Praeludium

Hello, if you could advise even just one practice that is very simple (I could say minimal), that costs nothing (ie. does not require formal training, and particularly not formal training for years), and yet that have a lot of depth hidden in itself, what would it be ? Just asking as a broke-ass student (; By the way, the great pianist, pedagogue and composer Frederic Chopin used to say that his goal was to give the students a limited numbers of simple tools so that they'd be able to master the unlimited possibilies of the piano. (more precise source : Chopin, Pianist and Teacher, As Seen by his Pupîls - Jean-Jacques Eigeldinger) I believe his approach is beautiful, and that's also what attracted me in the DaoDeJing in the first place - it's such as small book !

Is anyone here familiar with Yin Yoga ? I do practice it more and more often - I did not tell about it in other thread because it wouldn't have been useful and I don't like telling everyone about my life - which is what I'm doing here... The fact that it doesn't try to hide that the practice in itself is clearly a modern synthesis and that there are many way to approach it following your needs (from a very explainable physiological perspective to a more energetic approach) feels very honest and authentic. Apart from the physiological benefits of working softly on the joints capsules, fascias, ligaments and such, which is why I did begin it, I'm beginning to feel kind of meditative (on a fundamental, basic level) effects. Different posture bring different feelings, and breathing, relaxing and letting yourself be still into them feel almost therapeutic. For now I don't plan to work on the more precise energetic aspects (partly because I do it from a book and without a teacher), I'll just focus on feeling good by breathing with my whole body and freeing my mind a little bit. As they say in the book, it's probably a good idea to balance it with more yang, physical practices though. All the best

I hope you didn't feel my reply was aggressive in any way ! I should have better explained but for me being broke and being busy is pretty much the same thing - if I was studying in something less demanding, it would be so much easier to find a job and hence, money. That's where the choice is (: Someone has told me to look up working in night shifts though, that might be an answer.

Hello, thanks for your answers. The point that was made about being willing to pay for something leading to better learning seems legit. That's about where you draw the line, and we could indeed say that I'm just not willing to make the effort needed to learn more about Daoist practice if I have to take anything away from my music studies right now. That's more about willing to stay focused than not willing to make any effort. So, Earl Grey, thank you for your answer but I think I have enough material from the others reply, and for now I don't feel comfortable promising anything since I'm just kind of exploring different things. That being said I agree with your process, it's just too serious for me right now (; I'll do my best to investigate the others suggestions. About learning from a book, this actually reminded me of the Xing Yi Nei Gong book by Tim Cartmell and Dan Miller. In it it is suggested that the fundamental posture of San Ti Shi is a form of standing meditation. Xing Yi seems to attract me, and I feel the need for more Yang practice in my life, so for now I'll settle on this. There's a man I know who lives 100 kilometers away who do practices Xing Yi and the much rarer Xin Yi Liu He Quan from a Hui teacher in Henan (he is muslim himslef and very experienced in martial arts), and maybe after a few months of practice I could meet him for a lesson, which wouldn't leave me uncorrected which is the problem I have with learning from book. So, I think I'll settle for San Ti Shi as the pillar of my amateur sinophile practice now (: I already did walking meditation (more along the line of Afghan Walking, or actually in my case Systema respiratory walking exercises) but I will add these insights into it. Music as a path is something I needed to be reminded of. To just begin something without deadlines and focus on the process seems to be a good idea too. I think physical exercises - which I already do - with a different mindset would be interesting. I think it'll get richer and even more interesting. I'll try the simple QiGong exercice, seems very simple from the outside but I'm sure you can get a lot of feelings out of it - exactly what I was looking for ! About the practices offered by Rawn Clark, I feel a bit more sceptic. I'm receptive to spiritual and even mystical things in art - as long as it's subjective - although I believe it's best not to talk about it, but I have hard time being receptive to spiritual and mystical practice in the real life or as a path in itself. That being said, I want to try these with an open mind even if it's just for the sake of intellectual curiosity. I don't know why it's easier to be open about this kind of practice when they come from the East. Maybe some kind of orientalism ? Thanks again

Hello, it feels funny to write about myself on a Daoist forum, even though I don't think I can say I'm a Daoist myself or will ever be. Many part of the Daoist legacies and traditions are of deep interest to me, something intellectualy something more intimately, more in relation with my body and how I feel. Many others don't appeal to me at all, even though I fully understand and respect that for other persons they're of vital importance. Let's say my main focus now is letting go of all the harmful, consuming tensions and memories I hold and create inside me (physically or psychologically), so that I become able to really listen. The whole time. I don't believe in some grand awakening, absolute indifference to the world and becoming immortal, nor do I expect my life to be above emotions. I think my piano teacher can some kind of Daoist without knowing it (which would make her even more of a Daoist ?), and I find it quite funny. Could piano be my path ? The idea of forgetting who you are in contemplation always pleased me, it feels poetic. I hope I won't bother you here.