As mentioned before, people today believe that quantum physics has already reduced matter to a microscopic level whereby nothing material is left except energy, but they remain attached to energy as an existent entity. Buddhism, on the other hand, has invalidated this so-called energy and looked beyond it. Ultimately, everything is empty. In the formation of all phenomena, the first step is emptiness, the next is energy; the macroscopic world which our five sense organs perceive is actually the last.

This emptiness is true emptiness, as in the frequently recited verse “form is emptiness.” Although physicists also talk about vacuum, it is not “emptiness” in the true sense, but space that contains energy. Only the emptiness that the Buddha taught is true emptiness since nothing exists within it, not mental or physical phenomena, nor their activities.

From a macroscopic standpoint, when we see a beautiful flower, a feeling arises; but when we trace the feeling to its source, we will find that it is mere appearance, nothing of substance. Similarly, if we chase after every one of our thoughts – pleasant, sorrowful, terrifying …., we will end up at the same starting point where all disappear into emptiness.

- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "The Practice of Realizing Emptiness"