Chapter 17 Chapter fifteen

Those who are good at being scholars in ancient times are subtle and mysterious, deep and unrecognizable.husband!The only thing I can't know, so I force it to be tolerated.Yuxi is like winter wading across the river, still like fearing the neighbors, stern like its appearance, loose like ice will be released, dun like plain, open like valley, muddy like bitter.Xu Qing who can make turbidity quiet, and Xu Sheng who can make peace and movement.Those who keep this way do not want to be profitable.Husbands are not profitable, so they can cover up new successes. The Connotation of Lao Tzu's "Scholar"

The so-called "scholar" in ancient times is not completely the same as the scholar in the modern concept. The original meaning of "scholar" refers to a person who is dedicated to Taoism and truly learned.A scholar must cultivate knowledge, wisdom, and morality; he must achieve a harmonious body and mind, and the level of both internal and external understanding of the world and the world, and conform to the eight-character principle of "subtle and mysterious, deep and unrecognizable" to be truly qualified Be a "shi".In today's society, as a scholar, knowledge and morality must be extremely subtle.It is equal to what Confucius said above: "Xujing is subtle." "Xujing" means that learning is close to the realm of religion and philosophy. "Subtlety" is equivalent to scientific precision.The thought of Taoism also comes from this system of "cleanness and subtlety".

That's why Lao Tzu said: "An ancient man who is good at being a scholar is subtle and profound." It means that if he is subtle enough to be indescribable, and so pure that he can understand everything, he can know everything and know everything.Moreover, the realm of "wonderful" is barely speaking, everything can be just right, and there will be no adverse effects.Just like the two sayings of the ancients: "A sage has no place of death, and a wise man has no distress." No matter how bad the situation is for a great sage, he will never go to a dead end anyway.A person with great wisdom will not be troubled by the environment at all, but can be freed from many difficulties.

The word "Xuantong" can be explained together, but if you look at it separately, then "Xuantong is mysterious, the door of all wonders".This is exactly Lao Tzu's own comment on "Xuan".To be more specific, it means that everything can be done as you like and held in your hands.Taoists describe those who have achieved success in cultivating the Tao as "the universe is in hand, and everything can be transformed by the heart." This is what it means.A person can easily hold the universe in the palm of his hand, and freely command and create all the ever-changing things. Isn't this greater than God?As for "communication", it means that everything is accessible, which is equivalent to the Buddhist saying of "harmony without hindrance".That is what is said in "Book of Changes: Xie Zhuan": "The changes are not limited, and the six emptinesses flow around." The "six emptinesses" are also called "Liuhe". of.The above is to show that the cultivation of the Tao has achieved some achievements, and when it reaches a certain stage, it meets the state of "subtle and mysterious, deep and unknowable".

Therefore, Lao Tzu said: "Husband! You can't know it, so you are forced to tolerate it." A person who has achieved the Tao, ordinary people have no way to know him, and there is no way to determine him, because he is already perfect and harmonious, and he is omniscient. .All perfect things are affirmative from any angle, and there is nothing that is not pleasing to the eye.If there is a description, it is just barely applied. Then Laozi explained the duties that a Taoist should fulfill, in fact, it also pointed out the self-cultivation that everyone should have.In other words, in the concept of Chinese cultural Taoism, any intellectual must be competent for everything.If you study it in detail, what Laozi said here is exactly in line with the behavioral standards of a scholar in ancient times mentioned in "Book of Rites Confucianism".However, what is described in the chapter of "Laozi" is different from that in "Confucianism".Judging from the current concept, the description in "Book of Rites" is more scientific and standardized.Taoist Lao Tzu's descriptions tend to be literary, and logically follow the route of metaphor, and the detailed scale is up to everyone to decide.

"Yuxi is like winter in Sichuan", a truly righteous person, he will never act hastily, and think carefully about everything. "Yu" means preparation, which is what the ancients said "everything is ready without labor".It is the habit of ordinary people to make a decision rashly without researching one thing through the brain, and to do and talk about it rashly. "Everything is wrong from busyness, who knows to cultivate from tranquility." People who learn the Tao should have a very calm attitude in response to everything.To be a person and do things, you must cultivate yourself to be calm and relaxed, "do nothing and do everything". "Wuwei" seems to have done nothing on the surface, but in fact, it is highly intelligent, quick to respond, and has already considered carefully in every gesture, and has already made the most appropriate decision in advance.It seems that he is not nervous at all, but he is actually more cautious and thorough than anyone else. It is only because of his high intelligence that he turns so fast that others can't see it.Moreover, when dealing with people, everything is clear in my heart, and every move is unambiguous.This kind of self-cultivation attitude is the form of "stand up without labor".This is also the famous saying of Chinese culture through the ages, and it is also an unbreakable maxim that everyone should learn.Just like a well-fitting grid, you can't go beyond it anyway. It is a perfect specification.

