My Fate Lies with Me Not with Heaven mean？道教中我命在我不在天的含义
Paul PengMy Fate Lies with Me Not with Heaven mean？
A fundamental proposition of Taoism.
It originates from Baopuzi, Inner Chapters·Yellow and White:
“My life is in my own hands, not in heaven’s;
through elixir refinement, I shall endure for millions of years.”
My Fate Lies with Me Not with Heaven mean？
The Scripture of Laozi’s Ascent to the West states:
In opposition to the Confucian view that “life and death are decreed by fate, wealth and honor are from heaven,” Taoist scholars put forward this slogan of taking control of one’s own destiny, actively striving against nature in pursuit of longevity.
Practitioners of Internal Alchemy and external alchemy attempted to refine elixirs, seize the creative power of heaven and earth, and master their own lives. Diviners sought to foresee their destiny through divination so as to pursue good fortune and avoid calamity.
The proposition “My life is in my own hands, not in heaven’s” inspired Taoist scholars with the courage to overcome natural and social disasters, and strengthened the religious faith of Taoists in developing human potential and pursuing supernatural power, all rooted in the cultivation and transformation of Qi.
