Human Beings in Balance: Difficulties Posed by a Modern World

I had a choice, long ago to go to Greece and tour Europe or study the Ancient East in Beijing.  I considered which program had the most to offer a developing architecture student. I determined that China with its ancient civilization, budding urbanization movement, and as host of the World Exposition 2010 outshined the West.  Advised to keep an open mind, free from expectations and preconceptions I set out to absorb everything China had to offer.  What I found in China were very real difficulties posed by a modernizing world.  My revelations were centered on the human being, constantly trying to survive and remain in balance as he or she fends off the daily tests centered on tradition, nature, and the future.

The first and most prolific element in survival and balancing oneself was apparent in Chinese tradition. China proudly showcased its traditional family-centered culture, a microcosm of the society as a whole.  This was strongly apparent in cities like Tongli and Suzhou as the family provided support for every family member, including livelihood and long-term security.  Extended family was also noticeably important as they acted as primary caretakers for grandchildren. 

As part of the struggle towards maintaining traditional family values, the younger generations, the students I worked with at the North China University of Technology, were determined in their pursuit of higher education and a better way of life not only for themselves but to provide for their elders.  I witnessed the gap between China’s rich and poor, it was a tremendous drop-off.  The Chinese poor live on such meager amounts that it is ridiculous to think that they could ever get out of their current state. 

The second test is to live with nature in mind, body, and soul.  As a general rule, the Chinese pursue such qualities as conformity to nature, harmony, and plain living.  I found this most compelling because this is a life distinct from other cultures in that they as oppose the conquest of nature, individuality and material luxury.  This rule was carefully described to us in a number of our NCUT lectures by the Chinese professors and was noted in Suzhou, Taishan, Kaifeng, as well as in the Hutongs we visited in Beijing. 

As a growing professional I appreciated the ancient Chinese buildings and structures planned around nature, gardens preserving and framing moments in time and nature, as well as the modern architectural movements that seek to blend the past with the present.  Needless to say, China is still faced with a growing housing problem and  Beijing is one of the smoggiest cities I have ever lived in. That cannot be in harmony nature.  However, the notion of living symbiotically with nature was a quality that I aim to bring back with me in my architecture and my mindset.  I would even go so far as to say that the Chinese preoccupy themselves with nature allowing nature to permeate in all aspects of their lives.  For example, at Suzhou, the Chinese admire the new-grown greenery in the spring, at Beihai Park they appreciate the lotus in the summer. In the Hu tong’s, they feast their eyes on the first snow and relish the change of seasons, and in autumn they climb up mountains like Taishan for a view of the golden season.  


Health and well-being are key to the balancing process.  This was one element in Chinese culture that I sought passionately to understand and document as it was not only a past-time but a life-style.  Qigong is the most popular form of exercise. This activity harmonizes one’s breathing physically as well as mentally; it reflects the traditional thinking of integrating humans into the universe.  I first encountered Qigong  at 5 in the morning as I was leaving studio at NCUT after a night of working all night (yes it was that demanding) on my way back to my dorm.  

Chinese martial arts aim primarily at strengthening the body and cultivating the mind.  It is a means of making friends, not enemies;that is exactly what it did for me. I was given a once in a lifetime opportunity at the Shaolin Monastery to participate in a Shaolin Martial Arts exercise with a master (who happened to be no older than 13).  The technique I mimicked at the Shaolin Temple was apropos: the monkey.  In the short opportunity I was given to perform the martial arts practice I felt a certain level of calmness and serenity, disregarding the near 600 person crowd and being in tune with my body. 

Staying in good health also necessitates eating well! For Chinese people, dining is one of the most pleasurable activities, one that best exemplifies the harmony and order in the culture.  The standard Chinese dining table incorporates the round table format and the “lazy Susan.”  The round table enables seating by hierarchy and promotes the communal sharing of multiple dishes; in our case with multiple friends. Taking thousands of years of development, Chinese cuisine has reached a state of perfection.

The next test looks ahead: the collective pursuit of higher education and a better life, urbanization, and modernization.  The introduction of Western ideals and images has affected the quality of life in many ways in China.  China has found new forms of self expression even though censorship continues to be the government’s effort to resist.  Notably, artisans and writers are freeing themselves from earlier political restraints and are contributing to a growing literary and art scene that has been forbidden for many years.  Although free form blogging, instant messaging, world news, and even national news are often censored there are always ways to get around it for the Chinese to have their voice heard.  Balanced lifestyles are a part of China’s only defense to the challenges of the modern world.

The struggle to remain a balanced human being is difficult, especially in China where tradition, nature, and the future are all key players.  I am beginning to understand and appreciate the cultural characteristics and lifestyle and plan to implement them in my lifestyle.  So far the haggling aspect had not worked so well at Best Buy.  I am however now finding that since the beginning of our recession, even stores in the United States are haggling.  The Chinese never give up on a sale!  This is an instance exemplifying that our spirit and idea of balance and survival is linked to that of the Chinese.

temple of heaven imperial vault

summer palace

the lion forest garden ink sketch

yu garden dragon

humble administrator's garden

yu garden self portrait in mirror