"The Way" is a chronicle of Teacher Yi Ran's genuine life experiences, segmented into nine distinct parts.
Part One: "Darkness"
Times of joy and sorrow, woes compounded,
Life's unpredictable, worldly affairs fickle.
From birth till forty, a journey at death's brink,
An indescribable odyssey of hardship.
Part Two: "Ignite"
Dawn breaks just as hope wanes!
Part Three: "People"
Filial piety, brotherly respect, loyalty, and trust,
Are the essence of being human.
From the self to the community, integrity inside out.
Once the mind and body are cleansed,
Suddenly one grasps how to be and what to do.
Part Four: "Subdue"
Understanding the truth calls for dedication in life's minutiae,
With scales and rulers in the heart, always aligning one's aim,
Mastering the self, conquering the inner being.
Part Five: "Tempering"
Experiencing in life the upstream paddle, the ice-thin tread.
Part Six: "Epiphany"
A myriad of events befall a person's life,
Only through composure, tranquility, pragmatism, positivity, and brightness,
Can one adapt to adversities, transform the heart, oneself, and thus, life.
Part Seven: "Savor"
On the path of life, enduring insults without bending,
One can truly smile at life, facing it, living it, surpassing it,
Making the journey worthwhile!
Part Eight: "Reflection"
Life, truly a battlefield, an exam, a stage, a trial ground,
Survive, stand, step forward, and congratulations,
You are reborn!
Part Nine: "Nature"
Work at sunrise, rest at sunset,
Hear the birdsong, smell the flowers, feel the clear, babbling brook,
Cherish the unique gifts of heaven, thankful for bygone yesterdays,
Hello, peace of mind,
Hello, leisure,
Hello, great nature!
Each of these nine parts marks a new starting point in the process of change, from heart to body, from individual to family. From familial love, emotional bonds to gratitude, from a rural housewife confined at home to a writer full of lofty ambitions, from being unfamiliar with musical staff to understanding the melody of the Chinese pentatonic scales and finding enlightenment through music. With a sincere heart, one can rejoice with all beings and dance with nature.
With a sincere hope that more people will journey into their own souls and unlock the doors of wisdom. To have more realizations, discoveries, splendor, happiness, and harvests!
