Principle of Least Resistance · Internal Reference¶
Original texts by Guide Xuefeng, for deep study
I. The Foundational Revelation¶
Chanyuan Corpus · Revelations · "The Principle of Least Resistance"
A melon forced from the vine is not sweet; a person who forces their way encounters no smooth path. Rowing upstream is no match for going with the current. Grinding an iron rod into a needle is no match for buying one at the shop. Bitter struggle is no match for joyful ease. Rather than forcing yourself into battle, it is better to yield to what comes.
Rather than transforming Mars, build up the Earth. Rather than building ten-thousand-li walls, work to elevate yourself. Rather than pushing hard, ease the flow. Rather than training a pig to be a dog, simply raise a dog. Rather than eulogizing the dead, praise the living. Rather than clinging to dogma, use your mind to innovate.
Long-distance transport is no match for using local resources. If local resources are lacking, it is better to go elsewhere. Follow the times and respond to heaven, and change with ten thousand changes. The apple has already rotted — why continue trying to keep it fresh? If the east is dark, the west is bright. If the south goes dark, the north has light. If this place cannot sustain you, another will. Change with conditions; find ease wherever you are.
When your body is at peace, do not complain of poverty. If you hold a bun in your hand, don't fixate on meat. The small bird rests in the forest — why must it learn to soar like the Roc? Human desires are like snakes swallowing elephants — they inflate and stir up waves. When the heart is free of material desire, heaven and earth are still. Forced fame brings harsh criticism. If you have no diamond-tipped drill, don't take on porcelain work. If you were not born to love the piano, why force yourself to learn? If your ear is not tuned, why dream of singing with a clear, soaring voice?
If someone calls you a good-for-nothing, why let it lodge in your heart? If someone praises you as a great master, why feign humility? Today's flower blooms today. Tomorrow, if there is no flower, only protect the leaves. A flower that refuses to bloom becomes a nuisance; by midwinter, it is worthless. If someone loves you and appreciates you, that is a heaven-sent opportunity — why push them away? If someone names you a worthy or a sage, heaven is ready to fulfill you — why not go with the current and achieve a brilliant life? Leaving untouched meat on the table while gnawing bones under it; refusing the honor at hand while suffering hardship for some other prize; hiding talent without stepping forward — to die is then only to become a heap of rotting bones. The butterfly dances and the scenery is beautiful; the gemstone buried deep is nothing but dirt.
No person stays beautiful for a thousand days; no flower blooms for a hundred. Fine wine stored in the cellar may be fragrant — but if no one tastes it, what use is it? Drink today's wine today. Do not spend a thousand years in empty scheming. Tsunamis and earthquakes can arise at any moment — how many days of joy can there be?
What you possess is precious. What comes easily is a gift from the Greatest Creator. When you have a tap at home, why dig a well a thousand miles away? Welcome what comes, cherish it, and do not spend your life dreaming at the moon. If the work you have chosen is riddled with obstacles, it surely means you have misunderstood your life. Heaven punishes the obsessed; hell awaits the willful. Why not live lightly?
Great matters are decided by the Tao — they are not for you to wrench into shape when you cannot even understand yourself. Follow the Tao. That is the best life. When heaven gives you an opportunity and you refuse it, you are going against the Tao. The wicked are governed by the wicked; the worthy and the holy lead. Whether one becomes wicked or holy is heaven-determined.
Speak human language to humans; speak ghost language to ghosts; say nothing to the monsters who are neither human nor ghost. Use bird language for birds; howl with the wolves; speak from the heart to those who truly understand you. Eat when there is food; relieve yourself when you need to. If you starve yourself or hold it in until you suffer, don't blame others.
The Buddha saves those with affinity. Lifechanyuan seeks kindred spirits. If the heart is blocked by a layer, nothing will be clear. A melon is naturally a melon; an apricot is naturally an apricot — it all depends on the resonance of the heart. If a melon wants to be an apricot and an apricot wants to be a melon, the program is already confused — there is no hope.
If you act on the Principle of Least Resistance, your life will encounter no obstacle.
II. Connection to the Natural Way¶
Other writings by the Guide · 2023 · "Speaking Again of the Principle of Least Resistance and Removing Selfishness"
We Chanyuan Celestials walk the Way of the Greatest Creator — that is, the Natural Way. The core of the Natural Way is "when water finds its level, when the melon is ripe it falls." Any forcing violates the Natural Way. Whenever you have an ideal and wish to realize it, the best path is to work steadily toward it, gradually accumulating change. When that accumulated change crosses the tipping point, the ideal realizes itself naturally — that is the Principle of Least Resistance. Any scheme to find a shortcut and quickly achieve one's wish is a violation of the Natural Way.
When we do not understand what the Natural Way or the Principle of Least Resistance is, look at how a fruit tree bears fruit. When we want to know what it means to violate the Natural Way and seek shortcuts, look at the corrupt officials who end up in prison.
2023-08-19
III. The Universe Also Operates by Least Resistance¶
New Era Human 800 Concepts (4th Edition) · Concept 333
The universe does not distinguish between the good and the evil. As long as you form a vivid mental image or pray sincerely, the universe will do everything it can, on the principle of least resistance and at the greatest possible speed, to help you realize your wish.
New Era Human 800 Concepts (4th Edition) · Concept 271
In all matters, act on the principle of least resistance.
IV. Application in Building the Home for Soul¶
Xuefeng Corpus · Chanyuan Chapter · "Fully Absorbing the New Era Consciousness"
Everything must develop according to the Principle of Least Resistance. No form of teaching or outreach matches the speed, economy, and convenience of computer networks. The ancient religious modes of spreading a message will be replaced by the internet, just as letter-writing gave way to telecommunications. Clinging to tradition offers no way forward; stubbornly holding to the old will be swept away by the tides of the era.
Other writings by the Guide · 2006 · "Bare Talk + Breaking Spells"
My ideal is to help every Chanyuan Celestial become prosperous. But how to become prosperous requires exploring the path. Blind rushing is guaranteed to produce half the result with twice the effort. We need to find the best approach, with the Principle of Least Resistance as our guide.
Other writings by the Guide · 2008 · "Home Economic Construction Report 7"
The principle I have always followed is: least resistance. Any matter where resistance is high, complications are many, variables are many, and control is difficult — this is like dealing with a person who is awkward from the start, evasive, and secretive. It is very hard to work with.