Taoism and Lao Tzu
I like the line below that says, “The sage focuses on his breath because when it becomes balanced his essence is stable, his spirit serene and his true nature is restored” .Today, when we think of internal alchemy, we imagine a way of living aimed at transforming both mind and body for better health and a longer life.
The word alchemy often brings to mind some mysterious power or magic that can change things. It comes closer to the idea of transformation, meaning changing the intent of one thing into something else.
Chapter/verse fifty-five below of the Tao Te Ching, focuses on our gaining abundance throughout our lives. Taoism’s pivot to health and longevity can be traced back to the writings of both Chuang Tzu and Lao Tzu.
Lao Tzu emphasizes that we should embrace virtue like a newborn child, untouched and unharmed by the world, allowing us to live in alignment with our truest intentions. With our nature such that neither wasps, scorpions, nor snakes can sting or bite us, and even birds of prey won’t carry us away.
For the one at ease with his nature, his bones grow weak, his muscles and tendons soften, yet his grip remains strong. This is because he is in harmony with everything, and his essence is at its peak, so even if he shouts all day, he never grows hoarse.
By understanding harmony, he endures, stays constant and is steady. His constancy makes others see him as wise, but clinging too tightly to life makes him seem like he’s tempting fate and acting unwisely. When things hit their peak, they start to fade, just like our thoughts and desires. Ultimately, anything out of sync with the Tao will meet an early end.
What remains important is the process of creation and constant renewal of what we know as yin and yang energy. Ideas of illumination and transformation become key to our ultimate success by embracing the simplicity we’ve always known.
Over the centuries, early Taoists saw ethics as central to what was first believed to be immortality and what would be later understood as simply living a long life. This renewal often came through physical practices like kung fu, qigong, and tai chi, combined with a positive mindset as the ideal way to prolong one’s life.
Verse 55 – Gaining a firm grip on lasting abundance.
What does it mean to have lasting abundance when we leave our virtue behind?
How can we be full of breath, yet not know how to make our breath endure? If our essence remains within us, why does our virility stand in the way? When you become simply an extension of the Tao, you go as if mindless through your endeavors.
Without a mind, you have no thoughts or desires. You proceed fearless unaware of what may harm you or that you could possibly harm another.
Once you become aware that you are a part of something bigger than yourself and have a firm grip on the direction you must take, only then can you begin to focus your mind and cultivate the Tao. When your mind does not stray and a certain serenity surrounds you, then your breath can become balanced.
The sage focuses on his breath because when it becomes balanced his essence is stable, his spirit serene and his true nature is restored.
Controlling his breath, he endures and finds his true nature. Understanding his true nature, he is able to impart wisdom to others.
He grows unconcerned, extending his life with a spirit that is uncluttered and at peace, having already rediscovered its place in what has been, what may come, and where he will spend eternity. The sage has no fear of death because he knows his essence, or spirit, remains eternal.
55. 把握恒久的丰裕
如果失去了大德，拥有恒久的丰裕又如何？如果不懂得忍耐，我们又如何做到恒久？如果我们的本质仍在，为什么自尊自大挡住我们的道？
当你成为道的传人，努力前行，好像无知无觉一样。没有了头脑，你就没有了思想或欲望，你就可以勇往直前，无所畏惧。不知道什么可以伤害你，也不知道你可能伤害别人。
一旦知道自己的重要性，你就要紧紧地把握方向，只有这样，你才能够专心修道。当你心无旁骛，宁静弥漫四周时，你才能够心平气静，达到平衡。
圣人凝神聚气，这因为气息达到平衡时，他的内心平稳，精神宁静，真性就可以得到恢复。
控制情绪，坚忍，圣人就可以发现自己的真性，只有领悟他的真性，圣人才能够把智慧传授给别人。圣人对世事毫无牵挂，神志清晰，生命延长，并且重新发现他的过去，现在和未来在宇宙的永恒地位。圣人不惧死亡，因为他的精神永存。
(Note: Chinese page numbers need to be confirmed from this point forward)
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