Water, Fire, and Self
– Musings of Dr. Jamie C. Hsu, 11.20.2017
2017 has been a tough year for USA. We have encountered so many natural and man-made disasters. Storms flooded Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico. A wildfire blaze burned several thousand homes and buildings in northern California. And the country seems to be more divided than ever after the election. Different political, religious, and social groups pitted against each other — what is going on here?
We know that fire is one of the greatest discoveries in human history. It provides warmth during cold weather, it turns raw meat into tasty meals, it lights up the dark night, and it gives us protection against wild animals. But this wonderful tool can render disastrous consequences when out of control.
The same can be said about water, the essential element of every aspect of our lives. Without it, life cannot exist. Our modern lives would be miserable without water, even if it is just for a few days. On the other hand, too much water can cause flooding and landslides, destruct buildings and infrastructures, and even take away precious lives.
Similar to the good and bad of water and fire, the value of Self can also be constructive or destructive in our lives, depending on how it is treated. Our concern with Self propels us to do well and do good, and to establish a solid reputation. We all care about our self-image and want to build and protect it. Unfortunately, we have also seen how some people pay too much attention to the Self. They develop an inflated ego and get caught up with fame-seeking. These kinds of people exist in business, politics, entertainment, and in daily life. They get caught up in the perpetual wheel of seeking publicity, fame, ego, and power. As a consequence, they will be surrounded by the “yes man” and eventually lose true friends.
Of course, we can’t all attain a utopian state of selflessness and achieve the internal peace described in Buddha’s teaching, but we can certainly minimize the Self in our dealings with others. Just like fire and water, we need to learn to control the Self and not let it get out of hand.
Only by shrinking the Self, can we enter others’ hearts. Only by lowering the Self, can we hear the truth.
水, 火,“自我” 的一體兩面
-作者 許俊宸博士
-中譯 薛乃綺
2017年對美國來說，是艱難的一年；大家遭遇到了許多自然及人為的災難。德州、佛羅里達州及波多黎各遭受暴風雨襲擊引發水災；加州森林火災燒毀了數千間房屋及建築物。選舉過後，這個國家似乎變得比以往更加分裂。不同的政黨、宗教、社團互相對立。这究竟是怎麽了？
我們知道，火是人類史上最偉大的發明之一。它在寒冷的天氣中提供了溫暖、把生肉變成了美味的食物、更照亮了黑暗的夜晚，並為我們在野外提供了對抗野生動物的屏蔽。然而，這個在我們日常生活中很神奇的工具，一旦失控時，卻能造成災難性的後果。
其實關於水也是同樣的道理，它是我們生活中各方面的基本需求要素。但在另一方面，過多的水可能引發洪水或山坡土石滑落、破壞建築及基礎建設、甚至奪走寶貴的性命。
就像是水火的好與壞，在我們的生活中，”自我”的價值可以是有建設性的、抑或是具破壞力的，這取決於要如何對待它。我們對自我的關注，促使我們變好、做好事、建立良好的聲譽。我們都關心我們的自我形象，並且希望能建立、保護它。可惜的是，我們也看到有些人對”自我”過分的關注，充斥著自大、追求名利。這樣的人存在於職場、政治、休閒娛樂業、甚至日常生活中。他們陷入了尋求宣傳、名聲、自我權力的輪迴循環中。最終，他們周遭只剩下對他們唯唯諾諾的人、卻失去了真心的朋友。
我們當然不可能都達到無私的烏托邦境界、或是佛教所說的無我的內在平靜，但是當我們在與他人相處時，一定要能把自我降到最低。就像是水跟火一樣，我們需要學會控制自我，而不是讓它失去控制。
水可載舟 亦可覆舟 火可䁔身亦可焚身
只有縮小“自我“，我們才能進入別人的心；
只有降低“自我“，我們才能聽到真話。
