My Retreat in Zhongnan - Wang Wei
/终南别业 - 王维/
Solitude and Joy in Zhongnan
中岁颇好道，
In middle age, I became fond of the Way;
晚家南山陲。
I settled near the southern edge of these mountains.
兴来每独往，
When inspired, I roam alone,
胜事空自知。
Enjoying blessings known only to myself.
行到水穷处，
I wander on until the stream comes to an end,
坐看云起时。
And sit down to watch clouds rise into the sky.
偶然值林叟，
Sometimes, I come upon an old woodcutter,
谈笑无还期。
We chat and laugh, forgetting all about going home.
Wang Wei’s poem “My Retreat in Zhongnan” (also translated as “Dwelling in Zhongnan”) portrays the peaceful life he led after moving away from officialdom toward the serene surroundings of the Zhongnan Mountains. Written during his middle years, it reveals his turn toward Daoist (Taoist) practices and a desire for deeper spiritual cultivation. The poem’s structure and gentle pace mirror his tranquil, unhurried days.
In only eight lines, Wang Wei highlights both the simplicity and sublimity of retreating to nature. He describes wandering until the water runs dry and then pausing to observe the clouds’ slow ascent—emblems of life’s ephemeral wonder. Such images convey how, in solitude, one can perceive the grandeur in everyday scenes and feel connected to the cosmos.
When the speaker crosses paths with an old woodcutter, that moment of human connection, however humble, becomes just as meaningful as the solitude. Rather than focus on social hierarchy or obligations, the poem suggests that authentic joy can be found in friendly conversation and shared laughter—no rush to return to the bustle of city life.
Throughout these lines, Wang Wei’s hallmark is the interplay between an outwardly modest environment—mountains, streams, forests—and a profoundly inward sense of fulfillment. By choosing a life away from the court, he underscores the belief that inner peace arises not from worldly honors but from close attention to nature’s rhythms and the free flow of one’s own spirit. His reflective, understated language invites the reader to slow down, breathe, and find contentment in small wonders.
This poem continues to resonate because it encapsulates timeless questions: Where do we find meaning? How do we balance solitude and community? How can we remain receptive to nature’s subtle guidance? Wang Wei’s answer lies in the mindful observation of one’s surroundings and the gentle pursuit of harmony, both with oneself and with others encountered along the way.
Key points
Wang Wei encourages us to cultivate a life of quiet observation, where simple beauty and chance meetings become profound sources of happiness. The poem’s images—wandering past the last trickle of a stream, sitting calmly to watch the clouds—remind us that clarity and peace can emerge when we detach from the frenetic world and immerse ourselves in nature’s gentle, unhurried flow.