Huqiu Zilin was a native of the state of Zheng. His moral and spiritual cultivation was profoundly excellent, and Lie Yukou (Liezi) studied under him as his master. Initially, Lie Yukou was fond of traveling. Huqiu Zilin asked him, “You are fond of traveling, Lie Yukou; what is it that you find so delightful about it?”
Lie Yukou replied, “The joy of traveling lies in appreciating things that are never the same. The traveling of ordinary people consists of merely observing what they see; but my traveling consists of observing the transformations of all things.”
Huqiu Zilin said, “Your traveling is essentially the same as that of others, yet you claim it is different. Whatever is seen by the eyes will invariably be seen in its state of change. You only know how to appreciate the transformations of external objects, yet you remain ignorant that your own self is also in a constant state of flux. You are dedicated to outward travel but fail to cultivate inward observation. Those who travel outward seek completeness in external objects; those who observe inwardly find sufficiency within themselves. To find sufficiency within oneself is the ultimate form of traveling; to seek completeness in external objects is not true traveling.”
Hearing this, Lie Yukou realized that he did not truly understand the essence of traveling. He resolved never to leave his home again and lived in seclusion in the gardens of Zheng for forty years, remaining entirely unknown to the world.
Note
Daoist master Huqiu Zilin teaches Liezi that true travel lies in inner reflection instead of chasing outer scenery. Enlightened, Liezi abandons wandering and lives in quiet seclusion for forty years to seek inner self-sufficiency.
Lie Yukou / Liezi (列御寇 / 列子):
A legendary Daoist philosopher whose eponymous text, theLiezi, is one of the three foundational classics of Daoism. In this passage, he represents the transitional stage of a spiritual seeker who is still attached to external experiences and intellectual distinctions, needing the guidance of a true master to achieve inner awakening.
Huqiu Zilin (壶丘子林):
A reclusive Daoist master and the teacher of Liezi. He serves as the voice of profound Daoist wisdom in this text, guiding his student away from the superficial pursuit of external phenomena toward the realization of internal spiritual completeness.
Outward Travel vs. Inward Observation:
This passage establishes a fundamental Daoist epistemology. “Outward travel” represents the endless, exhausting pursuit of sensory stimulation and external validation. “Inward observation” (内观) is a crucial Daoist and later meditative practice, emphasizing that the entire universe and the Dao are contained within oneself. True freedom and fulfillment come from self-realization, not from accumulating external experiences.
Self-Sufficiency:
This concept aligns with the Daoist ideal of contentment/sufficiency. By seeking completeness externally, one is forever dependent on the changing world. By finding sufficiency within, one achieves absolute spiritual independence and tranquility, mirroring the state of the Dao itself.
Seclusion in Zheng Gardens:
Liezi’s forty-year seclusion in the gardens of Zheng is a famous historical and literary allusion. It symbolizes the ultimate realization of the Daoist sage: having found the infinite within, the need to seek the infinite without completely vanishes. His anonymity highlights the Daoist virtue of hiding one’s light and avoiding worldly fame.
壶丘子林者，郑人也。道德甚优，列御寇师事之。初，御寇好游，壶丘子曰：“御寇好游，游何所好？”列子曰：“游之乐所玩无故。人之游也，观其所见，我之游也，观其所变。”壶丘子曰：“御寇之游，固与人同，而曰固与人异。凡所见亦恒见其变，玩彼物之无物不知我亦无故。务外游不知务内观，外游者求备於物，内观者取足於身。取足於身，游之至也。求备於物，游之不至也。”於是列子自以为不知游，将终身不出，居郑圃四十年，人无识者。
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