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.

The character 许 (Xǔ) consists of 言 (Speech) and 午 (Noon/Opposition). While "Speech" represents verbal expression, "Noon" in ancient contexts carried connotations of both vertical/horizontal alignment and opposition. 许 is a verbal commitment; it is the process of expressing the internal sincerity of 允 through sound. In its ancient sense, "allowing" is not merely a nod of agreement, but a verbal promise (许) given by a person of integrity (允). Today, its surface meaning refers to consenting to or not obstructing an event, letting it take place.

This concept appears frequently in certain teachings, and it reflects reality. For example, in the context of healing, individual acts of assistance might be "allowed." However, it is not "allowed" for a Qigong master to heal people on a massive scale. Randomly disrupting the state of society is forbidden. While a cultivator may treat illnesses out of compassion—which is "allowed"—whether a problem can truly be solved depends on many factors. Solving issues on a grand scale is simply not permitted. Furthermore, certain things, especially the "secrets of Heaven" (celestial mechanics), are not to be spoken of lightly. Yet, if one can shoulder the responsibility, they may be shared. There are many more instances regarding "allowing" within the texts.

The subject of "allowing" can be an individual, objective laws and conditions, or even the fundamental characteristics and laws of the universe. For instance, society might "allow" people to describe someone as "the sun" metaphorically, but the cosmos will not "allow" that person to actually emit the scorching heat of a sun and harm society. The celestial bodies would not permit it.

To measure "allowance" through Truthfulness (真), we must look at whether it is objective, candid, and in harmony with reality and laws. To measure it through Compassion (善), we must see if it benefits others and society. To measure it through Forbearance (忍), we must see if there are boundaries and a sense of propriety. When we face reality with Truthfulness, treat all beings with Compassion, and resolve conflicts with Forbearance, our "allowing" transforms from a passive stance into an active state of compassion. As the saying goes: "I allow everything to happen, for I have the capacity to accept all things."

Disclaimer: This reflection is inspired by fragments of a book I encountered in a university bookstore 30 years ago. At its surface, the book taught people how to be good, and I was deeply impressed by it at the time. Due to various reasons, this book is no longer publicly available in Mainland China. Here, I only discuss the surface meanings and personal inspirations I have drawn. To understand the deeper inner meanings, one would need to read the original text in its entirety. I hope for the day when this book can be openly read again.