Li: Finding our true purpose in life is something many of us seek. In Taoist and many other traditions, our ultimate purpose is to return to Wuji, Source, or Infinity. To return to Wuji consciousness, it is necessary to discover the Li, or purpose in our life. Li is the principle that underlies everything. Without Li, no given object can exist. Li means the purpose of each form. Li comes from Wuji and Li is inherently natural in all things.
My understanding of why Li (purpose) exists in all forms is based on the principle that each and every form has come into form seeking balance of Yin and Yang and that particular balance is its purpose. A stone may come into form from Wuji for the purpose of experiencing an aspect of the density of Yin. That same stone may be cut and made into a stepping stone to also serve the (Li) purpose for another form to use it as a step. Thus the Li of that stone changed to serve multiple purposes. The Li of that stone in turn affects the evolution of that aspect of Wuji form.
Li came from Wuji because each form from Wuji split off into infinite forms, each with a different and unique purpose of experiencing Yin and Yang balance based on the Yin Yang complements and ratios within each form.
Taiji (Tai Chi or Yin Yang) and Wuji interact with each other through the natural function of Li. This is because Wuji’s will is for Taiji to seek balance and experience of all aspects of creation. Wuji sends the impetus of each and every aspect of itself contained in the Taiji or Yin Yang with a specific Li, or purpose. The specific Li, or purpose of each of the infinite forms are to experience the polar aspects of the Yin and Yang in each form and thus find perfect balance and return to Wuji.
Yin and Yang always serve a dual purpose or dual Li since they represent opposing forces. Based on the Yin and Yang balance of each form, the purpose of that form will be based on experience of its particular Yin and Yang polarities in order to experience its compliment and find balance.
As a human progresses and changes in life balancing their Yin and Yang forces, the Li of that human changes according to their progression. As Yin Yang balance occurs, the need for extremes in life lessons for balancing imbalanced Yin Yang may lessen. Lessons may no longer have extreme Yin or extreme Yang characteristics in terms of circumstances and incarnations.
And even if such extreme lessons occur with evolved and balanced Yin Yang energies within a person, that person will remain balanced in their Yin Yang energies within themselves regardless of external events.
In such a case, the Li of a human may evolve to serve as an example of balance amidst challenges and crisis as opposed to primarily having the Li (or purpose) of only balancing their own major imbalances they have created through ‘cause and effect’, karma, etc. An explanation of this might be illustrated in the prayer of Saint Francis, where Saint Francis is asking to be an instrument of healing as opposed to one needing healing.
The Li Of Tai Chi / Qigong
We can use Tai Chi / Qigong to balance the Yin and Yang which is our Li or purpose of our incarnation. Through this practice, we can achieve a balanced body and mind that in turn applied; bring about balance Yin Yang within our life.
Since Tai Chi / Qigong specifically serve the balancing of these two forces, undoubtedly, through successful practice we can achieve greater balance within our lives through balancing the Yin and Yang within our body and mind. This in turn aligns us more closely with our ‘True Li’, or True Purpose that originated from Wuji.
Although Tai Chi / Qigong can be also be used for the purpose of health and self defense, the ultimate Li of these practices can also be for a higher purpose or higher Li. Returning to our “Original” self is a higher purpose of Tai Chi / Qigong, with practices designed to draw one toward a balance of Yin Yang energies and to ultimately experience Wuji consciousness while in form.