Harmonious Balance: The Ultimate Phenomenon of Life Experience, a Confucian Attempt and Approach

Abstract

The concept of harmonious balance reflects the ultimate phenomenon of a dual structure operating in complementary contradiction through a cyclical progression to attain the ultimate balance of being and becoming amongst all things and events in the world. In the Chinese language, this phenomenon is written and pronounced as zhong huo, now abridged to one word, zhong. Upon the ascendancy of Confucianism as the state doctrine, as proclaimed by Emperor Wu in 136 B.C. during the Han dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.), it became synonymous with the identity of China, zhong guo, following the presentation of the yin-yang correlation by Confucian scholar, Dong, Zhongshu, long after the death of Confucius (551–479 B.C.). The reciprocity of harmonious balance can be seen in the natural world as well as the foundation of moral order. It can be seen in human dynamics as well as the cosmos. Will the Confucian appeal and recognition of the import of harmonious balance become commonplace worldwide?