Su Shi greatly improved his calligraphy, painting, and lyrics after he was demoted to Huangzhou in the second year of Yuanfeng in 1080 AD due to the Wutai Poetry Case. In 1084, when the imperial court called him, he quickly He rushed back to Changzhou and served the country as a doctor in the Ministry of Rites. It was a kind of calm power that promoted his self-innovation. This text will analyze in detail this power that balances self-cultivation and governing the country with contemporary examples.
The contemporary significance of Dongpo’s spirit, the power of calmness, and the confidence of calmness
Su Shi (January 8, 1037 - August 24, 1101), courtesy name Zizhan, alias Zizhan Dongpo layman, a famous writer, calligrapher and painter in the Northern Song Dynasty. In 1057 AD, Ouyang Xiu presided over the examination of the Ministry of Rites. Su Shi's brother Su Shi passed the imperial examination in the same subject. The father and son became famous in the capital. In 1061 AD, they officially took office. From then until 1080 AD when Su Shi of Huangzhou was demoted, he wrote nearly 50 articles, systematically putting forward his own innovative ideas and opposing Wang Anshi's reform. His talent and shameless behavior were slandered by villains, and he was imprisoned in 1079 AD because of the "Wutai Poetry Case", and was finally demoted to Huangzhou.
During his demotion, Su Shi could not bear the contrast from heaven to hell. He was very depressed and heartbroken. Su Shi's self-liberation ability is super strong, and the ordeal of being relegated has tempered his literary works. Throughout his life, Su Shi's poetry, calligraphy and painting reached unattainable heights, and most of his immortal works came from the period of his relegation. For example, the literary works written during the period in Huangzhou: "Ding Feng Bo" (Don't listen to the sound of beating leaves through the forest), "Linjiang Immortal: Wake up and get drunk after drinking on the east slope at night", "Huanxi Sand" (Orchid buds dip short in the stream at the foot of the mountain), "Red Cliff Ode" "Nian Nujiao·Chibi Nostalgia" and so on. According to Su Shi's outstanding contribution to the country before his demotion, his life was so miserable after his demotion. He should never forget his contribution to the country. However, during his demotion, Su Shi greatly improved his artistic level and was able to respond immediately and actively when called by the court. When entering the world, there must be a force of inner peace to push Su Shi's heart, so that he can adapt to and enjoy the poor life in Huangzhou, and still not forget his original intention of serving the motherland. If he advances, he can govern and prosper the country, and if he retreats, he can realize his life; if he is poor, he can live alone. If you achieve it, you will benefit the world. This is precisely the calm confidence and the power of inner peace that are needed when facing the fear caused by increasing competition.
In 1080 AD, Su Shi was demoted to Huangzhou for being falsely accused of slandering the imperial court. In his early official career, he made great contributions to the country. In 1073 AD, he served as the general magistrate of Hangzhou and assisted Shugu in repairing the four wells in Qiantang. In 1074, he wrote "On the Bandits in the East of Beijing on the River", advocating disaster relief and reducing taxes, and quelled the people's resistance; 1075 In 1078, Zhi Mizhou continued to write letters emphasizing disaster relief and opposing practical measures and salt discussions. It was not until 1078 that Zhi Xuzhou's water control and coal mining solved the problem of fuel shortage. Su Shi's official career was smooth, and his heart must be full of hope for the future. He was confident of success, but the result of being slandered was completely denied by the court and the record of failure filled Su Shi's heart. But at this time, Su Shi did not lose hope completely. Instead, he counted the remaining money to live a poor life and be an interesting person. Su Shi described himself this way: "I can accompany the Jade Emperor, and I can accompany the beggars of Beitian Courtyard." Playing chess, telling stories, practicing yoga, and inviting friends to drink became Su Shi's daily routine when he was not busy with social chores. These actions successfully changed Su Shi's heart. He gradually discovered that sometimes he could not resist the attack of objective hardships, but he had to live out his own self and build the spiritual defense of his inner castle.
