王阳明论立志与主一

Wang Yangming's Lizhi and Zhuyi

立志是儒学修养的前提和功夫,也以此特质区别于知识性学术,尤受阳明重视,并与其身心一体、以心导之思想相一致。阳明认为立志于为学首先是定向与植根,所谓"植根"就是播种,它是心灵纯化的方向和起点,"致良知"之"致"即立志。立志犹如舟舵、马衔,收拾身心并构成为学动力和恒力;立志又是定心,志定心收气凝。而人生并不怕科举功名,就怕消磨转移理想意志、立志不真切。立志是个体道德生命即良知的最初释放,是道德意志的最初真正展示和逐步坚固化,志立而不移就是从"致良知"到"良知致"。立志贵在专注,专于天理而非朱子的"持敬",个人在专心主一的过程中,涵养精神,调理气机,使理气通达,上达天道,"精一"既是矢的又是功夫。

Li zhi, a concept different from setting a goal in terms of the amount of knowledge one as- pires to learn, is a prerequisite skill to the self-cultivation of a Confucian scholar. It is in agreement with Wang Yangrning＇ s theory of unity of the body and soul and learning thro Wang, in one＇ s endeavor to achieve moral goodness the first step of li zhi or ugh thinking. According to determining a goal of learn- ing one wishes to reach is analogous to sowing seeds in growihg a crop. It is the direction and the begin- ning of the process of the purification of the mind. Zi in Zi liang zhi or setting a goal of moral goodness means li zhi, or setting a goal. Like the helm of a boat and the bar bit in the mouth of a horse, Li zhi is a constant driving force in one＇ s endeavor to achieve moral goodness. The second step of li zhi is to ding xin or make a firm resolution. Once a firm resolution is made one can be ready for the endeavor. The big- gest fear in life is not the difficulty in making oneself a great scholar or a high-ranking official but making a resolution that is not firm enough as to resulting in the slackening of one＇ s will and becoming distracted from one＇ s focus. Li zhi is the first sign of an individual＇ s moral life or moral goodness and it is the ini- tial testimony .to the existence of one＇ s moral will and its gradual consolidation. Holding fast to the goal one has set will eventually bring one from zi lang zhi or setting a goal of moral goodness to liang zhi zi or achieving the goal of moral goodness. The most important thing in li zhi lies in sticking to the goal one has set, in tian li or the heavenly principle rather than Zhu Xi＇ s chi jing or remaining reverent. By stick- ing to the one goal one has set, nurturing and regulating one＇ s vital energy, one can understand the heavenly principle. Dedication only to the heavenly principle constitutes both an end and a process.