The Way of Social Conduct

Each person's eyes are like this: just a cat's eye inlaid on a white ping-pong ball, merely a mechanical device—do not take it seriously. If someone gazes at you with tender affection, it is simply water leaking out of the ping-pong ball, flowing from the cat's eye. It doesn't matter; it cannot form a great river to drown you, nor will it overturn mountains and carry you away. Pay it no mind. If someone casts flirtatious glances your way, it is merely the ping-pong ball emitting light, projected from the cat's eye. Do not mind it either, for the light of nature is warmer than this. If someone glares at you furiously, this is the ping-pong ball emitting fire, blazing from the cat's eye. Do not fear; it cannot burn you, nor will it become a raging wildfire. Ignore it, and it will naturally extinguish itself.

Loving me or hating me has nothing to do with me. I remain serene and at ease. Detached from all, my mind is as calm as still water. I do not cling to appearances; thus, the world holds no troubles, and heaven and earth naturally broaden. When even heaven and earth vanish from sight, true liberation is attained. How wonderful!