The meaning of Attaining the Tao in Taoism 什么是得道

The meaning of Attaining the Tao in Taoism

得道, "De Dao" is one of the cultivation methods proposed by Sima Chengzhen.

It refers to the unification of form and spirit to cultivate the true body of longevity and immortality. The Zuowang Lun states: "The Dao has profound power, gradually transforming form and spirit. Form penetrates through the Dao, uniting with spirit — this is called the divine person. The nature of spirit is empty and penetrating; the body has no change or destruction. Form is identical with the Dao, thus there is no birth or death." One who has attained the Dao is the divine person. "When body and spirit are united, this is the true body." "When form and spirit are contracted together, one can endure long."

The meaning of Attaining the Tao in Taoism

To attain the Dao and achieve the true body, one must conceal one's light and hide one's brilliance, concentrate the spirit and preserve the Qi. Only when spirit unites with the Dao and spirit does not leave the body can one "endure long with the Dao," ultimately attaining the Dao.