[Explanation] "For the ancients, there were those who committed the most difficult and sought the farthest. What is the only way to do it?" Song Renzong Jiayou eight years (AD 1063), Su Shi, who was only 26 years old, wrote in "Si Zhi Lun" "Ask questions.

　　In the trough of life, how did Su Shi turn from "difficult" to "far away"?

In the long river of history, what kind of spirit does the Chinese nation use to face "tremendous difficulties"?

Zeng Ming, vice president of the China Institute of Ethnology, accepted an exclusive interview with China News Agency "East and West" to explain this.

　　[Concurrent] Zeng Ming, vice president of the Chinese Institute of Ethnology and professor of Southwest University for Nationalities

　　When Su Dongpo was 26 years old, he was a "cadre" there (now Fengxiang County, Shaanxi Province). He wrote this article "On Thought and Governance" in this position. , His background (should be) after he worked there (locally) for more than two years, he (preliminarily) put forward his own governance philosophy, Anbang philosophy, the idea that the country should be peaceful (the idea of ​​family and country peace), and long-term stability.

　　[Explanation] Zeng Ming said that in Su Shi's "Thinking and Governance", it was mentioned that governance should focus on people's livelihood and put the people first; stability depends on the system, and rules and regulations should be followed;

　　[Concurrent] Zeng Ming, vice president of the Chinese Institute of Ethnology and professor of Southwest University for Nationalities

　　It should be said that he (Su Shi) was at the time when the spring breeze was prosperous, but he had the people in his heart. At this time, he put the people first. Starting from Huangzhou, he should be said to be unlucky, but at that time his political status was low , his official career is hindered, but his spiritual strength and personality strength, he (but) is not downward, he is reversed, his official career is downward and the politics is gloomy, but his spirit and personality are upward, and he has written earth-shattering masterpieces , a big article, and his whole life has really practiced "committing the most difficult and trying to reach the farthest", why can he practice his own "committing the most difficult and trying to reach the farthest"?

I researched (Song Dynasty) "living method" by myself, and I think it has something to do with his "living method".

　　[Explanation] Zeng Ming said bluntly that Su Shi not only integrated the "living method" in his poems, proses, zifu, piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and even entertained guests, but also practiced the "living method" naturally and vividly in his "a cloud of mist and rain for a lifetime" In the joy of carefree.

　　[Concurrent] Zeng Ming, vice president of the Chinese Institute of Ethnology and professor of Southwest University for Nationalities

　　Su Dongpo's thought is "living", it does not mean that it is a "living" of poetic theory, it really runs through life and the world, just like the "Belt and Road" we talk about today, "One Belt and One Road" ( In fact) is also a "life", (the purpose) is to connect the world, if you don't connect, then close it, this is not acceptable.

So I think Su Dongpo's greatness is indeed related to his personality and spirit (related). Whether his career was hindered, his spirit was suppressed, or his status was excluded, everyone thought he was dead. Instead he exploded.

　　[Explanation] Zeng Ming told reporters that on the eve of the New Year, President Xi Jinping used "commit the most difficult and seek the farthest" in his New Year's greetings in 2023 to inspire forge ahead.

This sentence also tells us that difficulties are not terrible. We must look at them comprehensively, objectively and dialectically. As long as we have the mentality to overcome the "difficulties" and work together, we will be able to overcome them.

　　[Concurrent] Zeng Ming, vice president of the Chinese Institute of Ethnology and professor of Southwest University for Nationalities

　　Su Dongpo said that "the most difficult" and "the most distant" are actually a dialectical relationship in our real life, that is, some things are small now, but they can become bigger; some things are weak now, but they can become stronger; It is difficult, but it can (transform) into peace, that is, turn danger into safety.

This means that we really have to look at it dialectically, comprehensively, and objectively. As long as we have a state of mind (spirit), mentality, and firmness to overcome the "ultimate difficulty", then we will be able to achieve the "ultimate" goal, realm, and pattern. .

　　Reporter He Xi reports from Chengdu

Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]