Peradventure now thou beginnest to think with thyself what this image is like, and that thou shouldst not study much upon it, I will tell thee. It is like no bodily thing. What is it then, sayest thou? Verily it is nought, or no real thing, as thou shalt find, if thou try by doing as I have spoken; that is, draw in thy thoughts into thyself from all bodily things, and then shalt thou find right nought wherein thy soul may rest. (John Climacus)

The soul is absent.

In separation from God it has withered.

All that is left is the vessel, a void, the barest impression of what once was.

This absence is the source of our worry and dis-ease.

We seek presence.

The image is of Mother as Void by Anish Kapoor.