The Three Mantras

I think that there are three mantras in life that should be recited often -

"I am sorry." - To those whom we have hurt knowingly or unknowingly in our clumsy navigation through life.

"Thank you." - To those who have given us the gifts of kindness, compassion and love.

"I love you." - To those who have touched our hearts and make this world a more magical and wonderful place.

If one can truly practise and master these three mantras in one's life - I think it will be enough.

忙

城市太浮躁，一切太匆忙。

忙，心亡也。

人约黄昏后

去年元夜时，花市灯如昼。
月上柳梢头，人约黄昏后。 　
　
今年元夜时，月与灯依旧。
不见去年人，泪湿春衫袖。

欧阳修的《生查子·元夕》

月灯相照，转眼如幻。繁华如梦，曲终人散。

Wabi-sabi

Japanese have a deep interest in the study of beauty. This is evident from the intricate design of Japanese products.

I am most intrigued by the Japanese concept of "wabi-sabi" (侘寂), which celebrates beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete". It acknowledges and embraces the fragility and transience of existence. In a way, "flawed beauty" is more moving than the platonic ideals of perfection because it speaks of a truth that we know deeply in our hearts - nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.

Let It Be Forgotten

“Let it be forgotten, as a flower is forgotten,
Forgotten as a fire that once was singing gold.
Let it be forgotten forever and ever,
Time is a kind friend, he will make us old.

忘掉它，就像忘掉一朵花，
像忘掉炼过黄金的火焰，
忘掉它，永远永远。
时间是良友，他会使我们变成老年。

If anyone ask say it was forgotten
Long and long ago,
As a flower, as a fire, as a hushed footfall
In a long-forgotten snow.

如果有人问起，就说已忘记，
在很早，很早的往昔，
像花，像火，像静静的足音
在早被遗忘的雪里。”


非常喜欢这首美国女诗人Sara Teasdale的作品，"Let it be forgotten"。原作是英文，但我觉得中文的译本更加的耐人寻味。诗人轻轻地诉说着一种经过岁月洗礼的伤痛，如此的温柔委婉，如此的动人心弦。时间是良友，曾经撕心裂肺的痛楚，最终也能释怀。

写作

好久没写作了。

小学至中学都有写作，但一到高中就没提起笔杆了。原因有二：一是没有时间，二是觉得自己文笔不好，思想贫瘠，就算有特别的感触，也无奈地觉得无法比别人表达的透彻深刻。这是肺腑之言，绝非自谦的客套话。

今日提笔，是受了一位中国著名的哲学作家周国平的启发。他非常注重内在的生命，并认为阅读和写作是丰富与深化内心的重要方法。阅读是与大师的灵魂交流，写作是与自己的灵魂沟通。读了他的《生命的品质》，我也渴望通过写作来提升自己内在的素质和精神的层次。

还记得中学时，有位老师曾经批评我文风不够朴实，喜欢在文章中堆砌华丽的词句。可惜当时年少无知，并不能完全理解老师的指点。今日终能体会到东方文化所重视的含蓄内敛之美。天地有大美而不言，真正的美是宁静而非喧哗的。

在此分享的感受，不求美，但求真。