How does confucius understand the role of the supernatural—gods, spirits, and ancestors, for example?

Confucian philosophy did not really focus at all on the supernatural. Instead, Confucius stated that we should focus on the things that are before us right now, in the material world, and that the supernatural cannot be proved and is beyond our understanding. However, he also never spoke negatively of a belief in gods or spirits and cited the importance of taking part in traditions if this grounded us further in human existence.