I often hear people talking about Zen meditation and how you have to empty your mind.

Then they talk about listening to your breath, and staying focused on your breathing and letting go of other thoughts.

It seems to me that listening/ focusing on your breath is not emptying your mind, but rather focusing on a specific item, which is fine. In my opinionated view you are then focusing on an item, you could focus on your toes too, but you breath is probably easier. Of course assume that I know nothing and this is just a different and possibly wrong view from the side.

Stik