Zhuangzi: The Four Levels of Human Attainment – Where Do You Stand?
Do not linger on material possessions, do not be troubled by thoughts, do not be swayed by others, do not lose one's original nature.
In the current era, material wealth is extremely abundant, it can be said that 'if you can't imagine it, you can't buy it.'
Along with this comes our ever-increasing desires, we constantly pursue more and more material, greater benefits and power, constantly demanding...
In fact, there is a philosophy in life called 'reducing':
From material to spiritual, every dimension of life can be simplified.
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The first level of human attainment: Without greed.Zhang Zai in 'Zilai You in the Deep Forest' said, 'A single sparrow nest in a deep forest is no more than a branch; a rat lying by the Yellow River is no more than full of its belly.'
In Zhuangzi's wisdom, not being entangled by things is one of the core ideas.
'Five colors blur the eyes, able to blind the eyes; five tones confuse the ears, able to deafen the ears; five flavors taint the mouth, able to ruin the taste; indulging in hunting, able to make one's mood chaotic; rare wealth and goods, able to tempt one's behavior.'
A large part of the unhappiness people experience is due to excessive desire for material possessions, wanting too much.
'Newest clothes, limited edition handbags, favorite lipstick, new mobile phones… Even if you don't have money to spend, or the things you buy are useless, you still stop at nothing to buy them.'
Again and again 'buying' things, we only find that material desires can never be satisfied, anxiety is always there.
In this world of rampant materialism, being able to live simply is the happiest thing.
If you pursue too much, getting lost in the world of materialism is a regrettable thing.
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The second level of human attainment: Without troubled thoughts.
Zhang Hui served as a minister in the state of Liang, and Zhuangzi wanted to visit him.
Someone hurried to report Zhang Hui, saying,
'Zhuangzi is here, he wants to replace your position, doesn't he?'
Zhang Hui was panicked and tried to stop Zhuangzi, sent people to search the country for three days and three nights.Who knows Zhuangzi arrived calmly and bowed to him, saying,
'Southern has a bird, named 'xīchén', this xīchén is not a white stork, not a loach, not drinking from clear springs.'
At this time, a cat was eating a rotten mouse, and just as the xīchén flew over from the top, the cat quickly shielded the rotten mouse and said,Wow!”
Zhuangzi said to Zhang Hui, 'Now you also want to 'scare' me like this?'
Zhang Hui, who held a high position, was worried and helpless, his good friend didn't trust him, he couldn't eat, he couldn't sleep.
People's heart is a limited container.
If it is full of golden walls and red walls, it cannot contain a panoramic view; if it is full of empty fame and dirty profits, it cannot contain a free mind.
Living for fame and profit, and then being angry because of fame and profit, therefore never able to calm down one's mind and enjoy the happiness and peace of life.Tao Yuanming, under the persuasion of his friends, served as an official, but he worried that his family's land would be barren.”
'I have a simple dwelling, a bamboo tube, and a drinking vessel, I am content in the narrow lane;'Tao Yuanming was simple and unconcerned in his life, 'Picking chrysanthemums in the east of the courtyard, leisurely watching the Southern Mountains.'
Ye Jia Ying, who loved poetry all her life, lived a simple life, boiling a handful of green vegetables and steaming a few steamed buns was a meal, yet she donated more than 35 million;
Zhu Youlan, devoted her whole life to the study of classical Chinese literature, and lived a simple life, boiling a handful of green vegetables and steaming a few steamed buns was a meal, yet she donated more than 35 million;
Li Ka-shing, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg are all loyal advocates of 'minimalism'...
Lev Tolstoy said: 'The value of a person's life is not measured by time, but by depth.'
We always ask ourselves, 'How should we spend our lives to achieve the image we want to be?'
Perhaps Zhuangzi's story is the best answer: 'Do not linger on material possessions, do not be troubled by thoughts, do not be swayed by others, do not lose one's original nature.'03”
The third level of human attainment: Without being swayed by others.
I spent my whole life striving for money, power, and fame, constantly in a state of anxiety.
I wanted to buy a bigger house, wanted to make more powerful friends, wanted to pursue a better partner… I overdrafted my body and time and energy.
Finally, I realized that I was confused and confused, I couldn't get the return I expected.
Until a 'psychological counselor' enlightened me:'A person can only restrain his own desires to reduce inner distractions, and can focus on obtaining what he must. Not indulging in seeking, not worrying, then the mind can truly calm down and enjoy the happiness and peace of life.'
When you lament that you have lived an empty life, perhaps it is because you have not found the battlefield that suits you.
Tao Yuanming's concept of 'The Great is in Simplicity' coincides with Zhuangzi's idea: The simpler it is, the greater it is; the simpler it is, the more beautiful it is.
Yan Hui said, 'I have a simple dwelling, a bamboo tube, and a drinking vessel, I am content in the narrow lane.'Tao Yuanming was simple and unconcerned in his life, 'Picking chrysanthemums in the east of the courtyard, leisurely watching the Southern Mountains.'
Ye Jia Ying, who loved poetry all her life, lived a simple life, boiling a handful of green vegetables and steaming a few steamed buns was a meal, yet she donated more than 35 million; dedicated her whole life to researching Artemisinin, and finally became 'China's Drug Goddess', but in her life she was modest and humble, and didn't seek fame and fortune.Furthermore, Li Ka-shing, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg are all loyal advocates of 'minimalism'...
Lev Tolstoy said: 'The value of a person's life is not measured by time, but by depth.'
We always ask ourselves, 'How should we spend our lives to achieve the image we want to be?'
Perhaps Zhuangzi's story is the best answer: 'Do not linger on material possessions, do not be troubled by thoughts, do not be swayed by others, do not lose one's original nature.'
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