Lesson from “The Doctrine of the Mean” (IM 681)

The 12th century Eastern Classic "The Doctrine of the Mean" has a very important lesson for generations with a guiding principles of one should never act in excess. This classic represents moderation, objectivity, sincerity, honesty and propriety. The three guidelines from this book that we can use in our life are:

1. Self-watchfulness: It includes self-discipline, self-education and self-questioning during the process of self-cultivation. It requires the equilibrium which is no stirrings of pleasure, anger, sorrow or joy and is the root of all human actings.
2. Leniency: It requires the understanding, concerns and tolerance. It's understanding that what you don't like when done to yourself, you shouldn't do to others.
3. Sincerity: This requires the close connection between heaven and human. It is the end and the beginning of things and without sincerity, there would be nothing.

Some quotes from this great books are:

There is nothing more visible than what is secret, nothing more manifest than what is minute. Sincerity is the way of human. One who posses sincerity is the one who, without effort, hits what is right and embodies what is right. To be fond of learning is to be near to knowledge. To practice with vigor is to be near to magnanimity. To posses the feeling of shame is to be near to enemy.