Yen Hui

Sorry, can't help you with the encyclopedic overview, but I personally like the Dzogchen lineage, which is the Tibetan version of Chinese Chan. From what I've read in the past, Chan Buddhism was "officially" condemned in Tibet, as heresy, shortly after it arrived there. It then went underground and was secretly preserved within the Dzogchen lineage and teachings. As far as I currently know, Dzogchen master Surya Das is the highest ranking American born Tibetan Lama. I have one of his books and a CD, from some time ago when I was seriously looking into it, and I've owned a few TB books in my time, to compare him against. The Shambhala teachings of Chogyam Trungpa are profound, to be sure, and I really like them, but I personally lean toward the Dzogchen tradition, myself. And I really like the style and teachings of Lama Surya Das. Regarding Chogyam Trungpa, though, be sure to check out the Online Video Clips of him. They are fascinating, to say the least! I highly recommend his book on Training the Mind. Acquire it by all means. It's very practical, and can only help your cultivation practice, regardless of your tradition. A big namaste to you!

Not really! That is the nature of the Matrix and synchronicity!

It's not that I wish to interfer in anything, but I would have to agree with this much, for whatever it's worth. I am not a master, for sure, and probably know less than many members here, but I think it is common sense that a student's timely progress depends on his/her being whole-heartedly concentrated on the lesson at hand; and not being bothered with or about things way above his head. A good master would only encourage that kind of concentration, I should think; and entirely avoid distracting him with esoterica that is way beyond his ability or degree of achievement. Orderly progress is gradual and follows a well-defined path, one step at a time. Skipping steps in an effort to leap ahead will only lead to misfortune, in the end, I feel.

Awe, come on, Max. Don't let him off that easy!

A day without sunshine is like a day without ... Well, you can fill in the blank!

"Set no store by it" does'nt mean quit your job or perform it carelessly, in such a way as to get yourself terminated. It basically means not to become too attached or dependent upon it, as though your very survival and social identity depended on it. Performing your job to the best of your ability is a way to practice the Tao. Feel good about doing a good job, and feel bad about doing a bad job. There is a time and place for everything under the sun. Practicing the Tao is largely about good timing: moving when it is time to move, and resting when it is time to rest, etc. Sleeping on the job is bad timing, so feel bad about it, if you have just reason. Don't feel bad because you like your job and want to be a good librarian. Good librarians are a blessing! Hey, you're only human, like the rest of us! There is nothing inherently wrong with these activities, so long as you approach them in the right manner, and with good timing, as previously intimated. Following your inner impulses is a good thing, so long as they are leading you in the right direction. That requires some training, however, as not all our impulses are inherently good by nature, so we must learn to discern between good and bad impulses. Here's what Hexagram 25 says about that:- Man has received from heaven a nature innately good, to guide him in all his movements. By devotion to this divine spirit within himself, he attains an unsullied innocence that leads him to do right with instinctive sureness and without any ulterior thought of reward and personal advantage. This instinctive certainty brings about supreme success and "furthers through perseverance". However, not everything instinctive is nature in this higher sense of the word, but only that which is right and in accord with the will of heaven. Without this quality of rightness, an unreflecting, instinctive way of acting brings only misfortune. Confucius says about this: "He who departs from innocence, what does he come to? Heaven's will and blessing do not go with his deeds." Regarding your listening to music, here's what Hexagram 16 says about that:- "Music has power to ease tension within the heart and to loosen the grip of obscure emotions. The enthusiasm of the heart expresses itself involuntarily in a burst of song, in dance and rhythmic movement of the body. From immemorial times the inspiring effect of the invisible sound that moves all hearts, and draws them together, has mystified mankind. "Rulers have made use of this natural taste for music; they elevated and regulated it. Music was looked upon as something serious and holy, designed to purify the feelings of men. It fell to music to glorify the virtues of heroes and thus to construct a bridge to the world of the unseen. In the temple men drew near to God with music and pantomimes (out of this later the theater developed)." Music helps us to get in touch with our feelings; there is nothing inherently wrong about that, so long as it is the right kind of music; and you make it part of your practice of the Tao. However, it is also possible for music to obstruct your practice, if you allow it too. It is "natural" to feel remorseful about that. If your music listening is harmonious and balanced, then be joyful about it! The same applies to TV, obviously. However, if and when they ever begin to control you, then they are no longer harmonious. That is equally obvious, I'm inclined to say. Look for the Tao of all things, harmonize with it, and cultivate acceptance of the Present Time. Practicing the Tao requires presence of mind; being aware and mindful at all times, and not lost in the moment. When your intellect and will properly centered, your emotional life will become harmonious; and not controlling. Being controlled by emotion and passion is inauspicious, to say the least. Work on being properly centered in all things, whatever you do or don't do. Balance and harmony is the Great Way. It's that easy, and that simple! Pat the Wayfarer has given some good advice regarding the I Ching. You would be wise to heed it. Peace! In the spirit of the Tao, Yen Hui

