Heresy is a believer illuminating the gaps and flaws in the dogma, seeking the core truth - not apostasy with disillusionment and rejection, nor blasphemy of disrespect.
Heretics are madmen or visionaries, crackpots or geniuses, charlatans or zealots.
The purpose of 'Tao Heresy - Heaven and Earth' is not to create a schism in an already diverse understanding of Taoism - rather, my humble objective is to remember and re-illustrate the core principles of the Tao embodied by the 'Tao Te Ching' without the dogma and trappings that have grown into Taoism through synchretism - hopefully allowing open-minded adherents to find a Tao that can be applied to any human condition.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Immortality - Vampires, Taoists, Philosophers and the Fountain of Youth
Mortal life is the cycle and process of conception, growth, progeny, decay and death. People always have sought a way to rise above the cycle and extend, perhaps forever, their lives.
Emperors and kings raise 'Eternal Monuments', attempting to extend their glory and recognition through the mists of the future.
Philosophers discourse and seek the definition of reality, to make a thought that can last forever attached to their name.
Others chase legends and myths seeking a way to actually extend their personal mortal frame of time. 'Casca the Eternal Mercenary', legendary legionnaire that pierced Christ with 'Longinus' the spear of destiny. John the Beloved, said to have been set to watch over mankind until Christ's return. The Alchemist's formula, not just lead to gold but death to life. The myths of Vampires - dark, lustful creatures stealing life's blood from their prey, hiding in shadows. A fountain of youth, the tree of life, the golden apple - the legends are woven into the psyche of humankind. The most recent type for the immortal prize is the transhuman dream - that through genetics the biologic clock of ageing can be reset or extended for a privileged elite few.
People who fear judgement of misdeeds they have committed upon their fellow beings seek immortality as a way to escape from the law of the harvest. Whether karma, dharma, bread upon the waters or reaping what is sown, the concept of fairness and justice also permeates reality, and thus the Tao. There is no escape, for the very Heavens and Earth have an allotted mortal span and too will pass from this realm of existence. It would be a very sad existence indeed for such an escapist, if they actually found a way to avoid their destiny and hide in the folds of space and time - continually fearing for the impending natural punishments they have earned by breaking the laws of nature.
The Taoists have sought immortality or life extension in order to gain sufficient time for the process of enlightenment to occur through their daily practice of meditations and exercises. Compounds of cinnabar, rare herbs, hygiene, abstinence and even sexually deviant practices of one faction, have all been employed in a vain hope to extend life. Vain and sadly ironic, since many of the compounds and practices lead to decreased life or even bring about sudden death and many times bring about sad harvests for inflicting suffering upon others.
The true Tao is not to upend and circumvent the laws of the natural realm we inhabit. Rather, recognize, then embrace the truth that the human soul is immortal in nature, and that the corruptible mortal life is only a step along the Tao - we are here for a divine purpose, mortality is a gift, allowing each of us to experience firsthand the cycle of creation so that we may learn and grow.
Emperors and kings raise 'Eternal Monuments', attempting to extend their glory and recognition through the mists of the future.
Philosophers discourse and seek the definition of reality, to make a thought that can last forever attached to their name.
Others chase legends and myths seeking a way to actually extend their personal mortal frame of time. 'Casca the Eternal Mercenary', legendary legionnaire that pierced Christ with 'Longinus' the spear of destiny. John the Beloved, said to have been set to watch over mankind until Christ's return. The Alchemist's formula, not just lead to gold but death to life. The myths of Vampires - dark, lustful creatures stealing life's blood from their prey, hiding in shadows. A fountain of youth, the tree of life, the golden apple - the legends are woven into the psyche of humankind. The most recent type for the immortal prize is the transhuman dream - that through genetics the biologic clock of ageing can be reset or extended for a privileged elite few.
People who fear judgement of misdeeds they have committed upon their fellow beings seek immortality as a way to escape from the law of the harvest. Whether karma, dharma, bread upon the waters or reaping what is sown, the concept of fairness and justice also permeates reality, and thus the Tao. There is no escape, for the very Heavens and Earth have an allotted mortal span and too will pass from this realm of existence. It would be a very sad existence indeed for such an escapist, if they actually found a way to avoid their destiny and hide in the folds of space and time - continually fearing for the impending natural punishments they have earned by breaking the laws of nature.
The Taoists have sought immortality or life extension in order to gain sufficient time for the process of enlightenment to occur through their daily practice of meditations and exercises. Compounds of cinnabar, rare herbs, hygiene, abstinence and even sexually deviant practices of one faction, have all been employed in a vain hope to extend life. Vain and sadly ironic, since many of the compounds and practices lead to decreased life or even bring about sudden death and many times bring about sad harvests for inflicting suffering upon others.
The true Tao is not to upend and circumvent the laws of the natural realm we inhabit. Rather, recognize, then embrace the truth that the human soul is immortal in nature, and that the corruptible mortal life is only a step along the Tao - we are here for a divine purpose, mortality is a gift, allowing each of us to experience firsthand the cycle of creation so that we may learn and grow.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)