The Highest Wisdom is Formless

Xuefeng

Incomparable giving is superior to giving treasures, even if they were as numerous as the sands of the Ganges—this was said by the Buddha Shakyamuni.

Blessed are those who store treasures in heaven, who serve the Greatest Creator with gentleness, compassion, and a pure heart, for their reward in heaven is great—this was said by Christ Jesus.

By the existence of things, we profit; by the non-existence of things, we are served. The wise of ancient times practiced the Way; they were subtle, profound, and unfathomable. The good traveler leaves no tracks，the good speaker makes no blunders, the good reckoner needs no counting rods, the good closer requires no bolts, yet none can open what he has closed, the good binder needs no ropes, yet none can untie what he has bound—this was said by Laozi. Consciousness creates reality, and holographic consciousness (which suggests that everything is interconnected, and this interconnection drives the movement of the universe) rotates the universe—this might have been said by Xuefeng.

The skilled swordsman carries no sword; those who appear still and unassuming can drive away armies without fighting. No one dares to touch a wire charged with a thousand volts of electricity due to its invisible potential. True experts conceal their abilities, much like barking dogs don’t bite-noisy people online achieve nothing. A beautifully embroidered pillow may look good, but inside, it’s filled with straw or bran. Some scientists’ minds can rival a million-strong army. A mountain need not be high to be famous, if it holds a celestial; water need not be deep if it has a dragon. No matter how curved your eyebrows are, how red your lips are painted, or how much platinum dangles from your ears, true grace will not shine through. No matter how much money you have in the bank, how good your car is, or how impressive your bodyguards are, true grace cannot be shown. No matter how many books line your study or how brightly the flowers bloom on your windowsills, even if you drink the finest tea, you won’t utter words of wisdom. Sparrows can sometimes fly higher than eagles, yet they remain sparrows. There’s no escaping it—because the highest wisdom is formless.

Some entertain themselves with birds, some with money, some with sports, and others with social interactions. Some play games, others bungee jump. Some play with cars, others with power. But none of these can compare to playing with thoughts, for the highest wisdom is formless.

Some people decorate their bedrooms, some package themselves; some put on shows, others focus on image-building. Some fuss over hairstyles, others over brand names. Some try to appear profound, while others work hard to show their depth. Rather than all this, it is better to refine and adorn your heart—for the highest wisdom is formless.

Some rush to famous landmarks, some exhaust themselves traveling between mountains and rivers. Some travel great distances to watch a game, while others dream of going to the barren moon just for a look. Why run around? The most beautiful scenery is found in consciousness—for the highest wisdom is formless.

Some people bring toys home from the store for their children, some force their kids to learn piano, painting, dancing, or martial arts. Some meticulously dress their children, while others wear themselves out worrying about their children’s degrees, status, marriages, and families. Instead of this, it’s better to help children develop kind and loving hearts, for the highest wisdom is formless.

Some build temples, some make Buddha statues. Some kill sheep for sacrifice, while others climb mountains to burn incense and bow their heads. Some recite prayers with little thought. Why all the trouble? The Buddha resides within the heart. Calm your mind and sincerely worship the Buddha within you. Let yourself become a Buddha, and help your parents, children, neighbors, friends, and colleagues become Buddhas—this brings far greater merit, for the highest wisdom is formless.

Some carefully select burial sites, some sincerely invite feng shui masters to plan auspicious grounds. Some pay attention to the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise; while some scheme day and night for sudden wealth, you’d do better to cultivate your heart as an auspicious place. A good heart creates good feng shui; a bad heart creates poor feng shui, for the highest wisdom is formless.

Some are ignorant, some are clever; some are born naturally beautiful, while others are born ugly. Some are born into wealth, while others struggle to survive in the cold. Some become famous with a song, while others labor in laboratories for years, accomplishing nothing. Some live long and die peacefully; others die young, cut down by illness in their prime. What can be done? The highest wisdom is formless! It cannot be ignored! The power of the Tao is infinite, and the power of the law is boundless, yet we cannot see it because it is formless. Some have no worries about food and clothing yet frown all day, while others, with only a thin piece of land, smile all day. The Prophet Muhammad told us, “True wealth is found within the soul.” But where is this richness in the soul? We cannot see it, for it is formless.

Lesser wisdom is trapped by form; middle wisdom is caught up in busyness; greater wisdom may seem foolish to others, but the highest wisdom is formless. Lesser wisdom busies itself with planning systems; middle wisdom refines laws and regulations; greater wisdom is concerned with spiritual civilization, while the highest wisdom roams freely in the world of the spirit.

After eating a pancake, munching on sunflower seeds, drinking a cup of tea, and writing this article for “Chapter of Wisdom,” I strategize from within and triumph from afar, taking in all the beauty of the world. Celestial beings in the heavens cast flirtatious autumn glances—how enchanting! Deiform celestial!