Well, thanks but The Great Treatise of the I Ching says thus about discovering IT:- 3. The kind man discovers Tao and calls it kind. The wise man discovers Tao and calls it wise. The people use Tao day by day and are not aware of it, for the way of the superior man is rare. Tao reveals itself differently to each individual, according to his own nature. The man of deeds, for whom kindness and the love of his fellow man are supreme, discovers the Tao of cosmic events and calls it supreme kindness -- "God is love." The contemplative man, for whom calm wisdom is supreme, discovers the Tao of the universe and calls it supreme wisdom. The common people live from day to day, continually borne and nourished by Tao, but they know nothing of it; they see only what meets the eye. For the way of the superior man, who sees not only things but the Tao of things, is rare. The Tao of the universe is indeed kindness and wisdom; but essentially Tao is also beyond kindness and wisdom. Now, do you find anything in the above teaching which even remotely hints that the Great Way is only found in China, on Tao Mountain? If you study this Treatise closely, you will see that it says the Book Changes was composed by the ancients as a means for us to discover and apply the Tao in our daily life. Those who master the teachings of this Book cannot fail to discover Tao.

What you've posted there sounds like it says there is no hope of finding the Great Way outside of China. If that is what you are saying, then I must respectfully disagree with that view, on several grounds, quite apart from empty "imaginings". If you believe the Immortals say that the Great Way is found only in China, perhaps you would be so kind as to back that up with at least three texts or witnesses from the Canonical Writings. Thanks!

WOW! That's one creepy clip. It almost seemed to me like those three stooges were demon possessed. As I watched the clip, I could'nt get over how much they reminded me of a similar episode in which Tom Cruz was defending his pet cult, while attacking those who were trying to expose it for what it truly is: Pure unmitigated evilness!

Oh, ok, I've got it now. Sorry about that. To be perfectly honest, I have never heard anyone before claim the existence of 108 elements. That's an entirely new one on me. Personally, I doubt there is, but I'll reserve final judgment on that until after I read his book. Don't you think it's just a little unusual that the Taoist Immortals should have left out 103 of them? I do, to be honest about it.

Taoists! Taoist alchemists have always associated emotions with the five elements:- "The number '5' has a special mystical significance to Taoists (and to Chinese in general). There are the symbolic five mountains, five elements, five colours, five planets, five virtues, five emotions, five directions, etc. all of which have a mystic significance. Hence we see five Repulse Monkeys or Five Cloud Hands in the Tai Chi form." See Chia's Fusion of the Five Elements I:- "In this practice of Taoist Internal Alchemy, you will learn to neutralize the negative emotions of worry, sadness, arrogance, anger and fear back into pure energy by anchoring the source of the emotions in the bodily organs, and establishing a balance through the Five Elements control cycle. The purified energy is crystallized into a radiant energy pearl within the inner cauldron. This pearl is then circulated through the Microcosmic Orbit, attracting to it the external Chi of the Three Forces: Heaven, Earth, and Cosmic Force. The formation and circulation of the pearl plays a pivotal role in the nourishment of the soul or energy body." Here's a great text, imho, on that subject! Check it out someday, when you have the time:- Five Elements, Six Conditions: A Taoist Approach to Emotional Healing It's heavily influenced by Chia, and Chia has also written the Introduction to it, I believe. Regarding Sheldrake's theory of morphic resonance, it is not entirely original, as it is largely based on Jung's theory of universal archetypes. In my opinion, the theory of morphic resonance is totally Taoist in nature, and can be easily extrapolated from the Wilhelm/Baynes version of the I Ching. Time forbids my attempting to demonstrate that at the present time. Perhaps later!

01 - The Tao in Ten 02 - Entering the Tao 03 - Watching the Tree 04 - The Living I Ching 05 - Practical Taoism 06 - Attaining Unlimited Life 07 - Life and Teachings of Kou Hong 08 - Eternal Light: Teachings of Ni Yo-San 09 - Workbook for Spiritual Development 10 - The Urban Warrior Handbook 11 - The Scholar Warrior 12 - Everyday Tao 13 - 365 Tao

Well, I'm not sure where s/he would reside, but I believe that s/he is unknown to the masses. There is no question of that, in my mind. That is the absolutely clear and unmistakable teaching of Hexagram 36. THE IMAGE The light has sunk into the earth: The image of DARKENING OF THE LIGHT. Thus does the superior man live with the great mass: He veils his light, yet still shines. "In a time of darkness it is essential to be cautious and reserved. One should not needlessly awaken overwhelming enmity by inconsiderate behavior. In such times one ought not to fall in with the practices of others; neither should one drag them censoriously into the light. In social intercourse one should not try to be all-knowing. One should let many things pass, without being duped." Now, according to the above, since our contemporary times are times of darkness, we can never know who the greatest living sage is, since s/he would exercise extreme stealth in regard to any public show or disclosure of the full reach of their spiritual achievement(s).

