Great understanding is broad and unhurried; little understanding is cramped and busy

What did Zhuangzi mean by:

Great understanding is broad and unhurried; little understanding is cramped and busy

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This quote suggests that a profound understanding of life, people, and the world around us is expansive and unhurried. It is not limited or confined to a single viewpoint or perspective. Instead, it encompasses a wide range of ideas, thoughts, and experiences. It is unhurried because it takes time to develop and mature, allowing for contemplation, reflection, and the absorption of knowledge.

On the contrary, a shallow or limited understanding is depicted as cramped and busy. This means that it is restricted, narrow, and often overwhelmed by the rush of information or the need to quickly form opinions and judgments. Such understanding is often reactive rather than reflective, and it is more likely to lead to misconceptions, biases, or errors in judgment.

In today’s fast-paced world, we are often pressured to make quick decisions and form instant opinions. The onslaught of information from social media, news, and other sources can lead to a ‘cramped and busy’ understanding, where we don’t take the time to fully comprehend or reflect on the information we receive.

Applying this quote to personal development, it encourages us to take our time in learning and understanding. It suggests the importance of being open-minded, embracing different perspectives, and allowing our understanding to grow and evolve over time. It also reminds us to avoid rushing to judgments or conclusions, but instead to take the time to reflect, contemplate, and thoroughly understand.

In essence, this quote encourages us to strive for a ‘broad and unhurried’ understanding, one that is deep, comprehensive, and reflective, rather than a ‘cramped and busy’ one that is shallow, narrow, and rushed.

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