In an ancient mountain range, there stood a small Daoist temple known as "Qingfeng Dao Guan" (Clear Breeze Temple). Hidden among the clouds, it was a place of perpetual spring, with clear streams gurgling and trees lush with greenery. An elderly Daoist priest named Qingxu lived there, his hair entirely white, his face calm and serene, as though untouched by the mortal world. Qingxu often said, "The heavens and earth are filled with spirit, all things follow the Dao, and when the heart is clear, one can unite with the cosmos."
One day, a young man arrived at the temple. His expression was filled with confusion and anxiety, and his steps were heavy, his eyes clouded with uncertainty. He was a scholar from a nearby town, named Lingfeng. Recently, Lingfeng had been feeling despondent, overwhelmed by his studies and the mundane troubles of daily life, and he felt lost, as if trapped in a fog, unable to find his way out.
He entered Qingfeng Dao Guan to seek advice from the Daoist priest. "Master, my heart is in turmoil. I feel stuck in everything I do, overwhelmed by frustration and uncertainty. I cannot find peace within myself. Can you teach me how to calm this restless heart?" he asked.
Qingxu Daoist priest smiled gently, motioned for Lingfeng to sit, and then took a beautiful wallpaper depicting a mountain and sea from a scroll on the table. The wallpaper showed towering mountains and an expansive ocean, the sky and earth merging in a grand, majestic scene. Qingxu handed the wallpaper to Lingfeng and said, "Look at this image of the mountains and sea. Gaze upon it, and allow your heart to settle. Slowly, you will understand."
Lingfeng was puzzled but decided to follow the Daoist’s advice. He held the wallpaper in front of him, closed his eyes, and began to focus on it. At first, his thoughts were still chaotic, and his mind continued to race with distractions. But as he relaxed, he began to feel a sense of calm. The vast mountains, the boundless ocean, seemed to tell a story without words. There was an unspoken tranquility that filled the space, as if the world itself was silently teaching him something profound.
"All of this is merely appearance," said Qingxu’s voice suddenly. "The mountains do not speak, the sea does not cry out, and the clouds are silent, yet they each follow their own course with ease. So too must a person, for it is the distractions of the world that cloud your inner peace. You must understand that anxiety and frustration are but mist in the heart. Only by letting go of these distractions can you see your true self."
Lingfeng opened his eyes and gazed again at the wallpaper. He felt a wave of clarity wash over him. The vast ocean seemed to carry away his worries, and the towering mountains anchored his mind. He realized that his frustration had come from trying to control everything, from not allowing himself to go with the flow of life, to embrace the natural course of things.
With deep gratitude, he looked at Qingxu Daoist priest. "Master, I understand now. To calm my heart is not to force solutions to every problem but to let go and let things unfold as they are. Just like this wallpaper, the mountains and sea are silent, yet they embody all wisdom."
Qingxu nodded. "You see, the mountains and sea are not in conflict, the clouds and wind simply follow their natural path. True wisdom lies in harmonizing with nature. When you release your distractions, your heart will naturally find peace."
When Lingfeng left the temple, his heart felt light. He took the wallpaper with him, and whenever his mind became troubled, he would gaze upon it. Over time, he found that he no longer allowed the petty matters of life to disturb him. Through the simple act of looking at the wallpaper, he discovered his own peace and serenity. His heart became like the gentle breeze, clear and open, and his mind, once clouded, was now liberated.
Moral of the Story: The wisdom of Daoism emphasizes harmony with nature and the acceptance of the flow of life. When we release the urge to control everything and let go of our attachments, our anxiety and restlessness fade. Just like the mountain and sea wallpaper, which symbolizes the vastness and tranquility of nature, true peace lies in allowing the world to be as it is and finding inner stillness. Many of life’s troubles can be alleviated by returning to nature, calming the mind, and embracing simplicity.See the Mountain Phone Wallpaper。I recommendhttps://mall.taoismtop.com/%E8%A6%8B%E5%B1%B1-%E6%89%8B%E6%A9%9F%E5%A3%81%E7%B4%99