In the still of the night, when a man sits alone in meditation, the first thing that happens is that his inordinate desires disappear, and his true self holds sway.
Every time this occurs, he enjoys a spontaneous pleasure that comes from within himself. But if, after finding his true self, he feels he cannot cast aside erroneous thoughts, great shame comes upon him.
夜深人静独坐观心，始觉妄穷而真独露，每于此中得大机趣；既觉真现而妄难逃，又于此中得大惭忸。
Notes
The Importance of Introspection: Self-Reflection in Solitude
This passage emphasizes the practice of “observing the mind in solitary sitting” — self-knowledge through stillness, meditation, and introspection. Amid the noise and haste of daily life, we are often pulled by external affairs and emotions, clouding self-awareness. Only in the quiet solitude of night, free from distraction, can we truly confront ourselves and discern the “illusionary” from the “true” within.
The Dialectic of Illusion and True Nature
Notes that even in moments of deep inner calm — when illusions seem to fade and true nature surfaces — these illusions never fully vanish. This reveals cultivation is not achieved overnight but requires continuous awareness and refinement. True enlightenment is not momentary clarity but an ongoing confrontation with one’s weaknesses and habits.
Dual Realms of Cultivation: Awakening Truth and Repenting Illusion
- “Attaining Great Spiritual Insight”: The joy of “awakening” or “seeing one’s true nature” — an epiphany of life’s essence and the awakening of wisdom.
- “Feeling Profound Shame”: Recognizing self-delusion, embodying deep self-reflection and repentance — an indispensable moral awakening in cultivation.
Together, they form a complete path of self-cultivation: embracing truth, goodness, and beauty while confronting and correcting illusions and habitual flaws.
Growth Through Introspection, Elevation Through Shame
This passage reminds us:
- True growth lies not in avoiding inner shadows but in courageously facing them.
- Cultivation seeks not supernatural prowess but transformation from within.
- Genuine wisdom emerges in silence, while moral strength ascends through shame and self-reflection.
With nuanced insight, this Cai Gen Tan (Tending the roots of wisdom) text depicts the psychological journey of solitary introspection — from “fading illusions and emerging truth” to “unresolved illusions and self-reproach.” It teaches that true wisdom and virtue arise not from external display but from inner awakening and reflection. Only by “observing the mind in stillness” and “cultivating character in action” can one gradually approach life’s essence and moral fulfillment. This spirit of introspective contemplation holds profound relevance for modern individuals navigating stress, anxiety, and restlessness.
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