Always keeping oneself joyful is the way to cultivate one’s mind and character. This proposition was advanced by the Ming-dynasty philosopher Wang Yangming (1472-1529), who believed that one should maintain a joyful mood and always stay positive. Even when suffering from illness, enduring hardships, or facing slanders and insults, one should never let go such an attitude. The ability to remain joyful in all circumstances is ultimately determined by one’s self-control and personal cultivation. Wang Yangming was once humiliated by public flogging at court for speaking out to uphold justice, and was subsequently banished to Longchang Courier Station in Guizhou Province. This was a place of extremely harsh conditions with toxic fog and a sickening miasma, as well as poisonous snakes and wild beasts lurking around. Nevertheless, he claimed, “I was never depressed for a single day.” Instead of ruining his mood and crushing his spirit, the brutal asperities enabled him to hone his theory of “innate knowledge of good,” demonstrating his highly cultivated mind and rock-solid self-control.

Chen Jiuchuan fell sick in Qianzhou and was bedridden. Master Wang (Yangming) said to him,“‘Illness’ is something that is difficult to analyze and examine. What is your view?”Jiuchuan responded,“It is indeed difficult to endure.”The master said,“To stay joyful is the right approach to cultivate one’s ability.” (Records of Great Learning)

Life and death are predestined, so we must accept what heaven has in store for us. There is no need to worry and feel depressed. However, we should be attentive to our health and never neglect it. Simply stating“to remain constantly joyful is a true attainment”is a bit too pretentious! (Luo Zenan: Polemics on the Yaojiang School of the Mind）