Choose Strong
For Tim.
As mentioned in a previous post, I recently spent a lot of
time watching video series made by East-Northern Chinese
farmers. Their peaceful and content lifestyle and harmonious
relationships in tight-knit families triggerred a longing in
me. I once lived a similar life. I knew that there must be
more than what met the eye but the pull was very strong.
Over time, however, I noticed something unbearable, i.e., a
remarkable lack of curiosity toward the outside world. Maybe
they were too busy with farming. There were no interest
beyond creature comfort and no pursuit of self
betterment. What for? They would have asked. On some level,
I could understand. The Taoist ideal of WU WEI(无为), so
convenient, must have seeped in the Chinese blood through
thousands of years of osmosis.
When it comes to certain topics, e.g., health, I'd rather take
the advice of WU BU WEI(无不为). Affluent diseases (maybe
with the exception of depression) seem to prevail among
farmers retiring from an active lifestyle and yet eating the same
foods. Looking at the unfit people in those videos, I wonder if
the possibility of tragedies similar to mine (mom's early death)
had ever crossed their minds. If it did, it didn't trigger action.
Anyone worry about the survival and prosperity of the race
beyond the material? They would have laughed: what an
absurd question? Or who do you think you are? The American
Indians might have had similar responses.
As for us severed from the Chinese Tribe, I think there is
one way out of the onslaught of the sense of emptiness.
Improving oneself and keeping physically fit have worked for
me. There has never been a time when technology brings
knowledge to us so cheaply and abundantly, especially in the
West. Anything one wants to pursue, all one needs to do is
to experiment and practice with a proper mentality. If one
looks inward, this is the perfect time to be the change one
wants to see.
