beancurdturtle

林愛偉: Indeed! fatherpaul: How do I distinguish the happiness of my pancakes?

Bless you. Smacks of universal acceptance.

Bingo! I love that word "codswallop." Zen ethos has a significant congruity with Ancient Taoism. I dig it. And though we disagree about "the why" for things, I also dig Yen Hui.

I'm with you on this. I even feel strange capitalizing the word "tao" sometimes - because it's obvious, isn't it? It's like using bold type for the word "huge" - huge is bold by it's nature. Words crack me up, which is why Zhuangzi is a kick-in-the-ass for me. But I digress. I totally get this too. I'd bet people have even turned this power to levitation. First, thanks for the thoughts and reflections offered to my post. Philosophical Taoism is also referred to as "Ancient Taoism" or "Original Taoism" by some folks. So... Let me offer this as a starting point for an explanation of a Philosophical Taoist or 受理古老道教. "受理古老道教" translates roughly to "one who accepts ancient Taoism." About vital energy or physicality: Go to this link: http://www.yakrider.com/Tao/Taoism_Daoism.htm Scroll down the page to the section titled "Three Taoisms and Their Approaches to Te." This explanation talks about the approach to the physical aspects in an oversimplified way. It's aimed at folks who know little about Taoism - but I get the feeling most here can fill in the blanks. So then, that basically covers the concept of appropriate use of vital energy. What about thoughts and what to do with your mind? About the mind or philosophy: For a starting point on this I'll quote Taoist Master Ni Hua-Ching(倪清和), who was the my first significant influence in studying Taoism. The objective in Philosophical Taoism is to create a way of existence (physicality) and thought (philosophy) that is congruent with the "essential nature of life." Actions and thoughts (thoughts being philosophy for living) should be directed towards becoming - on balance - a being of integrity, respect, and harmony, with everything. You don't need ritual, you don't need to fly, you don't need to empty your mind - you do need to un-learn, accept, and (I say) laugh. Ok, so this also is an oversimplification - but it's a starting point for discussion.

His hole-i-ness fatherpaul is the verbose one. Some day I'll ask him if he's offended by me calling him "his hole-i-ness." But I will not tell him my cousin calls me "Danhole." Welcome again!

My apologies! I must be a poor communicator on this point. I accept and understand your explanations for why. Though they are not congruent with my understanding of where the path of Taoism lies. It's all cool dude. The desire to be super-human is completely understandable. I don't know of a culture through history that hasn't had some fascination with this. I'm just way old-fashioned - maybe ancient-fashioned is a better way to put it. Peace my friend - and have a safe flight.

I thought about this a little more. About how I started my interest in philosphical or ancient Taoism. Ni Hua-Ching(倪清和), is one of my favorite authors of books about philosophical Taoism. I've visited with him a few times many years ago (like 20) when I first started my walk on the philosophical Taoist side. His sons are great guys too.

Porn has it's purpose I suppose - but cultivating you mind is probably more productive. But around here someone might argue that point. Haha! Welcome, Jump in.

How strange? I am an actualized (to a large degree) philosophical Taoist in the U.S. - where the only Taoism known by most people is Religious Taoism (i.e.: I-Kuan Tao). Try to explain the difference betreen the three major schools of Taoist practice to people who largely don't know there's a different between Taiwan and Thailand - they sound the same. I don't even attempt any more - I don't even say I'm Taoist unless someone asks. I've been to China and Taiwan a few times. And a large percentage of my friends are Chinese or Asian. Like I said, they may not understand me, but usually there is acceptance (sometimes humorous). The racial slurs and curious putdowns just make me laugh. And the look on people's face when they think the meiguoren understands the insult is priceless. At this point in my life I'm usually way past anger. I wear what I do too. Every day a black Mock turtle neck shirt (don't want wind on my neck) - long sleeve or short sleeve dependant on the weather. Blue denim jeans, and black tennis shoes. I don't see the need for fashion for myself - though I enjoy admiring it on women.

Because 怪人 of my ilk are much better accepted by Chinese in my experience. Maybe not understood - but accepted nonetheless.

There's a very strong possibility I will be moving to China in 2009.

