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