Master Lu's Teachings Words about Freedom
Master Lu: What do the words "Tao of Freedom" mean? Jhian: I've felt an instinctive urge to give this name to my book of excerpts and commentaries from Chuang-tzu. Master Lu: Is it its original title? Jhian: No, it isn't. I've called it "Aphorisms of Tao" at first. But this title didn't seem convincing enough…In fact, the point was it didn't "sound" too
marketable. I've written the book and now it has to be sold. People are not willing to spend too much money on "aphorisms" – a lot of them don't even know the meaning of this word - whereas the word "freedom" has a stronger echo. We all attribute to this word many inciting meanings. Master Lu: So, the title "Tao of Freedom" has been chosen for commercial reasons? Jhian: Yes. Master Lu:
Is it not related to the texts in the book? Jhian: I should think about this. It is related: freedom is the natural state of things and people; constraint derives from superstitions, prejudices, as well as other similar ethical, spiritual ideas and value judgments, etc. Chuang-tzu doesn't seem to share either intellectual or moral constraint. He laughs at our mental habits! Master Lu: Indeed, Chuang-tzu doesn't share constraint but he refuses
public jobs - social activities imposing constraints and sacrifices. His freedom costs dear… What do you think its price is? Jhian: Poverty. Chuang-tzu lived a poor life. Master Lu: And then tomorrow's obsession: what you are going to eat, to dress, and so on. Jhian: And tomorrow's obsession… Master Lu: Is Chuang-tzu still free under these circumstances? Aren't these obsessions - food, clothes, etc. - constraints, too? How can you live a
free, happy, serene life when the worry about tomorrow haunts you? So, what is the price of freedom? Is it not just deprivation of freedom? And where is freedom then? Just think about it: where is freedom then? Jhian: There are no solutions for freedom… Master Lu: Just think about it: where is freedom? |