The Tao Te Ching is the work of the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, which is the source and foundation of Taoist thought. The content of the Tao Te Ching is profound, rich in wisdom, and has a profound impact on later generations. The core idea of the Tao Te Ching is the Tao, that is, the origin and law of nature, and also the guidance and norm of life. "Tao Te Ching" believes that people should conform to the operation of the "Tao" and not contradict the "Tao", in order to achieve the state of "doing nothing and doing nothing", that is, the state of not needing to deliberately do everything smoothly.
If you want to conform to the operation of the "Tao", you need to have a great ability, called "deep cultivation of yourself". What is "deep self-cultivation"? It is to deeply observe, analyze, reflect, and improve one's thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and moral character, so that oneself can continue to grow and improve. This ability is not innate, but needs to be cultivated and exercised. There is a famous saying in the Tao Te Ching: "Those who know others are wise, and those who know themselves are clear." This sentence tells us that knowing others is a kind of wisdom, and knowing oneself is a kind of enlightenment. Only by understanding oneself can we correct one's shortcomings, give full play to one's own advantages, and realize one's own value.
So, how to cultivate and exercise the ability to "cultivate yourself"? The Tao Te Ching provides us with some methods and suggestions, mainly including the following three aspects:
First, be "content," that is, be content with what you have and not covet what you have excessively. The Tao Te Ching says: ".Those who are content are rich”。A contented person has a peaceful mind, is not disturbed by external objects, and is able to focus on self-cultivation. The Tao Te Ching also says: ".contentment". A contented person has peace of mind, does not suffer from desires, and is able to enjoy the pleasures of lifeContentment is both a wisdom and a virtue. There are many contented people in history, although they live a simple life, but they have great ambitions, and have achieved immortal deeds for the country and the people. For example, Confucius, who once said: ".Don't get tired of eating, don't get tired of fine. Eat and eat, fish and meat are rotten, and do not eat. Lust is evil, and he does not eat. Stink, don't eat. Lose food, don't eat. From time to time, do not eat. If you don't cut it right, you don't eat. Don't eat it, don't eat it. "He had low requirements for food, but high requirements for learning, and he founded the Confucian school, which influenced culture and education for thousands of years.
Second, we must "know", that is, we should know our own abilities and limitations, and not go beyond them. The Tao Te Ching says: ".Those who know will not die”。A person who knows how to stop is humble and cautious, who does not lose his mind because of pride and complacency, and is able to move forward at his own pace and in the direction. The Tao Te Ching also says: ".Knowing that it is not dead, it can be the mother of the world”。Those who know how to stop can not only protect themselves, but also benefit others and become the pillars of society. Knowing is a kind of self-discipline and a kind of responsibility. There are many people in history, although they are talented, but they are not proud of their achievements, but continue to forge ahead, for the country and the people, and have achieved brilliant careers. For example, Zhuge Liang, he once said: ".There is no ambition without indifference, and there is no far-reaching ambition without tranquility。His pursuit of fame and fortune was very light, but his loyalty to the country was deep, and he founded the Shu Han regime during the Three Kingdoms period, and was respected by later generations as a "loyal minister and good minister".
Third, we must "know the usual", that is, follow the common sense and laws of the natural world, and do not violate the nature of the "Tao". The Tao Te Ching says: ".Those who know the common know know”。People who know the norm adapt to change, do not fall into trouble because of stubbornness, and are able to adapt and innovate. The Tao Te Ching also says: ".Knowing Changrong, Rong is the Gong, the Gong is the king, the king is the sky, the sky is the way, the Tao is long, and the body is not dead”。People who know the normal can not only adapt to the environment, but also be able to tolerate others, become leaders of society, reach the realm of "Tao", and enjoy the blessings of "Tao". Knowing is a kind of wisdom and a kind of realm. In history, there are many people who know the common sense, although they face difficulties, they do not lose their original intentions, but continue to innovate, for the country and the people, and achieve a great civilization. For example, Zhang Heng, he once said: "Heaven and earth have great beauty without saying, there are clear laws at the four times without discussion, and all things have reason without saying." He was in awe of the mysteries of nature, but he was enthusiastic about scientific exploration, he invented the geokinetic instrument, wrote astronomical works such as "Lingxian", and was called "astronomical master" by later generations.
In short, "deep self-cultivation" is an amazing ability, which allows us to better understand ourselves, improve ourselves, and improve ourselves. The Tao Te Ching is a treasure book that teaches us how to "cultivate ourselves", and we should study and practice it well, so as to reach the realm of "Tao" and enjoy the blessings of "Tao".