Tales Sharing: from a New Account of the Tales of the World

In the evening of October 12, Resident Student Association of Diligentia College (RSADC) was honored to invite Dr. Chen Liangliang to share her experience with the students. Dr. Chen started from the classic character stories of A New Account of the Tales of the World in order to demonstrate the shining ideal personality and aesthetic purpose from the book and provoke our deep thinking of ourselves. RSADC also prepared an exquisite tee break, and the students expressed themselves freely in the lively atmosphere.

The characteristics of the Wei and Jin Dynasties from the Chinese classic a New Account of the Tales of the World

China’s famous writer Lu Xun regarded  a New Account of the Tales of the World as a textbook of famous scholars. The romantic figures in this Chinese Classic lived in the wartime period, and the lack of rituals and laws made it possible for them to enjoy themselves. “I have been with my soul for a long time, and I can be myself.” The awakening of self-awareness made the Wei and Jin dynasties an era of extreme freedom with much wisdom and enthusiasm.

The Existence of “Self”

When we were two or three years old, we began to have the general idea of “myself”. What kind of person am I? This question is usually answered by others’ views on ourselves. However, We now live in an era that emphasizes “self”. People are emerged in the society, they cannot live well without others, and they cannot neglect others. Realizing ourselves should not be just in pursuit of the difference from others. Confucius said that “ At  seventy, I will behave to my heart’s content yet I’ll obey the rules of ours society.

As the most intimate place for students in campus, the College is also a place for healthy debate with others. It is especially important to deal with the relationship with others. Dr. Chen Liangliang mentioned that people should be like water, for the self-formation is constantly changing like the shape of the water, and constantly adjust the mental state of ourselves. Discover nature outward and find affection inward.

Student’s Feedback

We are used to seeing ourselves with the eyes of others, which shows that people’s definition of “self” is closely related to the input of information from others. Without communication with others, it is difficult for us to find our own position. As Dr. Chen Liangliang said, the self-formation is like a river, and it only flows constantly in the process of integration with other rivers. In addition, if people want to recognize themselves, they should pay more attention to the habitat of the mind. Some people pretend to be independent, instead of actively seeking the habitat of the soul, therefore they still lose themselves. I learned a lot from the lecture, and I hope everyone can find the perfect himself.

Luo Wenyan, Class of 2022, SSE

I believe that you also understand that our conversation tonight is also a voice of others. We should focus more on self-definition and modeling. At this moment, I am sitting in the small square and enjoy the cool autumn night, and I hope that you will be happy at night, too. I wish you all the best to expand the possibility of “self” and become a sea of tolerance.

Dr. Chen Liangliang, HSS