connect shan

A Chinese saying, direct translated as “speak human language to humans, speak ghost language to ghosts,” has influenced our adaptability in the development of social interactions. The term “human” here implies qualities admired by many individuals, so we usually feel at ease in “human” settings. However, when we can’t distinguish between humans and ghosts, or we sense that there are more ghosts around, we must remain cautious to prevent the hidden dangers of speaking without thinking. Over time, the coordination of these two languages under the principle of “considering the overall situation” has created difficulties for many, leading to self-sacrifice, exclusion of others, and the habit of omitting certain facts.

Upon careful consideration, the term “ghost” has two meanings. One is superstition, referring to the belief that the soul can leave the body after death. The other is a derogatory term for individuals with certain characteristics. The combination of these two meanings reflects a disdainful attitude toward certain traits within the soul. However, from a psychological perspective, the traits we see in others are often projections of our inner selves. So, understanding this also indicates that when everyone encounters each other in a state of resonance, speaking the language of humans allows us to meet humans, and speaking the language of ghosts allows us to meet ghosts.

Recently, I came across a truthful statement: “Human progress is because the next generation doesn’t listen to the previous one.” Standing at the level of truth-telling, this statement is spot on and accurately describes a part of the truth. Personally, I would add that: human progress is because some of the next generation listens to the previous one, while some do not.

Before telling the truth, let’s answer three questions for ourselves:

What aspects or details do I not know about the truth I am about to tell?
What beliefs and biases do I have about the truth I am about to tell?
How will I grow from this truth?
I hope today’s sharing encourages us to approach ourselves and others with compassion and courage, building deeper interpersonal relationships within society.