The Tao of Longevity

Man begins with life,

and ends with death.

Three in tenths are followers of longevity,

and three in tenths are followers of sudden death.

Those who may live for long life

but turn themselves to the processes of death

also constitute three-tenths.

Why is this so?

Because they are expecting too much for living. [Lao Tzu – Tao Te Ching]

Those who feel self-contented are truly wealthy,

and those who persist have a strong desire.

Those who do not fail in keeping Tao endure long.

Those who follow Tao throughout life enjoy longevity. [Lao Tzu – Tao Te Ching]

Tao and longevity:

During the span of man’s existence, 3 in 10 people are followers of longevity, while 3 in 10 people are followers of sudden death.

There are also 3 in 10 people who may live for long life, but turn themselves to the processes of death due to endless desires.

Only the remaining one-tenth of the people are good in preserving life by keeping away from desires and indulgence. They are able to enjoy simple and natural life.

Those who feel self-contented are truly wealthy. Those who persist to get richer have a strong desire but will never be contented. Even though they may be wealthy, they are still poor because their desires can never be satisfied.

Those who do not fail in keeping Tao (the natural way) endure long, because they are not endangered.

Those who follow Tao throughout life enjoy longevity, because they are not endangered.

The Tao of Enlightenment

Knowing others is smart,

but knowing the self is Enlightenment.

Conquering others requires strong power,

but mastering the self needs true strength. [Lao Tzu – Tao Te Ching]

One who can see the way of Tao is enlightened.

One who stays by meekness is strong.

Using his supreme position and leaning on to his enlightenment,

the Sage saves himself from harm.

This is due to practicing the way of Tao. [Lao Tzu – Tao Te Ching]

Practicing the way of Tao:

One who knows the good or the bad of others is smart, but one who knows his own self needs to be free of selfish desires and to understand the way of Tao (the natural way). This true wisdom is called ‘enlightenment’.

One who conquers others requires strong power, but one who is able to master his own self needs true strength.

He who can understand the way of Tao, and puts it into practice is intellectually enlightened (cleared-minded). He who stays by gentility is strong.

A wise ruler who holds a supreme position, but leans on to his enlightenment of the Tao to govern the country will not be endangered. Because he is practicing the way of Tao, he will become everlasting.

Lao Tzu – Tao Te Ching Chapter 1

The Tao that can be described in words is not an everlasting one.

The ‘name’ that can be given to a thing is not an everlasting one.

Tao, also named as ‘Non-Existence’,

was the origin of Heaven and Earth.

Tao, also named as ‘Existence’,

was the Mother of all things.

Therefore, name Tao as ‘Non-Existence’

so that one can see the enigma.

Name Tao as ‘Existence’

so that one can see the final destination.

These two states of Tao sprung from the same source

but differed mostly in names.

This common source is the Tao.

These are two states of the Tao,

which is the gateway to all things in the universe. [Lao Tzu]

Tao is Nameless

The book Lao Tzu, also known as Tao Te Ching, begins with a difficult chapter that has certainly discouraged many people from further reading.

According to Laotzu, things which can be described so simply in words are not enduring and unchanging. Since Tao, the natural way, is the uttermost supreme and eternal, it cannot be described in words.

A definition (name) can only be given to an ordinary thing which is not enduring and unchanging. Since Tao is unique and eternal, it cannot be defined.

The invisible or formless state of Tao is called ‘Non-Existence’, which was the beginning of the universe and nature. Since the universe and nature gave birth to all things, Tao is also called ‘Existence’.

Therefore, by calling Tao ‘Non-Existence’ one can see the enigma of Tao giving birth to all things. By calling Tao ‘Existence’ one can see the final destination. All things return to the same final destination which is Tao. Thus, Tao is the first cause and final destination of all things in the universe.

‘Existence’ and ‘Non-Existence’ are merely two states of Tao which sprung from the same source, but differed mostly in names. The common source of both states is the Tao.

Thus, ‘Existence’ and ‘Non-existence’ are inseparable from each others. These are two states of the Tao which is the womb that gives birth to all things in the universe.

Taoist Philosophy versus Religious Taoism

Lao-tzu and Taoist Philosophy

Lao-tzu is the author of the poetry classic Lao Tzu, also known as ‘Tao Te Ching’, which is an important pillar of Chinese thought. Taoist philosophy refers to the school based on the texts of Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu. The specific date of birth of Laotzu is unknown, but scholars place his birth between 600 BC and 300 BC, which is the Eastern Zhou period. It was during that ‘shaping period’ of Chinese culture that the decline of the ancient superstition, and the transformation into Taoist, Confucian and other schools of philosophy took place.

“Tao (the natural way) is immortal,

and can be called the ‘Primal Mother’.

Her gateway is the origin of all things in the universe.” (Lao Tzu)

Laotzu was neither a theist nor an atheist. He sought a harmony of these two polarities. According to Lao Tzu, Tao is the origin of all things in the universe, and subsequently supports their growth and development in a natural way. Things are not consciously made by a personalized creator who imposes his will to direct and control them, and claims lordship over them. Man can only understand Tao from its effect on all things in the universe.

