Study the way forward

Study the way forward
When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.
Confucius

Originally shared by Shen Yun Official Account

Confucius once said, “Learn things often, and practice what you have learned—is that not an enjoyable thing?”

So what is the deeper meaning of the Chinese character for study, 學 (xué)?

The bottom half of 學 is the character for child, 子（zǐ）. On top of 子 is the radical 冖（mì), which signifies that a child’s intelligence just beginning to develop. The left and right-hand sides of the character resemble left and right hands. In the middle of the two hands is the symbol 爻 （yáo）, from the prehistoric divination text, the Book of Changes (I-Ching). Hence the character 學 depicts a child using his left and right hands to probe into the mysteries of the universe.

In ancient times, people believed that studying can help one understand cosmic phenomena, as well as one’s fate. Hence, they believed that study is in fact wisdom imparted from the heavens. Indeed, in history we can see many great prophets who predicted the fate of today’s society by studying ancient knowledge.