The Most Easily Obtained is the Most Precious

Xuefeng

Heaven has a benevolent nature that cherishes life, and a noble person has a heart to help others achieve good. The earth nurtures all things, and the way of Heaven governs and transforms everything. The strong have their paths, and the weak have their roles. The weak, like earthworms, are well-provided for, while the strong, like tigers and leopards, may meet their demise halfway. The grace of Heaven bathes all living beings. Reflecting on the vastness of the universe and feeling the nurturing of the sacred spirit, one contemplates in silence, holding gratitude in their heart.

The most easily obtained is often the most precious. Fish swim in water; without it, there would be no fish. Humans breathe in air; without it, they perish. Air is the most precious and the easiest to acquire. A person can live without gold or silver, just as a horse can run without a copper saddle. Air arrives effortlessly at our mouths and noses, allowing us to breathe with ease.

Water flows through both sky and earth, incredibly precious, yet easily accessible.

Salt, abundant and immeasurably valuable, is easily obtainable.

Sunlight, shining upon all things, is extraordinarily precious and the easiest to acquire.

Parents, with their bonds of flesh and blood, are extremely precious, a gift received without effort.

Indeed, it is a proven truth that the most easily obtained is often the most precious. This is a gift from the Greatest Creator.

We need to stay highly aware that everything that comes to us easily is precious. Praise and encouragement easily gained are valuable; work easily obtained is precious; love and friendship that come easily are priceless; easily found paths are precious. Students, disciples, teachers, and mentors that come into our lives without effort are treasures. Life itself, easily obtained, is precious, and death, when it comes peacefully, is equally so.

“The great way is very simple, but people prefer shortcuts,” said the sage Laozi. He meant that the flattest, easiest path embodies the essence of the great way. Yet, people often abandon what is close for what is distant, forsake what is easy for what is difficult, and overlook the most ordinary things while chasing the extraordinary. Laozi criticized this as “not the way!” It is not the great path but a misguided one.

People tend to have a cognitive bias in their thinking—they often ignore what’s close and undervalue what they already have, placing greater importance on things far away, things they have not yet attained, or things that are hard to acquire. For example, we often take siblings for granted, spending energy to befriend strangers instead. This is a mistake; we should first cherish and value the relationships that are close and easily found. Distant relatives are less valuable than nearby neighbors, and neighborly relationships are crucial. They deserve our care and respect. People in Jesus’ and Buddha’s hometowns did not appreciate them, reflecting a common cognitive bias. In China, it’s not unusual to look down on close friends or colleagues who achieve greatness while applauding strangers. Chinese people who succeed may be viewed with skepticism, while foreigners who succeed are celebrated. The living are criticized, but the dead are lauded—this is all due to biased thinking.

In seeking the Tao, if wise individuals are nearby, we should first learn from them and take them as mentors, rather than traveling thousands of miles in search of a teacher. Every small event around us is part of the Tao and reveals divine insight. We should seek understanding from these small events, rather than exhausting ourselves on lengthy classics. Doing good deeds should start with those around us, without feeling we must go far or abroad to share teachings. Eating, dressing, sleeping, and walking contain profound wisdom—there is no need to start with the works of ancient Greek philosophers.

The most easily obtained is the most precious. A humble pot can surpass gold and jade. Searching downward is easier than searching upward. It’s far easier to form a close friendship with a shepherd than with a celebrity or a governor. In the Lifechanyuan community, it’s easy to find kindred spirits and connect with Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. This is exceptionally precious and deserves our respect and care.

We should not think that what is easily obtained lacks value. On the contrary, the most easily obtained is the most precious. We should see it as a gift from heaven and consider this principle as a treasure for life.

In the Chapter of Revelation, I have written about the “Principle of Least Resistance.” Laozi teaches that great tasks are accomplished through small steps, and difficult tasks are achieved through ease. If we approach our endeavors by following the Principle of Least Resistance, viewing what is easily obtained as the most precious, our lives will become clearer, simpler, more relaxed, and fulfilling. Resistance will transform into motivation, and suffering will turn into happiness.

Give it a try!