Ch’eng Hao was one of the leading poets and teachers of neo-Confucianism in China in the 11th century and this poem reflects his philosophy that all things are an inextricable part of the Tao, which is also to say the mind.
When I’m at peace, I let everything go
I wake by the east window after sunrise
viewed without passion everything is fine
seasonal glories hold true for man
the Tao fills the world the formed and the formless
our thoughts are in the ever-changing wind and clouds
not troubled by wealth content in poverty
the person who reaches this is truly noble
Ch’eng Hao (1032-1085)