Wen Tong of the Northern Song Dynasty was a man of noble character and deep learning. He loved bamboo and often walked among the groves, observing every detail—the sway of leaves, the growth of shoots, the changes of seasons. He could picture bamboo with his eyes closed. When he painted, the bamboo seemed alive.
A young admirer asked Wen’s friend Chao Buzhi for the secret. Chao said: “When he paints, the bamboo already exists in his heart. That is his mastery.”
The same applies to all endeavors. Before you act, hold a clear vision. With inner certainty, you won’t drift with the tide. Without it, you’ll be swept away.
So ask yourself: Do I already see the bamboo in my heart? In life, as in art, the clearest strokes begin within.