Michael Sternbach

Well, to some of us, having sexual relationships is not all that important. To others, it's central to their life - having that mate in their life being second only to breathing, drinking and eating. I understand that well. It's all about the longing for that missing half of ours - ever since human beings were split in two (so says Plato... I don't take this literally but I think that metaphysically there is a lot of truth to it). DreamBliss, I take your somewhat strong statement primarily as a counter-reaction to Idiot Stimpy's equally radical claim. As in fact you're ready to take steps towards finding your mate. You simply asks us for our advice how to go about it. Hey, that's what friends are for! You're heading in the right direction. Personally, I have deep confidence in your ability to find somebody to have a beautiful relationship with. I know that there are loads of attractive females out there who are less than satisfied with all those superficial and materialistic males making fun of their crystal pendants and who wish for a relationship with such a creative and spiritual man like you. (Glanced at your Youtube videos, also.) Finding one who really suits you might take some time and trying; and even having found one, possibly it's not gonna be all just cherry pie. Quite often, our partners not least serve as our mirrors, in which we see the qualities that we are longing for in ourselves - call it the missing half of our soul, the Anima (or Animus in a woman), Moon and Venus in the horoscope chart (Sun and Mars in a woman's chart). Ideally, they will help us develop that part of us by the magnificent Alchemy that is called Love, thus becoming more complete in ourselves. If you are like me, you need that kind of mirror. If you need any help, any time, let us know. The Tao Bums are always here for you. Feel free to PM me also, if you like. Best wishes Michael

I'd say it depends on the kind of 'spirit' you are conversing with. Not a very well defined word, is it?

Talking about bar hopping etc.: I met all the females I ever cared for in places where there was music resounding and alcohol flowing. The one I'm married with I met in a disco while dancing. I have no experience with dating websites but it might be worth trying for you. I have heard of some positive outcomes. But whatever you do, I recommend that you visualize exactly what you want once or twice a day as vividly as you can, then let it go. You will then either take the right action at the right moment, or what you wish will in fact "drop from the sky." (Such as a female parachutist landing in your garden. Or a sexy woman from outer space. )

That's right. It's also the path of least fun. I suggest renaming this website. How about "The Tao Bumps"? What's worse is to ask: "Is it alright if I kiss you?"

C T, there is a fellow Burton Richardson who combines JKD with concepts borrowed from many martial arts (much in the way Bruce exemplified), especially with wrestling arts, including Jiu Jitsu.

A version that is really authentic is Richard Wilhelm's I Ching. C.G. Jung contributed a foreword to the English translation, but the main text is the original one with comments by a Chinese sage added to the 'bare bones' (but kept clearly apart from the latter). If you like 'classical', I would go for this one.

What is special about JKD is that it was conceptualized as an open style (long before there was MMA). More of a philosophy than a style, really. Even though most people who are into it are more or less following in the footsteps of Bruce Lee, you can integrate anything you want into it, basically. In line with Bruce's philosophy: "Absorb what is useful. Discard what is useless. Add what is uniquely your own." I'm trying to apply this philosophy to anything I do.

How about this: What is a game? Some kind of simulation or virtual reality. So the divine splits up into a 'virtual' and a 'real' aspect.

A game as a non-game. Buddha possibly being a symbol for existence in its divinity. (Hey, it was YOUR trip.)

Life is a game. Or not - ?

On one's spiritual way, one experiences ascents and platforms. If you have found a state of contentment, that's great! That's, to an important degree, what cultivation is all about. You may want to continue your practice just to maintain your state. Are there higher levels to attain to? Yes, there are ALWAYS higher levels, I believe. You will find them when you're ready. Maybe your next stage is already in the making without your knowledge. Sure, I and others can tell you some stories about what can be done... But you have heard such stories before. What matters to you is it what YOU can achieve! Only you can answer this, by walking your path steadfastly yet patiently. And yes, there are times to learn, and there are times to give on what we have learned to others.

Thanks rainbowvein and CT! Peter is outstanding... I saw him on stage in Geneva last year. He got a little older since that video was made (who didn't) but he maintained a young spirit... he even sometimes laid down on the floor while singing (but I don't think because he was tired). I was impressed not only by his live performance but also by the very remarkable things I learnt about him. Let me mention a few of them: Peter helped pioneer a new realm of musical interaction in 2001, visiting Georgia State University's Language Research Center to participate in keyboard jam sessions with bonopo apes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His desire to bring attention to the intelligence of primates also took the form of ApeNet, a project that aimed to link great apes through the internet, enabling the first interspecies internet communication. In 2004, he spent time in a village in eastern Nepal with musician Ram Sharan Nepali, learning esoteric vocal techniques. He is a Human Rights activist who received the Man of Peace award from the Nobel Peace Price Laureates in 2006, and in 2008, TIME magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He developed The Elders, an international non-governmental organisation of public figures noted as elder statesmen, peace activists, and human rights advocates, who were brought together by Nelson Mandela in 2007. They describe themselves as "independent global leaders working together for peace and human rights". The goal Mandela set for the Elders was to use their "almost 1,000 years of collective experience" to work on solutions for seemingly insurmountable problems such as climate change and poverty, as well as to "use their political independence to help resolve some of the world's most intractable conflicts". Is Peter an invincible superman? No... he went through plenty of difficulties, too. At one time, he was bankrupt. He also experienced traumatic relationship stuff. I think, when he made "Don't Give Up", he knew what he was singing about - and what somebody can achieve who is refusing to give up.

I particularly like this part. It's wisdom to take care of the seeds for damage before they unfold. However, it takes wisdom to recognize them... and to know what can be done.

Unlearn wrong beliefs. Many of them we have learnt a long time ago (i.e. in our childhood). Yet it's always possible to unlearn them. You find this all the way from early Buddhists to Seth (Jane Robert's trance personality). Looks like Daoism teaches it, too.

I heard they do that in Kyokushinkai occasionally...

In what style?

Let's not overlook that relationships are also tools for spiritual growth. Very effective ones, in fact. Love is Alchemy, Alchemy is Love. Yin and Yang mingling with each other... sometimes a little smoke can't be avoided.

Not to my knowledge. But then, the division into external and internal martial arts strikes me as a little artificial. I.e. look at Wing Lam: Ultimate Iron Palm - for each technique it mentions to what percentage the power is external and internal, respectively.

Where do you get the Dit Da Jow?

There is actually an ancient Chinese book called T'ai hsuan ching which has a lot of similarity with the I ching but is based on 81 patterns which express a trinary code on four lines. (It's also noteworthy that the TTC has 81 chapters.)

I agree with you that one should look at the situation holistically.

Thanks CT, but no need for apologies. I'm used to wild guesses about my age. That may well be one of the reasons for calling myself a Time Lord.

I'm 44. I mentioned my age on an astrological forum earlier this year - or rather, I mentioned my Chinese sign from which somebody drew the conclusion. He was surprised as he had thought that I'm in my 20s or 30s. I replied that it must be due to my vegetarian nutrition. But frankly I'm not sure what to make out of it? Would any of the posters care to honestly tell me what led them to their assumption? (For better or worse.)

I don't know. But I would offer them instruction in a suitable dojo and see how they react. If it appeals to them, great... if not, I would never try to force the issue. Any positive sides a child has should be promoted. But a boy being unusually gentle, nice and sensitive can be taken advantage of by bullies who see him as sort of a lightning rod for their own aggression. So it may be all the more important to show him how he can protect himself despite his sensitivity.

Does anybody else want to give it a try?