Goddodin

good stuff... timely too; I'm just re-reading the chapter on the essence of mind in the Tibetan Book of L&D, this ties in nicely. Thanks.

I'm another fan of the handleballs. I suggest looking into the AKC methodology and Scott Sonnon's take on them too. The RKC approach is called 'hardstyle', and is all about generating maximum tension and force. It's perfectly valid and an enjoyable way to train. The AKC/Sonnon approach is about doing timed sets with very high repetitions, using as relaxed and fluid a style as possible. I find this style has a certain meditative aspect to it - almost like qigong with weights if you could imagine such a thing. As for weight; untrained men should maybe think of a 12 or 16kg for starters IMO.

So he kept his hair, stayed slim and did the usual body-builder photo-shop for the before and afters, (ie good lighting, possible airbrushing). Good exercise, eating right and blessed genetics, (damn my bald head) can do this. I'm not belittling the content before I read it, but I do not think anything of the picture 'proofs'.

I think sitting and forgetting meditation will be my primary daily practice for the immediate future; I like it's simplicity and flexibility, plus it jibes nicely with the rest of my life. My main problem is settling on a method to 'enter' this practice... I've dabbled with a couple of guided meditations I've found here and there, and also some other things I've picked up over the years. Sometimes I start out with simply watching the breath then move outwards and other times I start with the sensations of the body and move inwards. I try and then settle down further into watching nothing and everything, but quite often I settle into worrying whether I've screwed up my session via erroneous methods. Perhaps my problem is I have too many methods buzzing round my head at the moment. Anyone else doing this practice? Care to share your methods? Am I even over-thinking this? It seems like ultimately it is method-less, but I think a dumb beginner such as myself needs a little hand-holding to start off. Any help appreciated.

thank you for taking the time to reply.... Yes, thinking a little about this, perhaps grounding myself with attention to the breath could be my preferred 'route in'. In fact often extended practices on the breath culminate in open awareness/no awareness anyway (in my experience). I think perhaps the lines between methods necessarily become blurred at this point. Maybe I'm getting beat up over semantics/labels... I'll run with that advice and see where it takes me. Thanks again.

As a fellow beginner, (to Taoist practices - I've practiced some other methods for a few years now) I'd hesitantly offer the following to all this; pick one or two practices which are suited to your temperament, available time and level of understanding and really get aqcuainted with them. Hammer them. If you've ever learnt a sport, martial art or musical instrument, try and apply some of the principles that worked when learning those; i.e. practice time is essential, and mastery of some basics can take you a long way. In all walks of life people can achieve complete mastery with one or two well-polished techniques. As I say, I am a novice so take my advice with a pinch of salt but I think it could be relevant. Good luck with your work.

Speaking from the stand-point of a novice I would say we learn best by doing. I like the Pattabi-Jois yoga maxim of '98% practice and 2% theory'. As such I would perhaps suggest that someone start with something like sitting and forgetting or some basic qi-gong (8 pieces brocade perhaps?) and practice that daily and see where it takes them. Then add in a couple of translations of the TTC and see how that resonates with you. Trying to gather too much info at once can stall you in my experience. YMMV of course.

Getting back to the alcohol point, I think it's ultimately personal preference. Most important thing is that you are making an informed choice and are mindful/aware of how it effects you, imo. No point denying yourself a moderate, occasional pleasure just because the Chinese may or may not indulge. As rich a source of wisdom Taoism and other Eastern traditions are, you may need to consider context when applying elements of them to western lives. Similarly though you need to be honest with yourself; a lot of my friends/family kid themselves they have a healthy, moderate relationship with alcohol when they have actually let it pretty much rule their lives.... but that's a longer post.

yeah, while I agree with some of the points he makes I can't help feeling his approach - or the approach of someone like Dawkins - is somewhat akin to interviewing BNP activists and concluding that all Brits are racist c**ts.

just a daily joint mobility warm up, some regular strength training (intelligently applied) and avoiding the couch should lead to some improvement. The simple act of sitting on the floor - cross legged or otherwise - does a body good imo. The couch is often the cause of our postural ills I feel. Most important though is being mindful of how you're standing/sitting throughout the day. The fact you've posted this shows you're some way there. I second the martial arts suggestions though - internal or external, I've rarely encountered an ma practitioner who isn't aware of his or her posture. Ditto for a yoga practitioner come to think of it.

ahh yes, but those studies were carried out before the birth of the internet, and faceless, anonymous chat rooms. The average has increased since then to around 8 or 9 inches. Flacid.

3rd one down - Rievaulx Abbey is one of my favouritest buildings in the world, (admittedly I'm not massively travelled but still...).

bizarre - I had some thoughts along these lines just moments before logging on here... It's funny how the term 'placebo' in western medicine/health is usually used in a dismissive way to cast doubt on the effectiveness of something. I think it's something that should actually be explored and - where possible - developed as another medical tool. (As a side note the reason I was thinking this is down to the brand of coffee I had this morning - I had a rough night and so 'woke' myself up with a few cups this morning. Worked great - I feel wired, even though I have since discovered it is decaf. Weird eh?)

hello, I found my way to your site via a more general search on Taoism. My interest in Taoism may require a lengthy explanation, and honestly, it's really not that interesting. Suffice to say it's writings and ideas speak to me in a way that no other 'formal' system of religion or philosophy ever has before. And I've read around a fair few, let me tell thee.... Anyway, thanks for letting me join your site.