Venerable Hongyi said, "Live in groups and keep your mouth shut, and sit alone to guard your heart. This quote conveys an important philosophical thought, emphasizing the importance of keeping one's mouth shut in interpersonal interactions, as well as the need to be vigilant when thinking alone. Further expanding the meaning of this sentence, we can understand it from different angles.
Living in groups means that in group life, we should choose our words carefully and avoid saying impulsive or embarrassing words. Words have the power to breed friendship as well as conflict. For example, when we work in a team, if everyone can control their words and actively communicate with others, we can maintain a good working atmosphere and facilitate the smooth running of the project. On the contrary, if you don't choose what you say, it is easy to have a negative impact on others, making it difficult to carry out cooperation.
Sitting alone and guarding the mind emphasizes the self-observation and reflection of the individual's heart. When thinking alone, we need to be vigilant and always look at our inner world. This kind of introspection can help us recognize our true inner needs, discover our strengths and weaknesses, and help us to face challenges and improve ourselves. For example, a successful entrepreneur usually finds time to think about the company's development direction, his own management ability, etc., in addition to his busy work, and this reflection helps them become a better leader.
In short, being in groups and sitting alone is a principle that we should keep in mind in our interpersonal interactions and self-improvement. Through this practice, we are able to develop excellent communication skills, build good relationships with others, and deepen our understanding of ourselves to achieve personal growth and progress.