WE SEE CONTRADICTION in us and about us; because we are in contradiction, there is lack of peace in us and therefore outside us. There is in us a constant state of denial and assertion - what we want to be and what we are. The state of contradiction creates conflict and this conflict does not bring about peace - which is a simple, obvious fact. This inward contradiction should not be translated into some kind of philosophical dualism, because that is a very easy escape. That is by saying that contradiction is a state of dualism we think we have solved it - which is obviously a mere convention, a contributory escape from actuality.
我们在我们里面和我们周身看到矛盾； 因为我们处于矛盾之中，我们的内在缺乏和平，因此在我们之外也缺乏和平。 我们内心有一种持续的拒绝和断言的状态 —— 我们想成为什么，我们是什么。 这种矛盾的状态造成了冲突，而这种冲突不会带来和平 —— 这是一个简单而明显的事实。 这种内在的矛盾不应该转化为某种哲学二元论， 因为这是一个非常容易的逃避方式。 也就是说，矛盾是一种二元论的状态，我们认为我们已经解决了它。 —— 这显然只是一种惯用伎俩，是对现实的逃避。
Now what do we mean by conflict, by contradiction? Why is there a contradiction in me? - this constant struggle to be something apart from what I am. I am this, and I want to be that. This contradiction in us is a fact, not a metaphysical dualism. Metaphysics has no significance in understanding what is. We may discuss, say, dualism, what it is, if it exists, and so on; but of what value is it if we don't know that there is contradiction in us, opposing desires, opposing interests, opposing pursuits? I want to be good and I am not able to be. This contradiction, this opposition in us, must be understood because it creates conflict; and in conflict, in struggle, we cannot create individually. Let us be clear on the state we are in. There is contradiction, so there must be struggle; and struggle is destruction, waste. In that state we can produce nothing but antagonism, strife, more bitterness and sorrow. If we can understand this fully and hence be free of contradiction, then there can be inward peace, which will bring understanding of each other. The problem is this.
现在我们所说的冲突、矛盾是什么意思？ 为什么我内心有矛盾？ —— 这种不断去作不是自己的斗争。 我就是这个，我想成为那个。 我们内心的这种矛盾是事实，而不是形而上学的二元论。 形而上学在理解‘什么是’方面没有意义。 我们可以讨论，比如说，二元论，它是什么，如果它存在，等等； 但它有什么价值 如果我们不知道我们内心有矛盾，对立的欲望，对立的利益，对立的追求？ 我想成为好人，但我做不到。 必须理解这种矛盾，这种我们内心的对立，因为它制造了冲突； 在冲突中，在斗争中，我们无法独立的创造。 让我们清楚我们所处的状态。 有矛盾，所以必须有斗争；斗争是毁灭，是浪费。 在这种状态下，我们只能产生对抗、冲突、更多的痛苦和悲伤。 如果我们能完全理解这一点，从而没有矛盾，那么就会有内在的和平， 这将带来彼此的理解。 问题就是这个。
Seeing that conflict is destructive, wasteful, why is it that in each of us there is contradiction? To understand that, we must go a little further. Why is there the sense of opposing desires? I do not know if we are aware of it in ourselves - this contradiction, this sense of wanting and not wanting, remembering something and trying to forget it in order to find something new. Just watch it. It is very simple and very normal. It is not something extraordinary. The fact is, there is contradiction. Then why does this contradiction arise?
既然看见了冲突是破坏性的、消耗性的，为什么我们每个人身上都有矛盾呢？ 要理解这一点，我们必须走得更远。 为什么会有对立欲望的感觉？ 我不知道我们自己是否意识到这一点 —— 这种矛盾，这种想要和不想要的感觉， 记住一些东西并试图忘记它，以便于找到新的东西。 只是看着它。这很简单，也很正常。这不是什么了不起的事情。 事实就是，有矛盾。那么，为什么会出现这种矛盾呢？
What do we mean by contradiction? Does it not imply an impermanent state which is being opposed by another impermanent state? I think I have a permanent desire, I posit in myself a permanent desire and another desire arises which contradicts it; this contradiction brings about conflict, which is waste. That is to say there is a constant denial of one desire by another desire, one pursuit overcoming another pursuit. Now, is there such a thing as a permanent desire? Surely, all desire is impermanent - not metaphysically, but actually. I want a job. That is I look to a certain job as a means of happiness; and when I get it, I am dissatisfied. I want to become the manager, then the owner, and so on and on, not only in this world, but in the so-called spiritual world - the teacher becoming the principal, the priest becoming the bishop, the pupil becoming the master.
