In ancient China, there was a young man named Li Han, who had been raised in the teachings of Taoism, revering nature and honoring the heavens. He had often heard elders speak of the saying "Seeing the mountains and the sea, seeing yourself," but he could never fully grasp its meaning. The phrase seemed to contain profound wisdom, yet whenever he stood atop a mountain and gazed out at the vast sea, he still couldn't understand its deeper significance.

One day, while Li Han was practicing in the mountains, lost in contemplation, he grew weary and decided to rest by a small stream. It was then that he heard the voice of an elderly man.

"Why have you stopped?" the old man asked.

Li Han respectfully replied, "Master, I have practiced for many years, studied countless Taoist scriptures, yet there is still a doubt in my heart. What does 'Seeing the mountains and the sea, seeing yourself' truly mean?"

The old man smiled gently and pointed toward the distant mountains and sea. "You stand here, and before you is a mountain, majestic and towering, and an ocean, vast and boundless. You might think these are simply scenes of nature, but in truth, they are reflections of your own inner world."

Li Han was stunned. He had never before connected the "mountain" and the "sea" to himself.

The old man continued, "The mountain represents your steadfastness and inner strength. When you stand at the peak, looking down upon the world, you see your own resilience and unwavering spirit. The ocean, on the other hand, symbolizes the depth of your heart, a vast and endless expanse. It can embrace all things, yet it can also stir into waves of turmoil."

"Your cultivation is not merely an outward practice; it is the balance of your inner being. The relationship between the mountain and the sea is like the balance of your mind. It must be as steady as the mountain and as vast as the sea."

Li Han remained silent for a long time, gazing at the scenery before him. It suddenly dawned on him that he had always treated his spiritual practice as something external, never realizing that true cultivation comes from the transformation of the heart. Just as the mountains and the sea before him were reflections of nature, they also mirrored his own inner world.

The old man’s words left a lasting impression on him. He now understood that "Seeing the mountains and the sea, seeing yourself" was not about the outer landscape, but about seeing one’s true self through the symbols of nature.

Years later, Li Han became a highly respected Taoist priest. His spiritual practice no longer focused on seeking external mysteries, but on discovering inner tranquility and wisdom. He often traveled between the mountains and the sea, conversing with nature, and he passed on the teachings of "Seeing the mountains and the sea, seeing yourself" to others.

This story, along with his teachings, became an important part of Taoist philosophy, reminding later generations that when one gazes upon the mountains and the sea, what they truly see is their own inner self.Seeing the Sea Phone Wallpaper。I recommend  https://mall.taoismtop.com/%E8%A6%8B%E6%B5%B7-%E6%89%8B%E6%A9%9F%E5%A3%81%E7%B4%99