When thought is in bondage the truth is hidden, for everything is murky and unclear, and the burdensome practice of judging brings annoyance and weariness. What benefit can be derived from distinctions and separations?
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes that when our thoughts are constrained, understanding and truth become obscured, leading to unnecessary judgments and divisions.
Sengcan reflects on the nature of thought and how it can become a prison, clouding our perception of truth and reality. He suggests that entanglement in judgments and distinctions not only leads to confusion but also mental fatigue. The essence of the message is a call to free our minds from restrictive thoughts to see beyond separations and distinctions, which may ultimately lead to greater clarity and understanding.
In practice
In a philosophical debate, this quote can be used to illustrate the complexity of human perception.
One thing, all things: move among and intermingle, without distinction. To live in this realization is to be without anxiety about non-perfection. To live in this faith is the road to non-duality, because the non-dual is one with the trusting mind.
To live in the Great Way is neither easy nor difficult, but those with limited views are fearful and irresolute: the faster they hurry, the slower they go, and clinging cannot be limited: even to be attached to the idea of enlightenment is to go astray. Just let things be in their own way and there will be neither coming nor going. Obey the nature of things (your own nature), and you will walk freely and undisturbed.
Return to the root and you will find the meaning.
When mind exists undisturbed in the Way, nothing in the world can offend, and when a thing can no longer offend it ceases to exist in the old way. When no discriminating thoughts arise, the old mind ceases to exist.
The Great Way is not difficult for those who have no preferences.
Step aside from all thinking, and there is nowhere you can't go.
Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.
It is my eyes which see, and the sight of my eyes grants beauty to the earth. It is my ears which hear, and the hearing of my ears gives its song to the world. It is my mind which thinks, and the judgement of my mind is the only searchlight that can find the truth. It is my will which chooses, and the choice of my will is the only edict I must respect.
Sexism is the foundation on which all tyranny is built. Every social form of hierarchy and abuse is modeled on male-over-female domination.
Exposition, criticism, appreciation, is work for second-rate minds.
The intellectual tradition is one of servility to power, and if I didn't betray it I'd be ashamed of myself.
My main ambition as a historian is to figure out what's really happening in the world, instead of the fictions that humans have been creating for thousands of years in order to explain or control what's happening in the world.
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