An Analysis of Liu Bei’s Path to Success and the Inner Cultivation of Xun and Si
Part I: The Power of Creating Positive Affinity
How to Make Your Endeavors Seamless?
- The Key: Whether you can bring joy to others.
- When you establish a good Yuanqi (positive affinity/starting condition), your path becomes smooth.
- If the Yuanqi you give is negative, obstacles will arise.
Case Study: The Life-and-Death Choice at Changbanpo
- Background: The pursuit by Cao Cao’s army, with a vast disparity in forces.
- The Predicament: The only way out was to abandon the following populace and escape with the elite light cavalry.
- The Advice: Subordinates desperately urged him: “Discard those people, and you will move faster.”
This is the Power of “Creating Yuanqi“
- Liu Bei’s “foolishness” moved Zhao Yun, who was still observing the situation.
- A person who genuinely places the interests of others above his own life and death creates the strongest positive Yuanqi.
- This genuine heart won the allegiance of heroes and ultimately led to the founding of his empire.
- Key Concept: In life, never calculate for oneself; always consider others.
- (The result of Liu Bei’s sincerity: Zhao Yun’s allegiance, the trust of heroes across the land, and the eventual founding of his empire.)
Part II: From External Action to Internal Cultivation
Inner State Determines Yuanqi
- Liu Bei’s choice stemmed from his inner state.
- Every thought and action of ours is similarly creating our own Yuanqi.
- This presentation will explore the secrets hidden within the two characters: “Xun” – Seeking and “Si” – Waiting.
Deconstructing the Superior Realm of “Xun” (Seeking): Immersion and Single-mindedness
- Superior Seeking: Immersing oneself completely, with a single, undivided mind.
- Example: Sudhana’s pilgrimage for enlightenment, focusing single-mindedly to find a true master.
- Application: Whether in scientific research or personal spiritual practice, the key to success is achieving this state of “immersion.”
Deconstructing the Wrong Path of “Xun” (Seeking): Distraction and Affliction
- The Fool’s Seeking: Scattered and disorganized, easily swayed by novelties. They are constantly attracted by new targets and “forget their initial goal.”
- The Seeking of Affliction: Using the state of “immersion” for negative purposes. Single-mindedly seeking the faults of others, immersing oneself in negative emotions.
Deconstructing the Wrong Path of “Si” (Waiting): Serving Affliction, Creating Suffering
- “Si” means to wait for an opportunity (to seize the chance).
- The Fool’s “Si” is the “detective with affliction.”
- They exhaust their energy solely to find and prove the faults of others, ultimately burning themselves out.
- Key Insight: The label you place on others is precisely a reflection of yourself.
Deconstructing the Wisdom of “Si” (Waiting): Serving Compassion, Removing Suffering
- The Wise One’s “Si” is the Bodhisattva’s compassion.
- Seeing the “illness” (affliction) in others, they patiently wait for the right moment to help the other person remove the “thorn” from their side.
- This requires wisdom, and even more, “patience/forbearance”.
- Key Concept Reconceptualized: True “patience/forbearance” is not passive endurance, but the ability to possess a “correct understanding” of things.
Part III: Determining Your Yuanqi
Your “Xun” and “Si” Determine Your Yuanqi
- Negative Cycle (Vicious Cycle): 1. Inner State: Seeking and Observing out of affliction 2. Created Yuanqi: Obstacles and Suffering 3. External World: Hitting walls everywhere.
- Positive Cycle (Virtuous Cycle): 1. Inner State: Seeking and Observing with compassion 2. Created Yuanqi: Positive Affinity and Smoothness 3. External World: Like Liu Bei, receiving aid from many.
Spiritual Practice Begins with Introspection
- What kind of world is our “Xun” and “Si” creating at this very moment?
- True strength is not calculating gains and losses, but possessing a heart of pure, selfless altruism, just like Liu Bei.
Thank you all for listening!
