TruthMirror

On the surface, hunger is simply the feeling of an empty stomach—a distress signal sent by the body when it lacks the energy to function. It is the most primal and fundamental instinct for survival. Most directly, it is the physical discomfort caused by a lack of food. The Etymology of "Hunger" (饿) In the Chinese language, the character for hunger, 饿 (è), is composed of two parts:

I recently encountered the word "Special" (特殊 - Tèshū) in a deeply precious book, which led me to reflect on its surface meaning and the personal inspirations I’ve drawn from it. While the profound layers of this term can only be fully grasped by reading the original text, I would like to share some thoughts on its literal roots and its relationship with the principles of Zhen, Shan, and Ren.

In the Chinese language, the term “特定” (Tèdìng) is composed of two characters: “特” (Tè), representing that which is special or unique, and “定” (Dìng), representing that which is fixed or determined. On the surface, the term denotes something that is specifically defined, explicitly designated, or bound by certain conditions.

To understand it, we must first look at the characters themselves. Tiao (调) means to adjust, harmonize, or coordinate. Xi (息), the character for breath, is composed of two parts: "Self" (自) over "Heart/Mind" (心). Its original meaning is "the breath that originates from the heart." On the surface, Tiao Xi is the conscious adjustment of the rhythm, depth, and length of our breathing to bring the body and mind into a state of tranquility.

The literal meaning of Zuō is to suck or draw in with the mouth—gathering the lips to extract liquid or the essence of something. Common examples include "sucking milk," "sucking marrow from a bone," or "taking a small sip of wine." This word also appears in the book, such as in the context of "drawing in a few breaths of the medicine's qi."

The Chinese idiom "Tuī bō zhù lán" (推波助澜) literally means to push the waves, turning them into a giant, surging billow. Figuratively, it describes the act of providing further momentum to something already in motion, causing it to grow stronger and more fierce—usually in the context of fueling something negative.

The literal meaning of "Da Yun" (Great Destiny/Luck) usually refers to an extraordinary stroke of good fortune. This term often appears in literature, such as in the phrase "trying one's luck." We see instances where individuals, after receiving a critical illness notice and being discharged from the hospital, seek out Qigong masters as a last resort to "try their luck." Consequently, some truly survive, while others do not.

In Chinese, the common term for a doctor is Dàifu (大夫). To understand its essence, we must look at the characters: Dà (大) means greatness, and fu (夫) typically refers to an adult man. Originally, the term described a "great man" or a "man of high social status."

The word “folk” or “among the people” generally refers to what is non-official — life as lived and passed on among ordinary people.

In the Chinese word for "allowance" or "permission"—允许 (Yǔnxǔ)—the character 允 (Yǔn) is composed of a head (some say a mouth) at the top and a person (儿) at the bottom. Its original meaning is rooted in sincerity and truth. As the ancient dictionary Shuowen Jiezi states: "Yǔn means trust." The core of this character lies in Truth (真). The ancients believed that only when a person is sincere in heart and consistent in word and deed does their "allowance" hold weight.

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Ancient Times