HOW ODDLY SIMILAR are gossip and worry. They are both the outcome of a restless mind. A restless mind must have a changing variety of expressions and actions, it must be occupied; it must have ever increasing sensations, passing interests, and gossip contains the elements of all these.

闲聊和担心，是多么惊奇的相似。 两者都源于一个躁动不安的头脑。 一个躁动不安的头脑，一定有一种表达上的、动作上的改变， 它必须被占据； 它必须拥有不断增长的感觉、飘来飘去的兴趣， 而闲聊，包含了所有这些因素。

Gossip is the very antithesis of intensity and earnestness. To talk about another, pleasantly or viciously, is an escape from oneself, and escape is the cause of restlessness. Escape in its very nature is restless. Concern over the affairs of others seems to occupy most people, and this concern shows itself in the reading of innumerable magazines and newspapers with their gossip columns, their accounts of murders, divorces and so on.

闲聊正好是强烈和认真的对立面。 愉快地，或者恶毒地议论别人，是一种逃避自己的方法， 而逃避，即是焦躁不安的原因。 逃避的本性即是焦虑。 老是去挂念别人，似乎占据了大多数人， 这种挂念体现于 阅览无数的杂志和报刊中 里面有闲聊专栏、谋杀、离婚的采访和谈论等等。

As we are concerned with what others think of us, so we are anxious to know all about them; and from this arise the crude and subtle forms of snobbishness and the worship of authority. Thus we become more and more externalized and inwardly empty. The more externalized we are, the more sensations and distractions there must be, and this gives rise to a mind that is never quiet, that is not capable of deep search and discovery.

我们也担心别人对我们的看法， 因此，我们也急于想知道关于他们的一切； 这样一来，就产生了一种残忍而微妙的势利，以及对权威的崇拜。 因此，我们变得越来越注重外在，内里越来越空虚。 我们越是外在化，就必定要猎取更多的感觉和消遣， 这就滋长出一颗永无安宁的头脑， 就没有了深入的探索与发现的能力。

Gossip is an expression of a restless mind; but merely to be silent does not indicate a tranquil mind, Tranquillity does not come into being with abstinence or denial; it comes with the understanding of what is. To understand what is needs swift awareness, for what is is not static.

闲聊是一个躁动不安的头脑的一种外在的症状； 然而，仅仅保持安静并不代表着一颗宁静的头脑， 宁静不是通过节制或否认而来到的； 它的到来，伴随着对现在的理解 —— 对‘什么是’的理解。 要理解‘什么是’，需要迅捷的感悟，因为‘什么是’不是静态的。

If we did not worry, most of us would feel that we were not alive; to be struggling with a problem is for the majority of us an indication of existence. We cannot imagine life without a problem; and the more we are occupied with a problem, the more alert we think we are. The constant tension over a problem which thought itself has created only dulls the mind, making it insensitive and weary.

如果我们不担心，我们大多数人会觉得我们没有活力； 对于我们大多数人来说，带着一个问题而努力奋斗，就是我们存在的标志。 我们无法想象没有任何一个问题的生活； 我们越是忙于一个问题，我们就越认为我们自己是警醒的。 从一个问题上而引发的这种持续性紧张， 是思想自己制造的产物， 只能使这颗头脑变得迟钝，使它不灵敏和疲倦。

Why is there the ceaseless preoccupation with a problem? Will worry resolve the problem? Or does the answer to the problem come when the mind is quiet? But for most people, a quiet mind is a rather fearsome thing; they are afraid to be quiet, for heaven knows what they may discover in themselves, and worry is a preventive. A mind that is afraid to discover must ever be on the defensive, and restlessness is its defence.

在面对一个问题的时候，为什么有层出不穷的偏见呢？ 担心能解决这个问题吗？ 或者当这颗头脑安静的时候，问题的答案就出来了？ 但对于大多数人来说，一颗安静的头脑是一种相当可怕的东西； 他们害怕安静， 天知道他们可能会在他们自己里面发现什么，而担心是一剂预防针。 一个害怕被发现的头脑，必定总是处于防御的状态， 而躁动不安，就是它的防御手段。

Through constant strain, through habit and the influence of circumstances, the conscious layers of the mind have become agitated and restless Modern existence encourages this superficial activity and distraction, which is another form of self-defence. Defence is resistance, which prevents understanding.

通过持续的紧绷，通过习惯和环境的影响， 这颗头脑的意识已经被煽动，变得焦虑 现今的生存，鼓励这种肤浅的活动和消遣 也是另一种形式的自我防御。 防御就是抵抗，阻碍着理解。

Worry, like gossip, has the semblance of intensity and seriousness; but if one observes more closely one will see that it arises from attraction and not earnestness. Attraction is ever changing, and that is why the objects of worry and gossip change. Change is merely modified continuity. Gossip and worry can come to an end only when the restlessness of the mind is understood. Mere abstinence, control or discipline will not bring about tranquillity, but only dull the mind, making it insensitive and confined.

担心，如同闲聊，看起来强烈而严肃； 但是，如果一个人更近距离地观察， 一个人就会发现：它源于被吸引，而不是认真。 吸引总是在变化， 那就是为什么担心和闲聊的对象在不断变化。 变化只是调整过后的延续。 只有当头脑的焦虑被理解时，闲聊和担心才能走向尽头。 仅靠禁欲、控制或持戒，不会带来宁静， 只会导致这颗头脑迟钝，使它不灵敏、被禁锢。

Curiosity is not the way of understanding. Understanding comes with self-knowledge. He who suffers is not curious; and mere curiosity, with its speculative overtones, is a hindrance to self-knowledge. Speculation, like curiosity, is an indication of restlessness; and a restless mind, however gifted, destroys understanding and happiness.

好奇不是理解之道。理解来源于认识自己。 遭受苦难的人是不好奇的； 只靠好奇以及其中的推测性暗示，对认识自己来说，是一种障碍。 推测，类似于好奇，是躁动不安的一种表现； 而一颗躁动不安的头脑，无论天赋多高，破坏着理解和快乐。