Void and peace mean that all distractions, such as desires and rational thoughts,
should be dispelled to attain peace and purity of the soul. The idea of void and
peace was first proposed by Laozi and Zhuangzi, the founders of Daoism, and
then used by Xunzi to refer to a state of mental concentration. Such a state
of mind is similar to the psychological conditions in appreciation of works
of literature and art, which are characterized by being totally free from the
awareness of oneself and the outside world, and free from any urge and desire.
Therefore, thinkers and literary critics of earlier times used this term to explain
the state of mind in literary and artistic creation and appreciation. It stressed
the need for spiritual freedom in artistic creation, suggesting that this is an
important precondition for reaching the highest level of aesthetic appreciation.