We live in a turbulent world. External events come and go, internal reactions rise and fall. While we could have a fairly stable way to, or expectation on how to live our lives, often time the reality falls short of our expectations. How did Confucius survived this changing world?
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8.4 Selecting place to abode, mode of living
危邦不入、亂邦 不居、天下有道則見、無道則隱。
Such an one will not enter a tottering State, nor dwell in a disorganized one. When right principles of government prevail in the kingdom, he will show himself; when they are prostrated, he will keep concealed.
5.4 Different actings in different times
子曰、甯武子、邦有道、則知、邦無道、則愚、其知可及也、其愚不可及也。
The Master said, ‘When good order prevailed in his country, Ning Wu [Ning Wu] acted the part of a wise man. When his country was in disorder, he acted the part of a stupid man. Others may equal his wisdom, but they cannot equal his stupidity.’
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For beginners, Confucius’s advise is to choose wisely of place to live and work. If we choose an environment that is supportive to our life, we are supported, and therefore can grow and serve effectively.
With study and practice, our inner strength and wisdom grows. We become increasing aligned to truth and power, and more able to function in increasingly complex and turbulent situations. We share what we have to offer when conditions are right (which appears to be wise), and blend in with people without losing our inner alignment in other situations (which might appears stupid).
The former require inner wisdom and right conditions, while the latter require unconditional acceptance, wisdom, and compassion to all. Confucius found the latter to be more difficult, as not only does it requires perfection of one’s inner world, it asks for the full acceptance of the world as it is, external and internal, beyond one’s self.
Therefore of the Chinese saying “大智若愚”: the wise appears fool. Lower level of wisdom appears wise; higher level of wisdom appears fool. Are you wise? Are you fool?我们生活在一个动荡的世界，外面的事情来去匆匆，内心的反应升降浮沉。虽然我们大部分时间都可能有一个相当稳定的生活方式或期望，但现实生活往往与我们的期望有出入。孔子他本人，是怎么在这个不断变化的世界中安身立命的呢？
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8.4 危邦不入、亂邦 不居
危邦不入、亂邦 不居、天下有道則見、無道則隱。
5.4 邦有道、則知、邦無道、則愚
子曰、甯武子、邦有道、則知、邦無道、則愚、其知可及也、其愚不可及也。
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对于初学者来说，孔子的建议是明智的选择生活和工作的地方。如果我们能选择的合适的环境，我们就能得到支持，并可以有效成长和服务。
通过学习和实践，我们内心的力量和智慧就会慢慢增长。我们便越来越与真理和正力量一致，并能在日益复杂和动荡的情况下，把持自心，和发挥光芒。我们能在的合适的时候分享我们的成长（看似乎明智），并融能在其他的时候不迷失的融入环境和安于自心（看似愚蠢）。
前者需要内在的智慧和合适的条件，而后者则需要无条件地接受，智慧和对万事万物的慈悲。孔子发现后者要更加困难，因为它不仅需要个人完美自己内心的世界，它更要求全面和无条件的超越并接纳自心内在和外在的世界。
因此，中国人说“大智若愚”。低水平的智慧看似明智，高水平的智慧看似愚蠢。你能明智吗？你能愚蠢吗？
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