thelerner

The Dao Bums+
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Everything posted by thelerner

  1. Life and Where to go from Here

    Hi Marcusbaby, opinions are like pinkie fingers, everybodies got two, and they don't really do much. We could live just fine without them. Anyhow, take what's offered with a grain of salt. Welcome to the board. We're an eclectic philosophy forum for learning, discussing and cultivation. Below are 3 important sections: Our Rules, The Insult Policy and our 3 Foundations. Before you join give them a read. Most of it boils down to being respectful. No name calling or trolling. Post as if your mom's looking over your shoulder. Discussion and arguments are what the board is about. Keep it civil, don't get personal. Don't be a troll or one issue zealot. We're here for good conversation and making some friends along the way, to be a community. Jump right in, start threads, ask questions, look for interesting threads and post your (relevant) thoughts. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. TDB team Read and review Our Rules: Please take a moment to review our Forum Terms & Rules detailed below. If you agree with them and wish to proceed with the registration, simply click the "Register" button below. To cancel this registration, simply hit the 'back' button on your browser. Please remember that we are not responsible for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of this bulletin board. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact us immediately by email. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary. The content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of content found on the website. You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, spam, obscene, profane, threatens or incites violence, invasive of a person's privacy, nor of denigrating and/or erotically suggestive avatars, signatures, links and pictures, or otherwise violative of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by this bulletin board. -Mal Rules & Use 7/22/11 Our Insult Policy- Read it, Live it Basically No personal attacks. It is totally fine to vocally disagree with a person's opinion, technique, politics, approach, lifestyle choice, etc. But no insulting (or links to attacks) of individuals, nationalities, genders, political preferences, lifestyle choices, etc. While this may sound restrictive and categorically un-Taoist, I believe it is a useful guideline to help us stop for a moment and think about how to present our perspectives intelligently without just flinging unproductive rudeness at each other. This way other members can receive value from your perspective and you can gain clarity by reasoning out why you initially felt compelled to verbally put down someone else for being different. No one, including the originating poster, gains anything from statements like "So and so is a complete moron", etc. If you have an opinion and you believe it's relevant to a topic at hand, post it as constructively as possible so we can learn from you, debate with you, ignore you, whatever. If you can't abide by this simple constructive guideline, either create your post in a PPD or expect it can be moved. This is our mini-octagon here for those of you that insist on a more primitive breed of taoist war. TheDaoBums' Three Foundations: Eclectic, Egalitarian, Civil. TDBs' Cultural Context and Founding Principles ver.2020-Jul-16 The purpose of this document is to concisely state the most fundamental framework principles that give TDBs it's distinctive shape. This is not "all the rules, permutations, etc", just the steel beams. TDBs exists in the general field of "The Search for Truth". The Usual organized formats (schools) for The Search tend to have: 1. focus exclusively within a school 2. hierachical learning structure, hierachical ability to speak TheDàoBums' founding principles form a deliberate cultural counter-point: 1. run independently of any school, which allows a more eclectic atmosphere 2. conversational learning, egalitarian ability for members to speak TDBs' social format is "cafeteria", not "classroom". It's part of TDBs' premise that, broadly in culture, these two formats are necessary, distinct yet complementary. TheDàoBums has a strong egalitarian ethic in that it's whole purpose is to provide a civil very open context for member conversations. However, its governance structure is mostly top down; it's not a democracy. - admins - own / run the board - moderators - enforce rules - members - converse TDBs' Conversational Context: 1. At TDBs member participation in conversation is non-hierarchical. Meaning, members have equal ability to talk regardless of level of knowledge, achievement, or status / credentials of any kind. TDBs has an underlying ethic of valuing the communication of each person. 2. TDBs most basic rules about conversation are around civility. While TDBs provides room for, encourages, lively, often vigorous and sometimes rough and tumble, debate ... that is balanced by protecting decency and sensitivity towards each other in such a variety of instances that no set of specific rules could ever adequately cover. A moderator's basic role is to moderate members' incivility toward each other in conversation. Members support this process by 'reporting' offending posts A fictional example of how 1&2 shake out: If there's a TDBs debate about music between Mozart vs a beginning piano player, and it becomes heated enough that reports are generated for moderator consideration then, still, "level of knowledge, achievement, or status" are not basis for moderation. Civility is, applied equally to each member. It's up to each member, not moderators, to sort out the truth (and other questions of quality) for themselves in conversation. Moderators just keep the conversation civil within reasonable limits. For issues of staff bias, members can contact the current admin. The staff (admins, moderators) also deserve and have protection against incivility and against abuse of staff resources. Staff protection is enforced at the discretion of the admin, lead moderator/s, and by consensus of the moderation team. The admin also has broad discretion to protect the civility and resources of any aspect within TDBs e-community. signed, - Trunk, author & past admin - Sean, owner & admin of TheDàoBums
  2. Another Perspective on Nothing To Do

