This refers to an independent mind that refuses to be restrained. The concept was proposed by the Ming-dynasty philosopher Wang Yangming (1472-1529), who devoted his entire life to “becoming a sage first and foremost.” Politically, he looked down on those in power and high position. Intellectually, he challenged the School of Neo-Confucianism advocated by Cheng Hao, Cheng Yi and Zhu Xi. The “unrestrained mind” he proposed had at its core a free and independent spirit, courage of forging ahead, and unconventional thinking. As an aspiration in life, it had a profound influence on many future intellectuals and scholars, igniting trends about individual emancipation in the late Ming Dynasty.

Before I came to Nanjing, I still somewhat wished not to offend anyone. Now I firmly believe that conscience is the true measure of right and wrong. Therefore, I do what I believe in freely and no longer need to hide anything. I now truly have an unrestrained mind, not caring any more even if the whole world is saying that my conduct does not agree with my words. (Records of Great Learning)

The philosophy of the mind of Lu Jiuyuan and Wang Yangming may indeed have created many problems, but it is uplifting and aspiring, embodying an unrestrained mind. (Xu Shichang: Commentaries on Writings of Famous Scholars of the Qing Dynasty)