The Flow

The Flow is the fundamental concept in the cult of Shengshi and in Shengshese thought and culture. While its usage often only vaguely denotes the meaning of the word, the grand span of Flow thought can be summarised into a number of key ideas:
===Strict Hierarchy===
While the degree of adherence varies across different cultures depending on the influence of Shengshiism, being for example radically different between Servant and Dreamer cultures, every culture which draws on the teachings of the Flow will have a visibly hierarchical structure, preferably based on mutual respect. This structure consists at the very least of a master and a servant which roles are outlined in the Classic of Wisdom, the main religious literature of the Flow, composed by Shengshi himself. 
===Reverence of Culture and Craft===
Shengshese students are encouraged to eagerly study music, poetry, arts and crafts as part of a greater project: self-cultivation. This concept is vitally important in Shengshese thought, as every believer is encouraged, almost expected even, to strive towards the development of the self. Central to Flow thought is the idea that the self requires constant maintenance and improvement towards greater cultural achievement and the mastery of one or a handful of skills.
===Face, Honor and Diplomacy===
While the concept of the Flow highly values adaptibility and patience, it is not unheard of for Shengshese cultists to act out with war and aggression if they feel their honour is under threat. In every conflict, the Flow demands one find a balance between tolerance and honour - one can suffer through a relationship where the counterpart offers no respect whatsoever, but if the counterpart demands favours on top of its unfriendly behaviour, it can be observed as an attack upon the Shengshese student's honour. More vital than honour is perhaps the concept of the face, one that is perhaps the closest tied to Shengshi's own behaviour. Every mortal capable of emotions and understanding status has a concept of the face: a measure of one's own social standing based on one's actions, wealth and personality. In this respect, the students strive to become like Shengshi, hosts with bottomless cooking pots and wine bottles that gladly invite the whole town for a feast. Losing face or causing someone else to lose face is perhaps worse than a loss of honour. While honour is a subjective sense of right in relation to the self, the face is a measure of how others see someone. Therefore, a loss of face is considered a much greater blow, and to cause someone to lose face, a much greater insult.
Category:Culture
Category:Shengshi