University · Moderate

Chapter 9 Interpretation of "Correct Mind and Self-cultivation"
[Original text]

The so-called self-cultivation lies in correcting one's heart.If there is anger in the body, it cannot be corrected; if there is fear, it cannot be corrected; if there is pleasure, it cannot be corrected; if there is sorrow, it cannot be corrected.

Absent mind ②, seeing but not seeing, hearing but not hearing, eating but not knowing its taste.This is called self-cultivation, which is rectifying one's heart.

【Note】

① Anxiety in the body: body, should be the word "heart", referring to the heart.Anger (fènzhì), anger.

② Yan: Concurrent with the usage of words, it still says "in this", which means "here".

【Translation】

What is emphasized: If you want to improve your own moral cultivation, the key is to first correct your mind (thought).What's the point?If there is anger in the heart, it cannot be corrected; if there is fear in the heart, it cannot be corrected; if there is pleasure in the heart, it cannot be corrected; if there is worry in the heart, it cannot be corrected.

The mind is not correct, the thoughts are not concentrated, seeing but not seeing it, hearing it as if not hearing it, eating food but not knowing the taste of the food, all of the above are caused by improper thoughts.That is to say, if you want to improve your own moral cultivation, the key is to correct your mind (thought).

[Zhu Xi Tips]

The seven chapters of the right biography explain "Correct Mind and Self-cultivation".

【Translation】

Zhu Xi said that the above paragraph is Chapter 7 of Chuanwen, which explains "Correct Mind and Self-cultivation".

(End of this chapter)