In this particular day, I shall discuss Philosophy as demonstrated by
Lao Tzu in the way he assumes the solution to the philosophical problem.
In order to solve the philosophical problem concerning the absence of
Nature, one must go back to Nature. This
implies that one must refresh his understanding about the essential concepts in
Nature. This can only be done when one
deeply reflects. These essential
concepts in Nature would be the nature of opposites, the Tao as the origin, the
reality of Tao, and the expressions of Tao.
Firstly, let us discuss the nature of opposites. Nature consist both the positive and the
negative things in life. Opposites
reflect the natural course of things.
For example, if the weather only consisted of only sunny days, then
plants would not grow properly. The soil
will dry up, and it could even make life hard for both living and non-living
things. Rain contributes to the growth
of plants and the nourishment of the soil.
Sunny and rainy weather are opposites but both are necessary conditions
to balance the course of Nature. This is
the same with defeat and victory. Always
winning cannot make the person realize that he still is in need of
learning. He needs to experience defeat
in order to humble himself and realize that victory and defeat are contraries
but they complement each other in life.
When one understands the nature of opposites, he prevents himself from
injury. He becomes cautious and simply
contented. He lets things flow as they
are. As Fung Yu-Lan stated in his book A Short History of Chinese Philosophy, “The
general rule for the man ‘practicing enlightenment’ is that if he wants to
achieve anything, he starts with its opposite.”
1
Fung’s statement wishes to imply that in deep reflection, one can
prevent himself from being reckless in one’s to achieve something. Usually, when one is in a situation of
despair, he forgets the laws of Nature and insists on his own. However, with deep reflection, one becomes
more careful in his actions. An example would be failing in a test. Surely, out of depression, one instantly
gives up and drowns in self-pity. But
with deep reflection, he considers a situation an opportunity to experience the
manifestations of the laws of Nature. With deep reflection, the individual considers
challenges as necessary and discover deep values through them.
Realizing the opposites in Nature through philosophizing requires one to
go back to himself. This origin is one’s
natural state. This is a state in which
one is free from any artificial imposition.
In going back to one’s natural state, he gets to see the conditions in
which he can do things without forcing himself.
He learns how to be responsible in doing things. Going back to Nature does not only imply
going back to one’s natural self, it also implies fashioning one’s life
according to the movement of Nature.
This implies living with the opposites, learning the values of emptiness
and openness, and understanding the simplicity of life.
Emptiness means freedom from unnecessary things that can impede one’s
realization of himself. When one fashions
his life in accordance with Nature, he becomes truly open to the possibilities
in life. Openness implies humility in
recognizing that life has both certainty and uncertainty. Within these opposites, one understands more
deeply himself.
Living life in accordance to the Tao also teaches an individual the
value of humility. When one is humble,
he does not go beyond things. Humility
brings one closer to one’s natural self.
When one is closer to his natural self, he knows his capacity and does
things within it. When one is humble, he recognizes his weakness. Being able to recognize one’s weakness can
prevent him from overdoing things.
Humility and weakness are one of the essential characteristics of Nature
that one gradually understands as he deeply reflects.
By deeply reflecting about the course of Nature, one will have a
profound understanding of all things. He
will have a profound understanding of the ways of Nature. When one has this, he
has already emptied himself with unnecessary desires. He is more open to opposites without being
overtaken by them. He recognizes his
weakness but he balances it with his strength. Thus, Nature reveals to one the pattern of
opposites, the origin of things, the Tao itself. Through reflection and
philosophizing, one realizes himself and unites it with the Tao.
Source:
1.
Fung Yu-Lan, “Lao Tzu”, (New York: The Free
Press, 1948), In A Short History of
Chinese Philosophy, 99.
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