On March 7, the fifth year of Yuanfeng, 1082 AD, Su Shi officially issued a political declaration to the world, shouting: "I want to think about it." This is a node for Su Shi. On that day, Su Shi and his friends were walking to Shahu Lake. They encountered rain on the way. The friends were all embarrassed and embarrassed, but Su Shi didn't notice. Watching the patter of raindrops falling on his clothes, the rain gradually moistened Su Shi's dry heart, and the song "Ding Fengbo" was brewing. The epiphany of "I can live my whole life under the mist of a raincoat" made Su Shi happy from then on, and he enjoyed his life happily. There was no resentment towards the court, no clamoring for the injustice of God. Su Shi's heart completely calmed down and submerged, and he was full of energy from then on. For the development of the country, we are always ready.
This kind of calm power seems to be admired by God. It happened to meet the emperor's epiphany. In the seventh year of Yuanfeng in 1084 AD, Song Shenzong prepared to appoint Su Shi many times. In April, Shenzong issued an edict to remove Su Shi. He served as the deputy envoy of Tuanlian in Ruzhou. At the end of the year, he arrived in Sizhou and asked to live in Changzhou. In 1085, he received the imperial edict of Shenzong and was allowed to live in Changzhou. On the fifth day after becoming official, he was called back to the court and appointed as a doctor in the Ministry of Rites. That is to say, he wrote "Dengzhou Zhaohui Shuijun Zhi", which proposed measures to consolidate the northern border defense. When you are proud, you can enjoy yourself with the people, and when you are frustrated, you can be contented. When the court has an edict, you can return to the court at any time. Being able to wake up from depression when being demoted, and being able to take office quickly when given an imperial edict, working conscientiously, without complaining or getting discouraged, is a kind of calm power, a kind of calm confidence, and a kind of endurance to work hard.
The Dongpo spirit in real life is the ability to sink in, inner peace and freedom without being impetuous, and the indifference of fulfilling one's duties without seeking fame and fortune.
Yu Qiuyu, the author of the excellent literary work "Cultural Journey", is a very capable scholar. Before writing, he lived in an old building in the middle of the mountain for half a year, studying cultural classics and ancient culture, and finally He wrote excellent literary works such as "Cultural Journey" and "Notes on a Mountain Dwelling".
National first-level director Liu Heping’s work “All Quiet in Peking” won the Best Screenplay Award at the 21st Shanghai TV Festival. Although the script is wonderful, little is known about Director Liu’s creative experience. Director Liu spent 7 years writing the script. At the beginning, he did some calculations and found that his savings could sustain his life for 7 to 8 years, so he concentrated on writing scripts. In the past seven years, even though he was burning money to keep the sundial and running the business in a miserable manner, he never made a penny outside the home. Seven years of writing the script without any distraction, single-mindedness without impetuosity, indifference to fame and fortune but conscientiousness created this wonderful work "All Quiet in Peking".
Arnold Reed is a top insurance salesman, and his sales record is almost unmatched by anyone. The boss of his company was his personal friend. Later, he discovered that there was a clause in the contract of the insurance company he worked for that prevented him from getting the commission for the renewal premium. That is, his friend had betrayed him. This was the same as Su Shi was defamed and imprisoned. Similar to the demoted official in Huangzhou, Ruide was deeply affected and started a hunger strike. It wasn't until he read the book "Think and Grow Rich" that he became motivated. From then on, Ruide felt great power and began to join forces with his colleagues in the company to establish an insurance company, which has become the well-known Datong Life Insurance Company in the United States. Later generations summarized his main secret in leadership: believe in yourself and treat others sincerely. Similar to Su Dongpo, Ruide was hit hard by the gap between heaven and hell. However, due to his own successful experience and retention of his original intention, Ruide gained an epiphany from his grief, became confident, and finally succeeded in starting a business. Like Su Shi, Rui has to understand his own heart, believe in himself, know where he will eventually go, be free but not impetuous, vigorous and calm, and finally achieve success.
"Living happily in the present, dedication is perfection" - Lin Qingxuan
The world is ever-changing, and Su Shi is like an internet celebrity who will never become a has-been internet celebrity. Dongpo spirit has been pushing people forward since ancient times and will never go out of style. Now, if you don’t have enough money, your life will be limited, and when you are chasing this necessity, your life will become wandering, tortuous and bizarre, making you trapped and even fearful and desperate. At this time, you must learn from Su Shi, Fall in love with life, cultivate your character, keep your inner calm and calm, and still be ready to go.
1 Zeng Zaozhuang's "Critical Biography of Su Shi"
2 Lin Yutang's "Biography of Su Dongpo"
3 Napoleon Hill's "The Power of Calmness"