Don't let your mindset ruin you - only with a healthy mindset can you achieve an excellent state of existence

Author: Fang Jun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: 4. A Positive Mind Makes You Smarter
There is an idiom called "great wisdom appears as foolishness," which is used to describe those who seem dull and slow in reaction but ultimately achieve great success. Why can these people succeed? Careful observation will reveal that they often share a common trait: they never lose their temper or act hastily; they remain calm at all times. Even when faced with special circumstances, they stay composed and do not lose their sense of direction. It is their composure that helps many problems find solutions.
Wang Wei once wrote a poem:
"Man is idle, osmanthus falls,
Night is still, spring mountain is empty.
The moon rises, startling perching birds,
Sometimes they chirp in the deep ravine."
Osmanthus is an extremely small flower, almost invisible as it falls, yet the poet saw it. In this poem, the poet presents us with a tranquil world: the still night, the ethereal spring mountain, the bright moon, and the startled birds, all forming a picture of a quiet spring mountain night. In this picture, we can see the poet's keen observation and deep perception. Especially in the lines "The moon rises, startling perching birds, / Sometimes they chirp in the deep ravine," the poet feels the tranquility of the spring mountain night even more through the birds' chirping, as "birdsong makes the mountain more silent."
We can say that Wang Wei observed only very subtle changes in this poem—osmanthus falling, the ethereal spring mountain, and the moonlight startling the birds. These changes are often overlooked by people, but why could Wang Wei observe them? This is due to the effect of his mindset. The poem begins with two words—"Man is idle." What does "man is idle" mean? A literal interpretation would be doing nothing, having nothing to do. Here, it refers to a higher level, meaning a state of mind. This mindset is one of inner tranquility, free from worries, joys, pains, and sorrows. It is under this mindset that Wang Wei saw the subtle changes that others could not.
In fact, everyone has had such experiences. When you are in a good mood and relaxed, you often feel that your memory improves, your thoughts become clearer, and even your steps seem lighter. On the other hand, when you are in a hurry and rushed, you tend to be forgetful, your thoughts become muddled, and your speech loses coherence. In the hustle and bustle of life, when you feel tired, frustrated, or stuck on a problem, you might want to take a quiet moment alone, relax your body and mind, meditate silently, or do nothing at all.