Either in conflict with others or in harmony with them, we go through life like a runaway horse, unable to stop.
ZhuangziRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
There are different levels of understanding, from simple hearing to deeper spiritual awareness.
Zhuangzi emphasizes the distinction between mere auditory perception and a more profound form of comprehension that involves intuitive and spiritual insight. He suggests that true understanding transcends the limitations of physical senses and intellectual reasoning, welcoming a more holistic and spiritual approach to knowledge.
Themes
UnderstandingAwarenessPerceptionSpiritualityKnowledge
In practice
Example use cases
During a meditation retreat, one might use this quote to explain the deeper layers of consciousness.
More from Zhuangzi
All quotes →When people do not ignore what they should ignore, but ignore what they should not ignore, this is known as ignorance.
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The true man of the past waited upon Heaven when dealing with people and did not wait upon people when dealing with Heaven.
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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.
ZhuangziRead
Where is that man who has forgotten words that I may have a word with him?
ZhuangziRead
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