Many modern discussions focus on “how to make money” and “how to become luckier.” Meanwhile, individuals aiming for prosperity often spend a considerable amount of time playing video games. These games may seem like entertainment; however, Chinese metaphysics suggests that they actually drain vital energy. Ancient wisdom teaches: “The face is born from the heart; the environment follows the heart’s changes.”
This means that thoughts and habits gradually shape temperament and appearance, ultimately influencing one’s life path. Immersion in virtual worlds for extended periods of time drains vital energy; therefore, excessive gaming undermines one’s potential for real-world success by affecting mental state and financial well-being.
The essence of vital energy
The Huangdi Neijing (The Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor) is an ancient Chinese medical text, which states that “Essence is the foundation of the body; Qi is the energy of life; Spirit is the master of destiny.” This means that essence gives us physical strength, qi drives our lives, and spirit leads our will and clarity. When all three are abundant, a person is spirited, with bright eyes and a prosperous destiny.
Once one or more of these elements are scarce, a person’s complexion becomes dull, eyes lose focus, and life trends toward decline. Addiction to video games can lead to a loss of energy and a disconnected personality — what metaphysics refers to as “spirit decline,” ultimately resulting in an overall decline.
Warnings from appearance
Physiognomy emphasizes one’s spirit: “Those with an abundant spirit are noble; those with a weak one are lowly.” People addicted to video games often display several signs of decline:
Ancient texts say “Those with lower ‘three whites’ are often dangerous and unfeeling,” symbolizing an unsettled mind and extreme actions.
- The eyeballs are tilted up: The eyes appear sunken, and the lower white part of the eyes is exposed.
- The eyes are dull: The pleasure of gaming replaces real-life goals, causing the eyes to lose their depth and brilliance. According to the ancients, “Those with lifeless eyes have no will.”
- The complexion is dark: Staying up late and sitting in front of a screen for long periods of time leads to a sallow appearance. Physiognomy believes that “a dull complexion indicates stagnation,” representing decreasing fortunes and lack of wealth.
Changes in one’s looks are indeed warnings of destiny. When a person’s spirit is no longer vibrant, even when opportunities arise, they will struggle to seize them.
Deviation of destiny
There are already too many cases in society. The killer in the Akihabara random murder case in Japan was long addicted to games and the Internet, resulting in a twisted mentality; in the United States, several school shooting perpetrators were keen on violent games, becoming desensitized to brutality. These examples illustrate the ancient saying: “When the heart is scattered, destiny declines.” Once the spirit is unsettled, life easily veers off course.
The right path to success
Confucius once said: “A gentleman focuses on the fundamentals; when the foundation (vital energy) is solid, the path unfolds.” In simple terms, a gentleman values the basics by dedicating time, each day, to studying or exercising, to enrich vital energy. It is also essential to consciously pursue self-improvement, nurture the mind, and let one’s path flourish naturally — not just in games, but in real life.
Words of advice
An ancient saying advises: “To nurture the heart, nothing is better than having fewer desires.” Reducing unnecessary wants best cultivates the heart. Video games themselves are not inherently bad, but addiction to them is. The central argument remains: actual growth comes from effort and authenticity in real life. Overindulgence in video games can reduce one’s ability to achieve success.
Translated by Joseph Wu and edited by Laura Cozzolino
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