Xinzhai
Glossary: xinzhai 心斋, 'fasting of the mind' — the Zhuangzian emptying practice and its translation.
Xinzhai (心斋, xīnzhāi) — “fasting of the mind,” the Zhuangzi ch. 4 instruction to listen not with ear or mind but with qi, emptying the mind so the Dao gathers in it: “Emptiness — that is the fasting of the mind.”
Translation note: xin in classical Chinese covers both “heart” and “mind”; “fasting of the mind” is standard, but “heart-mind” is a useful one-time gloss for readers who need the warning. Avoid “mental fast” (sounds like a diet trend).
See the full concept page.
Sources
- Zhuangzi ch. 4 ('Ren Jian Shi')