The Department of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences at Tsinghua University, in collaboration with Xinya College, has launched the Mind, Brain, and Machine (MBM) program. MBM focuses on psychological phenomena as research subjects, the brain as the research object, and cognitive sciences as its research paradigm. This innovative teaching model combines "phenomenon-based teaching" with "project-based teaching" to cultivate innovative future explorers and uncover the mental mysteries of both creatures and machines. Students from Xinya College can apply for admission to this program after completing their first year of general liberal arts and sciences courses.

Liu Jia, Director of the Department of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and MBM Teaching Committee, attended and addressed the opening ceremony of Xinya College.

Dear students,

First of all, please allow me to extend my warmest congratulations on behalf of all the faculty members for your admission to Xinya College at Tsinghua University. While you may feel proud, you might also find yourself pondering an important question: Is what I will gain at Tsinghua University in the coming years worthy of the twelve years of hard work I have put in so far? Or more bluntly, what should I do—or not do—during my four years at Tsinghua to ensure that I make the most of my youth?

An obvious answer is: You should engage more in activities that bring success and joy, and do less—or avoid—those that might lead to mistakes or make you uncomfortable. As educators, our primary responsibility is to share our experience with you, guiding you on how to navigate around potential pitfalls, thereby helping you to move steadily toward the shores of success on calm waters.

As I navigated through the ups and downs that brought me to where I am today, I often hoped someone had offered me a bit of guidance back then. So, I imagined if I could turn back in time and meet the younger, impulsive, passionate, and reckless version of myself from 30 years ago, what would I say to him? Should I warn him about which teachers are particularly tough and likely to fail students? Or should I advise him to stay away from certain individuals of questionable character? Should I tell him about the opportunities he must seize and pursue with all his strength? Would this information have made my life's journey smoother, with fewer painful missteps and more moments of triumph?

I have replayed this scenario countless times in my mind, fantasizing about being able to perfectly avoid every misfortune and setback while seizing every missed opportunity I've encountered over the past 30 years. It feels akin to being in a video game, where we operate as omniscient players armed with "cheat codes", exploiting every glitch to lead a blissfully perfect life.
Yet, anyone who has played a game knows that when you possess all the cheat codes and powerful moves, the game will lose its charm. Winning becomes a mere mechanical repetition, and the challenges and enjoyment that define the game vanish, stripping it of its inherent meaning and purpose.
When speaking of existence, I am reminded of a quote by Søren Kierkegaard, who is known as the "Father of Existentialism": "Suffering is the most valuable asset of humanity." At first glance, this might sound like the murmur of a masochist; however, after experiencing the ups and downs of the past three decades, I now understand that this statement touches on a profound truth about human nature. On a macro level, scientific advancements are often driven by the urgent need to respond to diseases and disasters, while societal progress is frequently spurred by the fight against injustice and oppression. Suffering not only reveals to us the harshness and imperfections of reality but also gives us the determination to change the status quo.

On a personal level, suffering is an inevitable part of life, as each of us must deal with our own ultimate problems of loneliness, anxiety, and death. It is precisely these challenges that compel us to reflect deeply on our beliefs and choices, allowing us to uncover our meaning of existence and discover our mission in life. As we navigate through suffering, we forge deep connections with others and the world around us while engaging in genuine dialogues with ourselves, ultimately finding inner peace. Therefore, the meaning of life is not solely found in avoiding mistakes and pain; rather, it lies in how we find the strength to move forward in the face of suffering. It is through these processes that we grow and truly learn how to live.
Nevertheless, some may ask: life is already so difficult, so why cannot we have a bit of "relaxation"? Isn't "lying flat" appealing? Of course, it is fine to relax, and lying flat can indeed be attractive. But once you choose that path, you might be sacrificing your greatest asset: youth. Being young means that time is your ally, giving you the unique privilege of making mistakes. In contrast, for those of us who are older, while we may have titles and achievements you admire, we have irrevocably lost the luxury of making mistakes. We make every decision carefully because time is no longer our friend; the cost of trial and error is now a burden we can scarcely afford. So, please take advantage of your youth: make every possible try and embrace every opportunity for exploration and experimentation.

Of course, trial and error should not be equated with recklessness, because courage has never meant the absence of fear. In the face of setbacks and difficulties, it is natural for each of us to feel confused and afraid; this is our instinctive reaction. But true bravery is to move forward despite confusion and fear. As an old saying goes, "It is better to advance with one thought than to hesitate with one thought." Instead of remaining stagnant and vacillating in indecision, it is better to seek answers through action because action is the only way to resolve all problems. Kierkegaard also expressed a similar sentiment: "Life can only be understood backwards, but we must live forward." This means that we can only comprehend the meaning of life by reflecting on the past, yet life itself must progress forward. Our present moment is the future of the past; what you sow is what you reap. However, our present is not the past of the future, as the future holds limitless possibilities. Those possibilities depend on the decisions we make and the actions we take in the present.

So, in my fantasy of traversing back in time and meeting the version of myself from 30 years ago, I have decided not to share any cheat codes with him. Instead, I would simply pat him on the shoulder and say, "Well done, young man!" Today, I also hope to pat you on the shoulder and say, "May you go through hardships and more importantly, rise from your suffering like a phoenix soaring from the ashes, discovering the true meaning of your existence along the way."

Thank you!