Tao Te Ching Verse 50: Practicing Immortality

The Tao Te Ching for Everyday Living

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Tao Te Ching Verse 50

translated by Anonymous
Humans come and go
Their bodies as the seat of life
Their bodies as the seat of death
Humans get old and decay
Why is that?
It's because they are already dead, but think that they're living
There have been stories told and written about people who had found true life
And wandered around the earth
Not afraid of tigers or rhinos
Those who avoided weapons and violence
And lived in harmony with all creatures
Therefore no creature felt threatened by them
And no weapon could harm them
Why is that?
Because they were only living
And that's where there is no room for death
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Immortality
What’s it mean to be unscathed on the battlefield? Like swords and bullets literally can’t destroy me? No, there are laws of physics, so they’ll destroy your biology for sure. But they can’t touch those experiences. The swords and bullets can’t do anything to destroy the impact that you've made on others around you.

Rhinos and tigers. Or bullies. Or people that have abused you. Or natural disasters. None of those things, if you are in ‘possession’ of the Tao, can affect your inner nature.

So we are talking about non-corporeal immortality here. And it’s quite simple: We are expressions of the Tao. The Tao is infinite. Therefore, we are infinite.

Of course, I always forget this. My senses and the life I live have a keen way of pulling me back into thinking that this is all there is. But there are times when I can remember - in morning meditation, mostly - that despite being biologic, I am part of something way bigger than I think. And sometimes, I can take this with me when I leave my dwelling and interact with the world. In those moments, I gotta tell you, everything looks different. Cars on the road are funny. The seriousness with which we carry ourselves seems funny. Money is...idk, this fake concept that everyone’s decided to go with because it’s easier than carrying heavy metal around. The illusion is displayed in front of me, available for everyone to see and yet it is safely ensconced behind a transparent veil. And then I realize that I am the one creating the veil by separating from it, too, and I go back to that whole ‘just participate’ thing.

It’s a trip, for sure. I would encourage you to try this out - if only for a thought experiment. Take a moment or two, during meditation maybe, to remember that the Tao of you is impervious to physical harm, that despite your corporeal death, that life force, that feeling inside you of being alive and that knowing of being a part of something far greater than imagination, even, is what goes on to infinity. Then go interact with the world. Or look at stuff on the internet. Observe everyone seeming to take things so seriously. Laugh a little, then go back to participating.