    Greetings Stirling, that is a very impressive past. I look forward to reading your insights. Many welcomes to the board. We're an eclectic philosophy forum for learning, discussing and cultivation. Below are 3 important sections: Our Rules, The Insult Policy and our 3 Foundations. Before you join give them a read. Most of it boils down to being respectful. No name calling or trolling. Post as if your mom's looking over your shoulder. Discussion and arguments are what the board is about. Keep it civil, don't get personal. Don't be a troll or one issue zealot. We're here for good conversation and making some friends along the way, to be a community. Jump right in, start threads, ask questions, look for interesting threads and post your (relevant) thoughts. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. TDB team Read and review Our Rules: Please take a moment to review our Forum Terms & Rules detailed below. If you agree with them and wish to proceed with the registration, simply click the "Register" button below. To cancel this registration, simply hit the 'back' button on your browser. Please remember that we are not responsible for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of this bulletin board. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact us immediately by email. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary. The content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of content found on the website. You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, spam, obscene, profane, threatens or incites violence, invasive of a person's privacy, nor of denigrating and/or erotically suggestive avatars, signatures, links and pictures, or otherwise violative of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by this bulletin board. -Mal Rules & Use 7/22/11 Our Insult Policy- Read it, Live it Basically No personal attacks. It is totally fine to vocally disagree with a person's opinion, technique, politics, approach, lifestyle choice, etc. But no insulting (or links to attacks) of individuals, nationalities, genders, political preferences, lifestyle choices, etc. While this may sound restrictive and categorically un-Taoist, I believe it is a useful guideline to help us stop for a moment and think about how to present our perspectives intelligently without just flinging unproductive rudeness at each other. This way other members can receive value from your perspective and you can gain clarity by reasoning out why you initially felt compelled to verbally put down someone else for being different. No one, including the originating poster, gains anything from statements like "So and so is a complete moron", etc. If you have an opinion and you believe it's relevant to a topic at hand, post it as constructively as possible so we can learn from you, debate with you, ignore you, whatever. If you can't abide by this simple constructive guideline, either create your post in a PPD or expect it can be moved. This is our mini-octagon here for those of you that insist on a more primitive breed of taoist war. TheDaoBums' Three Foundations: Eclectic, Egalitarian, Civil. TDBs' Cultural Context and Founding Principles ver.2020-Jul-16 The purpose of this document is to concisely state the most fundamental framework principles that give TDBs it's distinctive shape. This is not "all the rules, permutations, etc", just the steel beams. TDBs exists in the general field of "The Search for Truth". The Usual organized formats (schools) for The Search tend to have: 1. focus exclusively within a school 2. hierachical learning structure, hierachical ability to speak TheDàoBums' founding principles form a deliberate cultural counter-point: 1. run independently of any school, which allows a more eclectic atmosphere 2. conversational learning, egalitarian ability for members to speak TDBs' social format is "cafeteria", not "classroom". It's part of TDBs' premise that, broadly in culture, these two formats are necessary, distinct yet complementary. TheDàoBums has a strong egalitarian ethic in that it's whole purpose is to provide a civil very open context for member conversations. However, its governance structure is mostly top down; it's not a democracy. - admins - own / run the board - moderators - enforce rules - members - converse TDBs' Conversational Context: 1. At TDBs member participation in conversation is non-hierarchical. Meaning, members have equal ability to talk regardless of level of knowledge, achievement, or status / credentials of any kind. TDBs has an underlying ethic of valuing the communication of each person. 2. TDBs most basic rules about conversation are around civility. While TDBs provides room for, encourages, lively, often vigorous and sometimes rough and tumble, debate ... that is balanced by protecting decency and sensitivity towards each other in such a variety of instances that no set of specific rules could ever adequately cover. A moderator's basic role is to moderate members' incivility toward each other in conversation. Members support this process by 'reporting' offending posts A fictional example of how 1&2 shake out: If there's a TDBs debate about music between Mozart vs a beginning piano player, and it becomes heated enough that reports are generated for moderator consideration then, still, "level of knowledge, achievement, or status" are not basis for moderation. Civility is, applied equally to each member. It's up to each member, not moderators, to sort out the truth (and other questions of quality) for themselves in conversation. Moderators just keep the conversation civil within reasonable limits. For issues of staff bias, members can contact the current admin. The staff (admins, moderators) also deserve and have protection against incivility and against abuse of staff resources. Staff protection is enforced at the discretion of the admin, lead moderator/s, and by consensus of the moderation team. The admin also has broad discretion to protect the civility and resources of any aspect within TDBs e-community. signed, - Trunk, author & past admin - Sean, owner & admin of TheDàoBums
  3. Inequality

