The path to Tranquility (spring)
1. It's time to rise out of the water
In the earliest stages of life, we are like ancient fish, quietly immersed in the pristine, pure ocean. Our gills and tail are our only tools for interacting with the world; our mother's warm womb and amniotic fluid are the Garden of Eden, unconditionally protecting us from the harm of the outside world.
At the moment of birth, we are suddenly thrown into an unfamiliar world, like a sea creature pushed onto a dry shore by the tide. Air fills our lungs, light stings our eyes like needles, and sounds and smells rush in like a torrent, sending us into an instinctive panic. This is not only a dramatic physiological transformation, but also a shocking process of the subconscious emerging from the deep sea—the first awakening of the soul, the first flicker of consciousness.
At this point, our emotions still cling to the warmth of the amniotic fluid, while our consciousness, like a small piece of ice floating on the surface, drifts in the chaos. As experience accumulates, the iceberg gradually takes shape, a corner of consciousness surfacing, while the vast subconscious lurks beneath, hiding primitive desires, deep fears, and accumulated habits. We see the vastness of the world, yet we still grope and struggle in the water, trying to understand ourselves and set foot on the ground.
As we age, much of our consciousness remains submerged. The more we struggle, the more exhausted and lost we feel. Like gravity, the subconscious controls our emotions and behaviors, preventing us from rising from the water. That feeling of suffocation and anxiety is the soul's cry for help—for the subconscious to surface and find safety and stability.
However, the world on land is no simpler than underwater. Without sufficient awareness, we are more likely to lose control and even fall into danger. A futile struggle only complicates matters and makes it harder to see our situation clearly. Therefore, only by bravely diving underwater again and embracing our own shadows and vulnerabilities can we gradually deconstruct the contours of the subconscious, allowing it to surface and transform into clear consciousness.
It's a journey from ignorance to awakening, a deep exploration and reconstruction of the soul. We begin to discard our chaotic imaginations and see ourselves and the world with a clearer perspective. It's like surfacing for the first time and taking a deep breath of fresh air—both strange and invigorating.
The subconscious mind holds seeds of wisdom, waiting to be nurtured with our conscious attention. Often hidden within our emotions, it influences our choices and actions. Through meditation, dream analysis, and writing journals, we can decipher our emotions, uncover these subconscious messages, and elevate them to conscious awareness. Each such elevation is a transformation of the soul, much like learning to swim—gradually gaining mastery over our body and emotions.
Emotions flow between the subconscious and conscious mind. They can nourish the soul or unleash destructive waves. When anger, anxiety, or sadness take over, our rational thinking is often overwhelmed by these emotions. For example, a heated argument might cause us to lose our composure. But later we realize that the real source of the problem is our subconscious anxieties and desires.
Learning to identify, accept, and regulate our emotions is key to regaining inner control. We can take a deep breath or temporarily let go of our current situation to find a moment of peace. When we feel confused, we can proactively ask ourselves, "Why am I feeling uneasy? Where does my fear come from?" This kind of reflection is like finding a piece of driftwood in the water, keeping us from sinking.
Exploring the subconscious mind can bring revelations, not only allowing us to discern hidden possibilities in life but also making us aware of our close relationship with nature. Mindfulness practice allows us to focus on the present moment, savoring the aroma and warmth of a cup of tea rather than being driven by anxiety and habit. This allows us to live more authentically and beautifully.
Dreams serve as a conduit of communication between the subconscious and conscious mind. Through dream meditation, we can maintain awareness in our dreams and transform chaotic thoughts into sparks of creativity. Breathing exercises and philosophical reflection before bed not only help us fall into a restful sleep but also enhance daytime awareness, making us more receptive to messages from our subconscious mind.
These practices are not just tools, but a way of life—a respect for and connection to nature that can infuse life with poetry, inner strength, and quiet joy.
We can try a simple breathing exercise: take a deep breath, hold it for a few seconds, and feel the chest expand. Then, exhale slowly and hold it for a few seconds, feeling the calming of emotions. After repeating this exercise several times, we can focus on abstract topics, such as philosophy or poetry, to allow the mind to enter a calm inner space. Here, we temporarily detach from the body and allow emotions to subside. This allows consciousness to integrate and illuminate during sleep, leading to clearer thinking.
Looking to the future, the evolution of consciousness will open up limitless possibilities. Technological advances may enable the fusion of human consciousness and artificial intelligence, expanding the boundaries of cognition and creating unprecedented forms of intelligence. The rise of collective consciousness will be a key force in humanity's response to the climate crisis, social injustice, and war. Only through awakening can we promote global harmony and cooperation. When individual consciousness is no longer isolated but interconnected and integrated, we will usher in a civilization more empathetic and intelligent.
2. Make every moment fulfilling and interesting