我们所说的矛盾是什么意思？ 难道它不意味着一个无常的状态正在被另一个无常的状态所反对吗？ 我想我有一个永久的愿望， 我在自己心中假设一个永久的愿望，另一个与之相矛盾的愿望出现了； 这种矛盾带来冲突，也就消耗。 也就是说，一种欲望不断地被另一种欲望所否定，一种追求战胜了另一种追求。 现在，有没有永久的欲望这样的东西？ 当然，所有的欲望都是无常的 —— 不是形而上学的，而是实际上的。 我想要一份工作。 也就是说，我把某份工作看作是快乐的手段；当我得到它时，我不满意。 我想成为经理，然后是老板，等等，不仅在这个世界上， 而且在所谓的灵性世界中 —— 老师想成为校长，神父想成为主教，学生想成为大师。
This constant becoming, arriving at one state after another, brings about contradiction, does it not? Therefore, why not look at life not as one permanent desire but as a series of fleeting desires always in opposition to each other? Hence the mind need not be in a state of contradiction. If I regard life not as a permanent desire but as a series of temporary desires which are constantly changing, then there is no contradiction.
这种不断的成为，到达一个又一个的状态，带来了矛盾，不是吗？ 因此，为什么不把生命不看成一个永恒的欲望，而看成是一系列转瞬即逝的、总是相互对立的欲望呢？ 因此，这颗头脑就不必处于矛盾的状态。 如果我不把生命看成是永恒的欲望，而是一系列不断变化的暂时的欲望， 那么就没有矛盾了。
Contradiction arises only when the mind has a fixed point of desire; that is when the mind does not regard all desire as moving, transient, but seizes upon one desire and makes that into a permanency - only then, when other desires arise, is there contradiction. But all desires are in constant movement, there is no fixation of desire.
只有当头脑有一个固定的欲望点时，矛盾才会产生； 也就是说，当头脑不认为所有的欲望都是移动的、短暂的， 而是抓住一个欲望，把它变成一种永恒。 —— 只有这样，当其他欲望出现时，才会有矛盾。 但所有的欲望都在不断运动，没有欲望的固定。
There is no fixed point in desire; but the mind establishes a fixed point because it treats everything as a means to arrive, to gain; and there must be contradiction, conflict, as long as one is arriving. You want to arrive, you want to succeed, you want to find an ultimate God or truth which will be your permanent satisfaction. Therefore you are not seeking truth, you are not seeking God. You are seeking lasting gratification, and that gratification you clothe with an idea, a respectable-sounding word such as God, truth; but actually we are all seeking gratification, and we place that gratification, that satisfaction, at the highest point, calling it God, and the lowest point is drink. So long as the mind is seeking gratification, there is not much difference between God and drink. Socially, drink may be bad; but the inward desire for gratification, for gain, is even more harmful, is it not? If you really want to find truth, you must be extremely honest, not merely at the verbal level but altogether; you must be extraordinarily clear, and you cannot be clear if you are unwilling to face facts.
