Time passes swiftly, and youth does not return. In the years that have gone by, how much youthful charm and soaring ambition were there, and how many tender dreams, soft hearts, and gentle loves? How many grudges and disputes, rights and wrongs? Only when the splendor fades do we realize that in the fleeting life of the mortal world, gatherings and partings are hurried, love and hate are long, and wealth and vanity are empty. Everything is nothing more than a pot of turbid wine and half a screen of green mountains. As we bow our heads, it has already traveled a thousand miles, becoming the past forever. Yesterday, the spring was bright and beautiful, apricots bloomed beyond the wall; today, the autumn wind is bleak, and yellow flowers cover the ground. Yesterday, ambitions were high and confidence full; today, the heart is detached and the spirit stable, unaffected by favor or disgrace. Yesterday, it was a matter of rights and wrongs, love and hatred; today, the mind is as calm as still water, smiling at life. Now, those entangling loves have long been seen through and set aside, those foolish dreams of chasing ideals have been relinquished, and that sharp, exposed persistence has been hidden. I sing a song: 'The mighty Yangtze flows east, waves wash away heroes; right and wrong, success and failure, all turn to nothing; the green mountains remain, and the sunsets visit several times.' Why do so many people pursue fame and profit by any means, deceive and cheat each other? Why do so many people chase love and desire, betray their spouses, abandon their children? Why do so many people tire themselves out for their children and grandchildren, leaving their bodies full of ailments? Even with thousands of sacks of grain, there are still just three meals a day; even with countless riches, there is still the day of black and white; even with countless villas, there is just one bed to sleep on; even with many lovers, there is just a night of pleasure. No matter how high a position or how much wealth, the King of Hell will still drag you to the grave; prosperity, riches, reputation, and descendants are ultimately just fleeting clouds. 'The heavens and earth are vast, travelers pass swiftly, tides rise and fall, grudges and favors, life and death, how many can see through?' How many can, on this stage of life with rising and falling tides, calmly witness the sorrows of all beings, handle weighty matters with ease, and sing to the rhythm? How many can, in the materialistic and chaotic world, restrain their desires with reason, dispel disturbances, and perceive the nature of things? How many can, in this hypocritical and inflated world, see through worldly vanity with calmness, stay away from vanity, and return to simplicity? Life has three realms: first, see far, in order to have things in your chest; then, see through, in order to understand thoroughly; finally, see lightly, in order to transcend worldly matters. Only by seeing far can one see through; only by seeing through can one see lightly. Many times, moving moments are not caused by passion and romance but come from a kind of plainness that no one can clearly explain. Seeing lightly is the highest realm of life; it is to see through but not be vulgar, to see clearly but not be negative, to see through but not withdraw from the world.Since you have come to this mortal world, you should also fully experience being an ordinary person. Difficulties, setbacks, and pain are inevitable, and you must not leave only the flowers blooming in vain while you smile and return to the mundane world. All difficulties are predestined trials from heaven to make you strong and mature. All setbacks will teach you lessons to make you wise and knowledgeable. Without experiencing storms, how can one see the rainbow? Without tasting the various flavors of life, how can one understand the true essence of life? Life is like a dream, time is merciless, seeing life lightly is just impermanence, seeing through career is just choice and sacrifice, seeing through love is just coming together and parting, understanding life and death is just coming and going. Why worry unnecessarily or upset yourself? Why struggle for power or wealth, fight openly or secretly? Why be narrow-minded and petty, counting every small gain? Do not desperately seek meaningless fame and fortune, do not entangle yourself in feelings that are not yours, do not indulge in luxurious houses, cars, or delicacies. Being free from worries about food and clothing, having a harmonious family, and being healthy is the greatest happiness. A happy life is the steadfast adherence to a simple life! The most beautiful life is that kind of calmness when you suddenly look back and smile!
Viewing flowers while intoxicated makes even the flowers seem drunk; observing the world with a cold eye makes the world seem cold. When you laugh, the world laughs, and joy comes from a relaxed heart. Your attitude determines your circumstances. All thoughts arise from the heart; a restless heart makes you irritable, a calm heart brings peace. Treat everything lightly, and everything will naturally become serene. Once you see clearly, everyone has a blue sky above their head; once you are detached, everyone has a sea of flowers in their heart. Being detached makes your heart broad, calm, and open. You will no longer boast about yourself or envy others, you will no longer deceive or complain about life, you will no longer let yesterday's sorrow fill today's cup, and your calm heart will no longer bleed vanity.
Leaning on the balcony listening to wind and rain, calmly observing the paths of the world, this word 'detachment,' which reconciles water and fire, signifies that a moderate, unhurried life is one of the highest forms of perfection. If the heart does not move, one will not act rashly; being without desire makes one firm; detachment clarifies one's goals; tranquility allows one to go far; accept gains and losses as fate; keep the heart balanced; be composed without rushing, free without constraint, careful without agitation, calm without mediocrity. Be humble in character, ambitious in action, unperturbed in challenges, tolerant of the world's confusion, respectful, willing to let go, cherish life, and fulfill responsibilities.Half-drunk, half-awake, day after day; flowers bloom, flowers fall, year after year. Cherish every fleeting moment, cherish every passing emotion. 'Let yourself possess a gentle affection, cultivate a sincere and heartfelt emotion, cultivate a calm and serene state of mind, cultivate a realm of indifference to fame and fortune, cultivate a long-lasting love, cultivate a leisurely and contented life.' When you say from the bottom of your heart to everyone, what you once said to lovers and family, 'As long as you live better than I do,' then you are truly composed and noble.
