“Only when the heart remains still does everything else become quiet,” Zhuangzi once said. True strength and energy can only be harnessed when the mind is undisturbed by the chaos of the outside world. When the heart is not burdened by external forces, desires, or distractions, one can find true peace and live a life of contentment and ease.
In reality, it is not the judgment of others that truly binds us, but the shackles within our own hearts. To achieve a state of inherent sufficiency, one must build a mental defense and learn to keep the heart unmoved by external influences.
Self-healing: Not Tiring the Heart with Worldly Distractions
Many people feel exhausted because they are overly concerned with the judgments and opinions of those around them. We do not need to live within the confines of others’ words or be limited by their gaze. Life is like a grand play, and you are the protagonist of your own world. Focus your energy on personal growth and life experiences. A truly open-minded person can embrace all kinds of opinions without being burdened by rumors and gossip.
Self-healing: Not Worrying About Life’s Impermanence
Life is fleeting, like a flash of a white steed passing a gap. The world is unpredictable, and gains and losses are hard to foresee. Only by accepting life’s ups and downs with an ordinary mind can one face life’s vicissitudes without fear. By letting go of attachment to gains and losses and cherishing the present, one can calmly navigate every stage of life.
Self-healing: Not Being Tempted by Material Possessions
The pursuit of material things is a natural human instinct. However, the splendor of the world is ultimately like a dream or a bubble. Excessive pursuit of material things only leads to an expansion of desires and a loss of self. With limited time and energy, focusing too much on material possessions will leave the inner self barren. Only by reducing desires can one enrich the spirit and regain freedom of the heart.
American psychologist Baumeister has noted that every choice, dilemma, and anxiety depletes psychological energy. Once this energy is consumed, one’s ability to execute and maintain willpower declines. Therefore, even when doing nothing, one can still feel exhausted.
The world is complex and filled with troubles, misfortunes, and pains, which often originate from within ourselves. Learning to let go and forget, not being disturbed by thoughts, not being trapped by emotions, not fearing the future, and not dwelling on the past, is the way to truly enjoy life.