02 - 03 - 04 - The EF Technique Regarding the EFT Clip, note that the time counter counts backwards as the clip is playing. Pay special attention to the healing testimony of the man which begins at about 4 min 23 sec left in the clip!

I'd like to see them levitate someone off the ground, and hold them there in a levitated position. Nevertheless, freeform, in the Derren brown clip you refer to, (if it's the same clip that I recently posted,) he walks behind the student, and then delivers a strike, which the student cannot see, but the student reacts to it, in perfect timing or synchronicity. How did that student know when to buckle-over right at the same moment that Brown delivered his strike? Also, are you basically saying that chi projection over a distance is a complete impossibility, and that none of the "real" Shaolin and Tai Chi masters ever had that mysterious power or skill?

Great link! Looks very interesting, indeed! Thanks.

I've only just viewed the first clip, and that dude is awesome! A little strange, but awesome nontheless! Thanks.

Never heard of it before, honestly! When I read the expression, "the art of allowing," the first thing that came to my mind was the quote from Hexagram 2 about acceptance. According to my understanding of hexagram 2 and the I Ching teachings, in general, harmonizing with the laws of Nature is all about learning acceptance. The other quotes came to me afterward, as I was reflecting on this. I have much more to say about it, but time does not permit me to presently do so. Most people will recognize the prayer of acceptance as part of the AA Program. Learning acceptance is a key part of the recovery process, one day at a time. Those who refuse to accept the intimations of fate, from moment-to-moment, as the I Ching states, will never learn the secret(s) of effecting central harmony. Effecting central harmony requires cultivating emotional acceptance, and not allowing all the shit in the world to drive us into destructive behavior patterns.

01 - "On Experimental Science: That which is sent us at the present moment is the most useful because it is intended especially for us." ( Jean de Caussade in 'Abandonment to Divine Providence' ) 02 - "If he knows how to meet fate with an attitude of acceptance, he is sure to find the right guidance. The superior man lets himself be guided; he does not go ahead blindly, but learns from the situation what is demanded of him and then follows this intimation from fate." ( I Ching, Hex. 02, 'The Judgment' ) 03 - "Human life on earth is conditioned and unfree, and when man recognizes this limitation and makes himself dependent upon the harmonious and beneficent forces of the cosmos, he achieves success. The cow is the symbol of extreme docility. By cultivating in himself an attitude of compliance and vo- luntary dependence, man acquires clarity without sharpness and finds his place in the world." ( I Ching, Hex. 30, under 'The Judgment' ) 04 - "It is of capital importance to understand this distinction between acceptance and resignation. To accept, really to accept a situation, is to think and feel with the whole of one's being that, even if one had the faculty of modifying it, one would not do it, and would have no reason to do it." (Hubert Benoit in 'Zen and the Psychology of Transformation' ) 05 - "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference." ( by Reinhold Niebuhr (c. 20th century), Christian Theologian )

Hi there Darin, It is difficult to comment on what happened there, as I'm sure you can fully appreciate, without knowing all the "dirty" details, as they say, but generally I'd say you consulted with the wrong people. Cardinals and Bishops were rarely the most spiritual persons within the Church, at any time, and that holds true especially today. I for one would never have consulted with them about such matters, but would rather have sought out a desert- dwelling monk (or nun) somewhere, with a reputation for spiritual wisdom and deep experience with mystical states. However, such persons are rarely found in the Catholic Church today, which is but a fading shadow of what it was in the 13th and 14th centuries, during Eckhart's time. While I don't know much about the website you've alluded to, I have been there a few times, and the impression it made on me was that they are heavily influenced by a kind of contemporary Evangelical ethos. I would not think of them as "enlightened" persons, in the way D.T. Susuki thought about Eckhart. That's for certain!

According to Taoist teaching, so far as I have managed to "grasp" it, the problem is one of subjectivity, or of being enslaved by the passions and emotional consciousness. From the standpoint of modern psychology, we suffer from a kind of terminal psychological blindness. The passions and emotional consciousness obstruct the native clarity inherent in all people. The spiritually achieved person is "objective" and can see things correctly, from the perspective of the "bigger" picture. Apart from the fact they have already penetrated the mysterious pass, and are fit guides through the rocky mountain gorges, they are able to objectively examine and assess all our strengths and weaknesses.

College of Tao and the Integral Way Correspondence Course & Study Groups by Email PO Box 1222, El Prado, New Mexico, 87529, USA. Voice Mail: 1-310-535-0636 Email [email protected] Btw, Pat ~ Good work on the link page!

what an enlightened attitude!