Su Ziwen: Using Water as a Mirror

Water is the source of life, it is an essential resource for the survival of all life, including humans, and is also the most important component of living organisms. It is the energy source of life bestowed upon mankind by nature. It is originally clear and transparent, allowing one to see through it without any obstruction.

  Throughout history, there have been many metaphors for water. The ancients said, "The best is like water." I had heard this before but never understood it fully. Many years later, when I accidentally saw it in the book "Tao Te Ching Explained," I felt a sense of familiarity and gradually grew fond of this phrase. Bruce Lee expounded on the philosophy of water, saying, Pour water into a cup, and it becomes the shape of the cup. Pour water into a bottle, and it becomes the shape of the bottle. Pour water into a teapot, and it becomes the shape of the teapot. Water can flow quietly, or it can violently impact. Be like water, my friend!" You cannot grasp water, nor can you injure it, Martial arts and water are almost the same. Water has waves, water has huge waves, water can be square or round, water can turn into gas, water can freeze, water can reside at the top of a mountain, water can also be in a low-lying basin, but no matter when or where, the nature of water will not change. Thinking about the world and life, I can't help but feel some emotion ; Using water as a mirror, one can reflect on life.

  In life, there is laughter, there are tears, there is success, there is failure ; One should maintain a calm and peaceful mind like water, always follow the middle path, and maintain an ordinary heart, in order to live a carefree life. The Tang Dynasty poet Liu Yuxi lamented, "Long hate people's hearts are not like water, waves rise easily on level ground." Although people's hearts are often not like water, it does not mean that it cannot be achieved. Water comes from high places and flows only to low places, eventually returning to the sea, its value lies in its calmness and low profile.

At the beginning of life, the water is clear and pure, like a spring or a stream ; Transparent and clear to the bottom. When young, one is unaware, like a rushing stream, innocent and playful, jumping and rushing ; The first love, like peach blossoms and flowing water, curiously lingering along the way ; In middle age, it is like a vast river, rushing towards the sea ; Alas, youth has passed, like flowing eastward into the sea, bathing in the sunlight and moonlight, listening to the songs of gulls and fish.

  The journey of life is like a leisurely stream. Life is fleeting, and the stream   is gone forever. People can die, water can evaporate. Life has a hundred states, and flowing water has a thousand kinds.

  Water has both upstream and downstream currents. Life has both pain and joy. The water in a small stream, like a leisurely vacation, just flows forward, neither fast nor slow, without reason, only happiness. Occasionally, a protruding stone may cause it to splash a few joyful waves, but it remains leisurely, happy, and undecorated.

The water in the small river, as if it has found playmates, they are even more free, enjoying their joy without any worries. A few turns may make them dance joyfully, in addition to more dynamism, they are still free, without decoration.

The water in the lake, as if it has entered a dream, stable and peaceful, they continue their joy in their dreams, the few ripples on the calm lake surface, like the sweet smile of water in a dream. Perhaps the breeze will wake them up, they are still peaceful, without decoration.

  The water in the great river releases all its accumulated energy, adding a bit of boldness to the joy, full of spirit, unrestrained, they joyfully splash waves. At this time, nothing can stop them from moving forward, they continue to seek joy in their progress, they are still unrestrained, without decoration.

  The water in the ocean finds its value in the boundless expanse, the ocean releases its joy with its unique arrogance, at this time it is everything, everything is it, it is still confident, without decoration.

  The leisure of the stream, the freedom of the river, the tranquility of the lake, the unrestrainedness of the great river, the confidence of the ocean, are interpreting a life like water in their own unique way, without decoration.

  Water has the ability to benefit the world, giving people joy. It also has the danger of flooding, giving people pain. Just like in reality today, some people can save the world, while others bring disaster to the country and the people. Water has clear and turbid distinctions, and people have good and bad distinctions. Some people are upright and honest, frank and open, like a pool of clear water, crystal clear, bright and upright, with a kind of affinity, respected by people. While some people are despicable and shameless, deceitful and insidious, like a pool of muddy water, dirty and filthy, avoided by everyone, despised by people. Water has different sizes, and people have different greatness. Some people are ambitious and outstanding, like a vast ocean, majestic and profound. Others are unknown and ordinary, like a drop of morning dew, small.

A person comes into this world naked and brings nothing, and when they leave, they also go naked, and are destined to take nothing away. Everything on the body and in the heart, all decorations and possessions will eventually turn to nothing, why bother to pursue these decorations ? and haggle over every detail.

   Let our lives be like water, without decoration, living our lives naturally, facing this world that is both endearing and heartbreaking, let life be like water, clear to the bottom, crystal clear. Leave a piece of pure land for the soul, leave a moment of tranquility for the years, leave a wisp of fragrance for life, only then will life not be in vain, and only then will there be no regrets at the end of life. Be like water, my friend!