People in the world seek medical treatment indiscriminately when they are sick. The more they seek treatment, the more anxious they become. There is a word in Chinese medicine that is extremely elegant and free, and it is called "nurturing disease". The true meaning of the word "nurturing disease" is that among all the people, who can get its purpose?
In his early years, he studied mathematics as a French physicist. Pascal's "Meditations", I am amazed by the depth of his thoughts and the meticulousness of his speculations. Later generations believed that Pascal was also a writer and thinker. In fact, these labels are not accurate. Pascal's true identity was a Catholic. His scientific, literary, and ideological achievements were only a short period of his 37 years. It’s just a small gift that life randomly bestows on mankind. His famous saying: "Man is a fragile reed." "All dignity of man lies in his thoughts!" People marvel at his genius, but they don't know that his wisdom and thoughts are all due to his illness. Pascal was plagued by illness throughout his life. Tortured throughout his life in the monastery of his sister who was a nun!
The ancient Roman philosopher Emperor Aurelius, the German poet Herderlin, the philosopher Nietzsche, the philosopher Yan Yuan, the philosopher Shao Kangjie, Philosopher Wang Yangming, philosopher Li Zhuowu, writer Xu Wenchang, etc., these outstanding and outstanding men throughout the ages, most of their unhappiness was due to illness. After reading "The Biography of Eminent Monks", I discovered that the reasons for many eminent monks to become monks and attain enlightenment were also due to diseases. How strange!
Zen Master Baizhang said: "For diseases, reduce food as a decoction; for troubles, patience is a bodhicitta; for cause and effect, understanding is the absence of faults; for old age and death, impermanence is a warning!" If the mind is directed toward the Tao, getting sick from illness is precisely the act of diligence. It is too late to rejoice at the adverse end of enlightenment, so why should we sigh in despair?
These days, I am recovering from illness and have no restless thoughts. I focus on reading, especially the books given by my friends in the past. It can increase your knowledge and fulfill people’s long-cherished wish to send books from thousands of miles away, so why not do it? Fellow Taoists, the books you have given me are always shelved in the cabinets, with no time to read them. I am really ashamed of myself!
Teacher Feng Xuecheng presented the book "The History of Yunmen Sect"; his disciple Dunyan presented two volumes of "Zen Before and After Enlightenment"; two kinds of works by Max Weber recommended by Professor Tang Zhongmao of East China Normal University: "Religions in India: Hinduism and Buddhism", "Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism"; the famous writer Wang Yuewen donated books and two novels: "The Prime Minister of the Qing Dynasty", "The Story of Mei Ci"; Xingtai layman Yang Jiaxun donated the book "Ancient China" "Selected Essay Appreciation of Short Essays" and so on. Such rare and good books not only heal my illness, but also benefit my heart. The joy of reading is so wonderful!