Tao Te Ching: Health Preservation Through Following Nature
The *Tao Te Ching*, a major work of pre-Qin Daoism, is revered as a classic by Daoists. Written by Laozi, a great philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period. Laozi’s real name was Li Er, courtesy name Bo Yang, posthumous title Dan. Born in Ku County, Chu State. Confucius once consulted him on ritual matters. During the Zhou dynasty’s internal turmoil, he resigned and passed through Hangu Pass, where a guard named Xi requested him to teach. Thus, he wrote over 5,000 characters of the *Tao Te Ching* before disappearing.
Laozi was deeply skilled in health preservation. In the *Tao Te Ching*, he said: “Man follows Earth, Earth follows Heaven, Heaven follows Dao, Dao follows Nature.” “The people all say: I am natural.” “Dao is honored, virtue is esteemed. Heaven does not grant titles but always remains natural.” The essence of this passage is: Humans must follow Earth’s laws to survive; Earth depends on celestial and climatic changes to nurture life; celestial phenomena operate according to Dao, i.e., inherent natural laws. Dao itself is what exists inherently—what we call “nature.” This insight into cosmic change forms the foundation of human health preservation: advocate living in harmony with nature, adapting to natural laws, and achieving health without deliberate effort.
Laozi’s health philosophy also emphasizes moral cultivation. He said: “See simplicity, hold to the primitive, reduce selfishness, minimize desires.” Also: “Eliminate extremes, extravagance, and excess.” “The greatest disaster is lack of contentment; the worst fault is greed. Thus, true satisfaction brings lasting fulfillment.” “Delight in your food, find beauty in your clothes, be content in your dwelling, rejoice in your customs.” He taught people to eliminate greedy thoughts and delusions, allowing vital energy to flow smoothly, guarding the spirit internally without depletion, balancing yin and yang, aligning with nature—thus achieving longevity.
He also said: “Concentrate Qi to achieve gentleness; the gentle grow stronger daily,” reminding people to maintain a soft, vibrant vital energy. A calm, natural mental state enhances internal Qi circulation and promotes health.