Keith108

touching mystery the rough bark of a pine tree originally nothing

Nothing here remains And yet, the body feels cold Sitting in winter

As always, the middle path is best. Overreliances on either magic or science will increase the effect of dukkha (dissatisfying quality of being a human being). A student once asked a teacher: "Where does suffering (dukkha) come from?" The teacher simply responded "I want". So the disenchantment comes from not getting enough of the things we want, and too much of what we don't. I guess for me, having an overreliance on rational thought is the result of thinking we understand everything. Of course, that's nonsense. An overreliance on magic would suggest living in a fantasy world. I was reading a biographical piece on Feng Zhi Quiang recently, and there was a story about him defeating an opponent with bolts of qi coming out of his eyes. So, I am not saying that's impossible, or it didn't happen. But yeah, I am going to need to see or experience something like first hand before I believe it. We have made money, fame, national identity, etc. sacred, and made humility and basic human decency profane. You mentioned one of the reasons: greed. To that I would add ignorance and hate. The world feels very out of balance right now. Not sure if that's because we are more aware of things going on in the world, due to the internet. I think we forget how fast things have changed, and are changing. When I was in college (early 90's), having a computerized word processor was some amazing tech. Things are changing too quickly for us to keep up. So, what's the solution? Heck if I know. For me, it's the path of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. YMMV

Straight up samsara, my friend. Love Brand’s line, hits the nail on the head. Of course, the world is what we make. Samsara and nirvana are two sides of the same coin. 🙏

Beautiful! I love the peace and solitude of winter. ❤️ When I started posting here, I made the same mistake in this thread, though. For this thread, we are supposed to use the last line of the preceding poem, which in this case was “licked clean by the dog”. Challenging one! Licked clean by the dog Plate on the floor, now empty Full belly, big smile 🙏

Hello Sinai, Thank you for taking the post with the spirit in which it was intended. I have no doubt you are serious, and I have no intention to insult you. It appears that on Master Wang's site, nothing new has been posted in almost 5 years. I see on youtube, Nathan Brine posted something yesterday, and also 10 days ago, with an announcement of a new Tai Chi class in Vancouver, Canada. So, he is actively teaching. I imagine to get the kind of attention you are looking for, especially given the subject matter, will require in-person practice at some point. As someone noted earlier in the thread, the courses he sells look pretty much self guided, but I don't know that for sure. I am a Buddhist, and a pretty simple one at that. So, it's easy for me to practice, and occasionally meet with my teacher. This is especially true with zoom, etc., although I vastly prefer in person. I understand this is not your situation. But, it isn't hopeless. Trust in your practice, and most importantly, ask yourself why you want to do this in the first place. Our "why" is often not what we assume it is. Sometimes the worst that thing that can happen is we get what we want! _/|\_

Hello Sinai! Earlier in the thread, you said that the beginning practices were mastered, so you are looking for a teacher to give you the "good stuff", i.e. higher level practices. But, where did you learn the foundational practices? Seems a lot to ask. With just a little google fu, I see that you have had a conversation with Nathan Brine on Facebook. After some back and forth, he stopped answering. I can't say I blame him. Teachers don't owe anyone anything. Respect and instruction are earned. Constantly badgering someone is against the Dao. Keep practicing, and the teacher will appear. Meanwhile, the quoted part above reminded me of an oft told story I read the other night: To go with the Dao requires patience and humility. I wish you luck! _/|\_

My books live in my kindle, which I use on my iPad, which gets charged on my nightstand. Relevant to this forum, I've been re-reading Yang JW's book translation and commentary on the Dao De Jing, in which he also interprets with a Qigong viewpoint. Up to chapter 45 now; enjoying the read. _/|\_

Also interested

(takes one to know one) ice cube melts, leaving a puddle which melts another

My apologies, I haven't read the whole thread. But, I thought the OP was well thought out and presented. There is a blog called "Awakening to Reality", where various stages are presented which, using the op's presentation, start with integration and end with transcendence (although they make the point that they are not necessarily sequential). Anyway, just posting this in the event it may be helpful reading to someone. I find commonality with both integration and transcendence in my own practice (a Western offshoot of Korean Seon (Zen) Buddhism. It isn't an either/or situation for me. _/|\_

There's an exhibit in the Mystic Seaport that is an entire hall of figure heads. I bet you would love it! I am reading a book about Zhan Zhuang. Boring, I know.

Beat me to it. There doesn't seem to be any scientific backing for a dopamine detox (as with most detoxes), but turning off the noise is helpful whatever it's called. At least where I live (East Coast, USA), we are assaulted every day with a blizzard of inputs from tv, radio, cellphone, on and on and on. Just inject silence wherever possible. For me, that means silence in the car, no tv or radio on in my house (when it's just me), etc. It does a world of good. _/|\_

From here. Emphasis mine. It might be useful to see how much silence and stillness one can bring into their life. Then, without trying, intuition appears. Be the observer, not the judge, and our true nature unfolds. eh, my two cents anyway _/|\_ edit: there is a typo in the quoted part...it's Chapter 15, not 14.

You make, you get. - some zen guy

In a beer bottle A fly stuck in the backwash Samsara again

I believe you. 🙏

Nah, just a stalemate, and a shake of hands. 👍

It is knowable, through direct experience. But, that's just my opinion. ✌️

Thus ends the discussion. 😁

Yes, but if Joju actually meant "no", there would be no Zen! To flesh it out a little, the Buddha taught all things have Buddha nature...but Joju said our poor dog didn't. Why did he say that? Thus appears the hwadu. Every koan has a question aspect to it.

I quite like it...kind of wu wei wu feel. The Buddhists in the forum I read are quite strict.

Quite the opposite actually. When combined with dependent origination, it's quite liberating. Having a concrete idea of a "self", "soul", etc. is exhausting and the root of suffering in the world. But, we do all have to find our own way.

Unfortunately, there is that Anatta thingy in Buddhism. I don't love talking about Buddhism here...it didn't go well the last time I was active. A monk asked Joju: "Does a dog have Buddha Nature?" Joju replied: "Mu!" The story is the kong an (koan jp,), the word "Mu" is the hwadu. The author of the blog is a philosopher. Seon (Zen jp.) is not philosophy, it's direct experience. You'll have to trust me on this, but the question aspect is the most important part. Not so much the words, but the feeling of a question. Thoughts come and go, and sometimes don't appear. Either way, the only direction is to continue with the hwadu. Anyway, we aren't helping tianzhang with the kidney problem! #offtopic _/|\_

My sig quote says it all. Edit: Ah, didn’t see the link. That’s a little off, especially when he gets into talking about a soul. Look up Kusan Sunim. Much more traditional perspective.