Human civilization has always been accompanied by a paradox: we are both the subjects observing the world and the objects most difficult for ourselves to see clearly. The ancient Greek inscription at the Delphi temple, "Know Thyself," continues to radiate wisdom after millennia, precisely because humanity's ultimate blind spot always points to itself. When we try to illuminate all things with the light of reason, we inevitably lose our way in our own projections. This cognitive predicament is both a natural limitation of humanity and the starting point for spiritual breakthrough.

The "principle of asymmetry" in modern physics provides a subtle metaphor for the dilemma of self-cognition. Just as a virtual image in a mirror can never fully represent a true three-dimensional structure, human observation of self is always subject to perspective bias. The "self-serving bias" in psychology reveals that people instinctively attribute success to their own abilities but blame external environments for failure. This self-protective mechanism is vividly portrayed in the novel Canglangzhishui (Waters of Canglang). When the protagonist encounters setbacks in the workplace, he initially questions the unfairness of the system rather than his own limitations. As Carl Jung said, the unconscious mind, unperceived, is manipulating our lives. The inexplicable aversion to others' boastful behavior often reflects a lack of security within ourselves.

The essence of the human blind spot is a byproduct of survival instinct. Research in evolutionary psychology suggests that early humans needed to quickly judge relationships of benefit and harm to ensure survival. This instinct has become ingrained as a modern human cognitive inertia of "pursuing benefits and avoiding harms." Yan Zhen, in Canglangzhishui, pointedly states, "Principles shift with interests." When a couple argues over the division of housework, both emphasize their own contributions while neglecting the other's efforts. This interest filter causes us to become practitioners of "double standards": using the flashlight of principle to illuminate others, while placing ourselves within an exceptional privilege. Just like takeaway customers harshly criticize delivery riders for late deliveries, completely ignoring objective factors such as traffic accidents, this selective cognition is actually a self-protective psychological defense mechanism.

Breaking through the predicament of self-cognition requires establishing systematic thinking training. First, it is necessary to construct a "third perspective," like a drone ascending to overlook the ground, actively observing the life trajectories of others. When parents harshly criticize their children's studies, if they can imagine their exhaustion from struggling for livelihood, some resentment can be dissolved. Second, it is necessary to practice "counter-instinct" thinking, questioning ourselves when emotions surge: "What internal state does this reaction reveal about me?" The "covering desires with a greater aspiration" proposed in Canglangzhishui is highly practical. When the goal of losing weight is elevated to self-realization, one can transcend the temptation of instant gratification. Finally, a dynamic cognitive framework needs to be established, acknowledging that self-cognition is always in a state of flux. Just as life priorities adjust with circumstances, our understanding of self should also remain open and flexible.

Jean Piaget, a pioneer of the cognitive revolution, once said, "The essence of intellectual development is continuous decentering."  To traverse the cognitive fog of humanity, it requires not only the courage to face inner shadows, but also to cultivate the wisdom to transform the world into a hall of mirrors. When we stop confronting the external world and instead capture the truth of self in every spiritual tremor, we can achieve a cognitive leap from chaos to clarity. This never-ending journey of self-exploration is both humanity's destiny and a ladder for transcending limitations, ultimately leading us to the enlightened state of "all things are complete within me."