Learning (hsueh) according to Confucius can be found in 9:18: The Master said, "The course of learning may be compared to what may happen in raising a mound. If there want but one basket of earth to complete the work, and I stop, the stopping is my own work. It may be compared to throwing down the earth on the level ground. Though but one basketful is thrown at a time, the advancing with it is my own going forward." Here Confucius is saying that learning is a gradual process that is always happening if one allows it. I believe this is also stating that learning is an external method that is accomplished by absorbing knowledge through a series of event.
             Reflecting (ssu) according to Confucius can be summed up in a few western definitions. It is the activity of the brain such as thought or imagination as well as tolerance. This is an internal process in which can happen at any moment yet is not always continuous.
             Realizing (zhi) according to Confucius means that one may know something but that does not infer that they have realized it. It also takes realization to know that one does not know something. Knowledge comes not only from knowing but the realization of the facts.
             These three concepts according to Confucius are very important. This is revealed in his passage from 2:15. "Learning without due reflection leads to perplexity; reflection without learning leads to perilous circumstances." Learning is the base for knowledge. After one learns it is up to them to realize that they have indeed learned something. After this is accomplished it is then that they can reflect correctly on the matter and not become perplexed. In the same way, if learning does not happen first, or the realization of the validity of the account, how then can one reflect correctly and not lead themselves into a perilous circumstance.
             This is different from western thought. The main reason this differs is because of the care given to the know...