dwai

You have no idea how familiar I am with that statement. In fact I I'd like to present a link (albeit contrasting Indian and Western thought here, since it becomes relevant in our context): East vs West -- the myths that mystify What the "intellectual traditions" represent are categorical frameworks, that provide rules with which the individual (or collection of individuals) create their world. The presentation in the link is telling in it's approach. That said, if you have to understand Taoism or Buddhism or Hinduism, you have to approach it using the rules that they use. You cannot use Western rules/categorical frameworks to approach these.

Practice of Taoism has nothing to do with such a dialog. For, in order to practice Taoism you have become a Taoist. By doing that, you are accepting the framework that Taoism has to offer as your own. As far as intellectual traditions go, the Eastern traditions are naturally more suitable for Taoist practices, because, well, the framework is native to the East. There are cultural nuances, concepts and ideas that are easily understood in such a light. A single word in an Eastern language might communicate a plethora of concepts, ideas and even evoke visual imagery that when translated into a Western Language cannot possibly be conveyed in it's original sense anymore (at least not until you add a few paragraphs to go into descriptive detail). It is easier and better, imo, for the seeker to immerse himself/herself in the tradition native to Taoism (or whichever "ism" you are following) rather than try and re-interpret the "ism" to suit his/her fancies. There are intellectual traditions in the West that when expanded can become well suited for Taoism, but if you modify Taoist practices to suit what these intellectual traditions posit, then what remains isn't Taoism anymore.

I would consider it a blatantly wrong thing. Why categorize "Western"? What is it's other? Eastern? Isn't Daoism originated in China? Is the label intended to suggest that somehow the practice and following of Daoism in the West somehow different from that in the East? I have similar issues with people suggesting that there is a Western Hinduism, A Western Buddhist and so on. If there is a Western component to it, it still is simply Daoism, Hinduism or Buddhism. If these get modified somehow to be different from how they are practiced in their mother cultures, then they have become abberations, not valid practices any longer.

I wonder how long he will remain in "good peer reviewed standing" if he maintains his locus standi. I'm not saying that it is wrong..in fact it is commendable...but the Science Fascists have a tendency to follow this trademarked process of tyranny, wrt anyone who challenges the ideas accepted as bona fide: 1) First ignore them 2) then laugh at them 3) Then get angry and fight them The forth step happens very very rarely (and history stands testimony to that)... 4) Accept defeat Unfortunately most independent thinkers who defy the edicts of the dominant culture (which is Science these days), tend to get ostracized, ridiculed and end up living a very lonely, dejected life... Sad but true! There are many Indian-American scientists who have tried to change the dominant/popular myths and ended up being labeled "Pseudo-scientists". I will present one such scholar who is widely respected in the Indian-American community of intellectuals and academics -- Dr Subhash Kak. If you read the discussions about him on his wikipedia page, the bias will become self-evident. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Subhash_Kak Here we have a bunch of semi-educated foot-soldiers of mainstream academia who feel they have the wherewithal to talk smack about someone who is obviously several miles above them in both intellectual and academic accomplishments...

Was reading Glenn Morris' book series "Path Notes of An American Ninja Master" and he mentions Sanchin as being a kind of internal cultivation method. He also says iirc not too many people know how to do this. I have read B K Frantzis say something to that extent in one of his books (I believe in The Power of the IMA) Maybe you should try doing it softly, as slow as possible without evoking any aggressive thoughts if you can. Place your tongue on the upper palate of your mouth and do deep belly/diaphragmatic breathing through out the kata. I guess rule of thumb to follow is "breath in when moving into a section and breath out when ending it". Try and make the breath as smooth, soft and long as you can. Do the Kata for a few repetitions (perhaps on both sides if possible, ie if you are starting with the right side first, do the left side next). If you decide to give it a whirl, let us know what you experienced.

Don't want to jinx, but what if they moved...here...?!?

I'd say this: Taoism is just like any major religion in the world, except for the fear of retribution of a jealous or vengeful God, or the over-bearing breathing-down-the-neck of a God or an escapist get-out-of-jail pass of absolution in One man or Woman. In Taoism, the practitioner/follower is the master of his/her destiny and being a good Taoist has to do with following the natural way and order of things. If it seems unnatural or artificial it is not for a Taoist.

