[Book Sip] If You Don’t Want to Get Soaked by the Storm... "Try Jumping Into the Water"

Editor's NoteSome sentences encapsulate the entire essence of a book, while others instantly resonate with readers and create a point of connection with the text. Here, we present meaningful excerpts from books.

This is a story about "Zhuangzi," introduced by the author who, from childhood, memorized the "Thousand Character Classic" and "Myeongsimbogam," and who has drawn strength from Eastern classics at every turn in life. The author emphasizes that Zhuangzi offers a place of solace when one's heart is shaken by a turbulent world. The answers to questions such as, "What should we do now, and what should we rely on? What should we avoid, and where should we stay? What should we follow, and what should we leave behind?" are found in the classic "Zhuangzi," which has been read by countless people around the world for over 2,500 years.

These days, many people around me say it feels like a "second IMF" is upon us. There is an outcry that the series of tragic events that occurred in 1997 are not just a page in history, but are returning as a current reality. Major conglomerates that once dominated the world are collapsing, small and medium-sized businesses and self-employed individuals are falling into the abyss of bankruptcy and closure, and the stock and asset markets are entering an ice age-the similarities are striking. As making a living becomes more difficult, people are growing increasingly hardened. It is only natural. Even without quoting Mencius' words, "Only with stable property can there be a stable mind," it is human nature that when basic livelihood becomes difficult, the heart grows harsh and irritable. <pp. 14-15>

"Jupyeongman learned from Jiriik how to slay dragons. He spent a fortune-worth a thousand gold coins-and three years to master the skill. But he never had any use for it." (Zhuangzi, Miscellaneous Chapters, Lieyukou) Jupyeongman and Jiriik are both fictional characters. This brief passage, about spending a great sum to learn how to slay dragons only to find the skill useless, resonates deeply with me. Whenever the desire for wealth surges from deep within, I recite and copy this passage. I see my own foolishness and blind desire reflected in Jupyeongman's folly-spending a thousand gold coins and three years to slay a dragon that doesn't even exist. <p. 26>

Is there a way to never get wet? In life, no matter how careful we are, we sometimes get drenched in the rain, soaked in sweat, or even doused with water. There is, frankly, no way to avoid getting wet in life. But if we change our perspective, there is one way: to jump into the sea. Those already in the water do not get wet. For someone swimming in the sea, even a downpour is nothing to fear, and being splashed is no longer a problem. Life brings all sorts of worries that trouble us. (...)
Let us now consider how to face worries head-on, rather than avoiding them-in other words, how to dive straight into the sea. Instead of trying to solve or evade concerns, let's explore the practice of accepting them as a natural part of life. <pp. 32-33>

The reason our lives falter may sometimes be due to a lack of effort or foolishness, but more often it is because we are swept away by the great currents of the world. We call this "fortune" or "luck." What grave mistake did Jiriso commit to be born with a hunched back? None-it was simply a matter of bad luck. If Jiriso had blamed himself for his physical defect or resented his parents, his life would have been miserable. But Jiriso never tried to prove a false sense of usefulness. That was the wisest course of action. Instead, he strove to find true value, focusing all his attention inward. The "Jiri" in Jiriso is the same character as in the commonly used expression "Jirimyeolryeol" (utter confusion). The name Jiriso itself means "a man in utter confusion." <pp. 60-61>

"Everyone knows the usefulness of what is useful, but they do not know the usefulness of what is useless!" (Zhuangzi, Inner Chapters, Human World) There's a joke that the feeling when you get out of a car is more important than the ride itself. The value of a car should be in how safely and comfortably you drive it, but if the admiration and envy of others when you step out becomes your standard for choosing a car, that is a foolish addiction to recognition. To avoid relationships that drain you and to escape the need for validation and truly love yourself, what kind of relationships should you focus on? The answer is surprisingly simple: relationships in which you have no need to prove your own value. <p. 81>

Let us closely examine the term "Je-mul-ron." "Je" means to make things even or aligned, and "mul" means things or objects. It refers to bringing all things in the world into harmony. However, this does not mean we should judge the world with a mechanical or uniform perspective. Rather, it is an invitation to look beyond trivial disputes and adopt a broad-minded attitude, embracing a harmonious worldview. Zhuangzi paradoxically states, "Where there is life, there is death; where there is possibility, there is impossibility; following right leads to wrong, and following wrong leads to right." With such a "Je-mul-ron worldview," one would not dare to judge oneself. From the perspective of seeing the world in harmony, wealth, fame, health, and beauty are all petty standards. Naturally, one will avoid the folly of judging oneself by such measures. <p. 101>

When Life Wavers, Read Zhuangzi | Written by Kim Hoonjong | Dodo Seoga | 256 pages | 18,500 KRW