Dear students and colleagues,
Summer is arriving, and with it comes a moment to pause and recognize: you’ve done something remarkable. (maybe you haven’t realized it yet)
You might say, “Well, it’s just my job,” or, “That’s what I signed up for.” But in a world shadowed by war, injustice, and suffering, simply showing up, completing your assignments, supporting one another, being curious about the different languages and culture and continuing to learn, that’s a powerful, quiet kind of light.
Recently during my conversations with my role models, I learnt something from their wisdom and way of doing things. I’ve been reflection on what is Being and Doing.
One idea that stayed with me comes from the Daoist principle of Wúwéi (无为), often mistranslated as “doing nothing.” It is something we feel like that we are doing when we are living in a world facing war, injustice and chaos?
That is not what Laozi means.
Wuwei invites us to pause, listen, and respond with awareness, not ego.
As Laozi writes: “谁能浊以静之徐清？谁能安以动之徐生？ “Who can be muddy and settle into clarity? Who can be still and then come to life through movement?” (Dao De Jing, chapter 15)
He is asking us: Do we have the patience and peace to wait until the mud (our mind, our heart) is settled and the water (our thoughts, our vision and our relationship) is clear?
It is not passivity, it is refusing to mirror the chaos. It’s an action choosing clarity, presence and compassion in the face of noise and confusion.
So, what can we do?
Confucius reminds us:
“言忠信，行笃敬。” —《论语·卫灵公》 “Let your words be sincere and trustworthy, your actions respectful and diligent.” (Analects, Wei Ling Gong)
Laozi teaches us:
“善言能温，其言如兰。” ——《道德经》 “Good words are like a warm breeze; their fragrance is like orchids.”
Our words can strengthen, encourage and comfort each other. That is something each of us can offer calmly and compassionately.
When we say goodbye to this semester, I’ve like to encourage you to carry the intention forward:
- In class, at work, with family: be fully present, respect every minute and appreciate each moment of life
- In conversation: speak with clarity, honesty and kindness
- In our communities: nurture peace, compassion and “Wuwei”
There’s an old Chinese saying: “众人拾柴火焰高”—when everyone gathers firewood, the flames rise high. Together, our small, steady acts can create warmth and hope for those who suffer.
In the new semester, I look forward to having our institute being a learning place that we are proud of our Wuwei.
With warmth and solidarity,
Xinxin Wang
Director of Confucius Institute Maastricht/ Rotterdam Learning and Testing Center
亲爱的同学们、同事们：
夏天即将来临，这也是一个停下脚步、认真回望的时刻。你们已经完成了一件了不起的事情（也许你还没有意识到）。
你可能会说：“这只是我的工作”，或者“我本来就是为这个来的”。但在一个被战争、不公与苦难笼罩的世界里，仅仅是每天如常地出现、完成任务、支持彼此、对不同语言与文化保持好奇、持续学习，这本身就是一种安静而有力的光亮。
最近我在与一些榜样交流时，从他们的智慧与行事方式中学到了许多。我一直在反思“存在（Being）”与“行动（Doing）”的意义。
其中一个让我深受启发的思想，来自道家的“无为”原则。这个词常被误译为“什么都不做”，在当下这个充满战争、不义与混乱的世界里，我们是不是也会有这种无力感，觉得我们无所作为？
但老子所说的“无为”并非如此。
“无为”邀请我们停下来，倾听，以觉察而非以自我回应。正如老子所写：
“谁能浊以静之徐清？谁能安以动之徐生？”——《道德经》第十五章
他在问我们：我们是否有足够的耐心与内在的平静，去等待心中的浑浊（我们的思想、情绪）慢慢沉淀，使水（我们的思路、眼界和关系）重新清澈？这不是被动，而是一种选择——不去复制混乱，而是在喧嚣与困惑中，选择清明、专注与慈悲。
那么，我们可以做什么？
孔子提醒我们：
“言忠信，行笃敬。” ——《论语·卫灵公》
说话要忠诚守信，行为要诚恳恭敬。
老子教导我们：
“善言能温，其言如兰。” ——《道德经》
善良的话语如同温柔的微风，其芬芳如同兰花。
我们的言语可以给予他人力量、鼓励与安慰。这是我们每一个人都可以用平静与慈爱给予世界的礼物。
当我们告别这个学期，我希望你们将这样的心念继续带到新的生活中：
-在课堂上、工作中、家庭中：全然在场，珍惜每一分钟，感恩每一个生命的瞬间
-在交流中：说话清晰、诚实、并抱有善意
-在我们的群体中：培育和平、慈悲，以及“无为”的精神
中国有句古话：“众人拾柴火焰高”。当我们每个人都贡献一束微光，世界就会变得温暖而充满希望。
在新学期里，我期待我们孔子学院成为一个践行“无为”、我们都引以为傲的学习之地。
愿我们彼此温暖，携手前行！
王欣欣 院长
南方应用科技大学孔子学院/鹿特丹中文教学与考试中心