    Change and reforms can be done by politics or rebellion. Rebellion is messy, tends to eat it own, and much of the time leaves chaos in its wake. Politics can be dirty, slow and corrupt. Still.. I find it better then rebellion. I wonder if we can learn something from the story of the master Butcher, a Taoist who cuts meat; does it well and effortlessly. If a Taoist's profession is politics, he'd be on good relations with all, low key, non-divisive.. steer his projects through with patience, quietly..
  4. Evidnece for the super natural

    I looked for evidence of the supernatural when I was younger. Never found it, other then some people could do energy work that was inexplicative, but not really quantifiable. At this point I don't really expect to see things that go against nature, not in an on demand kind of way. I assume there are coincidences that go beyond natural explanations happening all the time but not in ways reproducible. I've been hoping that deep dreamwork might produce some paradigm change in the beliefs of human capacities. Not so far, but I'm hopeful.
  5. Long time lurker

    Hi Slaugh, I was also a fan of SoTG. He had a, imo, brilliant blog here for awhile. I miss his deep eclectic work. Course its the integrity of the practitioner that moves the boat. Welcome to the site. We're an eclectic philosophy forum for learning, discussing and cultivation. Below are 3 important sections: Our Rules, The Insult Policy and our 3 Foundations. Before you join give them a read. Most of it boils down to being respectful. No name calling or trolling. Post as if your mom's looking over your shoulder. Discussion and arguments are what the board is about. Keep it civil, don't get personal. Don't be a troll or one issue zealot. We're here for good conversation and making some friends along the way, to be a community. Jump right in, start threads, ask questions, look for interesting threads and post your (relevant) thoughts. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. TDB team Read and review Our Rules: Please take a moment to review our Forum Terms & Rules detailed below. If you agree with them and wish to proceed with the registration, simply click the "Register" button below. To cancel this registration, simply hit the 'back' button on your browser. Please remember that we are not responsible for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of this bulletin board. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact us immediately by email. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary. The content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of content found on the website. You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, spam, obscene, profane, threatens or incites violence, invasive of a person's privacy, nor of denigrating and/or erotically suggestive avatars, signatures, links and pictures, or otherwise violative of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by this bulletin board. -Mal Rules & Use 7/22/11 Our Insult Policy- Read it, Live it Basically No personal attacks. It is totally fine to vocally disagree with a person's opinion, technique, politics, approach, lifestyle choice, etc. But no insulting (or links to attacks) of individuals, nationalities, genders, political preferences, lifestyle choices, etc. While this may sound restrictive and categorically un-Taoist, I believe it is a useful guideline to help us stop for a moment and think about how to present our perspectives intelligently without just flinging unproductive rudeness at each other. This way other members can receive value from your perspective and you can gain clarity by reasoning out why you initially felt compelled to verbally put down someone else for being different. No one, including the originating poster, gains anything from statements like "So and so is a complete moron", etc. If you have an opinion and you believe it's relevant