| Copyright (c) 2007 Stephen Lau | | | | good health should be persistent. Your health |
| Confucius, the great philosopher of ancient China, | | | | practices, whether they involve exercise, diet, or |
| attained great influence on Chinese civilization through | | | | meditation, should become your regular habits of |
| his famous teachings. Confucianism affected virtually | | | | healthy longevity living. You do not wait until you are |
| all aspects of Chinese philosophy, including health and | | | | sick to begin these intense efforts for healthy |
| longevity. | | | | longevity. Prevention is always better than cure. You |
| Confucius, a politician and scholar, lived from 552 to | | | | cannot reap their beneficial effects on a particular |
| 479 B.C. His impact on healthy longevity consists of | | | | occasion or after a short period of practice. |
| practical advice for application in everyday life. | | | | Confucianism was subsequently expanded by Meng |
| Confucianism advice on everyday healthy longevity | | | | Tzu (Mencius), second only to Confucius as a |
| includes his exemplary daily living, such as the | | | | Confucian sage. |
| following: | | | | Mencius went beyond Confucius in being concerned |
| He did not eat rice, meat, or fish that was spoiled | | | | not only with the physical aspects of healthy |
| (not fresh) and badly cooked (medium rare); he ate | | | | longevity, but also with the spiritual. To Mencius, |
| meat in proportion to the amount of rice consumed; | | | | spiritual health is as important as physical well-being. |
| he used ginger to spice his food; he drank wine but | | | | Mencius said, "To preserve one's mind and to nourish |
| only moderately; he dressed for comfort and | | | | one's spirit is the way to serve nature (heaven). |
| convenience; and he slept, curling up his body, using | | | | When a man realizes that there is no real difference |
| his bent arm as a pillow (keeping his spine in | | | | between a short lifespan and a long one, and does |
| alignment). | | | | not worry, but wait, cultivating his own personal |
| Confucianism advocates mental health in the form of | | | | character, for whatever may come to pass - this is |
| peace and harmony. Confucius was against strong | | | | the way he carries out his fate-ordained being." |
| emotions of anger, joy or sorrow, and pleasure - the | | | | Mencius also said, "The human will is the leader |
| stirrings of these human feelings do not keep the | | | | (commander) of the 'qi' (internal vital energy). The 'qi' |
| mind in a state of equilibrium. | | | | pervades the body and moves it. The will is of |
| Confucianism is expressed in two basic concepts of | | | | primary importance; the 'qi' is secondary. Therefore, |
| healthy longevity living: "chung" and "yung." | | | | maintain a firm will and do no harm to your 'qi.' When |
| "Chung" is "equilibrium" or "being without inclination to | | | | the will is concentrated, it moves the 'qi'; when the 'qi' |
| either side." Confucius did not refrain from the | | | | is concentrated, it moves the will." |
| pleasures of life, such as eating and sex. However, | | | | By nourishing the spirit as well as the body, Mencius |
| he sought to achieve balance between extremes, | | | | lived to a ripe old age. |
| and to avoid excess. His way of life was based on | | | | In Chinese medicine, 'qi' signifies vital energy that |
| "the golden mean" concept of equilibrium. | | | | embraces correct breathing, good blood circulation, |
| "Yung" is "persistence" or "continuing without change." | | | | and mind consciousness through meditation. |
| Confucius said, "The path may not be left for an | | | | In summary, Confucianism emphasized balance and |
| instant. If it could be left, it would not be the path. | | | | harmony achieved through the concepts of "chung" |
| Therefore, the superior person does not wait until he | | | | and "yung" in everyday living with focus on spiritual |
| sees things to be cautious, nor till he hears things to | | | | well-being. These health practices can be applicable in |
| be apprehensive." In other words, your pursuit of | | | | contemporary living to attain healthy longevity. |