From The Sex, Heart, Look At The Core Theory

This essay intends to better understand Cheng Yi’s theory of self cultivation from the interconnected relationship between human nature, the heart/mind, and human emotions. In doing so, the author will introduce certain key concepts pertaining to his philosophical construction, including but not limited to:Nature and principle, nature and emotions, cultivation through courtesy, accumulating righteousness, and expansive qi. Cheng Yi emphasizes the interconnectedness of principle and qi, nature and qi, and nature and emotion in order to differentiate between that which is metaphysical and that which is not, for example, heavenly nature and earthly nature, dao and yinyang, or the five natures and the seven emotions. Cheng Yi’s entire metaphysical structure was created in order to promote self cultivation. His notable methods of self cultivation are both inward (practicing courtesy) and outward (accumulating righteousness), but all are intended for one goal, which is to live mindly in the dao and therefore come to understand the principle of Heaven.