Copying Scriptures for Peace of Mind: Smoothing Away Life's Anxiety in the Scent of Ink

In this fast-paced era, our lives are constantly filled with trivialities, work, and anxiety. The blinking notifications on our phone screens and the lingering stress in our minds often leave us feeling breathless. Until one day, I tried spreading out a sheet of Xuan paper, grinding a stone of ink, lifting a brush, and beginning a long-lost slow time—copying scriptures.

Copying scriptures is not just about religion or faith; it is more like a form of "dynamic meditation" for modern people.

The moment you hold the brush, the world seems to suddenly quiet down. The ink slowly spreads on the Xuan paper, carrying a faint scent of pine smoke. Your attention is forced to detach from those complicated thoughts and coalesce between the horizontal and vertical strokes of the brush tip. Your hands must not shake, and your mind must not be disturbed; if one character is written wrong, you have to start all over again. This extreme focus, paradoxically, gives the exhausted brain a real rest.

In the beginning, my mind was still impetuous, always thinking about finishing quickly, and my handwriting appeared sloppy. However, as lines of scriptures extended under my brush, my breathing gradually became even. The anxieties that had been tormenting my heart seemed to dilute and fade away, just like ink dissolving in water.

After finishing a scroll, looking at the neat characters across the paper, a long-lost sense of groundedness and peace rises within. The problems in life may still exist, but washed by the fragrance of ink, I have found the confidence and calmness to face them again.

If you feel tired or anxious too, why not prepare a set of brush and ink for yourself? In this noisy world, use each stroke to smooth out the creases in your heart.

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