Now

What I’ve Been Working On Lately

• Learning programming
• Studying professional expertise

What’s Been On My Mind

In ancient times, those who grasped the Dao modeled themselves on Yin and Yang, living in harmony with cosmic rhythms. They ate and drank in moderation, kept regular schedules for rest and activity, and never overtaxed themselves recklessly. Thus body and spirit remained as one; they lived out their full natural lifespans, reaching a hundred years before passing away.

People of today live differently. They treat wine like plain water, normalize reckless excess, and indulge in intimacy while intoxicated. They drain their vital essence chasing desires, dissipate their innate life force, fail to preserve inner fullness, and neglect calming their minds. They only seek instant gratification, acting against the true joys of existence, with erratic daily routines—this is why they decline by fifty years of age.

The sage elders of antiquity all taught their people: ward off harmful climatic evils at the proper times. Maintain a tranquil, unburdened mind, and your innate vital energy will flow freely. When your spirit and consciousness dwell inward, how can illness take hold?

Therefore, your aspirations stay mild with few cravings, your heart rests peaceful without fear. Though your body labors, you feel no exhaustion; your vital energy flows smooth and unobstructed. All moderate wishes are fulfilled naturally.

One finds delight in simple food, comfort in plain garments, contentment in local customs. No envy lingers between high and low status—this is the unspoiled simplicity of such folk.

Lustful cravings cannot strain their eyes, lewd temptations cannot muddle their hearts. Foolish or wise, virtuous or ordinary, none are disturbed by external gains and losses, hence they align with the Dao.

The reason they all live past a hundred with undiminished vitality is that their inner integrity remains complete, untouched by harm.

What I’m Reading

A Concise Outline of Chinese History — A landmark comprehensive history work by Li Dingyi, a distinguished contemporary historian from Taiwan. Covering from mythic prehistoric eras to the Xinhai Revolution of modern times, it chronicles thousands of years of evolution of Chinese civilization.

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Inspired by Derek Sivers’ /now page movement: https://nownownow.com