Dropping the "I" is simply a tool to get us to see the "big picture", imho. Once we realize the immensity of what is "Real", the "I" simply doesn't seem that big a deal. It is still present and indeed helps navigate the practical world but it loses it's edge, so to speak and the lines blur and the selfish traits that govern each and every one of our living moments tend to lose their intensity. A Collective "I" (Us) is what many traditional systems are pointing towards. The real I is that which encompasses everthing...good, bad and ugly. The real I is Tao...the Path...and life is simply Walking the Path. Cheers.

Nice...one point I thought I would share: My teacher quotes our Grand master saying "Always stay a student...the moment you become a Master you stop learning". So, imho, it's better to stay a student, with beginner's mind. Cheers! BTW, do you have any tips on sword care? Like oiling the blade with mineral oil, especially if you touch the blade?

Nice! Good to see you're giving background and setting the stage. It is amazing how we tend to try and find "reasons" for the way our life has turned out to be...without stopping to think "Isn't my life my responsibility". Taoist practices are supposed to bring maturity...and being responsible for one's own universe is the first step in that direction. Cheers!

You are right about the elements...I have to ask my teacher why he specifically indicated the elements that he did...I think he said Sword was water form because of the nature of the forms we practice... Brendan Lai have a website -- www.brendanlaisupply.com but you can't view their inventory or buy online. Call their number...but it's not much use until you can see their stuff. Also, their swords etc are far more cheaper than anything you will find on the internet (my first sword I got off the internet and it was rated as good...but it had a very yang blade and was blade heavy). The first sword I got at Brendan Lai was balanced Yin-Yang, vibrated and flexed very nicely and was light and weight-balanced. In fact I recently purchased a sword for my friend there and a couple of waxwood staves. Great people at the store, great stuff and great price (and I got a 15% discount on top). Cheers!

The Taiji sword forms are Water form, according to my teacher. And yes, they also help in projecting Qi beyond the physical appendages. Incidentally, Empty hand taiji forms are Earth Forms, Staff is Wood, Spear is Fire and the Broadsword is Metal. As far as the tassel vs no-tassel argument goes...the tassels are provided to counter-balance the blade. If a sword is blade heavy, tassels can be used as counter-weights. However, my teacher suggested we get rid of the tassels, since they don't provide any energetic benefits to the forms and get in the way. His recommendation was to buy a good sword instead...which I did. Went to San Francisco, Brendan Lai's Martial Arts supplies on Mission St and found the mother-lode of excellent Swords, Staves, Broadswords, etc, which aren't very expensive either.

Tai Chi is a meditative system. It can be used to delve into the deep recesses of your mind, body and spirit and eventually actualize realization of Tao. Don't think too much about it...the Path will reveal itself...just keep practicing seriously and with intelligence.

The confusion is because you use the word "Sin" that connotes negativity associated with it. So Original Sin is something that must at all costs be undone. Where as, in the Eastern traditions, Karma isn't necessarily something that needs to be 'undone', because no amount of undoing is also doing, so you accrue karmic debt anyway. If and when an individual chooses to seek liberation from the cycle of birth and re-birth, he/she will have to do "not doing" (or in otherwords, Wu Wei or Nishkaama Karma) to not accrue karmic debt. Also he/she will have to do Yoga to release bound energy (or Cultivation), freeing up energy at each sheath of the body (the physical, pranic, psychic, spiritual, emotional, etc or the five koshas per Hinduism or 7 bodies per Taoism).

How are the Chi and the other non-corporeal things experienced/manifested but for this body of flesh and bones...for you or for me? Maybe a realized Master can say that the corporeal body is irrelevant (or at least not the most important thing), but for us, to get to the realized state, this body is an essential vehicle.

