Chapter 675: January 12: The highest realm of life

January 12: The highest realm of life.

January 12: The highest realm of life.

Tonight, the moonlight is not very good. Heaven and earth have some primordial chaos. This moonlight, although not very good, is beautiful, hazy beauty; and, my mood is however very good, beautiful, hazy beauty. Kongzi once praised the Shao Music, saying: 'It is extremely beautiful! It is extremely good!'

Actually, is the Shao Music truly 'extremely beautiful', 'extremely good'? No one can say clearly, not understand, not know the Dao. I think, Kongzi said that the Shao Music 'extremely beautiful', 'extremely good', that was merely Kongzi's feeling when he listened to the Shao Music at that time: a sense of beauty, a good mood.

This world has no 'extremely beautiful', 'extremely good' things. The author of Dream of the Red Chamber, Cao Xueqin, once gave the following explanation regarding Kongzi's 'extremely beautiful', 'extremely good': In this world, all things have no 'extreme'; 'good' is the extreme, the extreme is good; if not extreme, then not good; if wanting good, then it is extreme. This Cao Lao Da, fearing people wouldn't understand, also made up a few catchy rhymes—

Everyone knows that immortals are good, only fame and rank are unforgettable! Where are the generals and ministers of ancient and modern times now? A mound of graves is just a pile of grass, gone.

Everyone knows that immortals are good, only gold and silver are unforgettable! All day long I only regret gathering too little; when I finally have much, my eyes close.

Everyone knows that immortals are good, only the beautiful wife is unforgettable! The lord daily speaks of affection; when the lord dies, he again follows others away.

Everyone knows that immortals are good, only children and grandchildren are unforgettable! Foolishly loving parents have been many since antiquity; who has seen filial children and grandchildren?

Cao Lao Da is somewhat disillusioned with the world; the reason for this disillusionment is his own 'failing to repay the kindness of his father's and elder brother's education, failing to uphold the virtue of friends' and teachers' admonitions, leading to today having no skill, the sin of a half-life of decline'; he is so poor as to have 'a thatched window and rag-and-stick beams', 'a rope bed and tile stove'. Can someone living in a thatched shed on a hillside not complain?

So, his words are not to be trusted! He is speaking nonsense, talking rubbish! According to him: people shouldn't do anything; once born, just wait to die!

Actually, this world, each person is a world, full of vital spirit and vigorous vitality; walking while singing, creating.

Remember, the apostle Paul once said: 'I am not saying this because I lack something; in any circumstance I can be content, this I have already learned. I know how to be humble, and I know how to be affluent, or full, or hungry, or having surplus, or lacking; in all situations I have learned the secret.'

This is the highest realm of life: 'I have already learned this'—no matter when or where, in whatever humble or affluent, full, hungry, or surplus state, going along with circumstances, doing anything, there is no complaint, and one must get things done well.

The apostle Paul's words remind me of Kongzi, in front of the crowd, praising his student Yan Hui.

Kongzi said, 'Look at my student Yan Hui, how noble his character is: he always knows what he ought to do; all temptations in the world cannot sway him. He is happy all day. Those who don't understand might think he started a company and made money, or that his maternal uncle was recently promoted to County Magistrate. Actually, you don't know that he forever lives in a dilapidated alley, eating coarse tea and bland rice every day, silently enduring the loneliness fate brings him. He regards all his hardship and loneliness as joy. He strides forward, eyes on the goal of life, running straight.'

In him, the heart is fearless, the head also held high.

In him, knowledge is free.

In him, unceasing effort reaches toward 'perfection'.

In him, thought is broadened by truth, the spring of truth, day and night irrigating the desert of the soul……

This Kongzi, perhaps overly fond of his student, therefore spoke some harsh words. But these words, upon careful consideration, also contain some truth.