If it exists, it must be connectable — a structure where standards descend.
If it exists, it must be connectable — a structure where standards descend.
We saw this in Advanced Level 6. Standards must be events, not concepts. Anything open to interpretation can never be an absolute standard. Throughout history, only one claim has met this condition. So now the next question remains: If that standard exists, it must be connectable to me. How does it connect?
Core Summary.
If there is an external standard, there must be a connection structure. If connection is a human achievement, it becomes a self-standard structure again. Connection must be the way the standard descends.
Why is connection important?
If a perfect standard exists but has absolutely no relation to Jihoon, what meaning does it hold for him? It is like an artifact in a museum. It exists, but it is irrelevant to Jihoon's life. Consider the law of gravity. Gravity exists. But if we couldn't harness gravity, we couldn't build airplanes or launch spacecraft. The same applies to standards. Even if a standard exists, if it isn't connected to me, it cannot change my life. So what conditions must a true standard possess? It must have existed within time. It must be a real person in history, not just a concept. It must be able to understand human problems. Without understanding, it cannot offer solutions. It must be able to resolve internal human problems. If it only diagnoses but cannot treat, it is not a standard but an observer. It must have a structure connectable to the individual. If it's a distant concept, it's irrelevant to me. Otherwise, that standard is merely an idea.
Human's Existing Approach — Repetition of Self-Standard Structures.
After the team disbanded, Jaehyun tried a new approach. "This time, I'll work harder. I'll achieve more. I will live more morally.“ There are three main ways humans approach standards.
First, they try to climb through effort. ”Practice.“ ”Attain enlightenment.“ ”Become perfect.“ But think about it. Reproduction strives ”to become perfect.“ Why does it seek perfection? ”If I become perfect, I am valuable." See? It's still “me as the standard.” Perfect me = valuable me. He didn't change the standard; he upgraded it. It's still me.
Second, they try to prove it through achievement. “Earn a lot.” “Succeed.” “Be recognized.” Ji-hoon got promoted. But that night, his anxiety began. Achieving makes “I am valuable.” Failure means “I am worthless.” It's still “I am the standard.” Performance = my worth.
Third, we try to approach it through morality. “Do good.” “Live kindly.” “Live morally.” Su-jin tried to become a better person. Doing good means “I am a good person.” Making a mistake means “I am a bad person.” It's still “I am the standard.” Moral actions = my identity.
Do you see the commonality in these three? The striving me, the achieving me, the moral me. Only the form has changed. The structure remains the same. I am still the standard. Every way humans try to climb upward is ultimately a repetition of this self-standard structure.
A new possibility — a structure where the standard descends.
Here, a decisive shift is needed. Humans are already trapped within a structure that seeks to become its own standard. When humans strive to ascend, that too becomes self-affirmation. Therefore, the standard must descend. This is a logical necessity. If humans cannot escape their self-standard structure, an external standard must come to them. That figure in history said: “I am the Way.” “I am the Truth.” “I am the Life.” “I am in you.” This is not philosophy. This is a claim of a connecting structure. Let us compare it with other teachings. The Buddha said, “Attain enlightenment.” — Humanity ascends. It is human effort. Confucius said, “Practice benevolence.” — Humanity strives. It is human action. Socrates said, “Know thyself.” — Humanity discovers. It is human wisdom. But “I am in you” is different. The standard descends. It is the presence of the standard. Do you see the difference? The former is “do.” The latter is “I am already here.”
The difference in structure.
In the way where humans ascend, I must keep striving. I must keep proving. I remain my own standard. In the way where the standard descends, it is different. I need not strive. The standard has already come. I don't have to prove myself. The standard has acknowledged me. I am no longer my own standard. The standard is above me. The structure is completely different. What does the claim “I am in you” mean? It means the standard comes first. Not because you've become perfect. Not because you've achieved something. Not because you're moral. The standard comes to you first. If this is true, the structure of humanity changes completely.
Honest self-examination.
Answer these three questions honestly.
Question 1: Am I still living by my own standards? Were your choices today because “I wanted to,” or because “I didn't want to look wrong”? Were your emotions today because “I did well,” or because “I compared myself to others”? Was your anxiety today “because of the situation” or “because I had to prove myself”? If the latter, you are still living by my standards.
Question 2: Did that structure set me free? Does the structure from Advanced 1 to Advanced 7 apply to you? Are you tired? Are you constantly proving yourself? Do you feel burdened when faced with choices? If so, that structure did not set you free.
Question 3: If there is an external standard, do I have a reason to refuse it? Let's think logically. If an unchanging standard exists, and that standard transcends death, and that standard is connectable to me, and that connection is not my effort but the standard's invitation, do you have a reason to refuse that connection? If you refuse, what is the reason? “I want to live by my own standards.” — Did that structure set you free? “I can do it myself.” — Has that approach worked so far? “I don't need external standards.” — Is that truly the case? This isn't an emotional issue. It's a structural choice.
The journey from Advanced 1 to Advanced 7.
This is the logical progression so far. Advanced 1: Standards are necessary. Advanced 2: Humans desire control, recognition, and stability, so they become their own standards. Advanced 3: If I am the standard, I waver daily. Advanced 4: An unchanging standard must meet five conditions. Advanced 5: All internal standards collapse. Advanced 5.5: Without standards, life becomes a testing ground. Advanced 6: Standards must be events, not concepts. Advanced 7: If it exists, it must be connectable. What remains now is the structure of connection. How does that connection actually happen? It's no longer theory. It's structure. It's method. It's reality.
Next step.
Advanced 8 structurally addresses how that connection actually happens.
👉 [Advanced 8: “The Core of Connection Method” View]
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