In life, we inevitably encounter troubles and pains. But the best solution when facing these is to learn to endure and forget. Enduring and forgetting doesn't mean numbness or escapism; it's a convergence of heart and soul, a struggle against nature, a preservation amidst helplessness.
Of course, some pain is difficult to endure and forget, especially those things deeply ingrained in our minds. Forgetting is akin to waging a revolution. As the saying goes, "Endurance is a knife above one's head." Whether enduring or forgetting, each act involves bleeding from the heart, requiring high levels of self-cultivation and perseverance. To reach this state, one must have a calm mind and a tolerant heart. Because things arise from the mind, a calm mind leads to smooth progress. We must learn to wait, to be patient, not to destroy everything, and certainly not to dwell on the past.
My neighbor, a writer, told me a story when he noticed I was feeling down the other day: "A man was so distressed he couldn't bear it, so he went to an old monk and asked, 'What should I do if someone insults me, laughs at me, despises me, harms me, hates me, or tricks me?' The old monk said, 'You can endure it, obey him, let him be, respect him, avoid him, suffer with him, pretend to be deaf and dumb, remain indifferent, and observe him coldly. What do you think?' This is the highest level of the art of endurance, reaching a state of consummate skill. Although this kind of endurance has a hint of passive escapism, upon quiet reflection, it contains a condescending attitude towards life, and an innate detachment from worldly affairs.
Observe stillness in darkness, and observe movement in stillness. First..." Still as a virgin, swift as a rabbit. What are the sources of all the troubles in a person's life? Nothing more than the pursuit of fame, fortune, and longevity. If you can understand the thoughts of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism, your heart will be at peace and tranquil, and your troubles will disappear.
I admire those ancient literati and sages who lived in seclusion in the mountains and forests. They objectively viewed birth, family background, wealth, fame, life and death, honor and disgrace, and appearance with detachment. What they pursued was only transcendence and freedom, truly embodying the spirit of "indifference to coming or going, letting the clouds drift and the world change, letting honor and disgrace overwhelm me, only watching the flowers bloom and fade outside the window." Not because of a bleak future or poverty and hopelessness, but with optimism in the face of honor and disgrace. The Song, Jin,
and Yuan dynasty poem "Shanpo Yang" beautifully describes it: "Green mountains await... white clouds love... I can never dream of wearing a purple robe." A golden belt...a thatched hut...wildflowers bloom...who cares about prosperity or decline...even a simple meal in a humble alley brings joy! Poverty cannot change my spirit! Success cannot change my ambition! Look at this spirit, how broad-minded I am!
In the north gate of my county, there's a noodle shop with a painting on the wall. The painting depicts a horseman riding with his head held high, while a donkey rider looks back at a peasant woman pushing a wheelbarrow. Although the painting doesn't have a single word, it's clear it tells a story of contentment, of being better off than some and worse off than others. Although I've known this story since I was a teenager, every time I go to eat there, I can't help but stand in front of the painting and gaze at it, even composing my own little poem: "I ride my donkey slowly, while the horseman ahead is so majestic. Feeling indignant, I look back, and hear the creaking of the horse." I remember that day, a friend online, Gardenia Blossom, was lamenting that all her classmates and colleagues had bought cars, so I casually sent her this thought. Actually, while I was advising her, I was also in the midst of my own misery. Work was going poorly, family life was disharmonious, business was plummeting, I was impoverished, the world was cold and indifferent, and on top of that, my partner was nagging and I felt hopeless about the future. These multiple pressures and heartaches left me exhausted, and I longed for a kind of transcendent freedom.
Zhuangzi pointed out: "Poverty is also joy, success is also joy. Be content with your circumstances and accept things as they are, then sorrow and joy cannot enter your heart." This means that one should adapt to one's circumstances and not force things, only then can one have a peaceful life, and sorrow will not occupy one's inner world. Once one transcends worldly concerns, the spirit will be completely liberated.
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