Author Fan Deng | Translator Lee Seo-yeon | Media Soup | 2022.03.30 This book for our dawn reading club is "When I'm Anxious, I Read the Analects." The word "anxiety" has something about it that makes me anxious just from the word alone. I suspect it is because lately I have often seen, in the exam room, patients being treated for anxiety.
Fortunately(?), unlike its title, this book does not deal with anxiety; rather, it explains the Analects in an accessible way, step by step, so anyone can easily understand it. It proceeds by introducing sentences that the author thinks can be applied to the problems life throws at us, and explaining them in detail. The Analects is a famous book and there is no one who does not know of it, but those who have properly studied and read it are rare. I, too, came to read it thanks to the reading club, and although the teaching is old, his advice seems able to help even with present-day problems.
He mainly gives advice on learning, the conduct of the junzi (the noble person), and time; the "junzi" would be, in reality, a "leader," or in the case of someone running a business, a "manager." He also gives useful advice to those who wish to gain learning. I share this because it seems it could also help those who, after starting something, feel as if their life will change overnight, only to grow weary when less changes than expected.
Confucius emphasizes not clinging to results, not trying to achieve a goal all at once, and having a mindset that enjoys the very process of "learning and practicing in due time." It is a saying to pursue learning rather than fall into the trap of consumerism—Confucius's words, wishing that we escape material pressure, take time to study, and not be bound by material things. When you chase after appearances and material comfort, satisfying desire is not easy.
The author warns that in doing so, one can fall into nihilism. Rather than looking only at the parts you want to see on someone else's Instagram or YouTube and envying them, if you faithfully fill your own inner substance and devote yourself to learning, each day will be filled fruitfully, and my one year.. my two years will be filled.
One-line summary; A book suited for lightly skimming through the Analects, but lacking for soothing anxiety.