Chuan Xi Lu: Instructions for Practical Living

About the Book

Chuan Xi Lu is a collection of the sayings and letters of the Ming dynasty philosopher Wang Shouren (Wang Yangming), compiled by his disciples Xu Ai, Qian Dehong, and others. The book is the definitive expression of Wang Yangming's School of Mind and the primary source for understanding it.

Core Concepts

According to your journal, you read this book in early 2020. Its core concepts include:

1. The mind is principle: the mind itself is principle — apart from the original mind there is no other principle.
2. The unity of knowledge and action: cognition and practice are one — knowledge is the directive behind action, and action is the effort of knowledge.
3. Extending innate knowledge: innate moral knowledge is the goodness inherent in every person; through introspection and self-cultivation, one extends it to all things.

Key Takeaways

Reading this book gave you a deep look into the School of Mind, a current of traditional Chinese philosophy, with lasting inspiration for personal cultivation, moral practice, and ways of thinking. The wisdom in its pages provided an important source of insight as you faced the challenges of work and life in 2020.