Listen to this articlexīnzhī 心知
Mind Cognition
基于心的一种认识活动。由于人们对心及其与外物关系的理解不同，因此对“心知”的认识也有所差异。有人强调，人需要通过心的作用认识日用伦常之道，并使之成为某种内在的诉求。“心知”是人实现道德行为与伦理生活的必要条件。而人心时常处于被遮蔽或不确定的状态，只有通过对心的培养与引导，才能发挥其应有的作用。但也有人认为，“心知”会使人焦灼于变动、繁复的外物，从而造成生命的不安。因此需要排除“心知”，使心进入虚静的状态，不受外物的干扰。
The term means cognitive activities of the mind. As there are different views on the relationship between the mind and the external world, people’s understanding of the mind’s cognitive process also varies. Some people emphasize the role of the mind in shaping ethical standards in daily life and making them a source of inner strength. Cognition of the mind is a prerequisite for moral cultivation and ethical living. As the mind is often in a blocked or unstable state, it needs to be nurtured with proper guidance before it can play its due role. However, others argue that the mind’s cognitive activities make one concerned about the evolving complexity of the external world and feel anxious about life. It is therefore necessary to get rid of the mind’s cognitive activities so as to leave the mind in a state of tranquility free from outside interference.
引例 Citation：
◎人何以知道？曰：心。心何以知？曰：虚壹而静。（《荀子·解蔽》）
（人如何能够知晓道？回答：用心。心如何能够知晓？回答：做到“虚壹而静”。）
How can people appreciate Dao? The answer is to use one’s mind. How can the mind know? The answer is concentration of the mind in tranquility. (Xunzi)