But how is "Yuxi" "Yu"?The answer is "Wakadong Shichuan".This sentence is easy to understand in words, just like crossing a river in winter.But what is it like to cross the river in winter?It is not easy to see this kind of scene in the south of China, and you can only experience it in the north.In winter, the surface of the Yellow River freezes, and the entire river may be covered with a thick layer of ice and snow.Not only people, but horse-drawn carriages, oxcarts and other means of transportation can also run across the ice, but be careful, sometimes in the middle of the river, if you step on a place where the ice melts, you will die if you stumble and fall.The ancients said: "If you are facing an abyss, you are walking on thin ice", which is exactly what it means.In dealing with people, one must be cautious and trembling.Although "people with high skills are bold", people with high skills find it easy to see things in the world.For example, Napoleon did not have the word "difficult" in his dictionary.In fact, it was precisely because Napoleon was arrogant that he failed in the end.If you are a person with ordinary wisdom, you will not take anything too simple, and dare not take it lightly; and treat everyone as if you are superior to yourself, and dare not be arrogant.Therefore, the words of Lao Tzu explain that a person with cultivation must always be vigilant and fearful, just like walking on a glacier in winter, if he is not careful, he may lose his life.

Then, Lao Tzu used another metaphor, "You are afraid of your neighbors", to explain that a monk is thoughtful and cautious. "Yu" is a kind of animal belonging to the monkey genus. Like a fox, it must see clearly what is going on in all directions before going out of a hole or going down a tree before it dares to take any action.This cautious characteristic may be greater than that of mice.We describe people who are very timid, timid, lack of confidence and hesitant in doing things. There is another proverb, which is "the first mouse has two ends".The meaning of this sentence is almost the same as indecision.As long as you carefully observe the appearance of the mouse coming out of the hole, you will find that the mouse often just climbs out of the hole for a few steps, looks around, and then quickly turns its head back.It wanted to move forward, but it was suspicious, and retreated into the hole; after a while, it ran out again, but before running a few steps, it retracted again.In this way, it may take several repetitions before finally daring to rush out. The same is true for the animal "Jew". Every time it moves, it must first look east and west, and only dare to come out when it has observed everything clearly and knows that there is no danger.

This means that people who practice the Tao must have a clear understanding of themselves and the outside world during their life journey. "You are afraid of your neighbors", just like you, it seems that there are situations and enemies in all directions, and you are afraid, so you have to be cautious and cautious.Even if you don't live in this complex society, or just walk alone in the wilderness, you have no enemies at all!However, this wilderness may be your enemy. As you walk, you may fall in this barren mountain and never get up again.Therefore, we must be so careful in life.

Then, "Dignified as if it is like a face", it means that a person who cultivates Taoism is very respectful in dealing with people and doing things, and will never be sloppy anytime and anywhere.The "Doctrine of the Mean" written by Zisi, the so-called "cautious independence" has similarities.When a person is alone in the dead of night, although there are no other outsiders, he seems to be so respectful and reverent to his ancestors, Bodhisattvas, and God. He should not be alone in the country and make his behavior ridiculous and unreasonable. We all know that there is one of the most fundamental books in Chinese culture - "Book of Rites".This "Book of Rites" is equivalent to the unwritten constitutional book of the Chinese nation in ancient times, which is the root of Chinese culture and the basis of encyclopedias.Most people think that "Book of Rites" is just a book about etiquette, but in fact etiquette is just one of the representatives.What is "ritual"?It doesn't have to be the superficial act of prostration that requires you to just kowtow. The first sentence of "Book of Rites": "Never be disrespectful, just like thinking." The true spirit of etiquette lies in having a devout and respectful attitude no matter when and where.Dealing with things, dealing with people, no matter whether it is doing business or studying, he is very strict with himself at all times, and does not go out of his way. "Yanruosi" is an adjective, very self-respecting and self-respecting, managing oneself very solemnly and respectfully.The mind is all-encompassing, the personality is tolerant and broad, able to forgive everything, and tolerate everything, which is the graceful and solemn demeanor of "Yi Xi Qi Ruo Rong".This is the attitude towards life that a Taoist should have, and it is equivalent to the precepts of a Taoist, a valuable standard of life.

