Where the mind makes the vital breath to burn,Some of us here at TRT make the distinction between religious and philosophical Taoism (the Baroness is not one of 'em!). For me, one of the prime differences between the two concerns the former's focus on longevity, in some instances, and, immortality, in others. To my way of thinking, the drive toward immortality is an inherent contradiction with the notion that all forms are born, live and die.
(False) is the strength, (and o'er it we should mourn.)
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~
It is not wise to rush about.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~
Excessive vitality is said to be inauspicious
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~
It's not healthy
to try to prolong your life.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~
Besides, who would really want to live forever? My maternal grandfather taught me that one of the great drawbacks of outliving one's contemporaries: you attend a lot of funerals! As each one drops dead, your heart breaks a little bit more. In time, everyone from your nuclear family and all of your friends are gone.
You're the last one still standing.
Alone.
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The Taoist draw for longevity does go right against what the Taoist philosophers said. The wish for longevity seems like a very ego based goal whereas a wise and more philosophical version is melting the ego away, back into a oneness with Tao, and then so being timeless and deathless.
ReplyDeleteI'm probably going to have to respond to this in a proper post, but "living forever" is not exactly the same as immortality. On the other hand, I don't know who wouldn't want to live as long as they can, with vitality and energy. The immortality practices actually have to do with an understanding of the ego (the false self) and the larger reality (your true self).
ReplyDeleteIt's all metaphor anyway.
In any case, I think this line has to do with burning yourself out before your time.
And actually, the immortality practices, cultivating the immortal fetus, are about returning to the oneness of Tao. By living long and well, we have a better chance to reach that "immortal" state. You know, time to think and do.
ReplyDeleteBR,
ReplyDeleteImmortal means "Not subject to death" which is not all that different than "living forever." Seems to me you're quibbling over semantics.
I'll be very interested to see your post on this topic!
Depends on what's dying, I guess. Quibbling over semantics? That's what philosophy is.
ReplyDelete"As each one drops dead, your heart breaks a little bit more. In time, everyone from your nuclear family and all of your friends are gone. ... You're the last one still standing. ... Alone."
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying I really subscribe to this, but there is the matter of children and grandchildren. People who have those are not alone, the last ones standing. The real heartbreak is outliving your children or grandchildren.