The Era of Inflated Language Demands Authenticity
We are living in an age saturated with words and concepts. Is it the proliferation of platforms dubbing themselves media, or perhaps an overindulgence in politics? Regardless, ‘words’ have rapidly multiplied, haunting our surroundings like specters. These words, often devoid of substance, morph into criticism, a cacophony of noise that torments and irritates us. The more words there are, the lighter they become; the more concepts overflow, the further they drift from reality. This is the moment when words cease to be a mirror reflecting reality and instead become a veil obscuring it.
Ancient Wisdom for Modern Discourse
The 64 hexagrams and 384 lines of the renowned Eastern classic, the I Ching (Book of Changes), offer a framework for navigating this deluge of words and concepts. Each hexagram is a symbolic representation of the world and human affairs, depicted by six lines. Each line, or ‘yao’, signifies a specific position and transformation within that hexagram. The I Ching, developed over thousands of years, has been refined and distilled into these 64 hexagrams and 384 lines, containing a wealth of wisdom. This ancient text provides a robust system, a powerful defense against the excesses of our current age, where inflated words and concepts disrupt daily life and cause distress.
‘Words Must Carry Substance’
The I Ching addresses the inflation of language through the hexagram ‘Chia Jen’ (Family). This hexagram, representing fire (Li) above and wind (Sun) below, symbolizes the harmonious interplay between inner essence and outward manifestation. The fire, representing the core truth or idea, sends its energy upwards like smoke or wind, spreading outwards. This hexagram signifies order and relationships within a family, extending metaphorically to society. The fire is the essence, the wind is the phenomenon. If fire is the idea, smoke is the imitation of that idea in reality. If fire is form, smoke is the truth. Chia Jen represents a state where essence and phenomenon, form and words, are inseparable.
The I Ching, through the image of Chia Jen, delivers a profoundly relevant message for our times: “A gentleman, in his words, possesses substance; in his actions, he has constancy.” This quote, found in the commentary of the Chia Jen hexagram, advises leaders to ensure their words are grounded in factual content and their actions are characterized by unwavering consistency. It serves as a warning that words should not be mere ornaments floating in the air but should be anchored in tangible reality. Actions, in turn, should not be swayed by fleeting moods or political expediency.
The I Ching advocates for a deep integration of words and deeds, urging us to avoid the pitfalls of empty rhetoric and inconsistent behavior. When words detach from reality, they become falsehoods. When actions fail to withstand the test of time, they become mere posturing. The ancient text emphasizes the critical connection between words and substance, and between actions and enduring principles, cautioning against the “flood of language” and advocating for a return to substance and integrity.
‘Silence Your Words, Diet Your Language!’
The hexagram ‘Gen’ (Mountain) over ‘Chen’ (Thunder), known as ‘I’ (Nourishment), offers an even more direct message: ‘Chew carefully; speak with restraint!’ The image of a mountain with thunder beneath it evokes the appearance of a mouth opening and closing, connecting this hexagram to the acts of eating and speaking. The I Ching’s depiction of the ‘I’ hexagram, with its open ‘mouth’ formed by the lines, serves as a powerful visual metaphor. The message is one of careful consumption and measured speech, as both can lead to detriment if unchecked.
Just as excessive eating harms health, excessive criticism can rebound upon oneself. The commentary on the ‘I’ hexagram states: “A gentleman, in his speech, is cautious; in his eating, he is temperate.” Here, the I Ching places the moderation of speech on par with the moderation of food, highlighting the equal importance of both. What we consume, whether food or words, requires careful consideration.
The I Ching warns against the repercussions of unchecked speech, reminding us that once words are spoken, they are recorded, disseminated, and can ultimately return to haunt us. This principle is starkly illustrated by recalling figures whose reckless words led to significant personal and public fallout. The message is clear: silence is often golden, and a ‘diet’ of our language is essential for navigating the complexities of modern communication.
Towards ‘True Form’: The Necessity of Authenticity
The concept of ‘Pi Zhen’ (逼眞), meaning ‘true form’ or ‘authenticity,’ is crucial. ‘Pi’ (逼) signifies being pressed closely, intimately, without any gaps. It’s like the shell of a grain tightly adhering to the kernel, leaving no room for falsehood. ‘Pi Zhen’ represents a state where words and reality, form and truth, idea and execution, are perfectly aligned – a rare and precious condition.
In literature, ‘verisimilitude’ refers to the appearance of being true or real. However, the ‘Pi Zhen’ discussed here transcends mere descriptive technique. It signifies a state where the outer and inner are inseparable, where expression and reality are almost perfectly matched. This resonates with the I Ching’s admonition in the Chia Jen hexagram: “Words must possess substance.”
In such a state of authenticity, the inflation of words and concepts is impossible. When the outer and inner are so tightly bound, without any space for divergence, falsehoods are naturally concealed. When words carry substance, actions withstand the test of time, and speech is self-regulated, words regain their rightful weight and meaning.
Like the golden fields of grain in autumn, where each kernel is full and substantial, the teachings of the I Ching offer profound insights. Just as the husk and kernel are inseparable, words and substance must be united. As smoke arises from fire, words must emerge from reality. The mouth should chew carefully, not indiscriminately; speech should be measured, not self-destructive. In this age of inflated language and concepts, what we need is not more words, but the moderation and substance of words.
