Last month's trip to Beijing to study the Enneagram taught me that personality types are divided into instinctive, feeling, and thinking groups, and that these three different types have different impacts on rational thinking. This means that on the path of exploring rationality and personal growth, each of us faces different challenges and opportunities.
In today's world, where information is increasingly accessible and knowledge is more comprehensive, the importance of rational thinking is self-evident. How to enhance personal thinking ability through education, experience, reflection, and practice in the pursuit of truth is a common goal for everyone committed to becoming themselves and pursuing personal growth.
Here is an excerpt from a poem about exploring rationality and truth, which is very comprehensive and profound, and I will record some reflections on this poem here.
Thinking of Oneself to Seek Reason
Rationality exists in everyone, distributed most equally, with differences in methods and objects.
Thinking is like the wind, the fast do not need joy, those who can achieve goodness can also be the worst, the slow need not be sad, trial and error can find the right path, success is a journey of ten thousand miles.
There are three aspects of thinking: thinking, imagining, and remembering. The difference lies in content, content is based on experience, and experience cannot be separated. Education is not useless; learning leads to reflection, and new knowledge arises from letting go of attachments.
There are many skills in the world, but truth is the hardest to obtain. Humans are not sages, mistakes are unavoidable. When friends speak beautifully, be especially vigilant. Those who speak are not sages, and what they say is not the true method; the method is only for reference, and the benefits are limited to a few.
The weather is changing, established methods cannot be used, but descriptions can be effective. Descriptions are like stories, revealing honesty in matters.
Education is useful, but ignorance is even more so. Learning knowledge in youth leads to questioning in adulthood, and questioning has no end. Those who discern falsehoods and seek truth can only do so through worldly experience.
Reading classics in spring and autumn requires both reading and pausing, just like traveling. Traveling transcends time and space, dispelling illusions and prejudices. After a long journey, one must return, understanding the present and observing local customs.
Literature is often absurd, fame and fortune reside within it, indulging in fantasies leads to a fall from common sense.
Poetry intoxicates, eloquence commands respect, only because it requires talent; without talent, it cannot be achieved.
Mathematics is the most precise, free from obstacles. The world must progress; without it, one cannot succeed.
Moralists speak, virtues are endless, standards are imprecise, famous yet formless.
Theology is enviable, achieved with divine assistance, rationality cannot be explained, ignorance need not be understood.
There are many great philosophers, countless viewpoints, unity is rare, all possibilities are hypothetical.
Science arises from philosophy, but philosophy is thin. Only possibilities exist; science must explore, using logic and intuition, not for fame or profit, this path can be taken. Innovation reveals its true nature, stuck but not crying out in pain, falsehoods are everywhere, and one must awaken to stay away from them.
Knowledge is useful, but questioning arises from it. Intuition accompanies us, prompting thought and action. Seeking truth through thought and action, truth is believed to exist; in places where the world is unsolvable, one should be able to act on oneself.
The universality and diversity of rational thinking
Rationality is a shared trait of humanity, manifested in everyone, but the forms of expression and application vary from person to person. As the poem states, "Rationality exists in everyone, distributed most equally, with differences in methods and objects." This indicates that although we all have the ability to think rationally, each person uses rationality in different ways and fields. Those in the instinctive group do not think deeply, those in the feeling group are easily influenced by emotions and the needs of others, while those in the thinking group emphasize logic and analysis.
The speed and quality of thinking
The speed of thinking does not determine its quality. Fast thinking may lead to innovation but can also go to extremes; slow thinking may miss some opportunities but can find the right path through trial and error. "Thinking is like the wind, the fast do not need joy, those who can achieve goodness can also be the worst, the slow need not be sad, trial and error can find the right path, success is a journey of ten thousand miles." This reminds us that regardless of the speed of thinking, the key lies in whether we can test and correct our ideas through practice.
The three dimensions of thinking: thinking, imagining, remembering
Thinking is not just a single process; it includes three dimensions: thinking, imagining, and remembering. "There are three aspects of thinking: thinking, imagining, remembering; the difference lies in content, content is based on experience, and experience cannot be separated." This means that our thinking is shaped by our experiences and memories. Learning knowledge, which is the raw material for our rationality, is an important part of this process.
The importance of change, adaptability, and sincere communication
The weather is changing, established methods cannot be used. The weather can be metaphorical for changes in environment or circumstances; updating means continuous change and development, while established methods refer to conventional or old practices that are no longer applicable.
Descriptions can be effective, and descriptions are like stories, revealing honesty in matters. This makes me think that the first step in effective communication is to describe the facts, followed by expressing feelings, identifying needs, and making requests. If we can express and communicate clearly, it will help both parties better understand the facts, accept new viewpoints and situations, and at the same time maintain a sincere and frank attitude, thus establishing trust, which is the essence of effective communication.
The importance of education and self-reflection
Education provides us with knowledge and tools, but true learning begins with reflection and questioning of what has been learned. "Learning leads to reflection, letting go of attachments brings forth new knowledge." This emphasizes the importance of cultivating critical thinking during the educational process and enriching our understanding of knowledge through continuous questioning and exploration.
The exploration of truth and personal growth
In the pursuit of truth, we must recognize that no one is perfect. "Humans are not sages; mistakes are unavoidable." This means we should remain humble, continuously learn and grow. At the same time, we should be wary of things that seem beautiful but may actually mislead us, such as the absurdities in literature and the temptations of fame and fortune.
At the same time, for those like me who easily discover and appreciate the beautiful aspects, it is also important to remember that beautiful people and things also have their dark sides. These two are interdependent, and the purpose of our lives is to balance them and seek the middle way.
The interaction between science and philosophy
Science and philosophy are two important fields in humanity's exploration of truth. "Science arises from philosophy, but philosophy is thin." This indicates that science is built on the foundation of philosophy, but philosophy itself also needs to be continuously developed and refined. Scientists and philosophers both need to use logic and instinct to promote the advancement of knowledge through continuous exploration and innovation.
In the journey of personal growth and the pursuit of truth, we should maintain an open mind, be brave to question, and continuously learn and practice. "Seeking truth through thought and action, truth is believed to exist." Through this process, we can gradually approach the truth and achieve self-transcendence through continuous exploration.
Returning to the different impacts of the instinctive, feeling, and thinking groups on rational thinking. The instinctive group may provide quick responses in emergencies but can also deviate from rationality due to emotional drives; the feeling group has a significant influence on decision-making in terms of emotions and values but may conflict with rational analysis; the thinking group naturally has an advantage in rational thinking, guiding decisions through logic and analysis, but may be too rational and lack flexibility.
Understanding one's group and the relationship with rational thinking helps us better understand our decision-making processes and adjust our thinking methods when necessary, which will aid us in making more effective decisions.