Sweet Dew in the Heart's Field: 62 Steps of Growth

Author: He Quanfeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: Setbacks and difficulties are stepping stones in growth. With each ascent, even the smallest hardships can be transformed into the sweet nectar of life, nourishing the heart and strengthening the spirit. Living on Earth, one often realizes the limitedness of one's lifespan and the fleetingness of time. We discover that there are too few joys to appreciate and too many pains to endure; that what we possess is hard-won, yet what we lose cannot be retrieved; that life is unpredictable, yet worries and confusion are so profound. Just as one problem is solved, another arises! Thus, one cannot help but ask, "What is the purpose of living?" Yes, what is the purpose of living? Is it to endure suffering, or to enjoy life? Many spend their lives under the mistaken belief that they cannot bear pain, yet you have already endured it. What remains to be done is to experience what lies beyond pain. Every encounter in life is meant to help us grow spiritually. Your experiences are the rich material that enriches life; your circumstances are the stepping stones that lead to solutions and wisdom. This is like climbing a mountain. When you are at the foot of the mountain, your vision is obscured by many distractions and shadows. But as you climb higher, your perspective becomes broader and clearer, until you reach the summit and gaze down, opening up the entire world to you. (I wonder if this is why many Taoist temples and monasteries are built on mountaintops!) You will discover that all the hardships and turbulence you have experienced on this journey, along with the thorns of hatred, despair, and anger, as well as the weeds of sorrow and the trees of fear, have all been transformed into sweet nectar, nourishing your heart and allowing you to grow and flourish. This book does not teach people how to turn poverty into wealth or how to transform the void into the tangible—it merely reminds readers how to transcend misfortune when faced with it and how to cope when trapped in difficult situations. May you find that "every encounter fulfills you."