Tranquil as Still Water, Master of Life

Wang Yangming wrote a philosophical poem titled Four Poems on Knowing Good to Show My Students, in which one verse became particularly famous:

"Everyone has an internal compass,

The root of all transformations lies in the heart.

I laugh at my past mistaken views,

Seeking outside on every branch and leaf."

In his view, the heart is the master of life.

All things in the world, and all changes, are reflected in the mind and can be transformed by it.

At any time, as long as the mind remains unmoved, everything will eventually become clear.

01

A Calm Mind in the Absence of Events

The difference between an ordinary person and a sage lies in the daily practice of calming the mind.

Those who lack depth in their practice, even when they have nothing to do, find it difficult to calm their minds.

They constantly create thoughts, worries, and anxieties, leading to restlessness.

Those with deep practice are skilled at filtering out external distractions, always maintaining inner calm.

They are adept at seeing things from a positive perspective, staying calm and collected when faced with challenges, and analyzing issues rationally.

Much of Wang Yangming's achievements stemmed from his cultivation, with a smaller portion from his learning.

And his cultivation practice mainly came from his ability to calm his mind.

He once said, "The more one deliberately seeks tranquility, the less tranquil one becomes."

To the average person, life and cultivation seem separate, with no overlap.

But in Wang Yangming's eyes, the practice of calming the mind occurs in daily life, especially when there is nothing else to do.

In The Quiet Reflections of the Small Window, it is written:

"Sit alone in a meditation room, serene and without tasks,

Boil a pot of tea, light a stick of incense, and observe the image of Bodhidharma in meditation.

With the curtains slightly drawn, you will soon find your heart quiet, spirit clear, and breath calm."

Only when one is at leisure can one truly observe the inner world.

Sitting alone in a meditation room, brewing tea, lighting incense, and gazing at the image of Bodhidharma in meditation. Closing your eyes, your heart will unknowingly become calm and peaceful.

Why is it difficult for people to understand themselves?

Because the true heart is often obscured by the turbulence of external things.

It’s like when waves rise, we cannot see the bottom of the water; only when the water is still and calm can we see clearly to the bottom.

We must learn to gradually clear our murky, restless minds.

Only by calming the mind and restoring its original clarity can we see what we truly want, and our lives will not be easily swayed by circumstances.

02

A Calm Mind Amidst Events

Life is full of uncertainties and unexpected occurrences, and many people's moods are easily affected by them.

Once, a student asked Wang Yangming for advice:

"Teacher, when I am quiet, I feel that my mind is at peace, but as soon as something happens, my mindset changes entirely. What should I do?"

Wang Yangming replied: "One must be tempered by events in order to stand firm; then, whether in stillness or motion, the mind remains calm."

No one is born knowing how to calm their mind.

Only by enduring the trials of life can one become more stable and maintain a calm mind in both stillness and activity.

Learning to keep the "soldiers of the mind" still allows one to remain as calm as still water.

No matter what the environment, we must learn to calm the mind.

Handle disappointments with patience, view successes with detachment, face honor with humility, and approach anger with composure.

Composure is not just a way of living but also a state of mind.

Wang Yangming said, "Those who face issues where they succeed sometimes and fail at others, or those who are confused and lose their way, are all bound by concerns of praise and blame, gain and loss, and are unable to fully realize their innate wisdom."

In work and life, many people find themselves overwhelmed and chaotic, making a mess of things and becoming exhausted or even embarrassed.

Why does this happen?

It’s because they are too concerned with gains and losses. They desire good results and fear bad outcomes, thus blinding their hearts, which could otherwise remain calm and handle situations with ease.

Ups and downs are normal, and the reasonable attitude is to do your best and let things take their course.

As Zhuangzi said in The Great and Most Honored Master:

"When betting with tiles, the player is skillful;

When betting with buckles, he becomes cautious;

When betting with gold, he becomes clumsy.

His skill is the same, but because he prizes the external, he becomes inwardly clumsy."

The same person, with the same skill, becomes less capable when they value external things too much, as desires cloud their clarity and make them inwardly dull.

Therefore, only by eliminating distractions and not being burdened by external matters can one pursue inner freedom.

With a calm heart, free from external interference, focus on the task at hand and solve the problems you face. This is the best way to live.

Feng Zikai once said:

"Since there is no place to escape,

It’s better to be joyful.

Since there is no pure land,

It’s better to calm the mind.

Since things do not go as desired,

It’s better to let go."

True calmness does not mean avoiding the hustle and bustle but planting chrysanthemums in the heart.

True tranquility does not mean ignoring the world’s affairs but being able to appreciate the beauty of life even when burdened with responsibilities.

When nothing is happening, the mind should be calm; when something happens, the mind should remain tranquil. This is the mark of a true wise person.