The withered form and dull color of tea leaves bloom into beautiful appearances with the infusion of water, releasing a subtle aroma. When they sink to the bottom, people savor their beauty in the greenish tea water.
An ordinary mind is the Way. Viewing extraordinary matters with an ordinary mind makes everything seem ordinary. Holding a calm heart, one is not lured by vanity, confused by power, moved by money, or captivated by beauty; one is not swayed by external gains or internal sorrows, seeing through fame and profit, understanding success and failure, and transcending praise and blame. Always unobstructed, always at ease. Unmoved by honor or disgrace, watching the flowers bloom and fall before the courtyard; indifferent to coming and going, gazing at the clouds roll and unfurl in the sky.
Love is a warmth and a heartache, a watch and an understanding. Love is a remembrance and a concern, a feeling that lingers in dreams. Love is an artistic realm, holding hands with the heart, a sentiment of mutual delight. There is a kind of love that is not intense but ever-present; it lacks the romance of moonlit flower gardens, the promise of growing old together, or the vows of eternal faithfulness. Yet it loves what you love, feels your pain, and touches your soul.
What is fate? It is a feeling of mental connection; a tendency of instant familiarity; a mood of regretting meeting too late; the most beautiful encounter arranged by heaven; a deep concern or faint nostalgia! Fate is a natural and mysterious power of the soul: resonance triggered by words; hearts moved by a feeling; memories unforgettable from a chance encounter; emotions overflowing from a single glance.
A peaceful person lets go, sees things clearly, thinks wisely, and lives freely. They are tolerant, enduring, yielding, and forgiving, maintaining a calm and quiet state. When a person's thoughts are clear, their actions become smooth, and their inner state becomes harmonious. They have desires but do not cling to them; they have requests but do not rigidly adhere to them. They live freely and at ease.
There is no one who is never slandered, nor anyone who is forever praised. When you speak much, others criticize you; when you speak little, they criticize you; when you remain silent, they still criticize you. In this world, no one is beyond criticism. Do not let others' doubts bring you trouble; nor let their ignorance cause you pain. Walk your own path, and let others talk.
