Kai Xin Culture centers on the concept of 'heart,' establishing 'happiness' as both the ultimate goal and daily practice of self-cultivation. Its essence lies in achieving inner peace, clarity, and freedom through mental adjustment, moral rectification, and spiritual nourishment. This culminates in the harmonious integration of personal virtues, temperament, and conduct. It constitutes a holistic system of self-cultivation that bridges cognition and practice, as well as internal and external dimensions. The following analysis explores this framework through four key aspects: core principles, cultivation pathways, practical methodologies, and value significance.
The Core Connotation of Happy Culture and Personal Cultivation
(1) The Essence of Happiness: Not Emotion, but Mental Realm
The "happiness" advocated by Happy Culture transcends fleeting emotional gratification. It signifies a state of enlightenment and wisdom—attaining clarity by liberating oneself from inner attachments, afflictions, and narrow-mindedness. This embodies the cultivation of "mental liberation and understanding": a mind unshackled by gains and losses, honor and disgrace, right and wrong, embracing all with equanimity. It neither clings to joy nor resists suffering, maintaining a stable, peaceful, and positive inner equilibrium. This constitutes the core foundation of personal cultivation.
(2) The Core of Personal Cultivation: Mind as the Foundation, Internal and External Development
Under the culture of happiness, personal cultivation transcends the singular dimension of 'external behavioral norms' to establish the principle that 'the mind is the root, and behavior is the branch':
Inner: Cultivate the mind as the core, correct cognition, purify thoughts, harmonize emotions, and resolve fundamental issues such as "mental confusion, narrow-mindedness, greed, and resentment";
Externally, one should guide actions with the heart, embodying inner peace, kindness, and tolerance in words and deeds, striving to achieve "upright heart, upright conduct; broad-minded heart, harmonious actions; benevolent heart, compassionate deeds."
The ultimate goal is to achieve the unity of body and mind, the unity of knowledge and action, and the unity of self and others, which not only fulfills one's own nature but also enables harmonious coexistence with others and the environment.
(3) Core Association: Happiness is the Result of Cultivation, Cultivation is the Path to Happiness
The journey of personal cultivation is a continuous process of "cultivating the mind and finding joy": joyfully engaging in daily tasks, and through sustained focus on self-awareness and self-improvement, gradually shedding negative mental attachments and habits. This liberates the mind from closure, conflict, and restlessness, enhancing mental strength to ultimately achieve the state of "joy." In turn, this joyful state nourishes further cultivation, making it more natural and enduring, thus forming a virtuous cycle where "cultivation fosters joy, and joy elevates cultivation."
II. Core Path of Personal Cultivation from the Perspective of Happy Culture
Happy Culture breaks down personal cultivation into four core paths: breaking attachments, adjusting the mind, practicing kindness, and maintaining tranquility. These paths progress step by step, mutually reinforcing each other, to holistically elevate one's inner character and outer conduct.
(1) Breaking Obsessions: Overcoming Inner Fixations and Expanding the Mind's Horizons
Obsession acts as the 'shackle' of the mind and the greatest barrier to personal growth. The Happy Culture takes 'breaking attachments' as its cultivation starting point, with the core principle being the release of three types of attachments:
Let go of attachment to gains and losses: Do not cling to the transient nature of fame, wealth, or status. Understand that 'gains and losses are impermanent,' and avoid excessive joy upon gaining or sorrow upon losing. View life's ups and downs with equanimity to reduce inner anxiety and distress.
Let go of attachments: don't fixate on self-perceived' right or wrong ', avoid hasty judgments about others or getting bogged down in trivialities, embrace human differences, transcend the' black-and-white' mindset, and expand your capacity for inclusiveness.
Let go of self-obsession: Overcome the 'self-centered' mindset, avoid fixating on face-saving, self-esteem, or personal feelings, and learn to see things from others' perspectives to reduce conflicts and troubles caused by self-obsession.
The essence of breaking the attachment is to let the mind move from the "closed little self" to the "open big self", laying the foundation of the pattern for self-cultivation, and experiencing the natural law of the big heart doing great things.
(II) Mental Regulation: Harmonizing Mental States and Emotional Regulation to Stabilize Internal Order
The mind is the source of emotions and behaviors. The Happy Culture emphasizes that 'disordered mind leads to disordered actions, while a calm mind ensures proper conduct.' Mind regulation is the core aspect of personal cultivation, with three key tasks to focus on:
Mindfulness of Thoughts: Continuously observe your inner thoughts, distinguishing between "positive thoughts (gratitude, tolerance, altruism)" and "negative thoughts (complaint, jealousy, selfishness)", avoiding being led by negative thoughts, achieving "immediate awareness when thoughts arise, and their cessation upon awareness".
