beancurdturtle

why would and ass have a chin?

Roots are what supports a tree and give birth to the blossoms. Start your un-learning at the root. Start with the Tao te Ching. Problem is, the Tao te Ching is translated in a gazillion different ways. So find yourself 20 minutes uninterrupted and... 1. Go here: http://home.pages.at/onkellotus/Menu/Reader.html 2. In the second selection list from the left at the top labeled "[--> other languages ,--]," select "Merel 1". I recommend Merel as one of the several you will read because his interpolation is pretty neutral, and approachable from the perspective of a western mind. 3. In the box with all the numbers at the right/top, select the number 1. 4. Read Chapter 1. 5. In the second selection list from the left at the top labeled "[--> other languages ,--]," select another English translation. The selection will flip to the selected translation at the same chapter you selected in step 3. 6. Repeat step 5, four more times 7. You will be confused, don't over think, see if you can allow a basic concept of just that chapter to fruit in your mind. Don't write it down as it will change and come into focus for months and years to come. 8. Go on with your life, see if you can blend a bit of that concept into how you live. 9. Wait at least one day, and the next time you find yourself with 20 minutes uninterrupted, do steps 1 to 7 again. Select the next chapter (steps 3 and 4). Then blend the new concept, with the others you've learned, into your life. 10. Every once in a while jump back to a chapter you already did before and see how surprised and delighted you might be to see how your understanding has increased, and how it's meaning has shifted and focused. There is no quick answer. This will take you more than three months to get through the whole Tao te Ching - and it should. Your mind needs to unlearn many things along the way. After you've been through all 81 chapters, find yourself 20 minutes uninterrupted and... 1. See if any recent event reminded you of a chapter in the Tao te Ching. 2. Find that chapter. 3. Read a few translations again. 4. Allow your understanding of the values expressed in the chapter to clarify and become more relevant and meaningful for how you live. 5. Begin integrating what you are learning into how you live, eventually it becomes an unthinking way of living. When you feel you have a good grasp on the Tao te Ching (probably 6 months at least), then read Zhuangzi. If Zhuangzi makes you laugh up a storm and clarifies the Tao te Ching - then you really are starting to get it. If you try the I-Ching or some other practitioner's path before you understand the Tao te Ching, you may end up with the false impression that Taoism is only about practices, arts, and rituals. When at the core it's about how you live. Start at the root, at the Tao te Ching. Then the practices and arts that have blossomed from the root - like taijichuan, I-Ching, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and so much more - will be immensely more fragrant. At least that's my opinion. Peace,

There's nothing "wrong" with the "law of attraction" and "The Secret." And the tactics can work to reach the assumed objective. It's focused on things with the assumption that things and "success" are worthy life objectives. The false assumption is that when our expectations are met, we will be happy. The LOA is not flawed, but it's target is. The objective should be to let go of expectations. Without expectations, you will always be content.

Disclaimer: This "sharing" of my thoughts is not meant to be a declaration of my rightness or anyone else's wrongness. It's only where my thoughts have evolved to from the path I've followed. So please don't be offended. If your path is different I accept it - I fully believe that your path is not wrong (both in my view and in truth). No contention is intended. I will be pleased if you wish to share your response. I was writing in a forum where the subject was originally "What is important in life?" and somehow ended up being a discussion about sex. Someone commented that I seemed to be enthusiastic about sex and I answered: Then someone from China who likes to question my understanding of Chinese philosophy and literature challenged me with: The challenge reminded me of the 38th chapter of the Dao de Jing. In this chapter Laozi directly addresses the subject of ritual, rules, and all the things that fascinate us humans - and distract us from our natural selves. So, even though sensuality has little to do with ritual and rules, the false belief that we should deny ourselves sensual pleasures has everything to do with ritual and rules. Here is how I answered: The goal is to live naturally and with harmony, in the world. We are born into this life as humans. To spend all of our lives attempting to escape this fact is unnatural and a huge waste of energy. We don't need to deny ourselves sensual pleasure - or bind our behaviors to ritual and rules - to experience our own humanity and live balanced and rightly. Does that make sense?

