Heaven and Earth, Human Hearts

Author: Wang Zhaosheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The Universe and the Heart is a personal collection of exquisite essays by the renowned expert on prose, Wang Zhaosheng. Literally speaking, The Universe and the Heart implies a perspective that stands on the path of the universe to examine the partiality of contemporary culture. This collection is divided into five albums: The Way of Nature, Poetic Life, Rural and Urban, Bound to the Sky, and Days and Nights in Books. It discusses the universe and everything in between, with grandeur yet often delves into the minutiae, directly touching the heart. Of course, the title The Universe and the Heart cannot be compared to the grandeur of a monumental work, but I love its magnanimity, its ability to summarize, and its cultural realm and life. When it comes to summarizing the world and life, I believe the three-dimensional philosophy of "Heaven, Earth, and Humanity" and the four-dimensional philosophy of "Heaven, Earth, Humanity, and God" are the most comprehensive and accurate. However, I feel that "God" is not as tangible in Chinese culture and can be replaced by the "way of Heaven and Earth." Thus, I omit "God." Everyone has a heart, and the key question is: can his "heart's lamp" be clear and bright, does he have a passion for the ancient ways, and does he possess great radiance? If not, his life may be cold and dark; conversely, he will have the warmth and brilliance of "a single lamp illuminating a thousand years of darkness." This book is a collection of essays that includes topics such as Half-and-Half Philosophy, Great Wisdom in Humility, Reflections on Water, and The Virtue of Trees.