The art of language in a wonderful life!

 ### **Thinking in Terms of Concepts and Thinking in Terms of Images**

The phrase "the one who is involved is confused, while the onlooker is clear" reflects the duality of human perception in different cognitive states. This phenomenon can be understood through the philosophical lens of **yin and yang**, encompassing the dichotomy between **human language** (scientific language) and **cosmic language** (metaphysical language based on image thinking). Within this framework, we explore the tension between human cognitive limitations and the understanding of truth, seen as a symbol of **Tai Chi** (太极) and the **Wu Ji** (无极) of the universe.

### **The Confusion of the Involved vs. The Clarity of the Onlooker: A Cognitive Dichotomy**

The adage "the one who is involved is confused, while the onlooker is clear" fundamentally illustrates the different understandings of reality based on cognitive states:

- **The Involved Being Confused**: When one is immersed in a particular situation, subjective emotions, experiences, and cognitive patterns can obscure the accurate perception of objective truths. Just as the horse (马户) does not know it is a donkey and the bird (又鸟) does not recognize it is a chicken, this reflects how individuals become trapped in a muddled context, unable to discern their own or others' true essence. This state of "confusion" is a **limited conceptual thinking**, where human understanding relies on scientific language and rational analysis to construct a cognitive framework, often failing to transcend individual limitations, resulting in debates like whether a horse is a donkey or a mule.

- **The Onlooker's Clarity**: The clarity of the observer stems from their detachment from direct involvement, allowing them to gain an overarching view. This external perspective not only provides "rational" clarity but also reveals a more objective understanding. The observer can linguistically identify the horse as a donkey and the bird as a chicken, indicating a more comprehensive recognition. This "clarity" represents a **conceptual language** that organizes and categorizes the chaotic phenomena into clear distinctions, embodying the "yang" aspect of yin and yang, highlighting the power of clarity and differentiation.

In this duality of yin and yang, "confusion" and "clarity" are interdependent: individuals may lose themselves in the context, yet if they can draw on the observer's perspective, they can achieve a higher level of understanding.

### **Tai Chi: The Framework of Conceptual Thinking and Scientific Language**

Human **scientific language**, defined by conceptualization and rational analysis, serves as a tool for understanding, explaining, and categorizing the world. This tool is based on clear rules and logic, similar to the poles in the Tai Chi diagram, unveiling the differences and characteristics of phenomena through precise definitions and classifications.

- **The Duality of Tai Chi**: Scientific language emphasizes the need for classification and dichotomy. For example, differentiating the horse from the donkey and the bird from the chicken is a process facilitated by scientific language, which aids our understanding of essential characteristics. However, this also exposes the limitations of conceptualization, as the logic of scientific language cannot fully encompass the complexity of reality. 

- **The Dynamic Balance of Tai Chi**: Although scientific language strives to define and clarify phenomena, the reality of existence is not always reducible to simple categories. The Tai Chi diagram's yin-yang fish indicates that every extreme contains the seed of its opposite. While scientific language helps us comprehend the world, it also risks becoming ensnared in "confusion" by overly relying on fixed categories.

Thus, the **Tai Chi of scientific language** illustrates humanity's efforts to understand the world through logic and classification, while simultaneously revealing its limitations when confronted with complex realities. This language aids navigation in the real world, yet those immersed in it often find themselves in a state of confusion.

### **Wu Ji: The Infinite Potential of Cosmic Language**

In contrast to human **conceptual thinking**, the **cosmic language** (image-based metaphysical language) possesses greater inclusivity and flexibility, reflecting the ineffable essence behind phenomena, akin to the concept of **Wu Ji**.

- **The Infinity of Wu Ji**: Image thinking represents a direct, symbolic, and intuitive way of processing reality that transcends logical analysis. At this level, language is no longer merely a tool for defining and classifying but becomes a more fluid and adaptable expression. For instance, the horse may not only be a donkey; it may transcend such simplistic classification to become a symbol imbued with multiple meanings. In the realm of image thinking, language does not rely on clear definitions but on symbols, intuition, and feelings to comprehend the wholeness of the universe.

- **The Connectivity of Wu Ji**: Image thinking allows for the simultaneous existence of multiple layers of understanding, embodying a sense of unity beyond opposition. In the Wu Ji state, language transcends the binary logic of scientific language, embracing the complexity and ambiguity of reality. The notions of "confusion" and "clarity" do not stand in opposition; rather, they represent two perspectives within the same cosmic language, offering insights into phenomena at different levels. The language of Wu Ji embraces the multiplicity of truths while acknowledging the interconnectedness of all things.

### **From Tai Chi to Wu Ji: The Transformation of Language and Cognition**

Through the metaphor of "the one who is involved is confused, while the onlooker is clear," we illustrate the cognitive process that evolves from Tai Chi to Wu Ji. **The Tai Chi of language** emphasizes clarity and opposition, assisting us in understanding the fundamental characteristics of phenomena. Conversely, **the Wu Ji of language** highlights the acceptance of diversity and the inherent complexity of the universe, allowing us to perceive reality more holistically.

- **Scientific Language within Tai Chi**: Scientific language acts as one pole of the Tai Chi diagram, constructing a framework of conceptualization that enables us to understand and analyze the world through logic and categorization. The distinctions drawn between the horse and the donkey or the bird and the chicken are articulated through the lens of scientific language. This language aids our understanding but also reveals the challenges inherent in navigating complex phenomena.

- **Image Thinking within Wu Ji**: The image thinking of the Wu Ji state embodies a more open and flexible linguistic paradigm, allowing us to grasp the universe through intuition and symbolism, transcending the limitations of scientific language. Within Wu Ji, the horse can be both a donkey and a broader metaphor, allowing for richer interpretations that go beyond simplistic classifications. The language of image thinking accommodates both clarity and ambiguity, reflecting the full spectrum of human experience.

### **Conclusion: The Art of Language in a Wonderful Life**

The essence of a wonderful life resembles an ongoing language game, where the frameworks of **Tai Chi** and **Wu Ji** provide us with different perspectives to comprehend the world. When we find ourselves in a state of confusion, language often reveals its limitations; however, by transcending concepts and returning to image thinking, we can access a deeper wisdom to perceive the wholeness of the universe. Language serves not only as a tool for communication but also as a crucial means of understanding the complexities of life and seeking inner harmony. In the framework of Tai Chi, we learn to navigate the world through analysis; in the framework of Wu Ji, we embrace the infinite possibilities of existence.