The Harm of Thought Inertia

Xuefeng

Inertia is the property of an object to maintain its state of constant motion or rest unless acted upon by an external force.

Just as objects have the nature to maintain their original state of motion, human thought also has the nature to sustain its existing state of consciousness. Whether it’s the inertia of objects or thought, both have many harmful effects.

A car moving at high speed, when subjected to emergency braking, will continue to slide forward due to its inertia. This inertia can sometimes lead to disaster. In today’s rapidly changing world, people’s thoughts and consciousness, due to thought inertia, tend to cling tightly to outdated ideas, instinctively rejecting the emergence of new thoughts. This inability to shift consciousness in a timely manner leads not only to personal mental anguish but also becomes a stumbling block for civilization, turning into a “killer” of the new era.

Let’s examine a few phenomena that illustrate the harm of thought inertia.

Over twenty years ago, Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping proposed, “Let some people get rich first.” He advised the entire party and nation not to get entangled in debates over socialism versus capitalism but to focus all efforts on economic development. Over the past twenty years, practice has proven that Deng Xiaoping’s philosophical perspective of “it doesn’t matter whether a cat is black or white; as long as it catches mice, it’s a good cat” has a correct side. This represents new ideas and ways of thinking. However, many individuals, constrained by decades of communal living and the pursuit of common prosperity, not only failed to actively shift their thinking or participate in economic activities, but also rejected Deng Xiaoping’s approach both verbally and psychologically. What was the result? As the tides of the times surged forward, those shackled by thought inertia were left behind, while those who could quickly adapt their thinking emerged as leaders in the market economy. They not only became prosperous but also continually enhanced their cultural literacy and began to excel in various fields, including culture and politics. Meanwhile, those heavily influenced by old thoughts and concepts developed strong resistance and became psychologically unbalanced, watching as more and more people around them grew wealthy. As the trend continued, their mindset became increasingly unbalanced, leading to constant complaints or engaging in corruption and theft, disregarding all else in their pursuit of money. When people try to maintain their original way of thinking due to inertia, conflicts and contradictions arise. Those who adapt their thinking in response to external forces represent the progressive forces of the time and will thrive; those who resist and exhibit excessive inertia, changing their thoughts too slowly, are the forces of backwardness and are bound to fail.

After the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, most students quickly adapted their thinking and redirected their time and energy into other areas. In contrast, some students, due to their strong thought inertia, remained oblivious for a long time, wasting over a decade of their youth in ideological struggles. Their thinking became rigid, unable to tolerate any dissent, while the times had already left them behind, and yet they clung stubbornly to their beliefs—a sad and pitiful state!

After Falun Gong was banned in mainland China, some practitioners quickly adjusted their thinking, abandoning their practices and distancing themselves from the organization, exploring deeper realms of spirituality, and maintaining balance in their family and work life. However, other practitioners, due to deep-seated thought inertia, found their foundations crumbling, their potential fading, and their opportunities slipping away irretrievably. It was like trying to hatch an egg that had already broken, and crying was futile, yet they still waited hopelessly for something to change.

Contemporary youth are flexible in their thinking and adept at enjoying life. The constraints of traditional worldviews, values, and marriage concepts are diminishing for them. The rising divorce rate is a sign of societal progress. However, many still live within old thought patterns, lamenting that “People's hearts are not what they used to be, and the moral standards of society have declined.” Yet, they can do nothing but watch the flowers fall, adding unnecessary worries to themselves.

Cars have been invented, yet people still reminisce about horse-drawn carriages. A phone call can resolve issues from a thousand miles away, yet people still embark on long journeys to meet in person. New ways of living save time and effort, yet people insist on doing everything themselves, failing to recognize the benefits of cooperation. Renting a home can be better than buying, mobility is preferable to stubbornness, change is better than rigidity, and innovation trumps tradition—but this is difficult! This is the mischief of thought inertia.

The era of Lifechanyuan is on the horizon. Humanity's collective consciousness must rise. Those who do not harmonize with the main theme of the times or resonate with the ideals of the new era will face significant risks of elimination and purification. If one does not swiftly adapt their thinking and remains entangled in the old nests of nation, religion, political party, and family, struggling in exhaustion against the turbulent waves, what will the outcome be? As they see others marching forward with vitality toward the highest realms of life and existence and observe the tsunami approaching, yet remain stationary, muttering in confusion or helplessness, can they find a way out?

Everyone has a side that is kind, and everyone yearns for a beautiful life. Yet many have never realized that their own suffering and backwardness are entirely the result of their thought inertia. Habit becomes nature; everyone has laziness and a parasitic mindset seeking easy gains. However, the way of heaven rewards diligence, and the tides will sift the sands. Today’s river is not yesterday’s river, and tomorrow’s Earth will not be today’s Earth. China’s Great Wall cannot block the winds from the West, and old vessels cannot contain new wine. To avoid being eliminated and purified by the tides of the times, one must reduce thought inertia, swiftly adapt their thinking to the changes of the era, let go of the self, abandon ego, and resonate with the thoughts and consciousness of the new era, experiencing a rebirth and bravely entering an entirely new epoch.