LIFE

The poets, with their exceptional sensitivity and great power of observation, are the best people to talk about LIFE.

We all wish to accomplish something in life; fame? wealth? plentiful possessions? Many ancient Chinese intellectuals believed that there is something called common good, and wanted very much to contribute to it during their lifetime. In his deathbed, the Sung Dynasty poet Lu You 陸游 had this to say to his son:

• I am sure nothing remains when I die,
• Seeing my country divided I cry;
• When our troops strike north regaining the capital,
• In your offerings to me, you must let me know.

But it is hard to visualize exactly what, in life, we are aiming at, for we do not really know what is life and what actually lies in front of us:

• I don’t know what the LU mountains resemble,
• Because right in the mountains I ramble.
• Su Shi 蘇軾

And we are not certain that we are in control of anything, for everything is impermanent:

• Amidst sounds of wind and rain through the night,
• How many flowers have gone out of sight?
• Meng Hao-ran 孟浩然

Good things will sooner or later fade away:

• The setting sun is richly dear,
• But evening is drawing near.
• Li Shang-yin 李商隱

Can we really achieve something and let others remember us?

• By and large what our life is like, do you know?
• It can be compared to flying birds treading on snow.
• Perhaps perchance they leave their footprints on the ground,
• But will fly away without caring east- or west- bound.
• Su Shi 蘇軾

Just imagine the great expanse of space and time, with distances measured in terms of light years. What is Man? And what is each of us?

• I cannot see those who have long been dead,
• Nor can I see those who are yet ahead.
• When I think of the Universe forever living,
• Alone I am distressed with tears falling.
• Chen Zi-ang 陳子昂

We are in total bewilderment when we delve into the essence of life; and, sooner or later, we have to deal with it alone. If we boldly take up the challenge, we may be able to find in total SOLITUDE tremendous satisfaction, pleasure, wisdom and ultimate self-realization. Let us enjoy it to the full:

• Not a bird has over the mountains flown,
• Not a single soul is there on the paths remote;
• A straw-clad old man in a lonely boat
• Fishes snow on the cold stream alone.
• Liu Zong-yuan 柳宗元