“Life is what we make it.”
I would always hear and read people’s statements about life as aforementioned. As what we make life is how it is defined, is something I’ve always debated inside my mind. Upon enrolling myself in the course Oriental Philosophy, there have been a lot of thoughts that I have invited to linger into my mind. Visions of various philosophers which all pertain to how we ought to live our lives and their principles are all that amounts to my bewilderment.
The widely-known Confucius and Lao-Tzu, whom both I first learned of in my History books back in Secondary school, are the two who have presented their viewpoints on the wisdom of life.
A wise man once said... WAIT! Which man was it?
Taoism is of Lao-Tzu. It is known as a stream of thought which revolves around different but interconnected religious and philosophical traditions and concept. It mainly concentrates on nature, men-cosmos correspondence, health, longevity, wu wei (action through inaction), liberty, immortality and spontaneity. Taoist ethics underline compassion, moderation and humility, which are considered to be its three jewels.
Confucianism evolved and spread around the same time as Taoism. However, Confucianism has developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher, Confucius. The fundamental premise of Confucianism is the importance of education for the moral development of the individual. If an individual develops morals, the state would not have to use its coercive powers to regulate the life of the people. The people themselves will refrain from doing something wrong.
Like Taoism, Confucianism also had a huge impact on East Asian countries. Confucianism is a complicated system of social, moral, quasi-religious, political and philosophical thought. There are 7 themes of the Confucian thought which form the base of Confucianism. They are Ritual, Relationships, Filial Piety, Loyalty, Humanity, The Gentleman and Rectification of Names.
Taoism and Confucianism are told be two of China’s oldest and most pervasive philosophies. They are said to have arose during roughly the same period in Chinese history, called the Hundred Schools of Thought, a time often marred by unrest and feudal strife. Both philosophies reflect this, as their overarching goals are to seek order and harmony in one’s life, relationship with society, and the universe.
Upon aiming to understand the two, I can say that it is Confucianism that abides with norms while it is Taoism that merely goes with the flow of things. To my mind, life is intricate. Spending it based on standards would help it become more intricate. Customs based on our morality is a form of discipline yet it is also important for us to realize that not everything is meant to be controlled. In having control, there is direction but it does not equate to fullness. In fullness, we mean bliss and pleasure.
In the angle I’m in, life should be translated into freedom. It is supposed to be in accord to nature. It is Taoism which is based on coming into harmonious alignment with elemental patterns of change. It is central to this alignment with the patterns of the natural world, cultivating sensitivity to qi, life-force energy which animates all living things.
As one achieves such an alignment with the patterns of the natural world - their wisdom and power - one gains experiential access, also, to the source of these patterns: the primordial unity out of which they arose, named as the Tao. At this point, ones thoughts, words and actions will tend, quite spontaneously, to produce health and happiness, for oneself as well as ones family, society, world and beyond. One will have attained the highest virtue ("De") and be on the path leading to the realm of Immortality - the summit of Taoist practice.
Yes, immorality it is. In complete contrast to Confucianism’s peak which is morality. But I can perceive immortality as something not in a negative state. It is liberty from mores of humanity yet to fullness of life. I can stand and prefer Taoism over Confucianism.
I have read something about Taoism which I perfectly agree with. It goes like this, “A Clear mind comes from the wonderful fundamental essence given us by nature and is not a personal possession. Impartiality beyond any specific culture fosters clarity and deeper seeing. It is not hard to produce wisdom... what is hard is to have wisdom not interrupted.”
Although in the question, which is better, I am reminded of Lilian Dickson, an acknowledged missionary. She thought that “Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.” I agree to how she has thought of life. Indeed, life is what we make it. If we make it right, as to what we prefer as the meaning of right, then we made wise use of its once coming.
It still boils down to how an individual uses the gift God has blessed him with, the gift which we call life. Whether it may be through Confucius’ philosophy or through Lao Tzu’s, the most important thing is that while we have it we should grab hold of it for every second of a moment only happens once. There is neither a rewind nor pause on hand, only a matter of forward or worst, stop. Keep the PLAY button.
