Taoism advocates “concealment”, and practitioners often stay away from the hustle and bustle of the world, abandoning the shackles of worldly fame and fortune, and instead integrate with nature, in order to gain insight into the essence and truth of the existence of all things. No matter how diverse the paths of cultivation are, their fundamental essence lies in a profound understanding and integration of the cosmic path. The spirit of seclusion advocated by Taoism is actually a warning to the world not to let worldly desires deceive the soul, so as not to deviate from the right path and go astray.
When it comes to ‘concealment’, the first thing to clarify is the concept of ‘manifestation’. There is a saying that goes, ‘If you haven’t picked it up, how can you let it go?’ The journey of life is to go through storms, experience various forms, and find your true self from them. You should neither follow the crowd nor indulge yourself. To find peace and stability amidst the chaos of the world is the highest realm of ‘manifestation’. On this basis, exploring “concealment” implies a dual meaning: firstly, hiding outside the world is not to escape reality, but to deepen inner cultivation, hone one’s character, and open the door to wisdom through this way of life. The concealment at this stage is like studying hard for ten years, which is a necessary process for self-improvement. If one retreats solely due to the inability to cope with life’s challenges, it is actually a spiritual escape rather than true seclusion. The true hermit, no matter where they are, can remain calm in their heart like water, unaffected by external things.
At this stage of seclusion, it is a prelude to setting lofty aspirations and achieving extraordinary accomplishments, and its core lies in being clear minded and insightful. Throughout history, masters like Qiu Zu have undergone long and arduous cultivation to attain enlightenment. The seclusion here is not the leisurely tranquility that people imagine, but rather the result of physical and mental tempering, which reveals the true nature and achieves unwavering determination. Afterwards, practitioners need to return to the mortal world to practice and test what they have learned. If they succeed, they can benefit themselves and others; If it is still insufficient, further education is needed. Although this process is arduous, it is a necessary path to reach the pinnacle of life.
However, the Taoist concept of ‘great seclusion’ refers to the state of choosing to retreat bravely after achieving success and fame. Those who have reached this state deeply understand that everything in the world has its time, and fame and fortune are like fleeting clouds and smoke. Only inner peace and wisdom are eternal. Therefore, one can maintain a transcendent state, not compete or compete, and conform to nature. On the other hand, nowadays many people aspire to a reclusive life, but in reality, they mostly seek to escape the pressure of reality. This kind of reclusiveness is difficult to achieve true spiritual cultivation.
Everyone is on the path of cultivation. Facing various challenges and opportunities in life, maintaining a peaceful and calm heart is actually the core of the spirit of seclusion. The deliberate pursuit of liberation from the world is essentially no different from the pursuit of fame and fortune. True concealment lies in inner resilience and transcendence, rather than external forms of choice. May the world understand this principle, not be misled by the floating world, and stick to one’s true heart, which is the beginning of cultivation.