What has been said above shows the serious attitude that a Taoist should have.But this is not complete, he is more free and easy. He is very self-satisfied. To what extent is he free and easy? "It's about to release like ice." Spring is here, the weather is getting warmer, and icebergs and snow blocks meet warm weather It slowly melts and disperses, turning into a clear stream and nourishing the earth. We know that Confucius' students described Confucius as "looking at him, and even if he is warm". When we get along, I feel very warm and kind. "Yi Xi is as beautiful as she is, and she is as calm as ice." This is the meaning. The first sentence talks about the solemnity and generosity of personality, and the second sentence talks about the unrestrained and unrestrained attitude. Not only that, every word and action of a cultivator must be very kind and honest, simple and not boastful.Like a stone, although there is a piece of fine jade or a diamond hidden inside, no one knows that there is a priceless treasure until it is broken open.On the surface, it is just a very rough stone.Or it is like a piece of wood that is covered with plaster and looks unattractive, but once you remove the sundries in the outer layer, it becomes a piece of high-quality wood that can be carved, or even more noble and rare agarwood.If you don't look at it, you can't get a glimpse of it. As for "the vastness is like a valley", it is a metaphor for the open-mindedness and emptiness of thought.Successful people have very clear minds.Like a valley, it is empty, and when you call in the valley, there will be an echo, and the response is very sensitive.Why is a wise person so responsive?Because his state of mind is always kept in emptiness.People who are not in a state of mind are like Zhuangzi said: "The master still has a fluffy heart and a husband." The whole heart is stuffed with fluffy hair, which is equivalent to the current cursing: "Your brain is made of cement, why are you so ugly? Tongqiao." The whole day is in a daze, inexplicable, isn't it bad!The heart should not be blocked by fluffy grass, but the sea and the sky should be wide, empty and spotless.Taoism talks about "purity and emptiness", and Buddhism talks about emptiness. When emptiness reaches the extreme and when emptiness reaches the extreme, the wisdom at this time is naturally lofty and the response is sensitive. In fact, it is not easy for a righteous person to see it.Lao Tzu said above: "With its light, with its dust".On the surface, it looks like a "scumbag", a big bastard, "as muddy as it is", dizzy and muddled, as if he doesn't understand anything.Because a truly upright person does not need to deliberately show that he is upright, and he thinks he is great.There is no need to dress up and pretend to be a posture.Originally very ordinary, ordinary to muddy, no one knows.This is a stage of spirituality.According to Lao Tzu, it is difficult to define a person who has achieved success in Taoism with words.If he can barely describe it, he has to use images such as the valley, Pu Yu, Shi Bing, etc. to symbolize his realm, but that is only a description of the appearance. Wash your feet and clean yourself Therefore, two more sentences are needed, "Xu Qing who can make turbidity quiet, and Xu Sheng who can make peace and movement" is a connection with the above and shows the unique style of Laozi's article.The above few sentences have been written in a relaxed and natural way all the way down. If we only read from the surface of the text, we seem to understand at first, but if we study it carefully and deeply, it will be a bit unpredictable. Now, do these two sentences describe the appearance of a cultivator?Or to put it negatively, we look at the context before and after, but it is still not easy to figure out why it is said.It is difficult to read the books of the ancients. First of all, don't read the annotations of the ancients.The predecessors may be smarter than us, but there are also things we don't understand.Because people who write books will inevitably have preconceived notions. Unless they have read all kinds of books from ancient to modern, they will not have much knowledge. If they read a book casually, they will regard other people's annotations and concepts as rare treasures. , I put all the sloppiness into my head, and it became a preconceived prejudice.Then, look at the second book that discusses the same issue. If the author holds the opposite opinion, he thinks it is wrong, thinks it is a fallacy, and clings to the views of the first book. Isn’t it pitiful?But they don't know that there are countless books on Chinese culture for thousands of years.Just one "Siku Quanshu" is piled up like a mountain, and the annotations of "Laozi" can be said to be overwhelming, and each school has its own version.Some people are so overwhelmed by reading that they can't tell which statement is reasonable, so they have to think of a set of arguments to justify themselves.In the end, after deliberating again and again, I became suspicious again.Therefore, it is best for us to read the original text of "Lao Tzu", find the answer from the original text, and discover Lao Tzu's own annotations. The previous article mentioned "muddy and turbid", which is used to explain the "subtle mystery" of monks, and the following adjectives are all explanations of the word "tong".That is to say, from any aspect, there are no obstacles.Like a phantom sphere, it has no outline, but it covers every aspect and contains each other.Thoroughly speaking, it is what the Buddhists say "harmony without hindrance".A person who has become a Taoist will naturally integrate perfectly, penetrate everything, extend in all directions, and