The guqin is a plucked seven-string musical instrument. It has a long history and profound cultural meaning. Ancient literati and officialdom used it to express their willingness for self-improvement, family harmony, benefiting the people, and seeking peace for society. Thus, the guqin became symbolic for intellectuals. In Liji (an ancient collection of Chinese writings), it is written that "an intellectual does not casually part with his guqin or se [another stringed musical instrument]." Confucius once said, "Develop sentiment with poetry, act according to ethical standards, and reach maturity in harmony with music."
 
The art of guqin focuses on idealistic beauty – highlighting inner meaning rather than magnificence in format. Its understanding exceeds the boundary of music, embodying the harmony between mankind and nature, heaven and earth, and concepts of body and soul. It is therefore a tool for self-improvement, enlightenment to higher realms, and civilizing people across the board. People often spoke of the Virtue of Guqin or the Tao of Guqin. The Rituals of Guqin, an ancient book written by Cai Yong, states: "In ancient times, Fuxi created the guqin to safeguard oneself from the deviant and stay away from lust, so that one can improve rationally and return to the origin." In Yueji, an ancient collection of Chinese writings, it is written: "Virtue is mankind’s true nature; music is the magnificent manifestation of virtue." High-level music is a manifestation of Heavenly Law. When someone appreciates such music, he or she is morally civilized and mentally elevated.
 
In ancient times, a gentleman had to practice the guqin with an upright mind and heart in order to reach harmony of body and soul. Many intellectuals well-known for their ability to play the guqin were of high virtue and ethical standards. Dwelling in a picturesque place and practicing the guqin with sincerity, respect, and a peaceful mind enables one to reach harmony with nature and to be enlightened to a higher level. This is just what Jikang (223 – 262 AD), an ancient Chinese intellectual, described in a poem:
 
"Seeing swans returning,
plucking the five strings.
indulgence in peace with nature,
mind floating into higher way."
 
Even amidst a chaotic environment, one can still maintain a peaceful and pure mind, practicing the guqin without disturbance. As Tao Yuanming (365 – 427 AD), another Chinese intellectual from ancient times, described:
 
"Living in the human world,
No noise coming by.
One may ask how to achieve this?
Calmness accompanying lofty mind."
 
Guqin practice is largely dependent on one's mind. A pure mind leads to upright music. An elevated mind leads to profound music. Such meanings will further touch the heart of a listener, echoing the virtuousness and grandeur carried in the music. As a matter of fact, practicing guqin and all arts are like this.
 
琴韵致远
 
中国的古琴不仅是一种演奏音乐的乐器，而且有著悠久的历史传承和丰富深厚的文化内涵。中国古代的文人士大夫把琴视为修身、齐家、治国、平天下的理想代言人，甚至视为文人的一种象征。《礼记》上说：“士无故不撤琴瑟”。孔子也说过：“兴于诗，立于礼，成于乐。”
 
古琴艺术追求意境美，不停流于形式的华丽，而在于体味内在的意蕴。其价值超越了音乐本身，蕴含了人与自然的和谐，天人合一的宇宙观、生命观与道德观，是人们修身养性、体悟大道、教化四方的载道之器，讲求“琴德”与“琴道”。蔡邕的《琴操》中记载：“昔伏羲作琴，以御邪僻，防心淫，以修身理性，返其天真。”《乐记》中记载：“德者，性之端也，乐者，德之华者”，德是人的天性，乐是德之光华。而高层次的音乐是天道的体现，使人在欣赏音乐的同时，受到道德的感化而使思想境界得到升华。
 
古琴是古代君子的必修之乐器，要求抚琴者要用正心、正念来弹琴，才能在弹琴时达到人神相和的境界。历史上的抚琴名士都是品行高尚、洁身自好的人。他们往往置身于景色优美的环境，仪表端庄恭敬的抚琴，其内心的清澈宁静与淳朴的自然和谐为一体，感悟人生的真谛和探求天道。正如嵇康在诗中描述的那样：“目送归鸿，手挥五弦。俯仰自得，游心太玄！”
 
即使在喧嚣的地方，依然要坚守心灵的一方净土，清静平和，心不旁骛的弹琴，就像陶渊明说的：“结庐在人境，而无车马喧。问君何能尔？心远地自偏。”心是弹琴的根本，心正则琴声正，心远则琴意远。更使听琴者思想受到感染而产生共鸣，体悟到音乐的道德内涵，也感受到操琴者的气质与胸襟。其实一切艺术都是如此。