Why Do Energetic People Tend to Live Longer? Lao Yi Explores "The Divine Mirror of Ma Yi: Ode to the Supernatural
The previous issue focused on the phrase "the tiger head with a swallow chin, a man destined to rise as a minister or general," suggesting that individuals with such features are likely to find success in military careers. (You can click here to view the previous article.) In this issue, we explore "the features of the face determine longevity and early death," emphasizing that it's not just about the mouth; rather, it's the spirit that counts. Longevity and early death represent a long life or a premature death. This saying means that when assessing a person's lifespan by their appearance, it's not solely the mouth that matters—it's primarily the eyes. I will further explain this concept.
In ancient times, there was a saying: "A short mouth indicates a short life; a long mouth indicates a long life." In today's context, this perspective might seem limited. A short mouth may imply difficulties in accumulating wealth and enjoying material comforts. However, when it comes to influencing one's lifespan, the strength of their eyes is most crucial.
The eyes hide a person’s innate spirit, which in Taoism is the fundamental energy inherited at birth. Strong innate energy leads to a robust body, whereas weak innate energy results in a frail body. This energy diminishes as one ages. Notice how children's eyes are bright and stable, but as people age and become stressed and worried, the brightness fades, and their health declines. The concept of "nutritional and defensive energy" in traditional Chinese medicine, similar to the immune system in Western medicine, also plays a role in preventing illness.
When discussing innate energy in Taoism, one must mention Taoist practices. Taoist cultivation involves four stages: refining essence into energy, energy into spirit, spirit into emptiness, and merging with the Tao. This process transitions from essence to energy and from energy to spirit, with the aim of returning to a state of tranquility, emptiness, and childlike innocence. As Laozi said, "Can you be as soft and yielding as a newborn?" This stresses the importance of simplicity and living worry-free, allowing the spirit to harmonize.
Therefore, individuals with strong, bright, and spirited eyes typically possess strong innate energy and a robust immune system, contributing to good health. In contrast, those with weak eyes often have dull and lifeless eyes, indicating a weaker immune system. Nevertheless, this doesn't automatically result in a shorter lifespan, as modern medicine can help sustain health through treatments. Yet, unforeseen accidents remain a concern. Moreover, people with strong eyes usually have solid willpower and courage to face challenges, often achieving significant accomplishments. Conversely, those with weak eyes tend to have fragile willpower, wavering intentions, and may struggle to achieve significant success.
Although a person’s lifespan is influenced by innate energy, prioritizing postnatal care can enhance one’s constitution, gradually strengthening the eyes. Conversely, neglecting health and living without discipline can weaken even those with strong innate energy, leading to declining health.