Healthy Attitude, Healthy Lifestyle
Liezi advised the following: When you’re young, don’t spend a lot of energy doing what everybody thinks is appropriate. When you’ve reached maturity, don’t be too competitive. When you’re past middle age, you should begin to find contentment. When you’re old, you should minimize desires. Exercise the body gently to prevent it from stiffening, and entertain your mind leisurely to prevent it from deteriorating. In this way, you will enjoy a healthy and long life.
Birth, growth, aging, and death are related to the rise and fall of vapor in our bodies, which in turn is related to the primordial breath of life that pervades nature. If we are in tune with the breath of the sky and the earth, we will be able to resonate with the breath of life. The best way to attain health and longevity is to be calm and centered in the midst of turmoil, be free from desire and attachment, and maintain a harmonious relationship with the vapor and breath of the universe.
From Being Taoist by Eva Wong