have no obstacles.And its appearance is "confused and bitter", which is no different from a group of muddle-headed people in our muddy world. Isn't that the end?Doesn't it already reveal the message implied in "Who can make turbidity quiet with Xu Qing, who can make peace with movement Xu Sheng"?Now go a step further and explain the procedure and method of spiritual practice as a more detailed explanation.How can a person's cultural cultivation and physical and mental conditions reach the subtle, profound and unknowable state?There is only one way to calm down in a state of turbidity and turmoil, and slowly stabilize it so that it can reach the point of pure clarity.According to the words of the fusion of Buddhism and Taoism in later generations, it means that "the circle and the great void are not stained by dust". At the same time, we need to recognize a concept.What is "turbidity"?In Buddhism, there is a saying in the "Amitabha Sutra" that "the five turbidity and evil world".Therefore, our ancient texts often describe this world as a "turbid world".For example, to describe a young man as handsome and unrestrained, it is said that he is "a good young man in troubled times", which is equivalent to the young man in jeans now, with long hair and black eyes, fat here and there, and a girl secretly calls "" So handsome". Growing up in a chaotic and turbulent era, how can we achieve tranquility?This is quite difficult, especially for modern people, who live in the late 20th century and the approaching 21st century.The disorder of human's inner thoughts and the chaos of the external environment form a proportional interaction, which can no longer be explained by the word "turbid times"."Traffic pollution", "noise pollution", "industrial pollution", "environmental pollution" and other public nuisances with endless consequences, who can stand it? Therefore, "Which one is able to calm Xu Qing from turbidity", but who can slowly cultivate to the tranquility of body and mind in the turbulent world?There is a proven method and kung fu in Taoism.For example, if a glass of turbid water is left untouched, it will calm down for a long time, and the turbid mud will naturally settle, and finally turn the turbidity into a glass of clear water. This is a method.However, from turbidity to tranquility, and from tranquility to purity, these are only the first three stages of Taoism, and it is not enough.What's more, "Who can be at ease" is also the same as the practice of meditation and meditation, or the practice of concentration, as taught by the Buddhists. After a long time, it is settled in the standard, until it exceeds the scope of time and space, and then it can be said to be the Tao . This is equivalent to the Confucian Zeng Zi's "University" which emphasizes self-cultivation and self-cultivation. "Knowing and stopping, then you can be calm, and then you can be calm, and then you can think about it, and then you can gain after thinking." It is the same line, but the expression is different.If we look at the cultures of Confucianism and Taoism from the standpoint of Taoism, we can use the words of Lao Tzu to draw a conclusion: "These two come from the same place but have different names." moving philosophy However, cultivating from turbidity, from stillness to clarity, and from purity to peace, is only half of the practice, and the other half, "the Xusheng of movement", is more important.Otherwise, it is only the realm of Hinayana.What does it have to do with the huge crowd if you only care about yourself, fail to actively help the world, and hide in the mountains alone for 10,000 years?Therefore, it is necessary to "safety to move Xu Sheng" and play various magical functions from the Tao. The "movement" here is not blindly following the chaos, it is not the movement of people drifting with the tide in troubled times, and it is not the chaos of "many people in the world make mistakes in their busyness".Many people in the world have been busy all their lives, who are they working hard for?In the end I couldn't figure it out.The real movement is the clear and meaningful "Xusheng of movement", which is peaceful and endless.We can also say a wisecrack, this is Lao Tzu's secret magic weapon!Lao Tzu has explained the method of doing kungfu, the procedures and levels of self-cultivation, and told you to be able to activate and activate after you have reached the extreme.After moving, it will be endless and live forever.Buddhism says "no life", Taoism advertises "long life", and Jesus Christ uses "eternal life", but they all describe another meaning of life, endless life.It's just that Lao Tzu used the word "Xu Sheng" to express it. The meaning of "Xu Sheng" can also be said to be the magical effect of endless life, which is used slowly.This concept is very important.It is the same as energy, use it slowly and sparingly. Although energy is full of the universe and exists forever, if you use it without restraint and indiscriminately, it is just self-sabotage. "Moving Xu Sheng" is also the rule of our life and work.Taoism requires people to do everything without being violent or impetuous, without "chaos" or "turbidity", and everything should be done slowly and slowly.Calm attitude,.Ye Ran complacent, don't get frustrated and lose your temper.This is also the secret of cultivating the Tao, not just sitting cross-legged.It makes sense to be a man and do things slowly.However, people who are too lazy should not be slow, they should be two beats faster, otherwise they are already procrastinating and dying. For the sake of cultivating the Tao, if they slow down a bit, it will be over, and they will never catch up with the times and lose touch with society. "Xu Sheng" is