忘机——诗与生命的非功效

Being Oblivious:The Inoperativeness of Poetry and Life

"忘机"是透视古代士人(诗人)心灵世界与古典诗歌精神的一个重要"关键词"。与儒家强调个体生命的"功效性"相对,道家则鼓吹以"道"的俯瞰视角去发现个体生命的"非功效性"。古代士人(诗人)们在追求"功效性"的道路上处境逼仄,转而通过写作"忘机诗"以调剂身心。"忘机"是基于生命之"非功效性"的"精神修炼",它区分于儒家以道德为核心的"修身"。整全的生命理应具有功效性与非功效性两个面相,因此,作为纯粹的"精神修炼"的"忘机"自然有其存在的合法性。通过"忘机",个体生命的"功效性"即刻蜕变为"非功效性",于是"忘机诗"便在生命之"非功效性"状态中被制作出来。从诗学的角度看,"忘机"是士人们(诗人们)进入审美状态的快速切换键或通道。从历史的、现实的角度来看,诗人们以"忘机"来消解生存的焦虑,然而所谓的"忘机"往往不过是"佯忘",甚至可以说是一种想象力的骗局。制度性的生存困境在"忘机"中不断地固化,而那种能够为历史变革提供思想资源的理性反思则不断地被弱化、推延。

"Being oblivious"is an important"key word"in the spiritual world of ancient scholars/poets and the spirit of classical poetry.In contrast to Confucianism’s emphasis on the"operativeness"of individual life,Taoism advocates the"inoperativeness"of individual life from the overlooking perspective of the "Tao".Ancient scholars/poets in the pursuit of "operativeness" usually found themselves in difficult situations;therefore,"poems of obliviousness"appeared and helped maintain the balance of body and soul."Being oblivious"is a spiritual practice based on the"inoperativeness"of life,which distinguishes itself from Confucian "self-cultivation"centered on morality.The whole life should have two aspects of "operativeness"and "inoperativeness".Therefore,as a pure spiritual practice,"being oblivious"naturally has its legitimacy.Through "being obliviousness",the "operativeness"of individual life instantly transforms into"inoperativeness",so"poems of obliviousness"is produced in the state of"obliviousness".From the point of view of poetics,"poems of obliviousness"is a fast switch key or channel for ancient scholars/poets to enter the aesthetic state.From the historical and realistic point of view,poets use"poems of obliviousness"to relieve the anxiety of their life,but it turned out that the so-called"poems of obliviousness"is just a way for scholars/poets to pretend to be"oblivious"of the reality,or even a kind of deception created by one’s imagination."Poems of obliviousness"perpetualized the institutional dilemma of existence,while the rational reflection that can provide ideological resources for historical change is weakened and procrastinated continuously.