欲望没有固定的点； 但是头脑建立了一个固定的点，因为它把一切都当作到达、获得的手段； 只要一个人在到达，就一定有矛盾，冲突。 你想到达，你想成功， 你想找到一个终极的上帝或真理，这将是你永久的满足。 因此，你不是在寻求真理，你不是在寻求上帝。 你正在寻求持久的满足， 我们把那种满足放在一个想法、一个听起来很受人尊敬的词语上，如上帝，真理； 但实际上我们都在寻求满足， 我们把这种满足，那种满足，放在最高点，称之为上帝，最低点是喝酒。 只要这颗头脑在寻求满足，上帝和喝酒就没有太大区别。 在社会上，喝酒可能是不好的；但是内心对满足、对利益的渴望，更有害，不是吗？ 如果你真的想找到真理，你必须非常诚实，不仅仅是在口头层面上，而是完整地； 你必须非常清楚，如果你不愿意面对事实，你就无法清楚。
Now what brings about contradiction in each one of us? Surely it is the desire to become something, is it not? We all want to become something: to become successful in the world and, inwardly, to achieve a result. So long as we think in terms of time, in terms of achievement, in terms of position, there must be contradiction. After all, the mind is the product of time. Thought is based on yesterday, on the past; and so long as thought is functioning within the field of time, thinking in terms of the future, of becoming, gaining, achieving, there must be contradiction, because then we are incapable of facing exactly what is. Only in realizing, in understanding, in being choicelessly aware of what is, is there a possibility of freedom from that disintegrating factor which is contradiction.
现在是什么给我们每个人带来了矛盾呢？ 肯定是渴望成为某个人物，不是吗？ 我们都想成为某种人物：在世界上取得成功，并在内心取得成果。 只要我们用时间、成就、地位来思考， 一定有矛盾。毕竟，头脑是时间的产物。 思想基于昨天，基于过去； 只要思想在时间的领域内运作， 从未来的角度思考，成为、获得、实现，必然存在矛盾， 因为那样我们就无法精确地面对‘什么是’。 只有在意识中，在理解中，无选择地意识到‘什么是’， 才有可能摆脱矛盾，这种崩溃的原因。
Therefore it is essential, is it not?, to understand the whole process of our thinking, for it is there that we find contradiction. Thought itself has become a contradiction because we have not understood the total process of ourselves; and that understanding is possible only when we are fully aware of our thought, not as an observer operating upon his thought, but integrally and without choice - which is extremely arduous. Then only is there the dissolution of that contradiction which is so detrimental, so painful.
因此，它是必不可少的，不是吗？ 理解我们思考的整个过程，因为在那里我们发现矛盾。 思想本身已经成为一种矛盾 因为我们没有理解自己的整个过程； 只有当我们完全意识到我们的思想时，这种理解才有可能， 不是作为一个观察者来操作他的思想， 而是整体上，不作选择 —— 这是极其艰巨的。 只有这样，才能消除这种如此有害、如此痛苦的矛盾。
So long as we are trying to achieve a psychological result, so long as we want inward security, there must be a contradiction in our life. I do not think that most of us are aware of this contradiction; or, if we are, we do not see its real significance. On the contrary, contradiction gives us an impetus to live; the very element of friction makes us feel that we are alive. The effort, the struggle of contradiction, gives us a sense of vitality. That is why we love wars, that is why we enjoy the battle of frustrations.
只要我们努力达到心理上的效果， 只要我们想要内在的安全感，我们的生活中就一定有矛盾。 我认为，我们大多数人都没有意识到这一矛盾；我们没有意识到这一矛盾。 或者，如果我们意识到，我们没有看到它的真正意义。 相反，矛盾给了我们生活的动力； 摩擦的元素让我们觉得自己还活着。 努力，矛盾的斗争，给了我们一种生命力。 这就是为什么我们喜欢战争，这就是为什么我们喜欢挫折之战。
So long as there is the desire to achieve a result, which is the desire to be psychologically secure, there must be a contradiction; and where there is contradiction, there cannot be a quiet mind. Quietness of mind is essential to understand the whole significance of life. Thought can never be tranquil; thought, which is the product of time, can never find that which is timeless, can never know that which is beyond time. The very nature of our thinking is a contradiction, because we are always thinking in terms of the past or of the future; therefore we are never fully cognizant, fully aware of the present.
