Return home, neither wind nor rain, neither...

Return home, neither wind nor rain, neither sunshine
归去，也无风雨也无晴

Background

This poem was written in March 1082, the third year of Su Shi's exile in Huangzhou. While traveling with friends on a spring day, they encountered rain. While his companions felt distressed and embarrassed, Su Shi remained completely unperturbed. After the rain stopped and the sky cleared, looking back at the path they had traveled, Su Shi expressed this profound sentiment about returning home where weather conditions no longer matter.

Interpretation

This line expresses Su Shi's transcendent attitude toward life. "Return home" refers not just to returning to a physical dwelling, but to returning to inner peace and tranquility. "Neither wind nor rain, neither sunshine" means that external conditions of storm or sunshine no longer matter, reflecting the poet's inner calm and composure. This state is not an escape from reality, but an enlightenment achieved after experiencing life's storms—the ups and downs of life are temporary, and what truly matters is inner peace and transcendence.

Historical & Cultural Background

Historical Context

During Emperor Shenzong's reign in the Northern Song Dynasty, Wang Anshi's reforms triggered intense political conflicts. Su Shi, opposing the new policies, expressed his dissatisfaction in poetry and was framed by the reform faction, nearly losing his life. After release from prison, he was exiled to Huangzhou as a nominal military vice-commissioner, essentially in political exile. This period marked the lowest point in Su Shi's life but also became the elevation period of his literary creation and philosophical thinking. In Huangzhou, he farmed at Eastern Slope and adopted the name "Dongpo Jushi" (Resident of Eastern Slope), completing his transformation from politician to literary master. This "Calming the Waves" poem emerged from this transitional period, embodying his broad-minded philosophy of "wearing a straw raincoat, letting wind and rain accompany me through life."

Cultural Significance

This line embodies the traditional wisdom of Chinese literati: "When successful, serve the world; when poor, cultivate oneself." After political disappointment, Su Shi did not indulge in resentment but found spiritual solace in nature and literature, creating a new paradigm for scholars facing adversity. This attitude of "neither wind nor rain, neither sunshine" became a spiritual pillar for later generations of literati when facing life's setbacks, influencing Chinese intellectuals for nearly a thousand years. It represents not just literary expression but a crystallization of life philosophy, embodying core Chinese cultural concepts of "unity between heaven and humanity" and "following nature's course."

Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Philosophical Analysis

From a philosophical perspective, this line embodies profound dialectical thinking and existential wisdom. Su Shi recognized that wind/rain and sunshine represent two natural states, just as prosperity and adversity in life are objectively existing phenomena. But the key lies in the subject's attitude—the word "neither" expresses transcendence beyond dualistic opposition. This isn't simple relativism but recognizes that all external conditions are projections of the mind. When inner peace is truly achieved, external circumstances can no longer affect the subject's spiritual state. This thought connects with Buddhism's "Middle Way" concept and echoes Zhuangzi's "Equality of Things" philosophy, embodying Chinese philosophy's characteristic of "inner transcendence."

Modern Application

In modern society, people face various "storms"—work pressure, interpersonal relationships, economic fluctuations—and experience "sunny days" of career success and sweet relationships. Su Shi's line reminds us not to build happiness on constantly changing external conditions. True inner peace comes from understanding and accepting impermanence. In the workplace, we need not be overly attached to promotions or demotions; in life, we maintain equanimity through gain and loss, honor and disgrace. This attitude isn't passive withdrawal but wisdom for active engagement—being our best selves while remaining detached from outcomes. It teaches us to pursue goals while enjoying the process, finding inner peace in any circumstance.

Origin Story

On March 7, 1082, Su Shi traveled with several friends to Shahu Lake in Huangzhou. It was a beautiful spring day with gentle weather, and everyone was in high spirits. Unexpectedly, the weather changed suddenly and heavy rain began to fall mid-journey. His companions panicked—some ran hastily seeking shelter, others fumbled nervously with their clothing. Only Su Shi, holding a bamboo staff and wearing straw sandals, continued walking slowly through the rain while reciting poetry. After the rain stopped and sunshine returned with slanting sunset rays, Su Shi looked back at the place they had passed through the storm and suddenly realized: the storms and difficulties on life's journey resemble these natural weather changes! Since storms eventually pass and sunshine doesn't last forever, what's the point of clinging to external circumstances? He then wrote this immortal masterpiece, concluding with "Return home, neither wind nor rain, neither sunshine," expressing profound life wisdom.

Historical Impact

This line pioneered a new realm in Chinese literary history of "using nature as metaphor for life," becoming a classic paradigm for later literati to express transcendent feelings. From Xin Qiji's "Green mountains cannot block it, after all it flows eastward" to Lu You's "Where mountains multiply and streams double back, suddenly a village appears in willows and flowers," we can see the influence of Su Shi's philosophical thinking. In intellectual history, it marked the Song Dynasty literati's shift from political idealism to inner spiritual pursuit, planting seeds for the later rise of "Heart-Mind Learning." For nearly a thousand years, countless scholars facing life's setbacks have recalled Su Shi's line, drawing spiritual strength from it. It represents not just a literary masterpiece but an important component of Chinese intellectual spiritual tradition.

Practical Guidance

To practice this wisdom in daily life, consider these approaches: First, cultivate awareness—when facing difficulties or success, recognize these as temporary external changes. Second, establish inner values, building happiness on internal growth rather than external achievements. Third, learn "contemplation"—like Su Shi, reflect after experiencing storms to gain wisdom. Finally, develop a "neither wind nor rain, neither sunshine" ordinary mind, neither becoming arrogant in prosperity nor discouraged in adversity. Practice through meditation, journaling, connecting with nature, gradually cultivating this transcendent mindset. Remember, true homecoming isn't in distant places but in inner peace.