Emotional regulation: When confronted with negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, or resentment, instead of suppressing or lashing out, resolve them through rational cognition—recognizing that the root cause lies in internal obsessions rather than external events. Proactively adjust one's mindset to restore emotional equilibrium.
Positive Guidance: Actively cultivate gratitude, tolerance, and equanimity, replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. For instance, when encountering conflicts, reflect on 'the other party's struggles, 'and when facing setbacks, perceive them as' opportunities for growth,' gradually developing a stable positive mindset.
(3) Doing Good Deeds: Practicing Altruistic Good Deeds and Sublimating the Realm of Cultivation
Happy Culture believes that "happiness" is not only inner satisfaction but also "spiritual joy after altruism". Doing good is the key to transform inner cultivation into external value, and its core is "small kindness to cultivate virtue, great kindness to cultivate the heart".
Daily Small Acts of Kindness: Practice benevolence through everyday small deeds, such as respecting others, being helpful, tolerating mistakes, and understanding others' difficulties, to achieve "good words, good deeds, and a kind heart," and to cultivate virtue in minor matters.
The altruistic heart: to jump out of the limitation of "self-interest", to think of others and the collective, not to be petty about gains and losses, to experience the joy of "giving roses to others, the hand has the fragrance" in altruism, and to make the cultivation from "self-improvement" to "altruistic dedication";
Goodness knows no scale: Not clinging to the notion that 'only great deeds constitute goodness,' but understanding that 'a single thought of goodness is goodness, and a single act of goodness is virtue,' consistent daily acts of kindness will gradually solidify into intrinsic moral cultivation.
(4) Maintain tranquility: Return to inner peace and consolidate the foundation of self-cultivation
Restlessness is the greatest enemy of self-cultivation. The Joyful Culture emphasizes that 'stillness begets concentration, and concentration begets wisdom.' Maintaining tranquility is the foundation for refining one's character and elevating one's cultivation, with the core aim of guiding the mind back to its inner self from external noise.
Physical stillness: Through practices such as meditation, egg stacking, double ball bouncing, slow living, and reducing unnecessary social interactions, the body is relaxed to prevent restlessness from inducing inner agitation.
Mental tranquility: Let go of excessive pursuit of external things, free from distractions by trivial matters and scattered thoughts, focus on the present moment, and in this serenity, perceive oneself, reflect on shortcomings, and cultivate inner peace.
Wisdom arises from stillness: A tranquil state liberates one from emotional and obsessive disturbances, enabling clearer self-awareness and worldly perception. This facilitates rational refinement of conduct and cultivation, ultimately realizing the principle that 'stillness leads to concentration, and concentration yields wisdom.'
III. Specific Practice Methods of Integrating Happy Culture into Personal Cultivation
Happy Culture champions the philosophy that 'self-cultivation happens in daily life, and joy comes in the present moment.' It rejects empty theories and offers actionable daily practices, seamlessly integrating self-improvement into every aspect of life.
(1) Daily Mindfulness Practice: Three Daily Questions for Self-Reflection
Before bedtime or upon waking, engage in the "Three Questions" self-awareness practice to continuously refine your mental focus:
Self-reflection: Are there any negative thoughts such as complaints, jealousy, or anger in your mind today? What is the root cause? How can they be resolved?
Question: Are your words and actions today in line with the principles of kindness, tolerance, and respect? Have you hurt anyone? Are you happy to do your homework?
Quest: Do you become arrogant in favorable circumstances or complain in adverse ones? Do you maintain a balanced mindset toward life's circumstances? Through daily self-reflection, gradually reduce negative thoughts and behaviors, and cultivate positive habits.
(2) Emotional Harmonization Method: Three-Step Mind Calming to Resolve Restlessness
When facing negative emotions, use the "three-step method" to quickly adjust your mindset:
Pause: Before an emotional outburst, temporarily suspend verbal and behavioral actions to avoid impulsive decisions; the culture of happiness advocates: arguing is less effective than cooking, and debating is less meaningful than discussing principles.
Observation: Identify the source of emotions—whether it stems from attachment, the ego, or external events—and resist being swept away by them.
Happy Mind Tips: Troubles stem from within—never blame fate or others. Once you grasp the truth, joy will be yours daily.
