“When the Great Tao ceased to be observed, benevolence (ren) and righteousness (yi) came into vogue” Laozi (Tao Te Ching Chapter 18)
“Human nature (hsing) and life (ming) separates upon birth.” Lu Tungpin (Secret of the Golden Flower)
“…before the fall…” Liu I Ming (I Ching Mandalas)
The above three quotes contain some examples of expressions on the fall from Tao. And each of these masters went on to discuss how to cultivate essence and bodily life in their respective ‘texts’. Students may not be able to catch their meanings until they practise and experience what is taught. The practice is known as the cultivation of Tao.
If we are ‘connected’ to and not separated from Tao, no need arises to learn and/or to cultivate Tao. Neither would Laozi, Confucius, Buddha, Bodhidharma nor Lu Tungpin need to put forth their teachings on how to cultivate essence and bodily life. Since most will be able to connect to Tao as it is, one way or other, no efforts is required to attain Tao or Nirvana. Of course this would be the ideal situation for everyone in the world. But alas it is not so. Because from the masters own words, they said that people are separated from Tao. Therefore we have to cultivate to return to the Tao and for the earnest student such cultivation is indeed a far journey.
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