Reader Comments on Shadow in the Flame

I value all our reader comments and I know that many of you read them as avidly as you do the articles. They are all great and contribute a tremendous amount towards making this blog the community it has become. But from time to time we get one that stands out because of the thought that has gone into it (for example the guest posts by Blue Ocean and Anthony Bell) or because of the feeling and insight that it gives us, like the one I received below.

Hi Ric,

I am not very busy this weekend, so read some articles on your few websites and blogs. That make me remember the time I worked as an editor and reporter for a University in Qingdao. I felt great and excited. Compare the work you do now, that is gram comparing with kilogram.

Human Nature Knows No Borders

I quite like “the man”, I like the story happened out of my expectation. I like the way you use it to discover the spark of human nature’s good part. My heart has been touched, I cried. People like to see human nature’s beautiful part, no matter, the skin color or the nationality, the emotional experience is so similar; love, hate, happy, sad…

I just finished a very short but very great love affair with a western gentleman few days ago. I could hear the sound when my heart was broken to thousands pieces, I felt ice full of my bone. But I was very calm, looked no love and no hate.

When I passed the street we walked before, the happiest time we were together, was just in front of my eyes. It seem happened one second ago. I want to cry.

I feel sad, the beautiful story just started but ended. The most painful part is misunderstanding between us. In some aspect, that is misunderstanding of western and eastern culture.

I have been in Australia for 8 years, but the first 28 year time, I was in China. The Chinese philosophy thought has deep stamp in my mind, no matter good or bad. In a country’s culture, we cannot say, because it is bad, then should not in culture, because it is good, then it should exist. Bad and good, they always have a balance system. So, the 1.6 billion Chinese still can live well.

Doctrine of the Mean

I know lot of western people think that modern Chinese have lost touch with their traditional Confucius philosophy. Maybe, like nature the world is changing but the system has a nature correct skill, and makes things balance.

I know Ric has quite many years study of Chinese philosophy, so I am happy to share the gold mean of Confucian philosophy. It is hard to translate to English, but in Chinese is “中庸是儒学一切的基础,中庸之道的核心,强调的是中和与平衡,对什么事都不偏执.中庸就是在矛盾两极间找到最佳途径.在诸多可选择的可能性中取得最佳的,最合情合理的选择.(调以静制).

This is the foundation to Chinese traditional culture. In some way, things are not just black and white, there is a field in between.

This three months experience make me think, and I will learn more, and I hope I will have chance to discuss with you in the future.

The Importance of Communication

I am very happy there is a lot of western people like Ric, who like Chinese traditional philosophy. But if they want practical knowledge of Chinese philosophy, or they want to discover Chinese and then can get more successful business with Chinese in China, they still need good communication with real modern Chinese.

All the best for you and your study.

Sorry, my English is limited, hope I express my self clear. Excuse me for the grammar mistake.

Susan 

Editor’s Comment:

Please note the headers were added by me not the writer.

A Translation of the Chinese quote in the article above:

” The doctrine of the mean is the foundation of Confucianism, the core of the Golden Mean, what it stresses is being neutral and balanced, i.e. unbiased in any matter. The doctrine of the mean teaches us to find the optimal path between two contradictory poles. It teaches us to choose the best possibility, the fairest choice. (emphasis by static brake)”

I’m afraid I didn’t understand the last bit in brackets but I included a literal translation in case you can.

You make a very valid point. I used to think that because I studied Chinese philosophy I could understand Chinese people better. Of course that is silly it is like saying if we study the ancient Greeks we will understand modern Greeks or even Western people better. The truth is they are not only different cultures but different people. In fact the ancient Greeks and the ancient Chinese are more different to their current descendants than, for example, English and Chinese are today.  So to understand anyone, we need more than a history book. We need, as you say, to communicate. Which unfortunately, is a skill that is not our best trait.

Susan, I know what it is like to break up with someone you love because of an inability to see the middle path between two opposing views. I really appreciate your comment, it makes all this philosophy stuff very personal. You live what I study and I feel very humble in her shadow.

I also had a bit of time this weekend and found this song on You Tube. I would like to dedicate it to you because you never know, he may be missing you as much as you miss him. I also dedicate this to all lovers who have a broken heart. Breaking up may not be philosophy but it sure does change your view of life .

YouTube DirektIt would be Wrong for me to say...

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