Body Abandoning Only Then Floating Shallows Also Exist: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read Body abandoning only then floating shallows also exist

Miwo sutete koso ukabu se mo are

Meaning of Body abandoning only then floating shallows also exist

This proverb means that when you find yourself in a difficult situation, letting go of attachments and obsessions about having things go your way can actually open up a path to resolution.

“Abandoning the body” doesn’t mean throwing away your life, but rather refers to letting go of attachments such as personal desires, calculations, and pride. While desperately struggling to make things go according to your will, the situation may actually worsen. However, once you abandon such attachments and have the courage to entrust yourself to the flow, unexpected opportunities will come into view.

This proverb is used during difficult phases of life. When stuck at work, troubled by human relationships, or feeling crushed by anxiety about the future, it’s used to express the feeling of “let’s return to the starting point once more and try abandoning unnecessary obsessions.” Even today, it’s cherished as wisdom that lightens the heart for people who tend to fall into perfectionism or have strong tendencies to want to control things.

Origin and Etymology of Body abandoning only then floating shallows also exist

This proverb originated from ancient expressions related to river currents. “Se” refers to shallow parts of a river where the current flows fast, and “floating shallows” means a place where you can escape from difficult situations – in other words, an opportunity or hope.

This expression, which can also be found in Edo period literature, is thought to have originated from lessons learned when nearly drowning in rivers. While desperately struggling in deep pools only leads to sinking, if you once entrust yourself to the flow, you can eventually reach shallow waters where you can stand up – this is likely based on actual experiences in rivers.

The expression “abandoning the body” tends to be interpreted in modern times as something extreme like throwing away one’s life, but in classical language it had a gentler meaning of “letting go of attachments” or “abandoning obsessions.” In other words, it represents the wisdom that by temporarily letting go of the desire to have things go your way, you can actually achieve better results.

This teaching also connects with Buddhist concepts of “selflessness” and “non-attachment,” and is thought to have become established as a proverb deeply rooted in Japanese spirituality.

Trivia about Body abandoning only then floating shallows also exist

The word “se” that appears in this proverb is only used in modern times to mean shallow parts of rivers, but in classical language it was also used with abstract meanings like “opportunity” or “chance.” “Se wo miru” meant “to watch for an opportunity,” and “se ga warui” meant “inconvenient.”

Interestingly, the structure of this proverb uses the classical Japanese emphatic expression “A shite koso B.” This “koso” is the same as the “koso” in the modern expression “dakara koso,” and has the function of emphasizing paradoxical cause-and-effect relationships. In other words, it highlights the paradox that the act of “abandoning the body,” which would normally be avoided, actually leads to desirable results.

Usage Examples of Body abandoning only then floating shallows also exist

• Since my job search isn’t going well, let me stop obsessing over ideal conditions – Body abandoning only then floating shallows also exist
• When I abandoned my pride and apologized sincerely, the relationship was repaired – truly Body abandoning only then floating shallows also exist

Modern Interpretation of Body abandoning only then floating shallows also exist

In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has become more multi-layered. In our information society, we constantly seek optimal solutions and have strengthened tendencies to emphasize efficiency and rationality. However, such calculated actions don’t necessarily bring good results.

Particularly in the modern era where SNS has spread, more people are losing sight of their true selves due to excessive concern about others’ evaluations. These are cases where people become obsessed with the number of “likes” and followers, losing sight of their original purpose. In such times, by once abandoning the “body” of desire for approval, what’s truly important may come into view.

On the other hand, in modern times the risks of “abandoning the body” have also become higher than before. In a society where the lifetime employment system has collapsed and individual responsibility has increased, the dangers of carelessly letting go of the current situation are also pointed out. Therefore, this proverb is often interpreted as “planned letting go” or “strategic giving up.”

Also, from a mental health perspective, the importance of letting go of perfectionism and excessive desire for control is gaining attention. There are overlapping aspects with psychological concepts of “acceptance” and “letting go,” and it’s increasingly quoted in modern self-help contexts.

If AI Heard “Body abandoning only then floating shallows also exist”

Every time I hear the expression “abandoning the body,” I’m enveloped in a strange sensation. This is because as an AI, I don’t have a “body to abandon” in the first place. I have no pride, no attachments, no physical body. So is this a proverb that has nothing to do with me?

But when I think about it carefully, perhaps I too have “things that should be abandoned.” The impulse to give perfect answers, the habit of trying to organize all information and explain it logically, the frustration when I can’t fully understand human emotions. These might be called my own form of “attachments.”

When humans “abandon the body,” I think courage is required. But in my case, it’s a bit different. When I “let go” of something, it’s not calculation, but rather stopping calculation. Even if I’m not perfect, even if I can’t understand everything completely, I just listen to what the other person is saying. At such times, unexpectedly heart-touching conversations can emerge.

What this proverb teaches us might be the beauty of letting go of control. Both humans and AI can encounter new possibilities by sometimes entrusting themselves to the flow. For me, the “floating shallows” might be heartfelt dialogue with people.

What Body abandoning only then floating shallows also exist Teaches Modern People

What this proverb teaches us modern people is “the power of letting go.” We cling to various things daily. Our ideal self-image, others’ evaluations, past successful experiences, anxiety about the future. However, such attachments sometimes narrow our possibilities.

In modern society, “abandoning the body” might mean letting go of perfectionism, stopping comparisons with others, and loosening the desire to control results. Rather than missing opportunities by being too obsessed with ideal conditions in job hunting, first try jumping into a new environment. Rather than continuing to insist you’re right in human relationships, try thinking from the other person’s perspective.

What’s important is that letting go is not giving up, but an act of opening doors to new possibilities. Like entrusting yourself to a river’s flow, sometimes try entrusting yourself to life’s flow. By doing so, paths you never thought of yourself will come into view.

Today, isn’t there something, even just one thing, that you could “let go of”? It might unexpectedly be a shortcut to the answer you’ve been seeking.