Regardless of our individually chosen paths, we all share common benchmarks. If we are so fortunate, each will pass through childhood, youth, adulthood, old age, and the ending stages of live before we have that ultimate experience, death.
Taoists see this passage as a reminder to the transitory nature of exiistence. Taoists are exceptionally aware of change by observing the countless patterns, processes and cycles of Nature (of which we are, ourselves, unavoidably a part) that surround us.
The four seasons of the year is a popular metaphor for a given lifetime. Taoists recognize the similarities and comparisons that serve to provide an appropriate framework upon which to build.
Springtime is the season of birth and rebirth. So we are conceived by the conjoining of our parents and emerge from birth as the potential to what we will become. Outside of the womb we contiinue to grow and our personalities and core natures begin to take shape.
We are so young and so very maliable. Although we share certain characteristics with our heritage, a large portion of who we will become is a result of the influences from our parents, relatives, friends, and the social environment within which we grow.
Of these influences parenting played the largest role. Our parents had an enormous responsibility in our upbringing. How well we turned out is directly related to how well our parents balanced the need to teach and maintain limits to how well we were allowed to figure things out for ourselves. This delicate balance was played out throught our formative years. For all the many thinggs that we hold onto throughout our lives began as seeds planted during the formative years of our childhood.
Childhood is magical and oh, so fleeting. Children are supple like the new green growth of tree branches. They are impressionable, full of promise and possess a trust that has yet to be betrayed. Children love unconditionally. Taoists believe that they should be encouraged and allowed to cherish this special, transient period of their lives. Parents have the awesome responsibility to set their children on the proper path toward a full and prosperous life.
Essential lessons, social mores, ethics, and beliefs are easier to learn in early childhood. All to soon children begin to formulate their own notions, opinions, and conclusions. Once formulated, the opportunities to reshape, guide, reinforce, and encourge proper behavior diminishes. Those important things that are not learned early will be more difficult to embrace latter in life.
To follow the path of the Taoist we may do well to take stock in our own childhood and acknowlege troubling issue that have gone unresolved for so long. It should not be surprising if we find this to be difficult. Nonetheless, the Taoist draws upon courage from within to examine these often emotionally scared memories.
Some very deeply buried and supressed emotions carried over from childhood may require well learned spiritual pracitces of the Taoist to ultimaely resolve them in adulthood.
Summertime is marked by rapid growth. Nourished by the light and warmth of the sun plants grow. Young birds born in the spring are learning to fly among the lush vegitation. Pups and cubs of all species play and wrestle with one another in mock battle.
The summer of a Taoist’s life should also be marked by personal growth, learning, and yearning to fully experience the world.
During this period the Taoist is encouraged to embrace things that are critical in personal development. Good health and physical fitness is easiily attained if the young Taoist develops good habits and practices, and at least a modicum of self discipline.
Moderation is key. Focusing on one extreme prevents knowing and learning from the other. Always seeking the middle ground allows for broader experiences and a wider view of the world. The Taoist that pursues ways to hone physical skills, build a strong body, and proper nutritional practices will be laying the foundation for a sound and healthy body that will serve the young Taoist a lifetime.
This is also the period in the young Taoist’s life to develop academic and intellectual prowess. The youthful mind is ripe for development and should have ways to express creativity and pursue the attainment of knowledge. These goals are more easily attained now before social responsibilities and personal setbacks that will most certainly rise demand attention and take priority.
Autumn marks the end of summer and heralds in the harvest. Taoists recognize this period as a time for reaping what has been sown, cultivated, and nurtured throuthighout the summer. This stage in life should also be marked by abundance. The abundance of good health, experience, knowledge, and a comfortable feeling of stability.
The practices acheiving fitness and habits of good nutrition have yielded optimum health. However, now is not the time for complacency. Although the foundation has been laid work must continue to maintain good health. Here, learning and understanding the processes of aging is key in continuing too optimize physical well being at any stage in life. Remember, the benefits that are enjoyed today are the direct results of the groundwork that had been laid down years earlier. Therefore, any future benefits anticipated for the future will result from the accumulated results of decisions and efforts made today.
The feeling of confidence and overall sense of wellbeing comes from a good understanding of knowing how things work. Remaining flexible is important. Taoists realize the impermenance of things and they know how to make it work to their advantage. Knowing that when somethings come to an end usually many more opportunities arise to take their places, the Taoist is ready to take in the challenge
Life’s path can be full of obsticals. Taoists are fully aware, and accepting of this. Each setback is taken in stride one by one. Whatever the cause, it is analyzed and understood. The Taoist then chooses an appriopriate action or response and continues onward toward the intended goal.
Taoists are committed to life for the long haul. They understand that all life is precious and each one is unique, never to be duplicated again. So, being keenly aware of their own mortality, Taoist strive for longevity. Having a long life well lived is a very worthwhile goal and one that is its own reward.
Winter begins with the gradual sessation of the very biological processes that brought forth the abundance of life in the spring. Tress that have lost their leaves in autumn stand bare. They and many other plants go dormant in preparation for the harsh, often freezing weather that draws near. The metabolism of some animals begin to slow as they prepare for hibernation. Life slows and recedes while sun’s warmth diminishes and winter’s cold takes center stage.
For Taoists this is a time for reflection. They acknowledge the accomplishments that they have achieved during their lifetimes and ask themselves if there is anything else that needs to be done within what time remains. Taoists realize that whatever time is left it is precious and should not be squandered. If new material goals are in order, they are chosen carefully and pragmatically. Choices made depend heavily on which goals are realistically attainable. Care should be taken to leave as little undone as possible.
Without the major distractions and pressing social obligations of the past (like raising families and pursuing a careers) Taoists are free to fully live in the present. They can focus on things that matter to them the most. The Taoist seeks to maintain a high degree of wellness and wants to live “to a ripe old age.” Taoists do not want to extend their lives for the mere purpose to garner more wealth or fame. This is a time for giving back. Supporting worthy causes, mentoring to pass on knowledge and wisdom, and nurturing close relationships can be very rewarding and personally gratifying.
Facing Death… In our traditional American way of life death and dying has always been a topic to avoid in everyday life. Historically, we have managed to relagate the topic to religious beliefs and to members the clergy. Dying is only seriously considered at the ending stages of life, when death appears emminent; and usually sanitized by keeping it within the confines of a hospital, nursing home, or hospice center. In doing so, our society has very successfully removed death and dying from our everyday experiences. However, attitudes appear to be changing. More people are opting to stay at home longer and for as long as possible as they near death.
Taoists see death as complementary to life. Our mortality, marked by our birth and our death, defines our life as one whole. Each of us is going to die, this is part of the natural process of life.
Taoists, again, are reminded of the impermanance of all things. Everything eventually comes to an end, or is transformed, or recycled in some way or fashion. Every living thing eventually dies, so why should we be any different?
Taoists view death, like they observe everything else: squarely and truthfully with a good deal of pragmatism.
To the Taoist believing in an afterlife is optional. Such beliefs are comforting and they provide hope. Taoists also know that there are no guarantees. So, Taoists prefer to look at life as their one and only shot. Better to live life accordingly rather than banking on potentially false promises.