An Encounter in Time

     I often find myself alone on a warm, sun-drenched afternoon, enjoying tranquil moments by myself. Such opportunities are incredibly precious to city dwellers, but for an ordinary person like me, they're as common as can be. I don't know if it's a form of self-consolation, or if I simply cherish this time that belongs only to myself.


    I've even imagined myself on a vast grassland, quietly gazing up at the wonders of nature. I've also imagined running and dancing in a world of dandelions, letting the countless seeds drift in the air, finding peace deep within my soul in this enchanting world.

    To others, such thoughts might seem like a fairytale—not impossible, but too idealistic, too romanticized. I've never considered or explored the feasibility of such ideas; I only know that I'm willing to pursue this kind of life, to truly experience inner peace and tranquility.

    People often ask me this question: "You love reading so much, can you tell me what the book you're reading is about? Can you memorize it? What's the point?" When faced with such a question, I never argue or even respond. Perhaps there's no point in responding. When someone asks you this question, they're already preparing to be sarcastic. I remember Bai Yansong saying, "If you really ask me which book has had the biggest impact on me, I can only answer the Xinhua Dictionary." Our enlightenment all started with you. I think this answer is perfectly fitting for the person asking us. To summarize reading with just one book is too superficial; it's disrespectful to reading. Now I think, how can a worldly question be answered with a spiritual one?

    A tranquil moment, undisturbed by anyone, searching for historical stories from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties in books, appreciating the charm of Chinese culture, under a starry sky, alone in the quiet of the city night, writing my own essay, seeing into those hearts obscured by the world, and sharing a peaceful and tranquil moment.

    Life doesn't need too many demands. As a friend once told me, we're simply searching for our own way of life and attitude. We search countless times, but what have we gained? To be able to hold fast to one's inner beliefs in this mortal world—how difficult that is!

    A tranquil moment, a cup of bitter coffee, just to encounter life, to meet the love of time.

    Bodhi has no tree, nor is the bright mirror a stand.

    Originally there is nothing, so where can dust settle?

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