[bkadoctaj]

Originally Posted by ScRuFFy63

I think I pretty much understand this up until the "exempt from all danger of decay." Is That supposed to be taken literally?

I interpret that as him referring to someone who is truly at equilibrium and in sync with the Tao (or Enlightened, you might say). This person is able to heal himself, and thus bodily injury serves no purpose. He/she becomes essentially immune, until the Tao has decided this person's function in that body is up.

Made me laugh b/c I was thinking the exact same thing as I was reading. But I don't understand why Old things are not in accordance with the tao...is it somehow causing an imbalance?

Not an imbalance per se. It's analogous to the idea that the older you get, the more likely you could die at any time. You're not "current" (in both the flow/present senses).

I just didn't get the main point. the quote just appears to jump all over the place.some things are increased by being diminished et.

I tend to interpret "violence" in that quote as referring to chaotic action. In other words, increased instability and, in the case of a ruler, rash and oppressive action, which clearly is no good in the long-term.

how is there no place of death in the physical reality. I really don't think I'm thinking deep enough for some of these.


that just a couple that confused me.

The final one has a fairly simplistic point. Love life and do not think of death, much less fear it. You end up there anyway, but will get there unscathed and content if you can release (or at least control well) your fears of less and desires for more. You'll note that he stresses this is one in ten people. In scientific terms, these would be most evolutionarily "fit" individuals, but of course due to the nature of human existence constantly changing, what is "fit" changes often.