Next Step

Yutang Lin

Worldly considerations are too divergent and complex;
Holding a chess piece in the air, hard to decide whereto.
If one could recognize clearly that death is not far away,
Clarity of mind and peaceful situation settle the choices.

Comment:

Usually worldly considerations are complicated and full of divergent preferences, therefore one often holds a chess piece in the air and finds it difficult to make the next move. If one could recognize clearly that the arrival of death is certain, sooner or later, but without a known date, and practice reflecting on life from the moment of dying, then one would realize that all things in life are like a mirage that could change or disappear at any instant. Consequently, one would no longer insist on personal views and habitual ways, but adopt "clarity of mind" and "being helpful to peaceful situation" as the main considerations in one's decision making.

Written in Chinese and translated on October 13, 2002
El Cerrito, California

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