The notion that reality is a dreamlike illusion has intrigued philosophers, poets, and thinkers of various
sorts...for millennia, ... at the very least.
In the Chinese tradition ideas about supernatural realities may be traced to its earliest days.
Archaeological evidence, for example, .... indicates that the oldest Chinese characters were found inscribed upon the scapulae of various animals in the ancient city at Anyang.
Buried in the graves of prominent people who have passed away, these bones were used in a complex series of ancient divination rites... that are some of man's oldest connections to the spirit world.
Ornamented with some of the most interesting inscriptions known to man, ... similar to, and in some cases even identical to modern Chinese characters, ... these bones were quite literally, broken... by a
small group of people... who were said to have a tremendous range of power.
Upon making slight hairline fractures on the surface of these remarkable bones, ... they were duly read, enabling ancient fortune-tellers to forecast and control daily events, ... often bringing insight into actions that were seldom understood... and exercising control over a whole host of people within their respective communities.
While these findings certainly provide important evidence about the scope and breadth of the earliest period of Chinese history, they also demonstrate the ancient origins of Chinese civilization... a period that allowed people to engage in some of the most exciting ventures into the great unknown.
Deciphering the Nature of Reality in the Early Chinese Netherworld
As supernatural matters have greatly influenced the ways in which people have perceived the world through various phases of history, ... ancient Chinese beliefs, by the sheer magnitude of the number of people who have been exposed to them, ....have undoubtedly been among the most influential beliefs
known to man.
As in many other ancient cultures, supernatural ideas were often closely tied to various tales about supernatural spirits, life after death, and other ideas that concerned the relationship between the material and spiritual world.
In ancient Chinese culture for example, the term "netherworld".... may be used to describe ancient beliefs that ghosts, and in particular, ... deceased ancestors, .... were often... viable spirit-like entities.
They come to earth to settle old unresolved scores... influencing not only the nature of daily experience... but also the times that lie ahead.
Ancient Conceptions of the "Supernatural" and the Evolution of the "Tao"
Arguably, a remnant of some of these early voyages to the great unknown, .... "Taoism", an ancient philosophy and religion... involves various precepts... that allow man to live in harmony with the supernatural elements that may impact his daily life.
As an ancient amalgamation of philosophy and religion, ... "Taoism" is a word that means, quite literally, ... "the way".
It includes a set of beliefs and a number of suggestions for daily living.
It also includes ideas that have both intrigued and confused those who have attempted to underscore its significance.
As an ancient form of thought, "Taoism" surfaced as a set of rituals practiced in temples scattered throughout each of the four corners of the Chinese nation.
Understanding the Roots of China's Ancient "Taoist" Tradition
While it is true that many Taoist beliefs and rituals were denounced during periods of political reform in the 20th century, the legacy of such a tradition can never be fully extinguished.
From a historical perspective the most important figure in Taoist thought is the ancient philosopher, Lao Zi.
Considered to be one of China's most important historical figures .... Lao Zi purportedly lived in the 6th century B.C.
He wrote the seminal text "the Tao Te Ching" .... a book that has had a lasting impact on how Taoist philosophy is construed.
Despite having written this work, he refused to detail many of his other ideas in writing, perhaps concerned that they might develop into dogma.
As compared to Confucian thought, a philosophy that has sometimes been described as dogmatic.... he did not prescribe a rigid code of conduct.
Instead he believed instinct, conscience and nature should be man's moral compass.
As a prescription for human happiness... Lao Zi encouraged his followers to listen and observe, ... develop intuition, build power, and promote love.
In short, ... he considered simplicity to be the way to truth and freedom.
Another Chinese Philosopher
The other famous philosopher associated with China's Taoist tradition is Zhuang Zi.
Zhuang Zi was purportedly born just before the onset of the 4th century B.C.
He is considered a great teacher and perhaps the greatest writer of prose during his time.
As a contemporary of Mencius, a legendary Confucian philosopher, Zhuang Zi was instrumental in expanding Taoist ideas beyond its original concepts.
