“For the Source Fresh Water Flows in”: Zhu Xi's Antidote to Boredom

ABSTRACT Boredom besets us despite the advanced technology and diversified lifestyles nowadays. The article examines the sources of boredom and the ways to deal with it along with Zhu Xi (1130–1200), the Song Neo‐Confucian. In light of Zhu, boredom can be reduced by making oneself less boredom prone, which is mainly achieved by the recognition of the meaning of and in life and existence. This recognition works in prompting us to find things interesting and engage in things. In other words, the antidote to boredom lies mainly in maintaining the liveliness of our heart‐mind ( xin 心), which is related to the recognition of the pattern ( li 理). This account is intriguing as it can account for both the objective and subjective elements concerning the constitution of meaning, preventing meaning from being repressive or willful.