to a topic at hand, post it as constructively as possible so we can learn from you, debate with you, ignore you, whatever. If you can't abide by this simple constructive guideline, either create your post in a PPD or expect it can be moved. This is our mini-octagon here for those of you that insist on a more primitive breed of taoist war. TheDaoBums' Three Foundations: Eclectic, Egalitarian, Civil. TDBs' Cultural Context and Founding Principles ver.2020-Jul-16 The purpose of this document is to concisely state the most fundamental framework principles that give TDBs it's distinctive shape. This is not "all the rules, permutations, etc", just the steel beams. TDBs exists in the general field of "The Search for Truth". The Usual organized formats (schools) for The Search tend to have: 1. focus exclusively within a school 2. hierachical learning structure, hierachical ability to speak TheDàoBums' founding principles form a deliberate cultural counter-point: 1. run independently of any school, which allows a more eclectic atmosphere 2. conversational learning, egalitarian ability for members to speak TDBs' social format is "cafeteria", not "classroom". It's part of TDBs' premise that, broadly in culture, these two formats are necessary, distinct yet complementary. TheDàoBums has a strong egalitarian ethic in that it's whole purpose is to provide a civil very open context for member conversations. However, its governance structure is mostly top down; it's not a democracy. - admins - own / run the board - moderators - enforce rules - members - converse TDBs' Conversational Context: 1. At TDBs member participation in conversation is non-hierarchical. Meaning, members have equal ability to talk regardless of level of knowledge, achievement, or status / credentials of any kind. TDBs has an underlying ethic of valuing the communication of each person. 2. TDBs most basic rules about conversation are around civility. While TDBs provides room for, encourages, lively, often vigorous and sometimes rough and tumble, debate ... that is balanced by protecting decency and sensitivity towards each other in such a variety of instances that no set of specific rules could ever adequately cover. A moderator's basic role is to moderate members' incivility toward each other in conversation. Members support this process by 'reporting' offending posts A fictional example of how 1&2 shake out: If there's a TDBs debate about music between Mozart vs a beginning piano player, and it becomes heated enough that reports are generated for moderator consideration then, still, "level of knowledge, achievement, or status" are not basis for moderation. Civility is, applied equally to each member. It's up to each member, not moderators, to sort out the truth (and other questions of quality) for themselves in conversation. Moderators just keep the conversation civil within reasonable limits. For issues of staff bias, members can contact the current admin. The staff (admins, moderators) also deserve and have protection against incivility and against abuse of staff resources. Staff protection is enforced at the discretion of the admin, lead moderator/s, and by consensus of the moderation team. The admin also has broad discretion to protect the civility and resources of any aspect within TDBs e-community. signed, - Trunk, author & past admin - Sean, owner & admin of TheDàoBums
  6. new or various gadgets

    In bed my favorite gadget is- A comforter filled w/ silk, not down. Around it a bamboo duvet. It's like sleeping on well.. silk. It's not the warm hug of down, its a cool and ethereal feeling.
  7. Qigong for good posture?

    I agree with this and would add in Yoga & tai chi, even dance but for it to really work, you need a live teacher. Sometimes perfect posture is subtle.
  8. Everyone post some favorite quotes!

    found on reddit, couldn't find name of creator.
  9. Everyone post some favorite quotes!

