The Wisdom of Withholding Judgment

In a world that is constantly changing, the ability to deal with unpredictability is invaluable. An old Chinese fable titled "Sai Weng Loses His Horse" invites us to learn exactly that – serenity in the face of the unknown.

An old man named Sai Weng lived near the border and owned an exceptionally beautiful horse. The king heard about it and offered him a large sum of money, but Sai Weng politely declined. One day, the horse ran away. The villagers felt sorry for him:

"What bad luck!"

But Sai Weng remained calm and said:

"Who knows if it’s bad luck or a blessing?"

Some time later, the horse returned – bringing with it an entire herd of wild horses. The villagers rejoiced:

"What good fortune!"

But again, Sai Weng remained serene:

"Who knows if it’s good fortune or bad luck?"

Not long after, his son broke his leg while trying to tame one of the new horses. Again the villagers came, full of sympathy:

"How unfortunate!"

But Sai Weng simply repeated:

"Who knows if it’s misfortune or a blessing?"

Shortly thereafter, war broke out. All the young men in the village were drafted – many never returned. But Sai Weng’s son was spared – because of his broken leg.

The Moral of the Story

What we first perceive as misfortune may later turn out to be a blessing – and vice versa. The story of Sai Weng reminds us that it is often impossible to recognize the true value of an event in the moment it occurs.

Acceptance Instead of Resistance

Life is full of surprises – not all of them pleasant. But rather than resisting the unpredictable, we can learn to accept it.

Acceptance does not mean resignation, but the realization that change is a natural part of life. When we stop judging events prematurely, we gain inner peace and clarity.

Three Simple Practices for a More Neutral Perspective

1. Reflection

   Take time to reflect on an event before you judge it.

   
   

2. Perspective Shift

   View the situation from different angles. What could it lead to in the long run?

   
   

3. Patience

   Let time pass before forming a conclusion. Sometimes the true value of something only becomes clear later.

A Personal Note

This post was inspired by a tarot reading – I drew the card “The Aeon.”

In its interpretation, it stands for a higher perspective on life. It reminds us that we are on the right path, even if the way ahead doesn’t always seem clear.