The hearing that is only in the ears is one thing. The hearing of the understanding is another. But the hearing of the spirit is not limited to any one faculty to the ear, or to the mind.
ZhuangziRead
If there is existence, there must be non-existence. And if there was a time when nothing existed, there must have been a time before that - when even nothing did not exist. Suddenly, when nothing came into existence, could one really say whether it belonged to the category of existence or non-existence?
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote explores the concepts of existence and non-existence, suggesting a paradox in understanding what it means for something to exist.
Zhuangzi's quote presents a profound philosophical reflection on the nature of existence and non-existence. He posits that if existence is defined by the presence of something, then logically, there must be non-existence to contrast with it. The inquiry extends to the state before anything existed, provoking thoughts about the nature of 'nothing' and questioning whether the arrival of existence can be categorized as such. This challenges our understanding of reality and the definitions we use to describe it.
Themes
ExistenceNon-ExistencePhilosophyRealityParadox
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophical discussion about the nature of reality.
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The mind remains undetermined in the great Void. Here the highest knowledge is unbounded. That which gives things their thusness cannot be delimited by things. So when we speak of 'limits', we remain confined to limited things. The limit of the unlimited is called 'fullness.' The limitlessness of the limited is called 'emptiness.' Tao is the source of both. But it is itself neither fullness nor emptiness
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All the fish needs is to get lost in the water. All man needs is to get lost in Tao.
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