secret of long life and health story

There was once a very famous sage in ancient China. This sage was a master of many disciplines from the arts of self-cultivation. This great sage was a master of calligraphy, of writing poems, of the martial arts, and of Daoism. The sage was famous throughout the land for subtle wisdom, sensitivity, and compassion.

Eventually, as all things come to pass, the sage grew to an advanced age of well past 100 years, and calmly and serenely departed this world. The sage’s exact age was never known for sure, for in those days, they didn’t keep records of such things and no-one paid much attention.

But, before the sage passed away, while teaching a class to some eager young students, the students asked the elder sage what his secret of long life and health was. The sage laughed and said, “Well, my young friends, I have practiced tai chi and qigong for many more years than the sum of all your young lives. That is much of it.” Then the sage said in almost a whisper, “but the true secret of my life is that I have always treasured a relaxed spirit. If you practice your art with perseverance and with a relaxed spirit then you will live a long, fruitful, and happy life.”