Navigating Through Life
by Master Lee Feng San Shifu
Translated by Sophia Lui
Edited by Ric Meyers
How do we navigate through the different stages of life? According to a Chinese saying, it is important to teach young children the concept of “maintaining harmony,” whatever the situation. Not only must we instill this concept in them while they are young, but they should also make an effort to uphold this principle throughout their lives. If they are able to put this concept into practice, then they will have a solid foundation for growth and happiness. They will also not become easily confused, and will know how to navigate the path of life.
This is not unlike parachute jumping. When we are high up in the sky, far away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, we can experience complete serenity. Our minds are clear, we can see far, and there is no confusion. However, once we touch ground, we have to deal with the challenges of daily living. If we do not have the concept of “maintaining harmony” to orientate ourselves, we could become embroiled in turmoil and not know how to create a successful life. Living according to this principle means that we do not act against Heaven’s will, and thus find ourselves lost and confused.
Once we arrive at the stage of our youth, our most important task is to let this principle guide us to the right path. And as we work towards our life goals, we should follow the Dao and never deviate from it for a moment.
When we reach our golden years and have found our footing in life, we should expend even more effort on self-cultivation in order to become a worldly-wise and enlightened person. According to a Chinese saying, our moral character should be fully developed at this stage, and we should continue to uphold the moral virtues, and make them a priority in our daily living.
This is not unlike training in the martial arts. Once we have reached a certain level of expertise, we should turn inwards and work on our inner development. A martial artist who cultivates himself does not easily demonstrate his powerful abilities. Otherwise, it only shows his lack of confidence, and he will only create trouble for himself and others. If martial artists do not work on their inner self, it will be difficult for them to reach a higher level of achievement. And, if a bottleneck occurs, they will not know how to break through it.
If we are able to fulfill these three conditions in our lifetime, we will find peace within. Once we reach this level of higher development, there is no turning back, and we will see truth in all its bearings. We will become a person who is truly big-hearted and noble. For such a person, there is no birth and no death. He is the master of his own life and he transcends birth and death.
“Instill the concept of harmony in infancy; identify our true passions in youth; embody the moral virtues in our golden years.” — Lee Feng San Shifu