The Origin of Religious Taoism

Around the 2nd century AD, a religion called Taoism was developed as a cult alongside the philosophical Tao of Laotzu. Those people sought immortality through the use of elixirs, geomancy, and occultism.

Various religious sects then took over the name of Tao, and relegated Laotzu from a human being to a god. The meaning of Tao was perverted into a superstitious religion completed with gods, temples, parishes, priests, ritual and alchemy. Many of those who practiced religious Tao became hermits in mountains and forests in order to get close to nature. These ‘Taoists’ practiced meditation, and trained their breathing and concentration in an attempt to prevent disease and promote longevity. These are still practiced by the followers of Taoist religion.

There is a basic difference between the spiritual path of philosophical Tao and the worship of deities and ritual practices in religious Taoism. In many respects, the meaning and practice of Taoist philosophy and religious Taoism are conflicting.

Tao Gives Life to All Things

Tao (the natural way) is immortal,

and can be called the ‘Primal Mother’.

Her gateway is the origin of all things in the universe.

Tao is like a veil barely seen,

but its usefulness is inexhaustible.

The Tao gave life to the ‘One’;

the ‘One’ gave life to two things (Yin and Yang);

and these two things gave life to three things.

From three successively gave life to all things.

All creatures bear Yin,

yet embrace Yang.

By blending these two life-forces,

harmony is achieved. [Lao Tzu – Tao Te Ching]

Tao gives life to all things

Lao-tzu was neither a theist nor an atheist. He sought a harmony of these two extremities. According to Lao Tzu, the Tao (the natural way) is the origin of all things in the universe, and subsequently supports their growth and development in a natural way.

Therefore, Tao can also be called the ‘Primal Mother’ which gives life to all things in the universe. Even though Tao is barely seen, it is the womb that gives birth to all things.

The Tao was formed naturally by itself, and gave life to the ‘One’ (the universe). The ‘One’ gave birth to Yin and Yang, these two life-forces gave birth to three things, and from three successively gave birth to all things.

All creatures have males and females. When these two sexes mix together, they will mate and reproduce.

Zhou Dynasty at the Eastern Zhou period (770 BC – 221 BC) marked the decline of the ancient superstition that man’s life and destiny are deliberately controlled and intervened by gods and spirits. According to Lao-tzu, things are not consciously made by a personalized creator who imposes his will to direct and control them, and claims lordship over them. Man can only understand Tao from its effect on all things in the universe.

Since 500 BC, the philosophical schools of Lao Tzu and Confucius have dominated the thinking of the educated Chinese, for whom Gods and spirits play a much lesser role in their living.

Attainment of Tao

From ancient times the following may be said to have attained Tao (the natural way):

The sky attained Tao and became clear.

The earth attained Tao and became calm.

Gods attained Tao so they could be spiritualized.

Valleys attained Tao that they might be full.

All creatures attained Tao that they might flourish.

Rulers attained Tao that they were capable of leading the nation.

From these we would say the following:

Without clarity, the sky would crack.

Without stability, the earth would crumble.

Without spiritual powers, gods would wither and fade.

Without being filled, valleys would run dry.

Without the life-giving power, all creatures would extinct.

Without the power of leadership, rulers would be overthrown. [Lao Tzu – Tao Te Ching]

Tao is the uttermost supreme

Tao, the natural way, is the origin of all things in the universe, including sky, the earth, planets, gods, valleys, humans and all creatures. Everything depends on the attainment of Tao to keep alive. Thus, Tao is the uttermost supreme in the universe.

What is Tao?

Prior to the existence of Heaven and Earth,
there was something formed naturally.

It is silent, void, unique and never changing.
It is all-pervasive and existing eternally.
It is the Mother of […]

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What is Tao?

Prior to the existence of Heaven and Earth,

there was something formed naturally.

It is silent, void, unique and never changing.

It is all-pervasive and existing eternally.

It is the Mother of all things in the universe.

I do not know its name,

and address it as ‘Tao’.

If I need to describe it,

I would say that it is supreme,

all pervasive,

far reaching,

and paradoxical.

Therefore, Tao is more supreme than Heaven,

more supreme than the Earth,

and more supreme than Man.

It is the uttermost supreme in the universe!

Man should conform to the Tao of the Earth,

the Tao of Heaven,

and the Tao of Tao.

All these are the ways of Tao. [Lao Tzu – Tao Te Ching]

Tao is Supreme

Tao was formed naturally prior to the existence of the universe and nature. It is the origin of all things in the universe.

Tao pervades all things, exists eternally, but seems to be paradoxical.

Tao is the uttermost supreme in the universe: It is more supreme than the universe, more supreme than nature, and more supreme than humans.

Man conforms to the natural laws of nature, the physical laws of the universe, and the natural way of Tao. All these conform to the way of Tao.