The second series of Chinese studies and career: "internal cultivation" and "external treatment"

Since ancient times, those who want to benefit the sages of the world with their own virtue of clarity must first govern their country; To govern the country well, we must first govern the family; If you want to manage your family well, you must first repair your virtue; Xiu De, you must be righteous first; If you want to correct your mentality, you must first be sincere; To be sincere, we must first let ourselves acquire knowledge; And the way to acquire knowledge is to understand and study everything.

Only by studying everything can we acquire knowledge; Only by acquiring knowledge can we be sincere; Sincerity is the only way to be correct; If you are right, you can cultivate yourself; Only with self-cultivation can we rectify the family; Only by managing the family well can we manage the country well; Only by governing the country well can the world be peaceful.

From the emperor to the common people, we should take self-cultivation as the foundation. If you don't do it well at all, but you want to manage the branch well, it's impossible. Those who should pay attention are despised, and those who should be despised are given special attention. That's something that has never happened before.

This passage in "University" is about the "Eight Eyes" in the Confucian "Three Cardinals and Eight Eyes", that is, "learn from the times, integrate knowledge and practice, be honest, be upright, cultivate one's morality, rule the country and level the world".

"Eight Eyes" is an educational framework specially set up to realize the "Three Cardinals" (mentioned in yesterday's article), and it is also a life learning ladder advocated by Confucianism.

"Eight Eyes" includes two aspects: internal cultivation and external treatment: "discipline, knowledge, honesty and honesty" is internal cultivation, and "keeping the family, governing the country and leveling the world" is external treatment. The "self-cultivation" in the middle is the link between "internal cultivation" and "external treatment", which can be linked with the former's "internal cultivation" to form the meaning of "being independent" and the latter's "external treatment" to mean "beneficial to the world".

Let's not talk about what "Eight Eyes" is, but only talk about "internal repair" and "external treatment".

In life and work, what we often talk about or pay attention to is "external governance". For example, talking about national affairs, municipal news, the international situation, and parents' shortcomings are all in my heart.

But rarely talk about "internal repair". Few people will say what books I have read recently, what seminars I have attended, what knowledge I have learned, and what insights and spiritual gains I have gained. Even if it is mentioned, it is secretive and shy.

Few people take the time to ask themselves, what else do I need to improve? What else do I need to learn? What have I learned from this incident? What have I honed in this process?

However, a person's growth and great achievements all begin with "internal cultivation".

It is only a fantasy that the "roots" that should be there are not tied well, but they always want to harvest perfect branches and fruits.

This reminds me of the famous epitaph of Westminster Abbey:

When I was young, my imagination was never limited and I dreamed of changing the world.

When I grow up, I find that I can't change the world. I shortened my horizons and decided to change only my country.

When I get old, I find that I can't change my country. My last wish is just to change my family. However, this is also impossible.

When I was lying in bed dying, I suddenly realized that if I just changed myself at first, then I might follow the example of my family and do something for my country with their help and encouragement. And then who knows? I can even change the world.

This passage is also about the meaning of "internal cultivation".

Therefore, when we draw the blueprint of life, we can stand higher and look farther.

When we are psychologically expecting "What if the dream comes true?" Please ask yourself how much "internal repair" has been done.