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

"We" is what I imagine all of us to be in the universe between my ears. So you are exactly correct. "Denial" is a matter of individual perception, so it is hugely more irrelevant than "we" by a factor of the number of sentient minds perceiving anything at any time. There's better odds of winning the lottery than defining denial. "Big and bigger" is an understatement at the very least. Laozi is even thought to be a mythical person by some "scholars." And what he did or did not do is a matter of some contention, even for those who believe he lived. But the context is less important than the message (abstract vs. substance) in everything. I feel like you understand my thoughts, and I feel like I understand yours. I appreciate your sharing. And to everyone else that commented, I thank you as well.

Well, there you go. Pretty much described what I was thinking. I thought her response would be more fleshed out - and I was right. After a number of years doing this stuff this "real person," "integral person," "sage," "master," "great goombah of yabba-dabba-do," or what have you becomes something you can feel. It's especially helpful if you've met one or two people who are real people and walk an "enlightened" path as easily as sitting on a tuffet. Here's Peter Merel's interpolation of Chapter 15 We can recognize a real person after we've had a little accepting exposure to enlightened paths. It's that person who feels, acts, and is nearly always content, accepting, frictionless, and natural - even in the most unnatural environments. Many enlightened paths lead to becoming a real person. The path is details - the objective is what's important. That's why it's cool to be here and see Taomeow and others share their path. I'm shooting for being the great goombah of yabba-dabba-do.

*chuckle* ain't that the truth?

In my response there was a link to a book from Nolo Press. How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation by Attorney Anthony Mancuso Nolo Press is a respected publisher of books for lay-people to accomplish daunting legal tasks.

My dad used to say: You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose; but you can't wipe your friends under the table. Which has nothing to do with the following poem. Attaining enlightenment is like a well picked nose. You have to dig in deep, and - at least briefly - become one with the boogers, before you can breathe deeply.

Most are.

Where he'll soundly trounce you with a pillow of potentiality.

Many in my family are fundamental Christian, I was raised fundamental Christian - so I understand your position. When faced with something like you mention with your father, try being 100% accepting. Don't try to explain qi or taoism. Do your own practice, do it rightly with compassion, do it well. Eventually they will see the goodness you are manifesting, and coming to you from your "strange" way. They will ask in time. When they ask they will be ready to hear more than when you tell. Actions speak louder than words. Welcome.

From one monster to another... welcome

Thanks ZenB. Sweet dreams!

Nice! Well said, both of you.

Nice! Nature is impartial. If we intend to live in harmony with nature, we too need to develop impartiality.

I had a feeling that was the case - I was even feeling a bit squeemish making an assumption and using "he." But with English being gender based and male biased I went for the baseline. Not always the best way to go obviously. Mandarin Chinese is so much easier being gender neutral - I could have just used "ta." Peace, -- Daniel

I wouldn't cling to similarities. But I know they exist. And I have a feeling that Taomeow and I have a similarity in what we are trying to achieve - and a difference in path and semantics. I was hoping for Taomeow's answers becasue if I open my fat trap it establishes context of one thought set compared to another. So I hoped to have Taomeow's thoughts free of context. I'll answer your original questions later.

You know what Taomeow. I was stepping out with an inflamed ego. It happens. I appreciate your thoughts and knowledge. Don't let me being an ass put you off. I have another possible avatar for you.

If you don't mind. I think I'll let Taomeow answer this. If he will. I think it has the same meaning for both of us, but I expect you'll get a better answer from Taomeow than from me. I think even Taomeow's answer to "Why do you follow the paths you do?" will be fundamentally the same as mine, but better expressed. I have a habit of oversimplifying. So it works in my head - but my explanation is obtuse.

It could go on, but your simple (brief) explanations work for me very well.