    “I have found that it is the small everyday deed of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love." ~ Gandalf who can argue w/ Gandalf?
  10. Hello

    Hi Mavie, in some ways Zhang Zhou is kinda like the father of philosophical Taoism, or at least his writings and anecdotes are very approachable, seemingly getting away from a more religious doctrine. ie He's the philosopher of '..or am I the butterfly' fame. Welcome to the board. We're an eclectic philosophy forum for learning, discussing and cultivation. Below are 3 important sections: Our Rules, The Insult Policy and our 3 Foundations. Before you join give them a read. Most of it boils down to being respectful. No name calling or trolling. Post as if your mom's looking over your shoulder. Discussion and arguments are what the board is about. Keep it civil, don't get personal. Don't be a troll or one issue zealot. We're here for good conversation and making some friends along the way, to be a community. Jump right in, start threads, ask questions, look for interesting threads and post your (relevant) thoughts. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. TDB team Read and review Our Rules: Please take a moment to review our Forum Terms & Rules detailed below. If you agree with them and wish to proceed with the registration, simply click the "Register" button below. To cancel this registration, simply hit the 'back' button on your browser. Please remember that we are not responsible for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of this bulletin board. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact us immediately by email. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary. The content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of content found on the website. You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, spam, obscene, profane, threatens or incites violence, invasive of a person's privacy, nor of denigrating and/or erotically suggestive avatars, signatures, links and pictures, or otherwise violative of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by this bulletin board. -Mal Rules & Use 7/22/11 Our Insult Policy- Read it, Live it Basically No personal attacks. It is totally fine to vocally disagree with a person's opinion, technique, politics, approach, lifestyle choice, etc. But no insulting (or links to attacks) of individuals, nationalities, genders, political preferences, lifestyle choices, etc. While this may sound restrictive and categorically un-Taoist, I believe it is a useful guideline to help us stop for a moment and think about how to present our perspectives intelligently without just flinging unproductive rudeness at each other. This way other members can receive value from your perspective and you can gain clarity by reasoning out why you initially felt compelled to verbally put down someone else for being different. No one, including the originating poster, gains anything from statements like "So and so is a complete moron", etc. If you have an opinion and you believe it's relevant to a topic at hand, post it as constructively as possible so we can learn from you, debate with you, ignore you, whatever. If you can't abide by this simple constructive guideline, either create your post in a PPD or expect it can be moved. This is our mini-octagon here for those of you that insist on a more primitive breed of taoist war. TheDaoBums' Three Foundations: Eclectic, Egalitarian, Civil. TDBs' Cultural Context and Founding Principles ver.2020-Jul-16 The purpose of this document is to concisely state the most fundamental framework principles that give TDBs it's distinctive shape. This is not "all the rules, permutations, etc", just the steel beams. TDBs exists in the general field of "The Search for Truth". The Usual organized formats (schools) for The Search tend to have: 1. focus exclusively within a school 2. hierachical learning structure, hierachical ability to speak TheDàoBums' founding principles form a deliberate cultural counter-point: 1. run independently of any school, which allows a more eclectic atmosphere 2. conversational learning, egalitarian ability for members to speak TDBs' social format is "cafeteria", not "classroom". It's part of TDBs' premise that, broadly in culture, these two formats are necessary, distinct yet complementary. TheDàoBums has a strong egalitarian ethic in that it's whole purpose is to provide a civil very open context for member conversations. However, its governance structure is mostly top down; it's not a democracy. - admins - own / run the board - moderators - enforce rules - members - converse TDBs' Conversational Context: 1. At TDBs member participation in conversation is non-hierarchical. Meaning, members have equal ability to talk regardless of level of knowledge, achievement, or status / credentials of any kind. TDBs has an underlying ethic of valuing the communication of each person. 2. TDBs most basic rules about conversation are around civility. While TDBs provides room for, encourages, lively, often vigorous and sometimes rough and tumble, debate ... that is balanced by protecting decency and sensitivity towards each other in such a variety of instances that no set of specific rules could ever adequately cover. A moderator's basic role is to moderate members' incivility toward each other in conversation. Members support this process by 'reporting' offending posts A fictional example of how 1&2 shake out: If there's a TDBs debate about music between Mozart vs a beginning piano player, and it becomes heated enough that reports are generated for moderator consideration then, still, "level of knowledge, achievement, or status" are not basis for moderation. Civility is, applied equally to each member. It's up to each member, not moderators, to sort out the truth (and other questions of quality) for themselves in conversation. Moderators just keep the conversation civil within reasonable limits. For issues of staff bias, members can contact the current admin. The staff (admins, moderators) also deserve and have protection against incivility and against abuse of staff resources. Staff protection is enforced at the discretion of the admin, lead moderator/s, and by consensus of the moderation team. The admin also has broad discretion to protect the civility and resources of any aspect within TDBs e-community. signed, - Trunk, author & past admin - Sean, owner & admin of TheDàoBums
  11. Forum Health

