What is the meaning of criticism? ?

I was practicing Taiji and reflecting on how constant criticism was in my life. Not only is there constant criticism in a Taiji class, but as an artist, criticism has been constant in art classes and it is a daily reality in professional contexts too. The essence of studying the I Ching, as well as every Daoist, Buddhist, and Confucianist art, is self-improvement. But there is no self-improvement without trying to remedy shortcomings, and there is no remedying shortcomings without criticism. Self-criticism is never enough. Subconsciously, one will always protect core weaknesses (although, oddly enough, subconscious suppression shows that there must first be awareness). So I take heart in this reading from the I Ching. Returning is a reminder that there is a Dao, a way, that is right for each of us, and that to live naturally is to live in concert with that way. To have faults is to deviate from that way. To improve, in this case, through criticism, is to return to one's own natural way. The image of returning to the way is combined with the well. The well is at once immovable and yet it is constantly changing with the replenishment of fresh water. That is the deeper reward of being on the right way: to be in touch with a constant and sustaining source. There is a concluding warning in the phrase, "if the rope cannot reach." Again, if through negligence and the ignoring of criticism one's shortcomings keep one from the deeper source, only misfortune can result.
by dengmingdao