Authenticity – The Power of an Uncarved State
In the mind of the ancient philosopher Lao Tzu, the uncarved inner state represents an ideal condition within human beings. He encourages us to maintain our original state, to return to our true self, and to remain a natural state.
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Lao Tzu describes such an uncarved state in one of his passages (Book 1, XII, translated by D.C.LAU):
“The five colours make man’s eyes blind;
The five notes make his ears deaf;
The five tastes injure his palate;
Riding and hunting
Make his mind go wild with excitement;
Goods hard to come by, serve to hinder his progress.
Hence the sage is:
For the belly,
Not for the eye.
Therefore, he discards the one and takes the other.” 1
Imagine two scenarios. In one scene, a man cooks a fish, using various ingredients and spices, along with colourful garnishes. To add a bit of fun, he might take a photo of his finished dish and upload it to Instagram. After receiving a few “LIKES”, his mood lifts, and he starts to enjoy his fish.
In another scene, a man quietly sits and cooks the fish, perhaps steaming or frying it without adding other ingredients. Once the cooking is done, he immediately begins to eat, focusing on the original taste and freshness of the fish with mindfulness.
Lao Tzu would most likely prefer the latter. Modern people might think that Lao Tzu despises hedonism, and opposes the pursuit of pleasure, especially self-indulgence in sensory delights.
In my opinion, a modern interpretation that aligns more closely to Lao Tzu’s preference is minimalism. However, Lao Tzu’s ideal could be deeper than that. Lao Tzu suggests that we need to focus on the essence of our lives, particularly those original, fundamental elements.
What is essential to life?
What is essential in our lives may depend on who we are and how we understand life. If we are the kind of person aware of our temporary journey on Earth, we might embrace the idea that a few essential things — such as happiness, love, and time — truly matter.
The term “Lifestyle” is intriguing. What is essential to “life” might remain unchanged for centuries, for example, both ancient people and modern people pursue happiness. However, the “style” of life has changed dramatically. In today’s world, the rapid development of artificial civilization might have driven us away from what is essential, seducing us into the trap of superficial “styles”.
In Ancient Rome, average citizens might have had more control over their time than we do now. They would start working at dawn and finish by noon, then take the afternoon for leisure activities — be it sports, theatrical performance or their signature activity: public baths. It’s fascinating to note that citizens from all walks of Roman society enjoyed life in this way. 2
Today, most modern people are busier and have access to various forms of entertainment, yet few dare to claim that we are happier than the Ancient Romans.
Compared to Ancient Romans, modern individuals are more likely to find themselves trapped in an endless cycle – the cycle of modern consumerism. This often accompanies another cycle: the cycle of debt. Furthermore, people tend to lock themselves in a kingdom of comparison – comparing their houses, cars, jobs, titles, pets, neighborhoods, and partners. The more we possess, the more we feel compelled to compare.
In such a complicated system, asking what is essential to our lives poses a challenge.
Yet, it’s not impossible to remind ourselves where we come from and to step back into that territory – the uncarved state. Fortunately, maintaining an inner uncarved state does not necessarily mean living in scarcity or lacking resources to enjoy life.
Because frugality does not equate to scarcity.
Who can be a role model?
In fact, the uncarved state signifies the pursuit of tranquility of mind. 3
Lao Tzu likely does not know Warren Buffett. We can’t say for sure if Buffett has ever read Lao Tzu’s work, but Lao Tzu might appreciate Buffett greatly.
Buffett understands the idea of “the sage being for the belly, not for the eye.” Despite his immense wealth, he consistently enjoys a simple breakfast from McDonald for under $3.17, lives in the same modest house he bought years ago, and drives an old car until his daughter insists it’s time for an upgrade – because “this is getting embarrassing so it’s time for a new car”. 4
Warren Buffett’s lifestyle perfectly supports what Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the author of “The Little Prince”, said: “what is essential is invisible to the eyes”.
Building wealth while remaining untainted by materialism and vanity represents the highest form of freedom that human beings can attain. This lifestyle may seem paradoxical, but it reflects the power of the uncarved state within an individual’s inner world.
How to benefit from an inner uncarved state?
Not everyone aspires to be Warren Buffett, and it’s certainly unnecessary. However, his story inspires us to see that the greatest advantage of maintaining an uncarved state is the ability to be the captain of your own life while navigating a society filled with artificiality.
In short, you won’t be owned by your possessions; instead, you will truly OWN them.
Such an uncarved state is the original source of vibrant life. It serves as the engine of creation, pushing you forward to shape your life.
Our authentic selves resides in this inner uncarved state, and we should always regard it as a ‘not-for-sale’ state.
Warren Buffett once stated that he only considers purchasing stocks from companies and brands with a strong “moat” to protect their value.
This is a lesson we can apply to our everyday lives. How do we build a “moat” to protect our “inner uncarved state”?
Just hang in there. We will revisit this intriguing topic someday.
Sources:
- Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching (Penguin Group, 1st ed, 1963, translated by D.C.LAU)
- https://historyfacts.com/world-history/article/what-life-was-like-in-ancient-rome/
- Charles Freeman, The Children of Athena (Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 1st ed, 2023) 57.
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/frugal-billionaire-warren-buffett-drives-143514827.html