Jainarayan

I hear you... I got one of those the other night. Unfortunately it was from an organization that provides medications for breast cancer patients. I say "unfortunately" because it made me feel terrible that I told the lady I could not help. I could have pledged even $10, but I contribute to several charities on a monthly recurring basis already (I've probably lost karma points and merit for revealing that, but what the heck, I'm going to be reborn as an artichoke anyway ). I truly wish I could help everyone, but it's like the proverbial wedding guest list... you have to draw the line somewhere.

Timely thread. Last night I got a very annoying phone call from a company's customer service rep. He was insisting it was time to renew a contract I did not have. He would not let me get a word in edgewise. I said are you going to shut up and let me talk? He said something rude to which I blurted out "oh eff you!" and hung up. I can't believe I lost my cool like that, but I learned it is what it is and let it go. My story, fwiw.

Not negative... logic. The needs of the many [internet posters] outweigh the needs of the few [spammers].

Paula Deen is a cookbook writer from Texas. She hosts a cooking show on Food Network. Ironically, she spends her time in the kitchen.

I searched for an already existing thread but didn't find anything. I have my Hindu altar, a smaller Buddhist altar and a tiny Taoist altar. I make offerings at all of them My Taoist altar has the taijitu with bagua above and center; the Three Pure Ones below and center of the taijitu; the Eight Immortals; Fu Lu Shou; Guan Yu to the left for protection; and the two candles, three offerings bowls and incense holder. So, I am curious if anyone else syncretizes their practices, religions, beliefs, and philosophies. I myself am basically Hindu in belief and practice, but I have found elements of Buddhism that do mesh nicely with elements of Hinduism. I have found, what I am learning of Taoism, that Taoism is not at all incompatible with either Hinduism or Buddhism. There is even an affinity with Jesuism, the core teachings and sayings of Jesus. Yes, I cherry-pick... we always pick the sweetest fruit and what tastes good to us, don't we?

I think that's the point... constantly changing with what changes. I was once fixed in my beliefs and ways, but things change(d) as they need(ed) to and do. Nothing remains the same.

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. - The Buddha This is the primary reason I'm abandoning dogma and doctrine, and incorporating what I think is truth, relative to me. Of course this doesn't mean a free-for-all. I may have mentioned that there is a Hindu forums site I used to frequent. It is so full of dogma and judgmentalism that because of some of the things I've talked about here, I was essentially run off the site. It is unfortunate because in my recent and limited experience with eastern religions and philosophies, at their core, they are non-dogmatic. I don't think there is anything on this site that hasn't appealed to me.

This statement "...Taoists who grasp the cosmology and the metaphysics of the classical model fear no confusion or loss of way. ..." is not unlike a quote from Gandhi: "My own veneration for other faiths is the same as that for my own faith; therefore no thought of conversion is possible." This says to me that if one is secure in one's beliefs, there is no problem.

I know there is really precious little, if any, historical evidence for Jesus's existence. What I meant is that he admits he's completely unfamiliar with Judaism, Christianity and the Middle East, and doesn't want to know anything about it. It's like me saying Zoroaster is immaterial to me, I know nothing about Zoroastrianism, but I don't believe Zoroaster existed. I don't know one way or another whether Jesus existed or not, but whoever wrote in his name had some pretty good things to say. Jesus may have been an amalgam of persons writing, just as Homer is said to have been.

Thanks. I use the brass oil lamps for my Hindu altar, so I was thinking of "consistency". The cotton wick and oil (ghee is traditionally used) is said to have some mystical properties particularly attractive to the devas. Who knows.

I didn't want to start another thread for questions I may have about setting up an altar. Question about the lights: Currently I have two red glass tea light holders with red tea lights in them to the left and right of the offering bowls. I have a number of small brass oil lamps shaped like a chalice I can use with a cotton wick and oil, or put a tea light inside. Out of curiosity, can I use them either as oil lamps on the altar or use them to hold the red tea light candles, or neither? There's nothing wrong with the red glass holders, and I know this may be silly but I'm curious.

I mentioned Jesuism (Christism is a similar philosophy) for that very reason. I see Jesus as a wise teacher, along the lines of Buddha, LaoTzu, Krishna. I'm currently reading Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hahn. It's an interesting viewpoint. I know of a person who has no knowledge of any religious tradition except his own (a branch of Hinduism), yet says he doesn't believe Jesus existed. Well, I'm not here to judge, but that seems illogical.

I know the name of the site is Tao Bums, but I've seen it spelled both ways. Is one more correct than the other? I have an odd view of things, and I'm interested in linguistics and phonology. To that end I hear and feel a slight aspiration with Tao Te Ching that I don't with Dao De Jing. Or maybe this is just too minute a concern.

