Chasing Longevity
According to the American Historical Association, China has the longest continuous history of any country in the world—3,500 years of written history. Consequently, there is a plethora of material to discuss or write about.
Join me today as I write about one of China’s gem- Xi’an (西xī安ān, literally meaning Western Peace), where was once known as Chang’an ( 长cháng安ān, literally meaning Eternal Peace).
Xi’an is one of the four oldest cities in China and is known for being the starting point of the well-known Silk Road as well as being the home of the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin (秦qín) Shi (始shǐ) Huang (皇huáng).
As the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206 BC), he was known for many things, including his relentless search for the elixir of immortality. It said that Qin Shi Huang believed in Taoism (Daoism) -one of main religions of China, so he believed in the elixir of immortality.
Taoism is a philosophy and religion of having oneness with the Universe. Taoist monks and practitioner have a profound understanding of the Universe, Nature and the Cosmic Energy of the Universe. They strive to live in harmony with the Universe and find means to achieve longevity or even immortality.
Tao (道dào) is known as the way or the path. However, it is much more profound than that and is sometimes described as the underlying force or energy in the Universe. Some even call it even Source, Cosmos or God.
The Taoist Monk or practitioners strive for perfection of health and harmony through breath work, proper nutrition, drinking certain elixirs, practicing certain exercises and meditation.
The Taoist monks are very cognizant of the life force and Qi (气qì) and take measures to prolong it. They also harness the Qi in the body and circulate it in a way that maximizes their health and longevity.
The well-known founder of Taoism, Lao Tzu (老lǎo子zǐ), is said to have written his master piece called Tao Te Ching (道dào德dé经jīng) at a temple about 70 km west of Xian. Many western scholars and philosophers have read this profound book of Truth. The teachings of Taoism are quite profound and have impacted China’s culture, philosophy, martial arts (Tai Chi “太tài极jí”, Qi Gong “气qì功gōng” and Bak Kua “八bā卦guà”), “风fēng水shuǐ”(geomantic omen), Confucianism, Chinese Buddhism and Chinese Medicine. It is actually quite spiritual and metaphysical once one truly understands it.
Susan Shumsky, author of Ascension, wrote about a Chinese man- Master Li Ching Yuen (李lǐ青qīng云yún)-who lived to be at least 250 years of age in her book. Master Yuen learned about the ancient art of longevity one day after he met a 500-year-old Taoist. When asked what was his secret, the master replied that he did an ancient exercise called Ba-Kua (eight trigrams). New York Times reported Li’s death on May 6, 1933 as “The Amazing 250-Year-Old Man.”
I am familiar with this method since my former Gung Fu (功gōng夫fū) master practiced this every day in his studio. After so many years, he still looks the same and still full of vitality as I see him walk the streets of Chinatown. Perhaps there is some truth to it.
Although longevity is great, the Taoist strive for immortality and perfection, not necessarily of only a physical one but of a spiritual one as well.
Wishing you infinite love and blessings,
Blake Sinclair, author of Dare to Imagine and Beyond Imagination.
Blogger and member of the Mount Shasta Authors Guild
www.blakesinclair.org
Current issue published on 5/21/2016 from http://jflmagazine.com/