mindfulness

How to Grief ? The bridge of Serenity.

/ StoicTaoist (Always Be Confident) / Leave a comment
The Bridge of Serenity

Moving beyond the experience of grief, transcending its influence and finding a state of serenity and peace; a transformative journey that takes one to a place where grief no longer holds us captive. 

The Bridge of Serenity: A Journey Beyond Grief 

Once upon a time, in a quaint village nestled amidst towering mountains, there lived a young woman named Liya; She had tasted the depths of sorrow, her heart heavy with the loss of her closest friend, Mei, in a tragic accident; Overwhelmed by grief, Liya embarked on a transformative journey that would lead her to the discovery of the art to serene living. 

Driven by an unyielding longing for solace, Liya sought wisdom from the village elders; They shared tales of a legendary bridge hidden deep within the forest—a bridge whispered to possess the key to transcending grief; Intrigued by this possibility, Liya set out to seek out this mystical bridge. 

As Liya ventured through the dense forest, she encountered a multitude of obstacles, both external and internal; She faced treacherous paths and confronted her own doubts and fears along the way; However, fuelled by an unwavering determination to find answers to the questions that haunted her soul, she pressed forward. 

Finally, after days of tireless exploration, Liya stumbled upon the concealed bridge; It stood before her in majestic serenity, connecting two realms—the realm of grief and the realm of serenity; It exuded an aura of ancient secrets and profound wisdom, as if beckoning her to embark on a profound transformation. 

With each step Liya took onto the bridge, a profound metamorphosis commenced; Every footfall washed away a layer of sorrow, gradually replaced by newfound strength and acceptance; The bridge became a gateway to a deeper understanding of life’s enigmatic mysteries. 

Throughout her journey, Liya encountered apparitions—manifestations of her grief and memories of Mei; They posed poignant questions, demanding introspection and contemplation; Liya delved deep within herself, unearthing thought-provoking answers along the ethereal path. 

On this mystical odyssey, Liya began to comprehend that grief was not a burden to be carried, but an integral part of the interconnected tapestry of existence; The bridge illuminated the delicate equilibrium between joy and sorrow, bitterness and sweetness, and how these elements enriched the human experience. 

Through her encounters with the apparitions and the wisdom echoing from Mei’s memory, Liya learned to embrace the impermanence of life; She realized that just as flowers bloom and wither, so do relationships, however their essence continues to transform and interweave with the fabric of the life. 

With each passing step, Liya’s grief underwent a remarkable metamorphosis into serene acceptance; She understood that the memories of lost loved ones could provide solace and sweetness, akin to savouring fruits with an agreeably acidic taste or appreciating the bitter notes of aged wines; Liya learned to cherish the past while wholeheartedly embracing the present, recognizing that life’s fleeting nature bestowed upon each moment a precious significance. 

As Liya reached the culmination of her journey across the bridge, a profound sense of peace and gratitude enveloped her being; The expedition had not only mended her wounds but also bestowed upon her invaluable wisdom to share with others; She returned to her village as a beacon of serenity, spreading the profound teachings she had gleaned from the bridge. 

Liya’s tale swiftly became an inspiration, resonating with many within the village and beyond. Thus began the question of our own perceptions of grief, opening ourselves to the transformative power of acceptance and the pursuit of a serene existence. Her journey ignited a collective introspection, encouraging others to seek out their own bridges of serenity. 

And thus, the timeless legend of the Bridge of Serenity continues to reverberate through the ages, serving as a poignant reminder of the profound beauty that emerges when we embrace grief. 

Let us always remember that life’s most profound lessons often lie concealed within the most unexpected places, eagerly awaiting our embarkation towards transformative quests. 

Don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.    

Until next time, be well & stay curious.   

Farewell, StoicTaoist.  

61. How to Live & Die ?

/ StoicTaoist (Always Be Confident) / Leave a comment

On the topic of how to live and die well. We’ll be discussing the teachings of Stoicism and Taoism on how to approach life and death with contentment and equanimity. 

Stoicism teaches us to let go of our desires and focus on living each day as if it were a complete life. This means accepting our fate, including the inevitability of death, and approaching it with gladness rather than sadness. By accepting our circumstances and aligning our desires with them, we can avoid bitterness and unhappiness that come from resisting what we cannot change. 

