Shi Tianji, a scholar on the art of healthy living in the Ming Dynasty, proposed 'Six Always' for maintaining a calm and cheerful state of mind, summarized here:
- Always be peaceful in mind. Remain peaceful in mind without vain hopes. Do not covet, do not indulge in vain wishes, do not worry about personal gains and losses. Hence, Shi Tianji said, 'If one has few desires, his mind will naturally be peaceful. Just look at secluded hills and remote valleys! Most people there enjoy long life spans because they have few desires and always remain peaceful in mind.'
- Always be kind-hearted. A kind-hearted person often takes pleasure in helping others and has no desire to harm others. Whenever he conceives an idea, makes a remark, or does a deed, he always ponders whether it is beneficial or harmful to others. 'When others are evil, I remain upright; when others are vicious, I remain kind-hearted; when others stir up troubles, I strive to alleviate troubles; when others harm people, I serve people. If I act in this way, I shall have a clear conscience and naturally feel calm and tranquil in mind.'
- Always uphold justice. Distinguish between evil and virtue and between right and wrong. Virtue and evil are antagonistic, and right and wrong are not to be confused. If one maintains his awareness, upholds integrity, and remains clear-headed and sharp-eyed, he will naturally be free from worries and troubles. Hence, Shi Tianji said, 'When the sun shines in the sky, obscurity is naturally cleared away. When one grasps this miraculous concept, he will be cured of disease and attain longevity as well.'
- Always be cheerful. Adapt to different circumstances; feel complacent at all times; avoid overdoing anything and do not hurt anyone's feelings. As Bai Juyi says in a poem: 'Be cheerful, whether rich or poor; he who does not laugh can only be a fool.' One should often have hearty laughs. A folk saying goes, 'A good laugh makes one ten years younger; worry turns the hair gray.'
- Always be pleasant. Harmony is paramount in human relations. Be amiable, modest and prudent, broad-minded and magnanimous; do not be calculating and do not worry about trifles. To be amiable in dealing with others will bring happiness to both the others and oneself.
- Always be contented: it is a rare person who avoids all adversity. One should remain cheerful despite adversities. Yan Feitai had a wise epigram on caring for life. 'Just step back to think everything will naturally be all right.' 'Contentment is happiness.' Whenever this is adversity, compare it with a worse circumstance and one will feel calm and cheerful.
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