As a visionary thinker, Zhuang Zi placed tremendous emphasis upon the natural harmony and spontaneity of the "Tao", ... the great importance of personal freedom, and the relativity of all things both past and present.
And in his personal life, ... it is said that Zhuang Zi often lived as a hermit.
In a simple, spiritual life .... he favored no will, no consciousness and no knowledge for the development of his true self.
In Memory of Zhuang Zi
A true genius who encouraged China's literati to examine perceptions about the nature of reality, ... his most famous work is simply titled "Zhuang Zi".
It is a time honored text that describes the author's beliefs about the nature of the good life.
However most scholars believe that this text is the product of several authors including some of Zhuang Zi's students.
As a creative, independent man, Zhuangzi became famous for elaborating upon the relativity of human experience.
Some people even argue that Zhuang Zi promoted a form of pluralism that is similar to some liberal ideas that exist in many parts of the West today.
In the story of the butterfly for instance, .... just one example of freedom that seems to come straight from the heavens, Zhuangzi writes,
One day around sunset, Zhuangzi fell asleep and dreamed he became a butterfly.
He flapped his wings and sure enough he was a butterfly ...
What a joyful feeling... he experienced as he fluttered about,
He completely forgot that he was Zhuangzi.
But soon he realized the proud butterfly was really Zhuangzi who dreamed he was a butterfly,
Or was it a butterfly who dreamed he was Zhuangzi?
Maybe Zhuangzi was the butterfly, ... and maybe the butterfly was Zhuangzi.
In a moment of inspiration, Zhuangzi also says, .....
Just look how happy the fish are swimming in the river.
Huizi: How do you know they are happy? You are not a fish.
Zhuangzi: And you are not me. How do you know I don't know the fish are happy?
Huizi: Of course I'm not you, and I don't know what you think; but I do know that you are not a fish, so
you couldn't possibly know the fish are happy.
Zhuangzi: Look when you asked me how I know the fish were happy, you already knew the fish were happy. I knew it from my feeling standing on the bridge.
Li Bai's response to Zhuangzi
Considering Li Bai's carefree spirit, it is not surprising that he was impressed by Zhuang Zi's free spirited philosophy.
In a salute to the great Taoist master, he writes,
In a dream ... Zhuangzi became a butterfly,
And upon waking ... the butterfly became Zhuangzi,
Which was real ... the butterfly or the man?
And who can foresee the end to the endless change of things?
The water that flows into the depth of a distant sea,
Returns again to the shallows of a transparent stream,
The man raising melons outside the green gate of the city,
Was once the prince of the East Hill.
So too must rank and riches vanish,
You know it.
Still you toil and toil.
For what?
Flying Butterflies and Happy Fish, - - - a good Comparison?
As Zhuangzi strolled upon a bridge called " Hao", ... reflecting upon the fish below, ... one could speculate about his state of mind.
One may guess .... that as the fish swam... in a pool below, .... feelings of happiness and freedom entered Zhuangzi's mind.
Perhaps they were thoughts that he hoped to experience again .... sometime soon.
A Surrealistic Trope and a Dark Delphic Dream
Considering Zhuangzi's disdain for rigid philosophy, it is indeed ironic that his Butterfly and Fish Stories have become, at least in certain respects, like scripture.
Perhaps their widespread, longstanding appeal comes from their ability to touch feelings at the heart of human consciousness.
How many people have not, ... at least in their wildest dreams, dreamt how it might feel ... to flutter across the sky.... or swim to the depths of a deep blue sea?
If we attempt to consider the mind that created such images, ... we just might find that Zhuangzi like our legendary poet ... attempts to appreciate all of the natural beauty that surrounds him.
For Zhuang Zi, life is a sensual experience... like a drop of dew...dripping...from a dark green blade.
As he creates images to experience another grand adventure ... in a life that has been more than full...
They... like gray old memories, will surely fade
Caught below the surface of a ruffled brow
Just above the orbits ... for a pair of eyes ... that will certainly struggle... to look back upon them.
Gerald Marchewka is a freelance writer currently living in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. He may be reached at geraldmarchewka@yahoo.com
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