Life in this world is both short and bumpy, both an honor and filled with helplessness, both rich and poor, both glorious and destitute, both strong and fragile, both happy and sad, both joyful and lost, both bright and dim, both kind and cruel, both passionate and cold, both mysterious and ordinary, both beautiful and bitter, both loving and jealous, both upright and petty, both gaining and losing, etc., always intertwining our life circles in a complementary way.
However, no matter what, we must understand the seven heart medicines of life: "A good heart, willing to do good; a broad mind, being magnanimous; an upright heart, being open and aboveboard; a calm heart, being tranquil like water; a pleasant heart, being contented; a peaceful heart, accepting changes calmly; a sincere heart, being wholeheartedly earnest." Only then can we cure our own "hundred ailments" and become spirited and radiant!
A good heart means willingly doing good. A kind heart is everyone's innate nature, without pretense or mystery. With a good heart, one should have principles for dealing with people and matters, not always standing aloof as if it has nothing to do with oneself. Instead, one should take voluntary actions, which is the "daily act of kindness" that yields "abundant fruits of merit." Being kind-hearted is a conscious genuine giving, a natural true expression, and a sincere almsgiving. Harmonious interactions with others are very approachable reciprocities, following good advice is the spread of boundless love, and accumulating virtues makes love fill the world beautifully.
A broad mind means being magnanimous. As the saying goes: "A broad mind leads to a healthy body." A person who is often broad-minded will certainly be cheerful and smiling every day. Seedlings are smaller than trees, trees are smaller than mountains, mountains are smaller than seas, but the sea is smaller than the heart! One should remember to be magnanimous frequently, not always haggling over trifles, not quarreling over small profits, and not fiercely competing for temporary promotions and wealth! If everyone were to deceive each other without yielding, in the end, both sides would lose, allowing others to benefit from their struggles! Therefore, one should be magnanimous wherever and whenever, sometimes "retreating bravely, avoiding conflict, and preserving wisdom" is also acceptable. This is a strategy of advancing by retreating, a calmness of resourcefulness, and a depth of removing the firewood from under the pot.
An upright heart means having no private desires, being honest and straightforward. An upright heart does not mean taking dangerous chances but being sincerely humble; it does not mean cunningly coercing but being openly helpful; it does not mean insidiously colluding but being transparently open; it does not mean deliberately falsifying but intentionally checking and filling gaps; it does not mean impulsively deceiving but firmly being steady and mature.
A calm heart means being serene and tranquil in life, calmly watching clouds rise and fall, transcending past mistakes. A calm heart is not like riding the waves boldly forward but like still pond water, serene and tranquil yet slowly rippling. Thus, those with a calm heart often deeply express profound depths!
A pleasant heart means always harboring an optimistic upward sentiment, free from impurities. Remember this saying: "As long as one's heart is sunny, there will be no storms!" Yes, with a pleasant heart, one will sincerely cherish and value things, feeling refreshed and treasuring them. Being content and self-satisfied is a hopeful aspiration during favorable times, a fervent expectation during abundant harvests, and a passionate hope when fully loaded. Contentment and self-satisfaction are the optimism and openness of persistence, the detachment and wisdom of loyalty.
A peaceful heart means being at peace with circumstances. Feeling justified after achieving ideal results brings steadiness and comfort, while remaining calm shows maturity. Of course, adapting to circumstances is the greatest essence of being content with what one has, as long as one can face all changes with ease, one will gain respect and reliability, and earn admiration and elegance.
A sincere heart is a mirror reflecting one's culture, knowledge, taste, personality, character, temperament, upbringing, and cultivation. Without sincerity, it is impossible to have a place in life's space. Clearly, sincerity is the most direct way of expressing interpersonal relationships, a firm trust desired by all, and the high moral integrity that people ultimately must pursue.
Having the "seven heart medicines of life" always with you means possessing a miraculous remedy, allowing you to perform wonders at any time. Even if your entire life follows the path of "nothing in the world is difficult for one who sets his mind to it," leading to smooth sailing...