Chuang Tzu Quotes on Self (2 Quotes)

When he tries to extend his power over objects, those objects gain control of him. He who is controlled by objects loses possession of his inner self... Prisoners in the world of object, they have no choice but to submit to the demands of matter They are pressed down and crushed by external forces fashion, the market, events, public opinion. Never in a whole lifetime do they recover their right mind... What a pity.

Yen Hui What is fasting of the heart Confucius The goal of fasting is inner unity. This means hearing, but not with the ear hearing, but not with the understanding hearing with the spirit, with your whole being... The hearing of the spirit is not limited to any one faculty, to the ear, or to the mind. Hence it demands the emptiness of all the faculties. And when the faculties are empty, then the whole being listens. There is then a direct grasp of what is right there before you that can never be heard with the ear or understood with the mind. Fasting of the heart empties the faculties, frees you from limitation and from preoccupation. Fasting of the heart begets unity and freedom. Yen Hui I see. What was standing in my way was my own self-awareness. If I can begin this fasting of the heart, self awareness will vanish.