Xunzi's 'Jie Bi' (Unveiling Concealment): On the Wholeness of the Dao, Cognitive Limitation, and the Fortune of Being Unobstructed
This paper offers an in-depth interpretation of the 'Jie Bi' chapter in Xunzi, investigating the epistemological origins of the 'calamity of obstruction' described by the Pre-Qin philosophers. By analyzing the concept that 'the Dao is constant in its entirety yet utterly transformative,' the essay reveals the dilemma of human cognition being fixated on 'a single corner' and elucidates the transcendental value of Confucius's 'benevolence and wisdom unhindered,' aiming to understand how to escape cognitive bias.
Section 3: "Stillness" (Jing)—Unperturbed by Emotion
"Stillness" (Jing)—Unperturbed by emotion.
"Jing" means tranquility or composure. "The mind is never not moving, yet there is such a thing as stillness." (Xin wei chang bu dong ye, ran er you suo wei jing.) The mind always has emotions fluctuating (moving), yet one must maintain stillness (Jing).
The function of "Jing" is to eliminate emotional interference in cognition. When a person is agitated, angry, fearful, or greedy, they often make biased judgments. The arising of "Bi" is often related to emotion—a person clings to a certain viewpoint perhaps because that viewpoint satisfies some emotional need (such as security, superiority, or belonging). To "dissolve obstruction," one must transcend this emotional interference and examine one's cognition with a calm and objective attitude.
Master Confucius’s "no doubts at forty" and "following his heart’s desire without overstepping the boundaries at seventy" are the highest manifestations of "Jing." He could maintain inner composure and clear judgment in all complex situations—not shaken by external temptations, nor swept away by internal desires.
The Great Learning (Da Xue) states: "Only when one knows where to stop does one become steadfast. When steadfast, one can be tranquil. When tranquil, one can be at ease. When at ease, one can deliberate. When deliberating, one can attain." (知止而后有定，定而后能静，静而后能安，安而后能虑，虑而后能得。) This sequence from "stopping" to "attaining" perfectly describes the psychological process of "dissolving obstruction": First, "stopping" (Zhi, 止)—ceasing restless activity; then "steadfastness" (Ding, 定)—establishing the correct direction; then "tranquility" (Jing, 静)—eliminating emotional interference; then "ease" (An, 安); then "deliberation" (Lü, 虑); and finally "attainment" (De, 得)—gaining true cognition of the Dao’s entirety.