When I started out on the Zimmer Zen path a year or so ago I was focused on Buddhism and had completely forgotten how Zen had been shaped by Taoism, which is much more open to us older folk it seems. Taoism is best suited to those who no longer have to worry about earning a living, raising families or getting anxious about where the nearest toilet is when they go on holiday.
So, I have been re-reading the writings of the Taoist elders, Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu and Lieh Tzu - all of whom looked kindly upon the ravages of ageing with good humour and a twinkle in their "I". Chuang Tzu in particular has a respectful disregard for religious and social convention which really appeals to me, and he mentions Lieh Tzu's ability to "ride on the wind" because he takes his existence lightly. Yeah, right! I suspect that the wind Lieh Tzu is riding on might be something intestinal rather than spiritual so I doubt he gets very far off the ground - but who knows ?
Buddhism in the West attracts a lot of young people and there's nothing wrong with that (I first came across the Buddha's footprint when I was 21) but I haven't come across much about how older people can connect to the dharma. Perhaps that's why I am drawn to more and more to Taoism.
Maybe if I take my Zimmer frame and glide into the wind I will fly like Lieh Tzu, although I doubt it...
Very interesting. Have you invited Rudi here? Would the appeal of the Tao be in anyway related to the lack of dogma, the absence of sects and a general "go with the flow" attitude?
ReplyDelete...at what age does one stop worrying about where the nearest public convenience is? :-)