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Symbolic
When we hear the word symbol, we usually think of objects that represent something else — letters and numbers as written symbols, traffic signs, icons on maps, and so on. (By the way, emojis are probably the symbols we use most often today.)
A symbol, literally, is a sign, word, object, image, or action that represents a concept or idea — whether abstract or concrete — and carries a meaning agreed upon by a group or culture. So, what usually comes to mind when we think of “symbol” is based on that literal and universal definition. While symbol is a noun, symbolic is its adjective form.
However, in the context I use, symbolic refers to “something unseen — something hidden beneath the surface of what we can observe.”
If the literal meaning of “symbol” refers to something mutually agreed upon, then symbolic, in my sense, refers more to the individual level — to what a certain sign or expression uniquely means to a specific person. The same thing can carry entirely different meanings for different people.
For instance, laughter is commonly seen as a symbol of happiness — that’s the socially agreed meaning. But what happens when we look at each individual? Some people laugh because they are genuinely happy, while others may laugh out of obligation — for example, when their boss laughs, they feel they must laugh too.
Another example: someone who often procrastinates. On the surface, this person just seems lazy or unfocused. But if we look deeper, procrastination itself can be a symbol. Beneath it, there might be something else — such as fear of failure. These are two different things, yet they are closely related. In this case, procrastination becomes a symbol that hides something invisible but essential to understand — the fear of failure.
From this, we can see that symbolic meanings differ for each person and situation.
Therefore, in this space, we will explore what is hidden — uncovering layer by layer what lies beneath the surface.
We can look deeper and discover what meaning is concealed at the symbolic surface level, such as:
- Why does A always prefer sad movies, even though so many movies have happy endings? Could this reflect something hidden in A’s inner world?
- Why does B always feel that life is meaningless, even after achieving great success?
- Why does C often feel unwell, even though medical tests show that their body is in perfect health?
- Why does D have a deep passion for a certain field, yet constantly face resistance from parents, friends, or the environment?
- Why does E keep holding on to bad habits, even while knowing they are harmful — as if unable to let them go?
- And so on — because the number of “symbolic mysteries” in this world is endless.
Aren’t you curious to discover the symbolic mysteries hidden beneath the surface?
Holistic:
Literally, holistic means an approach that views or treats something as a whole — as an integrated unity — rather than focusing on its separate parts in isolation. The term comes from the Greek word holos, which means “whole” or “complete.”
This meaning aligns with the approach we use here.
Everything in this world is unique. Each thing stands on its own, yet is also interconnected with everything else. However, we often tend to see things only as separate entities, believing them to exist independently. When something appears problematic, we assume we just need to fix that one part — focusing entirely on repairing it without considering other possibilities.
For example: F felt inferior about his condition. His way of thinking and his personality were different from those around him. Even worse, he was often ridiculed and belittled by people who lacked understanding and empathy. F believed he was the only one experiencing such an unfortunate situation, so he grew to despise his own nature. He was seeing himself merely as a single, isolated being.
But then, one day, F discovered — perhaps through something he read online — that there were others who shared the same traits and patterns of thought. In fact, there were many of them. The more he searched, the more he realized it wasn’t just isolated individuals — there were even communities of people who had the same kind of mind and temperament as he did. They were simply far away, living in other parts of the world. This realization brought him a sense of relief: he was not alone. That was the moment when F began to see himself through a holistic lens.
Often, a holistic approach becomes essential when we feel stuck. This sense of stagnation can arise because the scope of our thinking has reached a dead end. That’s when it’s time to move into another realm — to expand the perspective and find new, interconnected insights.
- It turns out that G’s life story mirrors that of a certain great historical figure.
- The way to solve a particular problem in the humanities can resemble the way a doctor diagnoses a disease.
- Reading blogs about outer space can unexpectedly inspire ideas for writing a blog about health.
- To understand H’s health issues, the most relevant insight might actually come from reading about how a country overcomes an economic crisis.
- And so on. Because the holistic relationship — as its name implies — is broad, comprehensive, and even infinite in scope.
You might ask: What other areas should I explore, when I feel like I’ve already examined everything?
Yet, holistic connections are vast — and they often extend into realms we never thought to consider.
Because we are not separate from universal movements or elemental forces — we are all interwoven into the larger, macrocosmic field of meaning. Each of us exists within a wider pattern of relationships.
Thus—
Don’t you feel curious?
Could it be that your condition, or whatever truth you’re seeking, can only be understood through this holistic, comprehensive way of seeing?