Right, "ability" being one of the labels. "Actualization" is probably a better label here. The un-learning is the part that takes focus - then paradoxically letting go. It's like learning to drive a manual shift automobile. First most people think it's not possible. Then when you actualize it, it sort of just happens. Then one day you realize you've actualized it and think, "holy cow! this is cool." And the friction is eliminated.

Wouldn't this be the ability to refer to world by the accepted label set (i.e.: past. present, future) for common consensual reality, while knowing that the label set commonly accepted to be reality is basically a set of labels for our perceptions and definitions?

Well said.

Why? I'm not meaning to be critical, just curious about the motivation for your thinking. Wait, wait. I don't question the motivation for your thinking - I question it's relevance to "Taoist levitation." Ok, let me be more clear. I recognize the potential value for one to "position themselves w/ experiences with techniques suitable to accept the influx or outpouring of various frequencies of energy not immediately perceptable to everyone at this time" but I fail to see how it justifies the need (or desire) for "Taoist levitation." Philosophical Taoism is about achieving harmony by reducing friction with what is natural (my explanation of philosophical Taoism in a nutshell). This can be as base as taking a really good sh|t. "Taoist levitation" seems to me to be an oxymoron. What does it achieve? Other than to say "whoa! that dude can levitate." BTW, I agree with his hole-i-ness; "bravo"

The ability to be wise enough to not put yourself within mauling range of a bear would be a better skill to cultivate. It's more of a stretch to argue the need for cultivating "Taoist levitation." Yet even more of a stretch to argue against arguing the need for cultivating "Taoist levitation." How silly am I? In this matter I shall defer to the wizdom of his hole-i-ness...

If you were shivering and standing next to the furnace control, I might ask if I may enlighten you.

Many people, including the Chinese I know, say you can't apply the Dao de Jing to modern life. It's too profound, or maybe it's quaint and no longer valid. I say - people have not become more complicated or sophisticated than they were a few thousand years ago when the Dao de Jing was written. True, we have more toys and distractions from science, technology, "civilization," and society. Compared to 5,000 years ago, the distractions are more plentiful, more appealing, and can be found in an instant. But that does not change the simple meaning of the Dao de Jing, for example the 12th chapter: For English speakers, here is my favorite translation of the 12th chapter: Take the simple philosophy and move it from the challenging ancient words to the context of current society and there is no confusion about the meaning. The difficult part (as 5,000 years ago) is the implementation. The first thing everyone will say, "but I can't give up my television." I think Chinese scholars try too hard to understand some profound deep meaning in the Dao de Jing. On the other extreme, see religious Daoists put all their energy into memorizing the words, and they miss the meaning. Again, the middle path is not seen by many. The Dao de Jing should be read as if it is a different language because it comes from world so long ago. Because the context of our environment has changed - it must be read, and understood in current context. It should be interpreted as a framework for perception, values, principles, and action - not as an exact set of rules. Let me give an example; if you translate Chinese to English you do not translate it exactly as that would drive the listener crazy. When you "translate" thousands of years old philosophy to current philosophy you have to do a similar process as Chinese to English. The meaning has to be interpreted in a different context. If you try to apply the Dao de Jing exactly as written (assuming you could find an exact translation) it will make you crazy too. Maybe the trouble for Chinese is; Chinese have basically two base versions of the Dao de Jing, both in Chinese. I am lucky (and unlucky) that I have always been reading English translations; by Buddhists, by Shinto Japanese, by religious Daoists, by Christians, by Atheists. Every translation is flavored by the thoughts of the translator. So I can see the flexibility of the fabric, and read 2 or 3 translations to understand it in the way best suited to my philosophy and current life situation. I am lucky (and unlucky) to have to read different versions to find one simple meaning. It forces me to ignore the abstraction and look for the substance in the words. Know what I mean? Peace,

Oh! This is easy. Three things. One is a statement, two are questions. 1. So happy to see you. 2. How are you today? 3. Have you eaten? Profundity is overrated.

What if you are not interested in flying because it's a rather silly thing for a human being to do, yet you've flown in your dreams? Would that be wrong?

True that. And it's also a bad for your Yin Qi to be up when it should be regeneratiing.

Yes! Welcome. fatherpaul is the verbose one.

Hya!