Very true, very true. Thanks for pointing that out. I was told at a Buddhist site that just by reading and delving into Buddhism, and incorporating aspects of it is taking refuge. The Nilakantha Dharani of Avalokiteshvara makes references to Vishnu and Shiva. Nilakantha is used for both Avalokiteshvara and Shiva. I'm usually the "odd man out" in my spiritual practices and beliefs from a Hindu perspective (not so much from Buddhism), hence my curiosity from a Daoist perspective.

It's funny in that I used to think "all roads lead to Rome", but I'm not so sure I accept that anymore, especially as I'm exposed to new thinking. I don't believe, for example, that Aztec human sacrifice was a way to reach God, or whatever one calls It based on one's tradition. That was definitely a case, at least in my opinion, of getting lost. So, I agree with your statement. It makes perfect sense.

I've been having a conversation with someone who was vegetarian for a very long time, and even vegan for a period of time. Half of her family is vegetarian. She and I both came to the conclusion that you can't bow to peer pressure, internet or real life. I know that's what's happened to me... I am pliable and prone to bowing to other people's opinions, even against my own better judgment and knowledge of my body and mind. It's further compounded by Buddhist and Hindu scriptures waffling on meat-eating. I won't deny that I have a measure of guilt because of Vaishnava Hindus (particularly Vaishnavas) who harp on certain (ambiguous) passages of the Bhagavad Gita as requiring vegetarianism. Well, there are as many passages that refute these people. I always say swim at your own karmic risk. Anyway, I'm digressing. She related to me how sick she got being on a vegetarian diet, not because there is anything intrinsically and inherently wrong with it, but because of the food intolerances she also has, and forcing her body to adapt to something it is not suited for. One of her comments was that one man's medicine is another man's poison. You have to do what's best for you. I mentioned ahimsa before, non-violence; but that non-violence also extends to ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually. Many of us who are theistic also believe that God does not want us to suffer or do himsa to ourselves in the name of religion or scriptures. I myself need to remember that.

It can also be found in the Synoptic Gospel of Matthew 15:11 "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man, but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.” I've been attempting vegetarianism for the reasons of compassion and ahimsā, but I am struggling. I say struggling, because I'm gluten intolerant and carb intolerant and insulin resistant. Therefore wheat products are completely out; the typical legumes and grains are too carb-heavy. If I eschew eggs and fish, I am limited to milk (lactose-free, being lactose intolerant also ), yogurt, cheeses, fruits and vegetables. One can eat only so much fruit and vegetables. Herbivores graze all day because plants are so macro-nutrient poor. For me beef is out, though there is no religious or theological injunction against it; I'm not wild about the idea of mammal flesh anyway. So I may return to chicken and seafood. I don't think it's in one's best interest for spiritual development to be so preoccupied with diet, or to put one's body at health risks. Even the Buddha called for the middle way. And I think that middle way is relative to each person.

As luck would have it, or rather, maybe things played out as they should, I found a fitness studio that offers yoga and tai chi. I haven't taken the classes yet, but I will this week. I visited the studio yesterday. The yoga and tai chi instructors are supposed to be top of the line. The reason I said maybe things played out as they should is that it goes back to comments I made about not really wanting to have seen my family this past weekend. As it turns out, we did have a good time (I stopped jokes about my "quirks" dead in their tracks, especially about my "worshipping cows"). Had I not gone, I would not have found out about the studio. My niece, her husband, and their two kids go there for the aquatics classes. My nephew-in-law is the one who recommended it as we talked about the subject and my interest in starting tai chi, qigong and/or yoga.

Great, thanks for the info. I'm glad zhan zhuang and baduanjin don't conflict. I like the look of both of them. They look like they complement each other. I'll look at Dao Yin also. I like to learn as much as I can about something I get interested in. My acupuncturist and physiotherapist (for my lumbar and rotator cuff surgeries) are both on-board with me moving away from weight training and getting into some form of yoga and qigong. They've been hounding me about it for some time now, so this makes them happy.

