The hearing that is only in the ears is one thing. The hearing of the understanding is another. But the hearing of the spirit is not limited to any one faculty to the ear, or to the mind.
ZhuangziRead
During our dreams we do not know we are dreaming. We may even dream of interpreting a dream. Only on waking do we know it was a dream. Only after the great awakening will we realize that this is the great dream.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the nature of dreams and reality, suggesting that true understanding comes only after a profound awakening.
Zhuangzi's quote suggests that while we are engulfed in our experiences, particularly dreams, we often lack awareness of their true nature. It challenges our perceptions of reality and encourages us to seek deeper understanding, implying that just like dreams, our waking life may also be an illusion until we achieve a greater level of awareness or awakening.
Themes
DreamsRealityAwakeningPhilosophyAwareness
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a philosophical discussion about the nature of reality.
More from Zhuangzi
All quotes →Either in conflict with others or in harmony with them, we go through life like a runaway horse, unable to stop.
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When people do not ignore what they should ignore, but ignore what they should not ignore, this is known as ignorance.
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The true man of the past waited upon Heaven when dealing with people and did not wait upon people when dealing with Heaven.
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The mind remains undetermined in the great Void. Here the highest knowledge is unbounded. That which gives things their thusness cannot be delimited by things. So when we speak of 'limits', we remain confined to limited things. The limit of the unlimited is called 'fullness.' The limitlessness of the limited is called 'emptiness.' Tao is the source of both. But it is itself neither fullness nor emptiness
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All the fish needs is to get lost in the water. All man needs is to get lost in Tao.
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