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Document Details : Title: Dobberen op de stroom van leven en dood Subtitle: De Martelaeres (taoïstische) stervenskunst Author(s): DIJKSTRA, Michel Journal: Tijdschrift voor Filosofie Volume: 86 Issue: 1 Date: 2024 Pages: 115-124 DOI: 10.2143/TVF.86.1.3293627 Abstract : An intriguing element of Patricia De Martelaere’s late work is that she increasingly evolves into a comparative philosopher, evidenced for instance, in the equally brief and compelling Titus Brandsma Lecture Who Is Afraid of Death? (Wie is er bang voor de dood?, 2001). In this essay, I demonstrate how De Martelaere juxtaposes Daoist and Christian-mystical elements in her lecture to create a new art of living and, above all, dying. Central to this art is the notion of detachment, understood as the capability to move along with the flow of everything that is, whether it leads you to life or death. She illustrates this detached attitude with a story from the Daoist classic Zhuangzi about a swimmer who jumps into a dangerous waterfall, yet miraculously emerges unharmed. The way in which De Martelaere distills the essence from different philosophies about living and dying proves to be a highly relevant source of inspiration and guide for everyone who tries to think between East and West nowadays. |
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