I greet you, my dear friend.
My name is Shen Yu, but my students usually call me Monk Shen.
In this article, I will share with you the five rules I follow to live a meaningful, peaceful, and fulfilling life. These are simple principles, yet they have shaped my 92 years on this earth—guiding me through moments of joy, loss, clarity, and uncertainty. If you read them slowly, you may notice that these rules are not teachings from books, but lessons learned through experience, silence, and observation.
1. Don’t Set Expectations
Expectations are the seeds of disappointment. When we create a fixed picture in our mind of how life should unfold, we trap ourselves inside it. The world rarely follows our plans. People behave differently than we hope, outcomes surprise us, and life shifts direction when we least expect it. Expectations make the heart rigid—and a rigid heart breaks easily.
Instead of expecting, learn to experience. Let life surprise you with its natural flow. When you approach situations with openness rather than demand, you begin to notice the beauty in what is, not in what you believed should be. Peace comes when we stop forcing the world to match our imagination.
2. Never Complain, Never Explain
Complaints weaken your spirit. Explanations drain your energy. When you complain, you give your power away to circumstances. When you over-explain, you place your self-worth in the hands of others’ approval. Neither brings clarity nor peace.
Strength grows in stillness. When something is unfair or heavy, face it with calm action, not noise. When someone misunderstands you, let your character speak instead of your words. The less you justify yourself, the more grounded you become. Silence, paired with steady action, is a far more powerful language than any explanation.
3. Follow Your Internal Voice When Making Decisions
Your inner voice is wiser than your fears and louder than your doubts—when you allow yourself to listen. Many people make decisions based on what others expect or what society rewards, but these choices lead them away from themselves. The heart always knows what the mind takes a long time to understand.
To follow your internal voice, you must create space for it. Sit in silence for a moment. Breathe. Ask yourself what feels right—not what seems convenient, safe, or easy. The decisions that align with your inner truth may be difficult at first, but in time, they lead you to a life you can live with peace and pride.
4. Always Be Honest with Yourself
Self-honesty is the foundation of spiritual and emotional growth. Without it, you cannot change, improve, or heal. Many people hide from their truth: they deny their feelings, justify unhealthy habits, and tell themselves stories to avoid discomfort. But every lie—especially the ones we tell ourselves—creates distance between who we are and who we can become.
Honesty begins with awareness. It is the courage to say: Yes, this is what I feel. Yes, this is where I struggle. Yes, this is what I need. When you face your inner truth without fear, you gain clarity. And clarity frees you to choose better paths, better habits, and a more authentic way of living.
5. Enjoy the Moment You Live In
Life happens only in the present moment. Yet most people live in memories of the past or expectations of the future. They carry regrets on their shoulders and anxieties in their pockets, forgetting that the only place where peace can exist is now.
To enjoy the present moment, you must slow down. Notice the taste of your tea. Feel the warmth of the sunlight. Listen fully when someone speaks to you. Let your breath guide you back to yourself. When you learn to be fully present, you realize that happiness is not something to chase—it is something to recognize.
A Final Thought
My dear friend, meaningful living is not achieved through perfection, but through awareness.
These five rules are not commandments—they are gentle reminders of how to return to yourself.
If you walk through life with fewer expectations, a quieter mind, a truthful heart, and a deep appreciation for each moment, you will discover that meaning is not found somewhere far away.
It grows inside you, like a small flame that becomes brighter each time you choose peace over chaos, honesty over comfort, and presence over distraction.
May your path be clear, and may your days be filled with quiet wisdom.
If you wish to continue this journey with me, you are welcome to join me on my other paths online: waatch videos on my Youtube Channel or follow me on Instagram.
— Shen Yu
No responses yet