Papayapple

Welcome! There's an abundance of great information here on every subject you mentioned, if you take the time to search for it !

Isnt it better for us to try to skillfuly catch the few things we learn from everything arond us, not just Taoism but also your dog, and do our BEST to expand on what we have? Worrying about how far removed we are from language of the Lao Tzu seems kinda silly. I miss how enlightened I was when I first read that first chapter.

Become like water my friends. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRm9rCXYhcA

Simplify

"Quotes online, all the best information from history's most successful individuals all in a few sentences rather than a few books, practice repetitive memorization and application until the point of internalization"

"Most important things in meditation training: lengthen attention span, reduce the yappy ego, reduce attachment. Least important things: experiencing energy flows, sensations of being charged with power, all that." -rett

Overall I agree, I am all for the return to the natural habits, but still, there are things that cause me to question that kind of opinions.

That's a great summary Taomeow. Some say that our rectums are permanently deformed because of sitting on toilets since early age. That's not so good, but I'm only wondering whether a sudden change to squatting won't cause some problems, just assay starting walking barefoot all the time(your feet won't take it). On the other hand, mattresses were probably also "invented", or at least popularized some 100 years ago. And I think everybody would agree they work better than a bed of straw... Same goes for lot's of other things. About squatting: I practiced it about a year ago, after I've done a prolonged fast, and it was incredible(especially because I was on raw food and there was no need to wipe or clean whatsoever, not to mention there was no bad smell! Oh I miss that lol). Now I have trouble deciding whether I should sacrifice my knees to promote good elimination. I can't squat! Maybe bending over touch your knees with your chest while sitting is enough? Cheers.

Uranium Thorium Merrcury

What if you just ate dinner and need to go? is it okay to sit in a squat while the belly is being squeezed by your thighs?

I did this bout two years ago! The same exact video! Completely forgot about it! It's great!

Thanks anyway! Just checked on black sesame seeds. Google chart tells me: % are daily values in 100g. Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 97% Iron 81% Vitamin D 0% Vitamin B-6 40% Vitamin B-12 0% Magnesium 87% 800mg per 100g is the highest of any food I've heard of. That's great news to me, as I've been looking for a good non dairy source of calcium! Lot's of magnesium and iron too. I suppose these should be soaked overnight in the fridge for better absorption?

Lot's of brocolli and kale, I eat everyday. I was thinking things like Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Gotu Kola etc. Could there be any cons of using these herbs/roots?

Oh these are all but reductionist words!

Hi guys. Can anyone recommend something very effective for short periods of intense studying? Will shizandra improve remembering? I'm only using green tea at the moment, but that might not be enough. I know my main problem is stressing out before exams huh, but chamomile in turn kind of makes me lazy. I need to be alert but calm. So something passively enhancing memory would be best. Of course I take B, C and magnesium chloride too. Cocoa maybe?

Neti is awesome. However, I use plastic injectior(the biggest I could find). Its much easier to control the water stream. On the other hand, nothing clears the resp track and throat like water fasting, although of course, it might come back just as fast heh. The only time I didnt have that shit in my nose was when I was eating only raw fruit and vegs. But I guess thats not for every1.

My experience conforms the above two advices. Meat, even heavy like pork once or twice a day for a while. Long walks are cool but for very intense anxiety high intensity weight lifting that makes you almost vomit or pass out while your muscles feel like the're about to explode does the job better. the point being it automatically withdraws your attention from "the subtle body". I dont know anything about qigong but it definitely is useful to focus on the gross.

Envy

Never thought of it that way, my gosh Joeblast you're the Bum!

Hi Oogway. Check out this thread: http://www.thedaobums.com/topic/14901-water-method-vs-vipassana/page-2?hl=%2Brelax+%2Btense+%2Babdomen#entry198283 Somebody took time to write a lot of useful tips. I too am interested in the subject and would like to hear even more about it.

Spirit.

Sometimes I get these moods, they come at random times, but more often when I'm driving, or going somewhere where I used to be as a kid. When I was young I was constantly being haunted by these feelings. Mysterious daydreams, very vivid, would come to my mind, promising some great adventures and big feelings of happiness and love. They are almost like memories(perhaps of the very very early childhood). When they end I'm left with an empty grey space which just makes me sigh. These were beautiful impressions, which had been occurring progressively less often as I got older, now being overshadowed by "reality", yet they're still somewhere under the skin, waiting to pop out. What is this?? Is there a way to somehow 'resolve' these feelings? Or are they better to be forgotten? What is it in Buddhist terms? What is it in Taoist terms? I don't really want them to disappear completely, frankly I miss them.

Should I treat that as a hit with the stick?

279mg per 100g. Not bad. Lots of vit E and Magnesium too. Too bad I'm allergic ;/