Yangming Xinxue 170 - Boil the Frog in Warm Water
? (August 25, 2020, 8:11)
? Read "Yu Ma Zixin" There is a feeling of "boiling a frog in warm water" in this article.
? Why do you feel this way? In the article, Mr. Yangming affirmed the progress of Ma Zixin's calligraphy and literary talent, but he vaguely felt that he had deviated from the track of learning in the fundamental aspects of Yangming's philosophy, that is, in terms of what kind of person he became. He wrote, "Nilai Zi Is Xin’s ambition too overwhelming?”
Ma Zixin may have been immersed in calligraphy and literary talent, enjoying the process. The original goal of "what kind of person to become" was subtly transferred to calligraphy and literary talent. Like a frog in warm water, when the water slowly heats up, it doesn't feel the temperature at all. You may still be enjoying the feeling of gradual warming, but when you really feel the heat, it will be difficult to jump out of your comfort zone.
When Ma Zixin was immersed in calligraphy and literary talent, he might not feel anything at first. When he was immersed in praise, boast, and applause, he slowly forgot what his original intention was. Once you wake up, it may be too late. How many people in history were so ambitious and passionate at first, but then slowly fell into silence, didn't they all forget the original path while walking?
? This is also the case when I study Yangming’s Xinxue. My original intention is to cultivate the mind, to maintain the principles of nature, to develop conscience, and to walk unswervingly on the road to becoming a saint and a virtuous person. However, I am no longer good at learning, my enthusiasm is weakening, my motivation for learning is not as good as before, and I feel that cultivating the mind is so difficult. It is difficult to change someone else's life, but it is even harder to change one's own life. I clearly know that knowledge and action should be integrated, but I just focus on knowledge and ignore action. Although I listen, read, and write every day, I really experience very little from daily practice, which means that not enough attention is paid to cultivating the mind. To put it more seriously, he doesn't pay attention to cultivating his mind at all. He only talks about words and focuses on words. What is the difference between this and Ma Zixin?
? This morning, I went to exercise with my son, and my wife also went. Originally, I criticized my son yesterday morning because he was walking slowly and inefficiently. This morning, his efficiency will definitely be high. I can also feel it. I walk faster in front and my son follows faster. I just want to train my children's efficiency.
? However, once the wife got involved, her pace was obviously slower. When she saw that her son was walking slowly, she walked with him. I understand that she cares about her son and is considerate of her son. I also want to be considerate of my son, but he is not efficient in studying and doing things. How can he improve without training? When I looked back and saw that they were far behind, I blamed my wife and asked her to speed up.
? I also understand my wife, but I keep walking slowly like this, without the concept of time. On the surface, I love my children, but in fact, it has no effect on training efficiency. I knew it was wrong to accuse him face to face, but I couldn't control myself. If from the perspective of conscience, I did something wrong, I should adopt another method, which will not harm the harmony, make my wife feel comfortable, and achieve the purpose of walking quickly. However, I realized that instead of taking any other approach, I was just satisfied with my own thoughts and ignored the feelings of my wife and son. It was my chauvinism and selfishness that caused me to deviate from the path of becoming a conscience and far away from cultivating my heart.
In the article "Preface to Zongbo Qiao Baiyan", it is emphasized that in doing things or working, you should learn to be professional, learn to be refined, and the most important thing is to learn to be honest. The most important thing to learn is your own ambition. If we have more and more superficial things, we will be further and further away from who we are and our ambitions. In this article, Mr. Yangming also reminded Zi Min to reflect on himself. From this, I also felt that I should also reflect on myself. I cannot be like a frog in warm water. If I don’t correct the deviation in time and from time to time, I really want to jump out. When you're in your comfort zone, you can't get out of it.
Clear the principles, grind on things, and practice on the environment
Get rid of selfish desires, preserve the principles of nature, and develop conscience
Understand the principles, aspire, practice, and confirm
p>Be a role model for the cultural practice of sages and make substantial contributions to society.