Rural Leisure Nature: A Record of Self-Cultivation by Cultural Celebrities

Author: Yang Yaowen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: Lin Yutang once said, "If one truly wants to enjoy life, life is enough to enjoy." Most people cannot appreciate the joys of this mortal life because they do not deeply love life, making it ordinary, monotonous, and boring. The saying goes, "Share with those who understand." The hectic pace of modern life can indeed make one feel exhausted, but thankfully, there are still two days of the weekend free for personal enjoyment. Thus, a card game among four people can be quickly organized. If you find playing cards with too many people noisy, you can also relax on your own. A cup of tea, a cigarette, a newspaper, a rattan chair, a portable music player, and a television. In short, six "ones" like Ou Yangxiu, the "Six-One Scholar," can enjoy life. Or you can go to the water's edge, the mountain's edge, or the forest's edge to sketch, take photos, search for tree roots, practice Tai Chi, or simply walk your pet. In short, during leisure time, some people drink tea under the flowers, some play the lute under the trees, some play chess in pavilions, and some fish by the riverside. From small things like tending to flowers and pets to larger pursuits like discussing music and art, it is all about engaging with objects to cultivate one's nature and practicing self-cultivation in solitude. "To steal half a day's leisure from life," a relaxed half-day is also good. But if we can record this half-day of tranquility in writing, it would be even better. However, even if we cannot record it ourselves, that is no problem. Therefore, the famous essayist's collection of classic essays, "Cultivating Virtue in the Countryside: Leisurely Moments of Cultural Masters," brings together the finest works from 20th-century Chinese pastoral essays. It allows readers to enjoy the pleasure of classic literature while gaining a peaceful and transcendent mindset amidst the hustle and bustle of life.