The importance of living without resentment or unwillingness, even when circumstances demand something of us that we might not otherwise choose. By doing so willingly, we can avoid unhappiness and bitterness that come from resisting what we cannot change. 

Our ability to live well depends not on the length of our lives, but on the quality of our minds. By cultivating a calm and virtuous mind, we can find contentment in life and face death with equanimity. 

From a Taoist point of view, the key to happiness is focusing on the present and living each day as a complete life, rather than constantly seeking more or desiring what we cannot have. The ideal of dying well is also emphasised, which echoes the Taoist belief in accepting the natural flow of life and death without fear or resistance. 

To die well means dying gladly, as Seneca, a Stoic philosopher, writes; It means ceasing to desire what we desired when we were younger and focusing on putting an end to our chronic ills. Seneca writes that he tries to live every day as if it were a complete life, not snatching it up as if it were his last, but regarding it as if it might even be his last. 

The key to dying well is to never do anything unwillingly, according to Seneca. One who takes their orders gladly escapes the bitterest part of slavery, doing what one does not want to do. To do something under orders is not unhappy, but one is unhappy who does something against their will. Therefore we must set our minds in order to desire whatever is demanded of us by circumstances, and reflect upon our end without sadness. 

To have lived long enough depends neither upon our years nor upon our days, but upon our minds. Seneca writes that he has lived long enough and has had his fill; he awaits death. 

In conclusion, the teachings of Stoicism and Taoism encourage us to find contentment and fulfilment in the present moment, rather than constantly striving for more or worrying about the future. By accepting our fate and aligning our desires with it, we can approach life and death with equanimity and die gladly.  

How to Live & Die ? 

Stoic teaches us how to live & die well, to let go of your desires & focus on living each day as if it were a complete life. Accepting your fate, including the inevitability of death, & to approach it with gladness rather than sadness. 

The importance of living with resentment or unwillingness, even when circumstances demand something of us that we might not otherwise choose. Thereby accepting our circumstances & aligning our desire with them, we can avoid the bitterness & unhappiness that come from resisting what we cannot change. 

Our Ability to live well depends not on the length of our lives, but on the quality of our minds. So by cultivating a calm & virtuous mind, we can find contentment in life & face death with equanimity. 

From a Taoist point of view, focusing on the present & living each day as a complete life is the key to happiness, rather than constantly seeking more or desiring what we cannot have. The ideal of dying well, is also emphasised, which echoes the Taoist belief in accepting the nature flow of life & death without fear or resistance.  

We can avoid unhappiness & bitterness by accepting what is demanded of us by circumstances & doing so willingly, rather than resisting or rebelling against it.  

Overall it is about finding contentment & fulfilment in the present moment, rather than constantly striving for more or worrying about the future.  

On Meeting Death Cheerfully  

Let us cease to desire that which we have been desiring. I, at least, am doing this in my old age, I have ceased to desire what I desired when a boy. To this single end my days and my nights are passed; this is my task, this the object of my thoughts, – to put an end to my chronic ills. I am endeavouring to live every day as if it were a complete life; I do not indeed snatch it up as if it were my last; I do regard it, however as if it might even be my last.  

The present letter is written to you with this in mind, – as if death were about to call me away in the very act of writing. I am ready to depart, and I shall enjoy life just because I am not over-anxious as to the future date of my departure.   

Before I became old I tried to live well; now that I am old, I shall try to die well; but dying well means dying gladly; See to it that you never do anything unwillingly.  

That which is bound to be a necessity if you rebel, is not a necessity if you desire it. This is what I mean: one who takes their orders gladly, escapes the bitterest part of slavery, – doing what one does not want to do. The person who does something under orders is not unhappy; one is unhappy who does something against their will. Let us therefore so set our minds in order that we may desire whatever is demanded of us by circumstances, and above all that we may reflect upon our end without sadness.  

We must make ready for death before we make ready for life. Life is well enough furnished, but we are too greedy with regard to its furnishings; something always seems to us lacking, and will always seem lacking. To have lived long enough depends neither upon our years nor upon our days, but upon our minds. I have lived my dear friend Lucilius, long enough. I have had my fill, I await death.  

Farewell, Seneca, StoicTaoist