Inner Peace
Some examples of traditional Chinese wisdom would be to always respect others as you want to be respected and to find balance between your desire and your demand. This knowledge has been spread outside China and has been adopted by the western cultures.
In Kung Fu Panda II, the most fierce weapon was not an eastern sword, nor a western cannon but Inner Peace: it was needed to channel one’s energy and with this form the world’s most powerful weapon. Traditional Chinese wisdom includes Dao and Zen, reflecting the western understanding of China.
Not necessarily the real China today.
In China, the recent high-speed train crash killed more than 35 passengers, with hundreds wounded. The most shocking news came when we knew that the officers tried to bury the remains of the train within 24 hours of the accident, with all of the properties of the passengers inside the train. Most importantly, after trying to smash the train, a girl was found live inside – she would have died if the officers continued “doing their job”.
Rumors say that the unconventional eager attempt to bury the site was just the officers’ were trying to ruin the evidence, so they would be less likely to be indicted. And news came that the train department was corrupted, leading to an unsafe and low-quality train (the accident was caused after a flash hit the train, which in normal conditions would not lead to any accident for the train has adopted an anti-flash system).
The high-speed train was supposed to be a gift for the nation, yet officers were getting commands to fasten the project. One example is that a driver only spent 10 days learning – and nornally it would take him about 3 or 4 months in training.
EVERYTHING is fast in China. Students hurry to find a job and get promotion, workers hurry to make more products, women hurry to find a husband and get married, officers hurry to make the GDP number shining and good for their promotion. We are moving towards a better society, for we think we are moving faster and developing.
Yes, developing is the key word, especially when an economy is emerging. That is the only focus today for the country.
“Please my China, slow down and wait for the people to follow up, do not focus too much on just hurrying up.” is a popular phrase, widely spread.
We have peace now, with no war or conflict in the country.
We have peace now, so that the State focuses on developing our economy.
But how about inner peace? Could the State somehow slow down a little bit, to catch up with what the citizens really need, as family values, as food security, as trust among the nation, as no corruption. Are people allowed to slow down a little bit, to find peace?
That could also be a question for individuals. I dare you slow down, to make a choice among all the good stuff you desire, and find what you really care for? To find your inner peace…
Picture taken from michellemarin.org
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[...] sabiduría está raramente presente en la China vertiginosa de hoy. Desafía a sus compatriotas a disminuir el ritmo para alcanzar la paz interior [en]: Se suponía que el tren de alta velocidad sería un regalo para la nación, sin embargo los [...]
Everything is fast in Mexico City too. With the traffic, stress and rythm of life in general you hardly find a time to sit and enjoy a meal. I guess this happens in all megapolis.
It would be nice if the state could focus on allowing their citizens a “slow-down”… maybe being inner peace a focus on our human rights.
I believe if this initiative was supported – we would have happier citizens
I will take your message with me
Thank you!