《Caigentan - Former Collection #43》 Life’s True Essence Revealed in Tranquility

《Caigentan (菜根譚) - Former Collection #43》

[043] Life’s True Essence Revealed in Tranquility

📜 Original Text

風恬浪靜中, 見人生之真境;
味淡聲希處, 識心體之本然。

📚 English Translation

In the midst of calm winds and gentle waves, one perceives the true realm of life;
In places where tastes are bland and sounds are sparse, one realizes the inherent nature of the mind's essence.

✍️ Hanja Breakdown

• 風 (fēng): Wind. Symbolizes external environment, changes, and stimuli.
• 恬 (tián): Quiet, peaceful, tranquil, not bustling.
• 浪 (làng): Wave. Symbolizes emotional fluctuations, worldly noise.
• 靜 (jìng): Quiet, stable, settled.
• 中 (zhōng): In, amidst.
• 見 (jiàn): To see, to perceive, to realize.
• 人生 (rénshēng): Human life.
• 之 (zhī): Possessive particle (of).
• 真 (zhēn): True, real, authentic, original.
• 境 (jìng): Realm, state, world.
• 味 (wèi): Taste. Symbolizes sensory pleasures, indulgence.
• 淡 (dàn): Bland, light (in taste), subtle, not excessive.
• 聲 (shēng): Sound, noise, speech.
• 希 (xī): Rare, few.
• 處 (chù): Place, location.
• 識 (shí): To know, to recognize, to realize.
• 心體 (xīntǐ): The essence/substance of the mind, innate nature of mind.
• 本然 (běnrán): Original state, natural inherent quality.

🔍 Explanation: The True Realm Revealed in Tranquility

This 43rd maxim illuminates the profound significance of 'tranquility' in our lives. It teaches us that things utterly imperceptible amidst a noisy and bustling life can only be truly encountered in moments of quietude.

🌊 1. Perceiving the True Realm of Life within a Tranquil Outer World

"In the midst of calm winds and gentle waves, one perceives the true realm of life."

The winds and waves of the world symbolize external stimuli that unsettle our minds. While entangled in desires, competition, envy, and anxiety, it is difficult to perceive the true essence of life.

However, when the winds subside and the waves settle into tranquility, the clear and profound 'true realm (眞境)' that lay dormant within is revealed.

The 'true realm of life' refers to the fundamental meaning of life, the principles of the world, and the inherent nature of our existence.

In quietude, we come to discern the deep truths of life that were obscured by our busy, stimulating routines—such as the pure vitality that exists without greed, and the order of the cosmos.

A noble person (君子) must thus manage their mind and environment to be tranquil, enabling them to see the true form and meaning of life.

🍵 2. Realizing the Mind's Original Nature in Places of Simple Tastes and Sparse Sounds

"In places where tastes are bland and sounds are sparse, one realizes the inherent nature of the mind's essence."

'Places where tastes are bland and sounds are sparse' signify humble and simple environments, devoid of strong pleasures that stimulate the senses or noisy distractions.

In modern society, we incessantly pursue more stimulating and greater enjoyments, but this maxim points in the opposite direction.

In such a bland and simple environment, rather than a mind obscured by desire and attachment, one comes face to face again with the mind's original essence—a mind that was inherently calm and clear.

The mind's essence is the pure and clear mind before it was stained by all kinds of afflictions,杂念 (잡념), desires, and discriminating thoughts; it refers to our innate nature (本性) or true self (眞我).

When external stimuli diminish, the mind naturally becomes still, and from within that stillness, our mind's fundamental wisdom and tranquility naturally emerge.

🌱 Conclusion: The True Happiness That Tranquility Offers

This 43rd maxim does not merely praise tranquility; it teaches us how to rightly perceive life and ourselves through it.

For us living in a noisy and complex modern society, this passage is a precious lesson that reminds us of the importance of pausing and listening to our inner voice.

In tranquility,
one truly perceives the genuine meaning of life
and the mind's inherent nature.