Emptiness as a source of growth.

...Rebbe Nachman presents the feeling of emptiness in a different light-not as a failing, but to the contrary, a springboard to finding true meaning. It is admittedly painful to feel empty, but once awareness enters, it becomes possible to fill the void with genuine, fulfilling content.

The same process is evident in nature. A seed must rot in the ground and be almost obliterated before it can undergo the wondrous transformation that leads to the growth of fresh foliage, flowers and fruit. Similarly, if a person acknowledges his deficiency and makes an effort to seek answers he will ultimately experience growth and spiritual blossoming-even if he must first undergo a degree of pain.

from the book, "Journey" by Erez Moshe Doron of Lev Hadavarim p.26

This feeling of emptiness led many of our to fill ourselves with food instead of spirituality. With OA we learn to address the feeling of emptiness without trying to fill it with food.