Amigo-500

I have always considered myself a fairly secular thinker, and I even try to approach most of the DDJ through more of a philosophical lens than a religious one. However, I'm noticing a large number of people posting on this forum that seem to carry deep and varied spiritual beliefs. I wonder, am I missing out on some wisdom by failing to open myself fully? For those of you who are reading this and who consider yourselves to be spiritual, were you spiritual before learning about Daoism? Has anybody awoken that side of themselves only after reading about the Way? Do you believe that your spirituality informs your innate understanding of Daoism more than would otherwise be possible? Has anybody else attempted or managed to immerse themselves in Daoist thought without embracing the more esoteric and mystical aspects related to it? I cannot stop wondering about whether or not notions such as faith and meaning, or even belief in magic, are essential to understanding what I've always interpreted as just a description of the nature of things and the nature of how they should be.

Hello Everyone, I've stumbled across this site while looking for somewhere to discuss the uncertainty I feel after reading differing translations of the DDJ. Many of you have taken the same route, I imagine! I can't wait to pick the minds of the many folks here who are no doubt more studied than I. Your Friend, Amigo

I believe that practicing deferential thought is an integral aspect of practicing stillness of thought. The goal, as I understand it, is not to be placid or crystalline, but to be accommodating of the world around you, as a vessel would be of water. With that in mind, do you think it is possible that your partner finds you cold because you may be focusing on maintaining your stillness? I would try allowing your mind to react as naturally as possible to any engagement, in the spirit of robbing your thoughts of the primacy they seek in being acknowledged as interrupted. I am far less experienced than OP in this arena, though, so I apologize if I am stating or misconstruing the obvious.