Liu Ling the drinking nudist Sage of the Bamboo Grove

[Baladas]

"One famous group of Neo-Taoists was known as the Seven Worthies of the Bamboo Grove. They met in a grove of bamboo to discuss metaphysics, read poetry, often drinking heavily, and behaving whimsically...One of the members, Liu Ling (221-300) was a heavy drinker and a nudist within his house. One day a visitor came to his door and was shocked to find Liu Ling without clothing. Liua Ling responded to the visitor's surprise and said, 'I take the whole universe as my house and my own room as my clothing. Get out of my trousers!' The embarrassed visitor fled." (Fung Yu Lan 1966, 235).

When I first read this, I laughed my *** off. I just remembered it and wanted to share.

 

[Iti oj]

lol

 

[Sunstone]

Liu Ling is my kind of sage.

 

[DreadFish]

That's pretty excellent. My favorite kind of sage.

 

[Kirran]

So many people of a high level of spiritual development develop this whole crazy vibe

 

[Straw Dog]

This story is hilarious, but being a clever drunk doesn't make one a sage. Speaking from experience, excessive drinking is very unwise. Moderation is key.

 

[metis]

About a 20 minute drive from my place up in da U.P., there used to be a pair of nudists who lived in a cabin in da woods near my uncle's place, so when we drove up into their driveway we had to beep our horn so they could put clothes on.

 

[Valjean]

About a 20 minute drive from my place up in da U.P., there used to be a pair of nudists who lived in a cabin in da woods near my uncle's place, so when we drove up into their driveway we had to beep our horn so they could put clothes on.

I'm skeptical. How would nudists survive in the UP?

Liu Ling is my kind of sage.

Put your pants on, Sunny...

 

[metis]

I'm skeptical. How would nudists survive in the UP?

They didn't-- lasted only two years-- probably drained of blood from the mosquitoes.

 

[Baladas]

This story is hilarious, but being a clever drunk doesn't make one a sage. Speaking from experience, excessive drinking is very unwise. Moderation is key.

Very true. Moderation is key.

 

[Salek Atesh]

They didn't-- lasted only two years-- probably drained of blood from the mosquitoes.

I'd think they'd not make it past their first winter. Wearing clothing in the north has nothing to do with modesty, eh?

 

[Straw Dog]

Very true. Moderation is key.

Most Taoisms do tend to be more lenient than other traditions about the use of intoxicants. Only drinking occasionally in moderation is just healthier than often in excess. As for the nudist part, I say clothing is always optional.

 

[Baladas]

That's what I figure. I do enjoy the occasional intoxication, but I tend to keep sober for my health ( and since my father is a recovering alcoholic).

Agreed on the nudity bit as well.

 

[Salek Atesh]

You guys clearly live somewhere warm. We've just entered our second winter up where I live. Clothing is optional in the same way not freezing to death is optional (We have two winters, Late December through Early March, then a Fake Spring in Mid March, then Late March through Early May is Winter again)

 

[Baladas]

Wow! Craziness. I live in a desert...Hoping to move before too long though.