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
Once upon a time, I dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was myself. Soon I awaked, and there I was, veritably myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man.
Interpretation
The quote explores the nature of reality and self-identity, questioning what is real and what is a dream.
In this quote by Zhuangzi, the author presents a philosophical dilemma regarding the nature of existence and consciousness. The imagery of dreaming of being a butterfly suggests a state of pure happiness and freedom, contrasting with the complexities and responsibilities of human life. This leads to the profound question of whether our waking life is as real as the dream state, prompting contemplation about the essence of identity and reality.
In practice
In a philosophical discussion about the nature of dreams and reality.
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.
Either in conflict with others or in harmony with them, we go through life like a runaway horse, unable to stop.
When people do not ignore what they should ignore, but ignore what they should not ignore, this is known as ignorance.
The true man of the past waited upon Heaven when dealing with people and did not wait upon people when dealing with Heaven.
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
All the fish needs is to get lost in the water. All man needs is to get lost in Tao.
It becomes still more difficult to find Words at once true and kind, Or not untrue and not unkind.
The desire to rule is the mother of heresies.
Only those with no memory insist on their originality.
Language is not a handmaiden to perception; it is perception; it gives shape to what would otherwise be inert and dead.
Nothing leads to good that is not natural.
And I guess what I would say is that we can't think narrowly about movements for black liberation and we can't necessarily see this class division as simply a product or a certain strategy that black movements have developed for liberation.
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