Nintendao

On the subject of meek or powerless inheriting earth, there’s an example in the Old Testament, somewhere in 2nd Kings. When Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem, everyone especially those in prestigious positions were imprisoned and exiled to Babylon. The people who were doing physical work like tending the vineyards were left to carry on production as ever. Taking it a step further in Isaiah ch. 65, the prophet describes a time when God “will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind,” and people “will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat.” Just getting along doing whatever, without the need for dominance over one another. Perhaps resembling the return to simplicity described in the final chapters of Daodejing.

Which are the coolest Taoists? Quanzhen “Complete Reality” 全真 Focus on personal development and transformation Zhengyi “Orthodox Unity” 正一道 Rituals of protection and consecration for the people

It's a lovely rendition of Dragons Gate style alchemy. You know, disappearing into the mysterious passage to combine lead and mercury into elixirs, conceive a golden fetus, and ascend to heaven. From 性命要旨 Xìng Mìng Yào Zhǐ by 汪东亭 Wāng Dōngtíng.

I wonder how @Limahong is doing. There's not enough animated GIFs on here

https://www.tiktok.com/@chiinnature/video/7407198507032956166

“Never confuse education with intelligence, you can have a PhD and still be an idiot.” ― Richard P. Feynman

Well said, and could also be applied to a number of other traps that beset the path. One thing i liked about the Ge Guolong interview, near the end of the usual mound of boilerplate, he talks about how reclusion is great for learning, but returning to the everyday grind is what really puts it to the test. I've heard a few times how the powers that be seem to have an interest in portraying Taoists to the rest of the world as weird tree-huggers hanging out in the mountains, certainly not shrewed badasses hiding in plain sight. Luckily our neighborly and dashing rapscallion Dr. TT has provided a free sample, which also might've been missed from that other thread.

And if a right practice has been established, the energy will have already gone where it's supposed to. So what's this thread then? I re-read the opening post and i'm just thinking "Saintly is as saintly does" (Forest Gump voice). How to "bite through the iron"? Other than having my ass handed to me by life until a moment-of-zen hits and reveals to me what "can not be put in words or images, nor can be drawn as a picture; but there can be a perception and intuition of it; when it expands it fills the 6 directions, when it contracts it hides in secret; it reaches the Heaven and covers the Earth" Is it me or that sounds a little like Emerald Tablet? I'm not knocking it, mind you.

Yup mobile device users have gotten used to incorporating this glyph language. Another way to use emoji on Windows PC, press the keyboard shortcut: "Windows logo key" + . (period) to bring up a searchable menu 😉👍

As has already been stated in this thread, different practices have evolved to use the same words for different things, as well there are different levels of perspective. Here is yet another one. Lower dantien encompasses the entire physical body. Dan refined here involve enhanced flow of metabolites and hormones, to tissues who have increased efficiency and durability. Anything that can be objectively measured, even electricity. Middle field is what's usually referred to as the aura. Technology has just scratched the surface of mapping a toroidal vortex via superconducting quantum interference detection, but lacks the resolution to sense intricacies of multiphasic encoding wherein our thoughts and feelings resonate. Medicine of this cauldron "removes dust from the mirror of the heart," smoothing out the little packets of turbulence propagating throughout the external orbit. Upper stage, you'll have to ask a celestial about that.

Peering into the depth of the well I perceive a vermillion mineral crystallizing between the rocks Gathering them into the cauldron suspending above the furnace I begin to refine the ore

To further confuse the issue, here's a few etymological notes i'd taken at zhongwen.com Dan is also signified by new or rejuvenated growth.

That “All of the above” option is awfully tempting. Only the first three IRL, but the last three in my imagination the whole rest of the day . Maybe not so much these days, as thankfully equanimity and acquiescence are starting to bear fruit. I remember a few times in years past though getting really emotional over certain comments. If I think all the way back to the occasional after school dust-up with perennial frenemies, the fisticuffs did even come into play . Today I more easily see the validity of different views, and option one would probably be as far as it went. Maybe do a little counterpoint only if the other person appears receptive and nonjudgmental.