aimed at ordinary people, especially in this era, which is more needed.In society, almost everyone is racing against time every day, busy, and tense about everything. For some reason, it is like a crazy racing car, desperately fighting for their lives.Therefore, it is even more necessary to "move Xu Sheng".If you are doing business, it is "moving slowly and making money".Earn slowly and slowly, and the money will always be yours; if you earn enough at once, you will become an upstart, and if you don’t make money next time, this business will not be fun. "Moving Xu Sheng" has many meanings that can be explained and can be used in many ways.In plain terms, what is the Taoism of "Moving Xu Sheng"? "Calmly" is. It would be good if the principle of life conformed to "Xu Sheng of Movement".Anything, any behavior, it's good to be slow.If we want to keep our lifespan long, for older people, we should not be "full" or "full".For those elderly friends, I often tell them that they should pay less attention to nutrition, "those who keep this way don't want to be full", and it is almost enough to do nine and a half of everything.Enough should be enough, if you have to be 100%, or if you go too far, then you are guaranteed to be counterproductive. For example, when young people fall in love, they should understand the philosophy of love.The loveliest thing is the one that cannot be loved to death.Let’s look at those lingering love novels in ancient and modern China and abroad. The description of the deepest feelings, you can commit suicide for him, and you can cry bitterly for him.However, if they are really together, how long will they have a happy time of Yiyiyiyi?Even if it is, it will be over within a few years, and if it is longer, it will be hard to escape the sweet ending first and then the miserable ending.Therefore, the best state of life is "not wanting to be profitable".Although there is something that can never be pursued, it is said in Li Shangyin's famous poem: "This feeling can be regarded as a memory, but it was already at a loss at that time." If there is nothing in between, how much aftertaste it should be!Otherwise, if you keep your eyes open and you are so angry that you are dying, the sentiment of life mentioned in these two poems will have no flavor. Chinese culture has the same root, and so does Confucianism. "The Book of Books" also said: "Being modest benefits, full of losses." The word "qian" can also be interpreted as "ow".Everything is owed a little, just like drinking, it is good to owe a glass, not drunk, but still sleepy and clear-headed.If you add another glass, it will be ugly and embarrassing-"full of damage".Another example is a cup of tea, eighty percent full is almost enough, and if it is tenth full, it must overflow. Everyone must pay attention to Lao Tzu's words, how can auspicious things last for a long time?How to keep wealth if you have wealth?Have rights How to keep rights?This is to achieve "not wanting to profit".A friend once talked about people asking for a name. He said that it is enough to have a first name and a surname. Don’t ask for it anymore. It’s just a name. There are two or three words in total, which makes no sense. Once, when traveling by train from Taipei, a passenger who was sitting in the same double seat as me was reading a book I wrote. He was almost at Tainan Station, and he had been reading it with gusto.Later, the two chatted, and during the conversation, he told me, "This book was written by a certain person from Nan." I said, "Do you know him?" He replied, "I don't know him. This person has written many books. They are all very well written." I said, "Since you introduced it like this, I will buy a copy and read it when I get out of the car." Our conversation stopped here, which is good.At that time, if I said: "I am someone from Nan." He would definitely reply: "I have admired you for a long time, I have admired you for a long time." "This feeling can be regarded as a memory, but it was melancholy at that time." Fame and fortune are like this, and so is power.Even between father and son, brothers, and husband and wife in the family, there must be some flaws in order to have a sense of beauty.For example, as far as love stories in literary works are concerned, it is always beautiful to leave a little flaw in the plot, as mentioned above, etc.It's like an antique, there is a slight crack, it's absolutely heartbreaking to put it there.If the intact things are placed there, it is just to look at it, and it will not hurt.But people always think that heartache is valuable and meaningful, don't you think? Because you can't be full and dissatisfied, you can "husband! Only if you are not full, you can cover up new success." "Shielding" refers to old things that are well protected. Since things are always old and in their original form, they have been used carefully and have not broken.Therefore, if the old does not go, the new does not come.This is the way of longevity of "neither birth nor death, neither dirt nor clean, neither increase nor decrease".So the most difficult thing is whether you can "not want to make a profit".In fact, there are many people practicing Taoism and doing kung fu nowadays, why everyone is not on the road of kung fu, because they violate the principle of "not wanting to be profitable", and they are all seeking profit.When meditating, if the realm is a little better, the subconscious will wish for better, desperately clinging to this realm, so the result of "desire to fill" is that the kung fu will not go on the road.If you understand that "those who keep this way don't want to be profitable", and grasp the principle of doing kung fu, you will naturally benefit endlessly.