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Daoist Views on Immortality

Taoism holds the view that human body is filled with monsters and spirits (Wang et al., 2017), and prescribes several rituals that have to be executed so that the spirits can effectively protect the body. According to the Taoism, when a body is void of the spirits, it lacks what to safeguard it from diseases, thus, it weakens and dies (Pregadio, 2020). Similarly, Taoism holds the belief that there is eternal life. Daoist view is that when one dies and there is need to contact them, an alchemist can help contact them via meditation/contemplation (Sellmann, 2020), implying that death is but another stage of life. This paper discusses the Daoist views about immortality.

Immortality is a crucial concept in Taoism. Since Tao connects all nature, Taoists hold the belief that immortality is attainable, yet it cannot be attained by distancing nature (like the soul) from oneself (Sellmann, 2020). Taoists contend that immortality can only be attained by directing all natural forces through one’s body, crafting more long lasting materials through the use of techniques, like alchemy, concentrating sexual energy, and breathing (Pregadio, 2020). In Taoism, the immortality referred to is physical immortality, and the greatest objective of Taoism devotees is to attain it through a total directing of individual energies in order to attain harmony with Tao (Wang et al., 2017).

Evidently, there are two basic classifications that Taoism believes immortality can be attained: (i) religious – moral conduct, prayers, commandment observance, and rituals; and (ii) physical – medicines, diets, exercises, chemicals, and breathing techniques (Pregadio, 2020).  Daoist believe that the above tasks must be performed by an individual throughout their life for them to qualify as immortals. Daoist view is that a person’s energy or soul is interlocked with crucial energies which aid in the nourishment of the person’s soul. Eliminating impurities from one’s body serves to increase the individual’s energy. The elimination, however, must be accompanied with morality, uprightness, and god-heartedness life. 

Regarding diet, Daoist view is that strict diet is exercised to kill demons in one’s body and to arouse as well as maintain one’s energy (Sellmann, 2020). They believe that human body is purified through the consumption of refined substances, like cinnabar, gold or jade. According to Daoist, exercises encourage longer life besides supporting physical health.

Thus, immortality can be perceived literally or a pictogram of spiritual freedom according to the Daoist views.