Looking For Li

Where’s your Li?

Taoist thought, the philosophy behind the foundation of Chinese/Asian medicines, has a simple saying, “Li precedes Qi." Meaning intention (or thought) precedes action and manifestation.

At any moment you can ask yourself — what is my motivation or intention behind what I’m doing?

That’s your Li.

And I’m not buying it that you don’t know what you are up to. The exception might be for the very young or those with a mental disability.

You know what you are doing, you may simply not care about what you are doing, or your actions are guided by vice such as anger, vengeance, hatred, or greed.

It’s your intention that leads to the manifestation of Qi which is form and/or structure. It’s what you bring forth and present to the world — does it come from a place of vice or virtue?

In the US many health and medicine studies are funded with the intention of profit vs the health of the person. I often look at the practices and treatments of countries that have socialized medicine to see their approach. The Li behind their recommendations and practices generally comes from the intention of keeping people healthy rather than profiteering off of disease. Two very different concepts, two very different results.

Take some time to look for Li in your actions and the actions of others, its astoundingly insightful.

Sometimes it is easy to spot, sometimes it is veiled because deception serves a purpose for the person’s action. The current upheaval in our federal government is a great example. Many of us agree that government agencies and spending needed cleaning up and improvement. However, the current approach is cruel, brutal and destabilizing especially to the most vulnerable. And the Li behind the people enacting these plans does not come from a desire to improve our society and systems for all. Their narrative and lack of transparency is a mask for self benefit.

Be safe, be well,

April