Swede

Tackar tackar! Vart i Sverige bor du? Jag bodde i Onsala, strax söder om Göteborg. Finns det fler svenskar här?

Thanks for this. I read something that stuck with me a while ago, can’t remember where I read it though. It quite simply explained the sense of ‘self’ as a delusion created by our inner chatter about ‘me’ as the centre of our universe. As our inner chatter continues its incessant monologue we start to believe in this fictional ‘self’. If one would successfully remove this glue of a narrative about the ‘self’ or ‘me’, one would see we are in fact made up of constantly changing impulses or input and therefore there is no ‘me’ or a set personality. We are in fact always changing, fluid. The thing is, intellectually I do understand this, I find it quite obvious it must be so, when I ponder these questions in my own mind. However, when it comes to living and breathing it, I fail and revert back to the instinct or habitual thinking or acting. Hmmm the uncarved block and all that... Speaking of the uncarved block, I struggled with that concept for a while. I took it too literary. A carved block can not be un-carved. You may be right, a master is only a master if the novice holds the master as a master... or something like that. But I find the knowledge on these boards second to none compared to other boards based on my internet searching. The mandatory internet forum ego pissing competitions, well, you find them everywhere I guess. Once again, thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.

Ok, thanks for that. I had to think about what you said for a moment. So by Taoism seeing 'self image' as ego, and not attempting to rid it permanently as Buddhism teaches, it is then necessary to keep the ego ('self image'), however, not a inflated ego (false self) as that would be detrimental. So the difference between the Taoist and Buddhist ego is then maybe just a matter of what meaning we attribute the word 'ego'? Taoism - 'Self image' without the inflated ego attachment (false self which should be reduced/eliminated) Buddhism - Ego is the false self and should be eliminated I don't know. I'm rambling on here ​ But I will read up on it further. I also had to google your empty-minded meditation technique and it appears it is what I had attempted whereas I just let the thoughts pass by without getting hooked up on them? I would love to attain that level of meditation practice, so I will continue practicing. Again, cheers for your help.

Haha yeah... I am the biggest wuss when it comes to the cold. My mates here doubt I'm actually swedish I call myself a 'climate refugee'. Thanks for the tip on the practice. I will definately look into the different types of cultivation. This forum seems to have a wealth of information on the topic. So far my practice has been limited to seated meditation. Or, more like attempting to do seated meditation. 2. Which leads me to another question. I have been practicing seated meditation for about four months now. About 40 min a day. At first I tried counting the out-breath to ten then restart. Initially I liked this method as i quickly could notice when my mind wandered and I was counting 34,35... But I struggle with letting the breath flow naturally and control each breath as I count. Then I tried just watching my thoughts. Between constantly nodding off and engaging in my thoughts for some time before realising, I did not find it easy. Then I tried a silent mantra. This is probably the most relaxing way right now and I seem to follow it quite easy. But I have read it is counter productive as I concentrate on the mind. I realise I haven't been at it for very long and I should not sit with any expectations. But... ofc I have expectations. That's the whole reason of doing all this in the first place. So I guess my question is, what type of seated meditation do you guys do? I realize it is a highly personal question depending on the reason one meditates. Cheers again.

​ Well with all that said, where should I begin? I think most of my questions are in relation to the philosophical side of things at this stage. My linear mind loves a list so I’ll number the questions for simplicity. ​1. Where does Taoism stand on the question of ego? First of all, is there such a thing as a separate ego to your ‘true self’ or pure consciousness? And if so, is it possible to transcend the ego in order to awaken and experience the world from this pure consciousness?

G'day guys, I've been lurking these forums for some time now and decided to sign up. I have been searching for 'something' for better part of my adult life at different intensity and only found tao (ism) about a year ago. It struck a cord with me straight away and my search has intensified ever since. Now I have a thousand and one questions I hope you guys can help me with although alot of them have probably been answered many times over. So I will continue reading. Thanks

Thanks mate. I'm sure some of my questions will seem rather banal or maybe childish in nature and I appreciate all the time you guys volunteer to these forums. I might start a new thread in the newcomer corner to collate my ramblings. Cheers