I started inquiring about these exercises here http://thetaobums.com/topic/28679-qigong-vs-tai-chi-chuan-for-someone-as-flexible-as-an-iron-bar/ but I found this thread and thought I'd follow up here with my questions, as I'm learning about this. I found Master Lam Kam Chuen's videos and started watching them. http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH_ecCMHqqpBazYiUv3Sg8Q They're really nice. I also found this one and a few on yin yoga. My questions, and I'm sorry for being a pain ... 1. Do I pick one "discipline", baduanjin, zhan zhuang, yin yoga and do only that, or are they OK to do together as a complete exercise routine, either on the same day or different days? 2. In doing zhan zhuang I'm confused about the duration of each pose. For example, when learning the first pose am I supposed to work up to and be able to hold it for 20 minutes? Then when I can do each of them properly for 20 minutes, then I can perform the full routine holding each one for 5 minutes? If so then it could take a week, 2 weeks, etc. to perform each pose perfectly? That's OK because I'm not looking to rush.

Meh, simple pleasures for simple minds. If I can actually relate some stories without boring or annoying everyone; they're actually kind of humorous when you think about it and consider the sources... 1. I have a tattoo (amongst a few, including ॐ on my right shoulder) of ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ, ancient Greek, "Come take them". At a gathering my youngest sister saw it and said loudly "what the h--- (don't know if those words are allowed) is that?" Instead of saying "oh, it's something meaningful to me", dopey me starts to explain it and the 300 Spartans (I like history and honor the Spartans). I get laughter from my sisters and "Yeah, uh hmm, OK, whatever" and eye rolling. A friend at the house saw it, but didn't catch the conversation. She asked what it was. My sisters put up their hands and said "oh, don't ask!" (more laughter and eye rolling). But the friend found it interesting. I was vindicated. 2. I'm relating a Hindu story (it came up on the heels of a discussion of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe) to a nephew, who was sitting with rapt attention saying "wow, that's really cool". My niece blurts out "so what are you, Buddhist or something?" I glared at her and coldly said "Hindu". More laughter from the sisters with comments like "but where did you come from?" and "you were always strange". 3. The piece de resistance... my neck beads... "What are they?" Again, I have to run my mouth and say "They represent Shiva... " Without letting me finish, the response is (are you ready? I mean are you really ready?)... "Oh, so now you're Jewish?" Ye gods! Sometimes I wish I were an only child!

The sad part is that I'm almost 56 years old. My eldest brother is 75, next brother is 73, eldest sister is 71, youngest sister is 68. There was a brother between us who died 6 years before I was born, hence the age gap. It's my sisters who rag on me for being "weird". My brothers are easy-going. You'd think the brothers would rag on each other. But this isn't to air family laundry, it's about reactions, which I think I am learning. You are right, I don't have to be right. I can just give a sidelong glance at a comment I don't like and continue with whatever other conversation there is. The right tool for the right job.

That thought crossed my mind. The dogs actually do like cat food. I have to feed the cat on the table or else he'd starve.

So it seems that you use the thoughts and actions appropriate to the situation, as they arise? For example, I am reluctant to visit with my family this weekend because they have a tendency, because I am the youngest and the "oddest", to mock and humiliate me. I'm already preparing for the conversations and my reactions, and would just as soon avoid the whole thing. But this is wrong... it's negative projection. I should cross the proverbial bridge when I come to it, react or not react as the situation warrants.

That's exactly the sort of thing I'm looking to learn, because this is all new to me. I read The Tao of Pooh a long time ago, so long ago I lost the book somewhere packed away in a stored moving box. I got a new copy which I need to start reading, as well as reading the TTC itself, in its entirety, not just jumping around. I suppose it's not unlike what Jesus said in Matthew 6: 25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? In the Bhagavad Gita chapter 4 Krishna says: 18 One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men, and he is in the transcendental position, although engaged in all sorts of activities. 19 One is understood to be in full knowledge whose every act is devoid of desire for sense gratification. He is said by sages to be a worker whose fruitive action is burned up by the fire of perfect knowledge. 20 Abandoning all attachment to the results of his activities, ever satisfied and independent, he performs no fruitive action, although engaged in all kinds of undertakings. 21 Such a man of understanding acts with mind and intelligence perfectly controlled, gives up all sense of proprietorship over his possessions and acts only for the bare necessities of life. Thus working, he is not affected by sinful reactions. 22 He who is satisfied with gain which comes of its own accord, who is free from duality and does not envy, who is steady both in success and failure, is never entangled, although performing actions. 23 The work of a man who is unattached to the modes of material nature and who is fully situated in transcendental knowledge merges entirely into transcendence. I caught myself "fighting" something this morning. I went to open a new bag of my dogs' dry food, and realized I got a bag of cat food... the labels and colors are similar. I started to get peed off because not only because someone put the bag right next to the dog food I should have gotten, but I was just as careless for assuming I grabbed the right bag. Then I caught myself and said "meh, so just bring it back and get the right one" This is not the end of civilization as we know it. So, I guess I'd do well to remember those verses along with studying and learning the Tao Te Ching.