Zhuangzi: "When the heart is right for and against are forgotten"

When the Heart is Right, 'For' and 'Against' are Forgotten

The quote, "When the heart is right, 'for' and 'against' are forgotten," originates from the Zhuangzi (庄子), one of the foundational texts of Daoism. This teaching appears in the chapter 'The Great and Venerable Teacher' (大宗师), where Zhuang Zhou (also known as Zhuangzi) reflects on the Dao (道) and the importance of transcending human judgments and dualities.

Zhuangzi (369–286 BCE) was an influential Daoist philosopher whose ideas continue to shape Chinese thought. His work, entitled Zhuangzi, consists of 33 chapters divided into three parts:

The 'Inner Chapters', often attributed directly to Zhuangzi, are the core philosophical sections.
The 'Outer Chapters', written by his followers or later Daoists, expand on these ideas.
The 'Miscellaneous Chapters' include additional material compiled over time.

'The Great and Venerable Teacher,' the sixth of the Inner Chapters, explores existential themes through poetic language and vivid parables. It invites readers to reflect on what it means to live in harmony with the Dao. The Dao, often translated as 'the Way,' is a central concept in Daoism, representing the fundamental order and flow of the universe.

The 'heart' in this teaching refers to the mind or the center of one’s intention and perception. When the heart aligns with the Dao, distinctions like 'for' and 'against' dissolve. These dualities stem from human preferences and judgments, which, in the Daoist view, are artificial constructs that obscure a deeper unity with the natural world.

This idea embodies the Daoist principle of wu wei (无为), or effortless action, which encourages letting go of forceful intentions to live in harmony with life’s natural rhythms. Zhuangzi’s teachings emphasize freedom from societal constraints and the liberation that comes from embracing the interconnectedness of all things. By transcending rigid thinking, one attains peace, clarity, and a deeper understanding of the self and the universe.

Zhuangzi’s philosophy, often conveyed through humor and allegory, is timeless in its relevance, urging readers to question their assumptions and seek a life of simplicity, spontaneity, and balance.