[An Essay from My Heart]

<Doubt the Zeitgeist: Choi Rip’s Jeonggwan Beyond the Spirit of the Age>

Today, we live in a dazzlingly fast-moving age. Artificial intelligence is expanding into domains of thinking, writing, and judgment, continuously redefining the place of human beings. Yet the faster our speed becomes, the more we are losing one essential capacity: the power to pause and truly observe.

Every age has an invisible atmosphere that defines it. We call this the Zeitgeist (Zeit = age, Geist = spirit) in German. It may be translated as “the spirit of the age.” In some eras, faith stands at the center; in others, reason; and today, technology. Yet the spirit of the age is always ultimately shaped by human choice and attitude.

In the mid-Joseon period, amid turbulence and transformation, Gan-i Choi Rip (1539–1612) also had to confront the spirit of his time. Despite invasions, political conflicts, and social instability, he did not merely react. He first observed—and within that act of observation, he found his path.

The core that runs through Choi Rip’s life was reflection before action—what we call Jeonggwan (quiet contemplation). He did not rush to judge things, but sought to see beyond appearances to their essence. His poetry and prose were not mere expressions, but the fruits of deep observation and thought.

Today, when we encounter problems, we immediately search and seek instant answers. Yet quick answers cannot replace deep understanding. Rather, they tend to shallow our thinking and make our judgments superficial.

Artificial intelligence can provide optimal answers based on vast amounts of data. However, the task of asking whether those answers are right or meaningful still belongs to humans. This is precisely where Jeonggwan becomes essential.

Jeonggwan is not simply stopping. It is the beginning of active thinking. It is the act of silencing noise, slowing down, and looking into the deeper layers of things. Through this process, we begin to discover connections and meanings that were previously unseen.

Choi Rip understood humanity by observing nature, and understood society by understanding humanity. In his poetry, mountains and water were not mere scenery, but reflections of the human mind. In nature, he discerned order and harmony.

Modern people gaze longer at screens than at nature. Yet while screens provide information, they do not provide insight. Insight emerges in stillness, through repeated observation, and through self-driven reflection.

The spirit of the age constantly pushes us forward—faster, more, and more efficiently. But blindly following this current is not wisdom. Sometimes, pausing to observe the flow leads to deeper choices.

Choi Rip did not stop at accumulating knowledge; he applied it to life. This is a practical, almost Silhak-like attitude that remains valid today. Knowledge is only complete when it leads to action.

In the age of artificial intelligence, humans must become not merely accumulators of knowledge, but interpreters of meaning. And the starting point of such interpretation is Jeonggwan. True understanding begins not in haste, but in careful observation.

We often say we have no time to think. In reality, we have become accustomed to environments where thinking is no longer required. Automated recommendations and instant responses are replacing our own reflection.

All the more reason why intentional Jeonggwan is necessary. Even a short period each day spent doing nothing but observing is not a waste, but the most productive investment.

Choi Rip practiced integrative thinking across scholarship, art, politics, and diplomacy. This was not simply talent, but the result of deep observation and reflection. He did not follow the age—he read it.

Today, we are busy trying to keep up with technology. Yet using technology without understanding it is dangerous. To use it properly, we must reflect on its essence and its consequences.

Jeonggwan leads us to ask questions: Why is this necessary? Who is it for? What consequences will it bring? These are questions only humans can ask.

Though the spirit of the age changes, human nature does not easily change. We still seek meaning, build relationships, and pursue a better life. Jeonggwan is the path that leads us back to this essence.

Choi Rip’s life tells us this: it is more important to see rightly than to move quickly; more important to understand deeply than to know much.

Ultimately, in the age of artificial intelligence, true competitiveness lies not in faster computation, but in deeper thinking. And the starting point of that thinking is Jeonggwan.

Today, take a moment to pause and observe. In that quiet instant, we may finally gain the wisdom that transcends the age. ***

March 17, 2026
 

At Sungsunjae (崇善齋)

{Solti}

한국어 번역: https://www.ktown1st.com/blog/VALover/348636

日本語 飜譯: https://www.ktown1st.com/blog/VALover/348638