at the intersection of ancient Eastern philosophy and modern Western neuroscience. The Science: Quantum physicists like David Bohm and Zen masters in the mountains agree: Everything you think is "solid" (your desk, your body, your obstacles) is actually 99.9999999% empty space. Similarly, neuroscientists like Michael Gazzaniga have found that there is no singular, fixed "I" in your brain. You are a "Society of Mind," an aggregate of different parts negotiating conflicting and inherently empty impulses in real-time. The Philosophy: In Zen, this is encapsulated in a single character: Mu (無). It often gets translated as “empty,” but it can also reference a kind of boundlessness. The Intersection: When you realize matter is mostly space, the "solid" walls in your mind begin to soften. You realize you are not your self-talk, the very thoughts that lie at the root of professional stress. Instead, you are the boundless potential behind the action. What you'll learn in this episode: 02:15 – The Humble, Good News: Why you don’t need a PhD or to become a monk to benefit from these fundamental truths 04:30 – Your "Society of Mind": How the illusion of being a fixed, singular "I" is dismantled by both modern neuroscience and ancient wisdom. 06:50 – Tyranny of Self-Talk: Getting to the root of all professional stress when external circumstances don't seem to go your way. 07:45 – The Liberation of "Mu": What becomes possible when new perspectives enable new ways of thinking, feeling, and responding to circumstance beyond our control. 09:30 – The 3 Stages of Change: A roadmap through Dissolution (of negative self-talk), Mental Rehearsal, and Embodied Brave Action. 11:00 – The Fortress of Trust: Why true trust comes from realizing your "self" is not a fragile, solid thing that can be broken. 12:15 – Creator & Masterpiece: When tangible results like getting promoted and better paid are the byproduct of accessing a deeper truth of who you really are. To learn more about working with me 1:1, come on over to https://www.jamieleecoach.com/apply Text me your thoughts on this episode! Enjoy the show? Don't miss an episode, listen and subscribe via Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Leave me a review in Apple Podcasts. Connect with me Book a free hour-long consultation with me. You'll leave with your custom blueprint to confidence, and we'll ensure it's a slam-dunk fit for you before you commit to working with me 1:1. Connect with me on LinkedIn Email me at jamie@jamieleecoach.com