SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

inner freedom

  • Licking Hemorrhoids

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    This commentary covers the sharp satire from Zhuangzi ‑ Lie Yukou. Boasting Cao Shang flaunts royal‑granted carriages. Zhuangzi mocks him, suggesting his rewards stem from degrading flattery, valuing inner integrity over worldly status.

  • Chapter 28. Yielding the Throne (Rang Wang)

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    This Zhuangzi ‑ Rang Wang collects fables of hermits rejecting thrones, rank and wealth. It advocates cherishing one’s inner life above worldly power, holding politics as secondary to personal spiritual cultivation.

  • Chapter 27. Imputed Words (Yu Yan)

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    This Zhuangzi ‑ Yuyan (Metaphors) chapter explores three literary‑philosophical speech modes: imputed, quoted, and goblet‑words. It advocates flexible, natural language aligned with heavenly equality rather than rigid fixed judgments.

  • Drinking Wine – No. 5

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    — by Tao Yuanming (Jin Dynasty) I build my hut among the haunts of men,Yet hear no noise of carts and horses there.You ask me how this can be so?When the heart is distant, the place itself grows remote.I pluck chrysanthemums beneath the eastern hedge,And idly gaze at the southern hills.The mountain air is…

  • Caigentan 66. The paradox of happiness

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    People know that fame and rank make men happy. But they do not know that the happiest men are those without fame and rank.

  • Caigentan 33. Unburdening to ascend

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    By casting out thoughts of wealth and rank from his heart, a man rids himself of the taint of the world.

  • The gift rejected

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    Once, Sakyamuni Buddha was frequently targeted by a man who spewed jealousy and insults at him. Yet the Buddha remained calm and silent.