Why do you presuppose that sickness or disease or anything "negative" is "negative" and that in an ideal world only "positives" should exist? There can be something positive that comes out of someone's illness. It is obvious that everyone has to go (whether you choose to believe in reincarnation or not). So then, why should it be, that departure be painless? Think about the cumulative "disease" humans have spread on Nature. Starting with trying to subjugate the rest of the world, to devouring every natural resource on earth with gluttonous appetite... Maybe disease is a way of balancing...I'm suffering from the Flu. Perhaps it is time for the viruses and bacteria to thrive and finish their cycle at my expense. What you sow, so you shall reap. At the end of the day, do you claim that you are not party to the actions of those around you? Whether we actively or passively "indulge", we share the Karma. The notion of "Heaven" and "Hell" is also misleading. If you try to approach Eastern traditions from a Western vantage point, all you will get is interpretations from a Western Vantage point. I understand that language and syntax are problematic...as is the indoctrination in a "way of thinking". Heaven and Hell are what you make of them here. They are simply symbolic/allegorical. Depending on your state of mind, isn't your being in "Heaven" or "Hell", subjectively?

It is not a matter of purification. It is a matter of attachment and severing of those attachments...it is at the crux of it an energetic thing. As you do actions with your volition, you are investing energy into these actions and there is always an effect of such energetic investment. By neutralizing Karmic traces, one is simply release bound energy and then using it to reach "escape velocity".

It is incorrect to assume that Original Sin and Karma are the same thing. Here's why: Per Original Sin theory, man is born tainted and therefore must redeem himself by accepting the teaching of Jesus Christ (in other words, accept Jesus as the saviour or be damned). Karma theory is very different. There is no specific qualification of whether karma is good or bad...it simply is Karma (or action). When one does action using one's free will, he/she will have performed karma/kriya and therefore will have to face the consequences of this action. The theory of Karma exists because there is no concept of "original sin" in the Eastern traditions. No one is born a "sinner" and no one can "save" anyone else. It is the individual's responsibility to watch out for one's own salvation or moksha (that being breaking the cycle of re-incarnation). I find the concept that "Buddhists will find salvation in Buddha" simply a transference of sorts, by those from a judeo-christian background. It is usually the case with converts...they try and overcompensate for their "noobie-ness" with zeal. I would venture to say that Karma theory frees the individual from the clutches of Churches and Sons of God(s) and puts him/her in-charge of his/her destiny. Karma isn't something that can only be talked about but not proven. It is a natural law (as opposed to a "God-given" one). It is simply the law of cause and effect.

It is called Tandava and is documented in a scripture called the Natya Shastra. Also, Chi is real...but not everyone can feel it. It is not the breath or oxygen or anything like that. It is that which animates life. It is Life itself. Human beings are very de-sensitized to internal things and Chi is predominantly and internal thing (it can also be an external thing but that's something for another). To the OP, no amount of discussion on this matter will help you 9or any of the skeptics on board) realize Chi till you can find authentic practices that will help first sensitize your mind-body and then strengthen your Chi flow. When you have a strong enough Chi flow, you will have no reason to doubt what it is...as they say...the proof is in the pudding. Those who do not believe in the fact that Chi can manifest itself (when projected) in "super"-natural ways simply haven't experienced it. Those who do, know it for a fact, without an iota of doubt in their minds.

Thanks!

Fear is a natural emotion. The key as Contrived pointed out is to not let it affect one's actions/decisions beyond a certain degree... For eg: If you see a mad elephant charging towards you or a out of control truck, it is natural to be afraid and also a smart thing to jump out of the way. This hypothetical situation might elicit different responses based on various combinations/permuations of the incident and environment surrounding it. For instance, replace yourself from being the experiencer to being an observer who sees a child in the path of a runaway truck or mad elephant. What would your reaction be?

I will post just this once (again)... There is a misconception and a mistaken understanding of what Non-duality means. Like you pointed out Gold, it is mysterious and no amount of articulation/verbalization can capture it. Advaita, Taoism, Non-dual Tantra all refer to this "mystery" in no uncertain terms. It is...it is mysterious...it CANNOT be accessed using rational faculties since that implies using the mind (which is by itself a phenomenon). The rational faculties will take you to the "brink" of the void. The Void itself is what remains after the phenomena are removed. Buddhism (unlike what some of our buddhist friends claim) too leads to this. This cannot of course be debated or argued about, because no one can make another realize this...this is self-inquiry by dropping the lesser Self.

Can anyone recommend a good TCM doctor in the Chicago area? I want to go in for a consultation. Thanks, Dwai

have you looked at B K Frantzis' Water Method of Taoist Meditation? He covers Dissolving in great detail.