Do Not Disturb—Joy Lies Within It

Xuefeng

When I was a child, sitting on the ground and playing with mud with my friends, I found joy within it. At such moments, if an adult came over and interrupted, saying that smart children should be reading instead of playing with mud, and that they should stay clean and not get their clothes dirty, it would ruin the fun.

For teenagers, idol worship is like playing with mud; their happiness and joy lie within it. If adults are disdainful and obstructive, it can hurt the pure emotions of these young people and cast a shadow over their innocent hearts.

When two people are deeply in love, they find great joy within it. If teachers or elders insist on them being rational, it can prevent the budding of love from blooming at the right time, leading to enormous regret and endless consequences in their lives.

A woman with a beautiful figure might enjoy taking nude photos of herself and sharing them publicly. Please don’t judge her by conventional moral standards or try to bring her down. She is immersed in her own joy, and many others are thrilled and excited by the beauty of her art. This aligns not only with the original intent of the Garden of Eden but also with the life of celestial beings in the Ten-thousand-year World of Heaven.

Some people enjoy seeking thrills—horse racing, playing the stock market, bungee jumping, adventuring, having affairs, or even overthrowing regimes. Please do not interfere; they are finding joy within these activities. Some enjoy writing poetry, playing chess, singing, or fishing. Please do not mock or disturb them; they are finding joy within these activities.

Some love politics, some love making money, some love art, and some love philosophy. Please don’t pour cold water on them or discourage them; they are finding joy within these pursuits.

Some enjoy studying Buddhism, some enjoy cultivating as celestial beings, some enjoy martial arts, and some enjoy mystical arts. Please do not ridicule them; they are finding joy within these practices. Some enjoy getting married, some enjoy being single, some enjoy meditating, and some enjoy hiking. Please do not give unsolicited advice or offer misguided suggestions; they are finding joy within these preferences.

If someone is passionate about something, as long as it brings them happiness and does not harm others, they should be allowed to indulge in their passion. Interfering will only bring them distress, leaving them at a loss.

Who can say their life is the most perfect, or that their path is the most correct? Who can guarantee that their advice will bring joy and happiness to others?

What others do not need should not be forcibly given, and when others do not need help, do not insist on being a good person. The mood of a person living in a thatched cottage may be better than that of a person living in a luxurious palace. The body and mind of someone who eats simple food may be healthier than those of someone who indulges in gourmet delicacies. Simplicity is better than complexity, and plainness is more precious than extravagance. A shepherd may understand the wonders and beauty of nature better than a philosopher.

What is a successful life? As long as you feel happy and content throughout your life, that is a successful life. Is becoming an emperor a success? Perhaps sorrow lies within. Is having billions of dollars a success? Perhaps trouble lies within. Is becoming famous or holding office a success? Perhaps problems lie within. Is having a different beautiful woman to accompany you every night a success? Perhaps disaster lies within. Is writing a million articles a success? Perhaps moral corruption lies within.

"Good fortune hides within bad, and bad fortune lurks within good." The lotus emerges pure from the mud, while fish perish in clear water. The gates of a wealthy household may conceal the starved dead, while a remote place may give birth to a phoenix—who can discern this?

"Cleverness can lead to its own downfall," as the saying goes, "The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind." A lifetime of humiliation may instead lead to the Buddhist path; a life of poverty may instead lead to the celestial way—who can comprehend these mysteries?

Only those with great wisdom and insight should offer advice or make suggestions, and only those with deep enlightenment should educate or guide others. It seems I must also be cautious; otherwise, I may not be doing good but instead accumulating karma. As long as you find joy in what you do, I will stand aside, not disturbing or offering poor advice. "A gentleman's word cannot be taken back, no matter how fast the horse is," as Wei Xiaobao famously said.