What is an Open Heart?
The answer: An open heart is as vast as the sea, and opens in the present moment.
As Hong Yingming, author of Rooted Wisdom (Cai Gen Tan), said: "Unperturbed by honor or disgrace, calmly watching the flowers bloom and fall in the courtyard; indifferent to coming or going, letting the clouds drift and scatter across the sky."
On the journey of life, there are always gains and losses, joys and sorrows, and inevitably, unnecessary suffering and troubles. So, how can we face the storms of life with openness and serenity, and fully embrace all its challenges?
Master Yancan, a renowned contemporary Chan (Zen) master and Buddhist scholar, proposed the wisdom of the 'Open-Hearted Life,' opening a window for us to happiness. This book builds on Master Yancan’s Buddhist teachings, rooted in Buddhist essentials, and explains various aspects of secular life—views on life, wealth, love and marriage, family education, interpersonal relationships, motivation for success—shedding light on the confusion of appearances and guiding you to self-reflection and true happiness.
First, learn to give yourself an open heart.
To broaden your heart does not mean escaping from the world or lacking ambition; rather, it is a calm maturity forged by time, seeing through worldly fame and profit, living more freely and fully.
You must learn to find moments of leisure amid the burdens and busyness of life, to nourish yourself, to care for your soul with an open heart. What emerges is a sunny smile, dignified bearing, and deep inner strength.
Second, learn to give others an open heart.
Those who give others an open heart treat life kindly, are steady yet passionate, calm yet kind, always able to face difficulties with a smile. They do not fuss over trivial matters, nor grow anxious under life’s pressures, nor become troubled by the changing emotions of loved ones. In times of disappointment, they use a pen to record the ebb and flow of their feelings; in the face of setbacks, they remind themselves to rise again and adapt to new circumstances; in hardship, they command themselves to cross through discouragement and embrace a new dawn.
Finally, learn to give the world an open heart.
"The world is restless; you must be strong within." Only with an open heart can one achieve true inner strength. Learn to be tolerant toward life and society, not demanding perfection, and to work diligently without losing yourself. Remember, life requires dedication, but even more, it requires acceptance.
Those with an open heart live simply, kindly, honestly, and openly, with ample time and peace to savor the richness and joy of life.
This book brings Buddhist principles into everyday life, touching the heart, using delicate, elegant, and poetic prose to discuss all aspects of existence—from ordinary joy, anger, sorrow, and fear, to the grand topics of life, karma, and time. It embodies the Chan (Zen) wisdom of cultivation and enlightenment, subtly expressing profound truths. In short, this book reveals the great world within a small life: Wherever life allows openness, choose openness—why let your brow remain furrowed?