Transform your mindset by replacing negative cognition with positive one, such as 'He is not targeting me, just holding a different perspective' or 'This is a test of growth, not a disaster.' The Happy Culture advocates: 'A calm mind brings joy everywhere, and selflessness elevates character.' Enjoy nature, for happiness is not sought.
(3) Practice the Happy Method: Egg Stacking Training (Core Practice)
"Focused Egg Building" is a classic personal cultivation practice in Happy Culture, which focuses on cultivating patience and concentration to overcome restlessness and develop mental resilience, while achieving the unity of mind and hand.
Basic steps: Take two raw eggs and half a bowl of white rice. Secure one egg in the center of the rice bowl, place the other egg on top to maintain stability without tipping. Repeat this process continuously while practicing focused concentration.
Cultivation Core: During the process of stacking eggs, restlessness leads to the eggs toppling over, while calmness ensures stability. It is essential to let go of impatience and utilitarian attitudes, focusing on the present action, and gradually cultivating patience, concentration, and focus.
Extended Value: Long-term training cultivates inner peace and enhances patience, enabling one to remain calm and composed when facing life's difficulties and challenges. It transforms the' steadfastness of stacking eggs 'into' the cultivation of handling affairs with wisdom.'
(4) The Method of Beneficence: Perform One Good Deed Daily to Accumulate Merit and Cultivate the Mind
Set a small daily goal of "doing one good deed" without striving for grand achievements, starting with small actions:
Good speech: to say encouraging and warm words to others, without blaming or mocking;
Good deeds: helping others, yielding to others, and taking the initiative to handle small tasks;
Maintain benevolence in mind: rejoice in others 'success without jealousy, and tolerate their faults. Every act of kindness nourishes inner goodness and elevates one's moral cultivation.
IV. Core Value of Happy Culture in Personal Cultivation
(1) Solve the Fundamental Problem of Cultivation: From "Passive Constraint" to "Active Consciousness"
Traditional self-cultivation often relies on external norms (such as morality and rules), which can lead to a superficial compliance with external standards while causing internal resistance. In contrast, the Happy Culture approach starts from the heart. By cultivating one's inner self, it helps individuals genuinely embrace the value of self-cultivation, transforming the passive "I must cultivate" into the proactive "I want to cultivate." This shift enables voluntary and conscious self-improvement, resulting in more lasting and authentic self-cultivation.
(2) Achieving Harmonious Unity of Body and Mind: Overcoming Internal Struggle and Enhancing Quality of Life
The core challenge in personal cultivation lies in "internal friction" (such as indecision, anxiety, and self-denial). The Happy Culture approach addresses this by breaking through attachments, regulating the mind, and maintaining tranquility, thereby resolving internal contradictions and conflicts. This enables the body and mind to cease opposing each other, achieving "physical and mental harmony." In this state, individuals not only enhance their self-cultivation but also free themselves from mental exhaustion, attaining a healthier and more composed life state.
(3) Building a Complete System of Cultivation: From "Single-point Improvement" to "Comprehensive Growth"
Happy culture encompasses multiple dimensions such as 'mindfulness, emotions, behaviors, and perspectives,' forming a complete cultivation cycle of 'breaking attachments-adjusting the mind-performing good deeds-maintaining tranquility.' This approach addresses both internal spiritual issues and external behaviors, preventing one-sided cultivation (e.g., focusing solely on actions while neglecting inner qualities), thereby achieving comprehensive growth in personal virtues, mental disposition, and wisdom.
(4)Return to the Essence of Cultivation: Make Cultivation a "Happy Lifestyle"
Happy Culture challenges the notion that 'self-cultivation is asceticism or self-restraint,' instead forging a profound bond between self-improvement and happiness. The journey of self-cultivation involves gradually shedding worries and attaining inner joy, culminating in lasting happiness. This approach transforms personal cultivation from a tedious self-imposed requirement into a lifestyle that brings happiness and ease, making it more sustainable and actionable.
In summary, Happy Culture offers a holistic framework for personal cultivation— "rooted in the heart, bearing fruit through action, and culminating in joy." It eschews superficial fame in favor of inner spiritual refinement, guiding individuals to gradually overcome attachments, harmonize emotions, practice virtuous deeds, and attain serenity through daily practice. This culminates in the cultivation ideal of "a liberated mind, upright conduct, profound virtue, and joyful life" —the very essence of Happy Culture's value in personal growth. For those eager to explore this philosophy further, a direct flight to Xuzhou Guanyin Airport is recommended to visit the birthplace of Happy Culture in Lanshan, Suining.