Celebrity Talk - Eastern Style Book Series

Author: Tang Dabin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: Fun, entertainment is the essence. Recently, this word has become particularly trendy. "Playing literature," "playing art," "playing companies," "playing technology," "playing theory," "playing football," "playing mahjong," "it's all about the thrill" and so on. A single "play" word is imbued with a rich meaning—casual, not serious, not (attached), effortless, bringing joy to life, adding color to the mundane, and injecting some fun. In reality, those who enjoy "play" mostly come from a carefree relaxation, facing life's various challenges with a calm heart, expressing their carefree spirit. To dare to honestly tell others that they are "playing" while everything goes smoothly is a sincere attitude towards life, requiring the courage to not fear ridicule; and those who bring the joy of "play" to others are even more a kind-hearted consideration for others. Famous writers are like this—they elevate the emotion of "play" to a higher level. Not only do they find joy for themselves, but they also record their feelings of pursuing spiritual pleasure. You can feel their genuine and open "play," as well as the preciousness of "play." When you open each article by these famous writers about "play," you can appreciate how they transform the mundane into something interesting, lively, and beautiful. For example, kite flying. "It's a fun thing. In life, confined to a small circle, who doesn't want to take flight? Going out for trips is not always possible. When flying a kite, holding a string in your hand, watching it rise slowly, then hover high in the sky, at this moment, it seems as if you are flying with the kite. Looking down at the mortal world, you feel content and at ease. I think this may be a kind of self-satisfaction when you can't actually fly, a twisted form of fulfillment." For example, playing mahjong. "A Chinese person feels stifled, two Chinese people can make a deal, three Chinese people can't get anything done, four Chinese people, play mahjong. Four people gather together—naturally made, what else can you do but play mahjong?" "The joy of mahjong lies in quick thinking and swift actions. At the same time, you must play with five strings in your hands while watching flying birds, as if discussing strategy with a smile." For example, playing chess. "A gentleman does not compete, but chess requires competition. When you give your opponent a serious threat, their forehead is covered with veins, tiny sweat beads forming a line, or they wear a mournful smile, pout their lips as if eating excrement, scratch their heads, shout, sigh deeply, blame themselves, mutter to themselves, hiccup endlessly, or turn red-faced like Guan Yu—various expressions, endless. At this moment, if you have 'extra strength,' you can light a cigarette or sip a bowl of tea, quietly enjoying the symbol of your opponent's distress." For example, fishing. "A blade of grass, a leaf of floating duckweed, a small bubble, a handful of tiny ripples, even the faint tremor of shadows in the water—I see beauty and feel infinite joy. I almost forget that I am fishing."