只要有达到结果的欲望， 这种心理安全感的欲望，一定有矛盾； 哪里有矛盾，就不可能有安静的头脑。 安静的头脑对于理解生命的整个意义至关重要。 思想永远不可能平静； 思想是时间的产物，永远找不到无时间的东西，永远无法知道超越时间的东西。 我们思考的本质是矛盾的， 因为我们总是从过去或未来的角度思考； 因此，我们从来没有完全认识，完全意识到现在。
To be fully aware of the present is an extraordinarily difficult task because the mind is incapable of facing a fact directly without deception. Thought is the product of the past and therefore it can only think in terms of the past or the future; it cannot be completely aware of a fact in the present. So long as thought, which is the product of the past, tries to eliminate contradiction and all the problems that it creates, it is merely pursuing a result, trying to achieve an end, and such thinking only creates more contradiction and hence conflict, misery and confusion in us and, therefore, about us.
充分意识到现在是一项极其困难的任务 因为头脑无法在没有欺骗的情况下直接面对事实。 思想是过去的产物，因此它只能根据过去或未来来思考； 它不可能完全意识到现在的一个事实。 只要思想，这个过去的产物， 试图消除矛盾及其产生的所有问题， 它只是追求一个结果，试图达到一个目的， 而这种想法只会制造更多的矛盾 因而我们内部以及我们内部的冲突、痛苦和困惑。
To be free of contradiction, one must be aware of the present without choice. How can there be choice when you are confronted with a fact? Surely the understanding of the fact is made impossible so long as thought is trying to operate upon the fact in terms of becoming, changing, altering. Therefore self-knowledge is the beginning of understanding; without self-knowledge, contradiction and conflict will continue. To know the whole process, the totality of oneself, does not require any expert, any authority. The pursuit of authority only breeds fear. No expert, no specialist, can show us how to understand the process of the self. One has to study it for oneself.
为了摆脱矛盾，一个人必须意识到现在，而没有选择。 当你面对一个事实时，怎么能有选择？ 当然，对事实的理解是不可能的 只要思想试图以成为、改变、切换来对事实进行操作。 因此，自我认识是理解的开始； 没有自我认识，矛盾和冲突将继续存在。 要认识整个过程，认识自我的整体，不需要任何专家，任何权威。 追求权威只会滋生恐惧。 没有专家，没有专家，可以告诉我们如何理解自我的过程。 一个人必须自己研究它。
You and I can help each other by talking about it, but none can unfold it for us, no specialist, no teacher, can explore it for us. We can be aware of it only in our relationship - in our relationship to things, to property, to people and to ideas. In relationship we shall discover that contradiction arises when action is approximating itself to an idea. The idea is merely the crystallization of thought as a symbol, and the effort to live up to the symbol brings about a contradiction.
你和我可以通过谈论它互相帮助， 但是没有人能为我们展开它，没有专家，没有老师可以为我们探索它。 我们只能在我们的关系中意识它 —— 在我们和事物、财产、人和观念的关系里。 在关系中，我们将发现，当行动接近一个想法时，矛盾就会产生。 这个想法只是思想作为一个符号的结晶， 而努力地活在这个符号里，就带来了矛盾。
Thus, so long as there is a pattern of thought, contradiction will continue; to put an end to the pattern, and so to contradiction, there must be self-knowledge. This understanding of the self is not a process reserved for the few. The self is to be understood in our everyday speech, in the way we think and feel, in the way we look at another. If we can be aware of every thought, of every feeling, from moment to moment, then we shall see that in relationship the ways of the self are understood. Then only is there a possibility of that tranquillity of mind in which alone the ultimate reality can come into being.
因此，只要存在思想模式，矛盾就会继续存在； 为了结束这种模式，因而结束矛盾，必须有自我认识。 这种对自我的理解不是为少数人保留的过程。 自我应该在我们的日常言语中被理解，在我们的思考和感受方式中，在我们看待他人的方式中被理解。 如果我们能意识到每一个念头，每一个感觉，在每时每刻， 然后我们将看到，在关系中，自我的方式被理解了。 只有这样，才有可能实现头脑的宁静，终极的真实才能产生。