I always thought 'nothingness' was a central ontological concept in Buddhism, not just a concept as it relates to a 'self'. For Zen Buddhism, deny the substanti

I always thought 'nothingness' was a central ontological concept in Buddhism, not just a concept as it relates to a 'self'. For Zen Buddhism, deny the substantial character of reality, assert that the only absolute is the void, existentially assume this void, and assert the sameness of the phenomena around you. I imagine something which encourages you to deny your desires must steer you in the direction of inactivity - in as much as desire motivates activity (not biological activity, but 'start a startup' kind of activity). Although I'm aware Western versions have squared it with work place productivity, even used by hard working CEOs at the top, it feels perhaps dishonest to claim "Buddhism" rather than utility for feeling centered (and it certainly is effective there).