Source: Qilehui

1. What is 'selflessness'?

Selflessness does not simply deny the existence of the self, but aims to break free from attachment and delusions regarding the self. In Buddhist wisdom, all things in the world exist in a state of interdependence and do not have a permanently unchanging, independent 'self.'

What we consider the self is merely a composite of the five aggregates (form, feeling, perception, mental formations, consciousness), constantly changing and flowing. When traders can comprehend 'selflessness,' they will no longer be bound by their narrow perceptions, prejudices, and emotions.

If at any time when making Trade decisions, you no longer simply consider the benefits of 'I' or the viewpoints of 'I,' but can look at market changes from a broader and more objective perspective.

One will not excessively pursue profits due to personal greed, nor will one panic and evade risks due to personal fears. In the ups and downs of each Trade, maintaining a sense of calmness and detachment without equating trading results with personal value is a sign of achieving 'no self'.

2. What is 'non-action'?

'Non-action' does not mean passive idleness, but rather a profound wisdom that aligns with nature without deliberate effort.

In the philosophical system of Daoism, all things in the universe follow their own running laws, just like the movements of the sun, moon, and stars, and the changing of seasons, all naturally occur under an invisible order.

If humanity wishes to accomplish something, it should not force intervention but rather follow this natural law, pushing forward at the appropriate time. This is the true essence of 'governing through non-action'.

The so-called 'momentum' can also be understood as upward momentum; it is essentially a manifestation of energy. Trading in harmony with this momentum means following this trend and proceeding along the direction of energy flow. The core of trend-following trading lies in following. Although this is a simple and understandable principle, putting it into practice can be very challenging!

3. What is 'desirelessness'?

The realm of 'desirelessness' in life is equally crucial in trading. Here, 'desirelessness' does not mean abandoning all desires but rather freeing oneself from the control of excessive and unreasonable desires.

In the world of Trade, too many people are driven by a greedy desire for money, yearning to get rich overnight and pursuing endless wealth accumulation.

However, this intense desire often blinds us, causing us to overlook the risks of the market and the essence of trading.

Traders who truly reach the state of 'desirelessness' can clearly recognize that wealth is merely a part of life, not all of it.

They do not resort to any means to pursue profit, nor do they get overly excited or discouraged by temporary gains and losses.

4. What is the highest realm of trading?

Now, if we introduce these concepts into trading, we will find that the highest realm of trading is precisely to transcend one’s desires, not to be controlled by the urgent desire for profit, to surpass one's obsession, to no longer be troubled by temporary gains and losses, to rise above one's subjectivity, to refrain from predicting whether prices will rise or fall, to follow the trend and let the market and trading develop naturally, and this is precisely the collection of selflessness, non-action, and desirelessness.

First, transcending one’s desires: many people are driven by the impulse for urgent profit, blindly chasing every seemingly profitable opportunity while neglecting the risks of the market and their own limited abilities. Being controlled by desire, they gradually lose their direction amidst fluctuations, falling into the quagmire of frequent trading and excessive risk-taking.

Secondly, transcending obsession is equally crucial. During the trading process, numbers of profit and loss constantly fluctuate, temporary gains may trigger greed, prompting traders to raise their stakes, hoping to gain more; while temporary losses may induce fear and anxiety, leading them to rush to turn the situation around, ultimately making incorrect decisions.

True masters can transcend this obsession with the results of gains and losses, viewing each Trade as a process of learning and growth, rather than merely focusing on the gains and losses of money.

Ultimately, transcending one's own subjectivity is also key to Trade. The market is a complex and vast ecosystem influenced by countless factors, and its trends are a result of the interplay of many forces.

Trying to accurately predict the rise and fall of the market is often a futile endeavor. Smart traders know to follow the trend, like keen observers sensing the market's trends and rhythms, allowing the market and Trade to develop naturally. This is akin to Daoism's adherence to natural laws: when the market shows an upward trend, they take long positions; when the market turns downward, they take short positions, rather than operating against the trend based on subjective assumptions.

This entire process is, in fact, the integration of Buddhism's "no-self," Daoism's "non-action," and life's "desirelessness." It embodies a deep transcendence of self and a sense of reverence towards the market.

Five, lastly, here are some words for everyone.

"Everything I lose is not mine, and everything I seek is bound by it."

In Trade, the losses we encounter are because if we do not have enough ability and wisdom to manage these riches, losing them is just a matter of time.

When we excessively pursue certain goals, we are often bound by these pursuits, losing the flexibility and objectivity of Trade.

"Everything is used by me, not owned by me."

In Trade, one should be adept at utilizing various tools, techniques, and market opportunities, but should not regard them as personal private property to the point of excessive reliance or obsession. Technical analysis tools can be used to assist in determining market trends, but one should not be superstitious about these tools; market news can be referenced, but one should not be led by the news.

"A gentleman uses things without being used by them; things begin, the great way is the simplest. Without action, there is rigidity; without inaction, there is nothing that cannot be achieved."

This statement points us toward an ideal state in Trade. As traders, we must control the process of Trade rather than being controlled by it. The essence of Trade is actually quite simple; it is about finding a balance between risk and reward while following market laws.

When we achieve a state of mind without desires and are not disturbed by external factors, we can harness a powerful inner strength to act in accordance with the market in Trade, seemingly effortless yet able to bring about ideal results.

Editor/lambor