Middenmatigheid

By J. F. H. van Rappard

Book Description

In a world where Eastern wisdom traditions often remain fragmented in Western understanding, this thoughtful exploration brings together three foundational paths of Chinese spiritual development. While statues of Confucius, Lao Zi, and Buddha may stand together on temple altars, their distinct approaches to self-cultivation are rarely examined as interconnected practices.

Van Rappard offers readers a unique perspective by focusing on what unites these traditions: their emphasis on cultivating the emotions as a pathway to inner development. Unlike Western concepts of self-realization, these Chinese approaches target emotional refinement as their primary goal, creating a fascinating alternative framework for personal growth.

The journey begins with an exploration of Qi, the vital life force that permeates classical Chinese thought and underlies all cultivation practices. This foundational understanding opens the door to examining how Confucianism, Daoism, and Chinese Buddhism each approach emotional cultivation in their own distinctive ways.

Beyond philosophical analysis, the book ventures into Chinese landscape painting as a form of "philosophizing with the brush," revealing how artistic expression becomes another vehicle for spiritual practice. The work concludes by weaving these various cultivation methods together under the unifying concept of "Paths to the Middle."

For readers seeking to understand how ancient Chinese wisdom can inform contemporary spiritual practice, this comprehensive study offers valuable insights into time-tested approaches to emotional balance and inner development.