    I see some dwindling, but thats not all that unusual, the site always has periods of general quiet. It's also up to us to create the good topics that create interest. To see the new topics get involved and create new ones. Life, forum and otherwise is a participation sport.
  12. hi

    Hi Jaba, I wouldn't be surprised if most of us started in the martial arts. They're great vehicles for learning about mind, body, spirit as well as strength and toughness. Glad to have you here. We're an eclectic philosophy forum for learning, discussing and cultivation. Below are 3 important sections: Our Rules, The Insult Policy and our 3 Foundations. Before you join give them a read. Most of it boils down to being respectful. No name calling or trolling. Post as if your mom's looking over your shoulder. Discussion and arguments are what the board is about. Keep it civil, don't get personal. Don't be a troll or one issue zealot. We're here for good conversation and making some friends along the way, to be a community. Jump right in, start threads, ask questions, look for interesting threads and post your (relevant) thoughts. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. TDB team Read and review Our Rules: Please take a moment to review our Forum Terms & Rules detailed below. If you agree with them and wish to proceed with the registration, simply click the "Register" button below. To cancel this registration, simply hit the 'back' button on your browser. Please remember that we are not responsible for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of this bulletin board. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact us immediately by email. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary. The content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of content found on the website. You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, spam, obscene, profane, threatens or incites violence, invasive of a person's privacy, nor of denigrating and/or erotically suggestive avatars, signatures, links and pictures, or otherwise violative of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by this bulletin board. -Mal Rules & Use 7/22/11 Our Insult Policy- Read it, Live it Basically No personal attacks. It is totally fine to vocally disagree with a person's opinion, technique, politics, approach, lifestyle choice, etc. But no insulting (or links to attacks) of individuals, nationalities, genders, political preferences, lifestyle choices, etc. While this may sound restrictive and categorically un-Taoist, I believe it is a useful guideline to help us stop for a moment and think about how to present our perspectives intelligently without just flinging unproductive rudeness at each other. This way other members can receive value from your perspective and you can gain clarity by reasoning out why you initially felt compelled to verbally put down someone else for being different. No one, including the originating poster, gains anything from statements like "So and so is a complete moron", etc. If you have an opinion and you believe it's relevant to a topic at hand, post it as constructively as possible so we can learn from you, debate with you, ignore you, whatever. If you can't abide by this simple constructive guideline, either create your post in a PPD or expect it can be moved. This is our mini-octagon here for those of you that insist on a more primitive breed of taoist war. TheDaoBums' Three Foundations: Eclectic, Egalitarian, Civil. TDBs' Cultural Context and Founding Principles ver.2020-Jul-16 The purpose of this document is to concisely state the most fundamental framework principles that give TDBs it's distinctive shape. This is not "all the rules, permutations, etc", just the steel beams. TDBs exists in the general field of "The Search for Truth". The Usual organized formats (schools) for The Search tend to have: 1. focus exclusively within a school 2. hierachical learning structure, hierachical ability to speak TheDàoBums' founding principles form a deliberate cultural counter-point: 1. run independently of any school, which allows a more eclectic atmosphere 2. conversational learning, egalitarian ability for members to speak TDBs' social format is "cafeteria", not "classroom". It's part of TDBs' premise that, broadly in culture, these two formats are necessary, distinct yet complementary. TheDàoBums has a strong egalitarian ethic in that it's whole purpose is to provide a civil very open context for member conversations. However, its governance structure is mostly top down; it's not a democracy. - admins - own / run the board - moderators - enforce rules - members - converse TDBs' Conversational Context: 1. At TDBs member participation in conversation is non-hierarchical. Meaning, members have equal ability to talk regardless of level of knowledge, achievement, or status / credentials of any kind. TDBs has an underlying ethic of valuing the communication of each person. 2. TDBs most basic rules about conversation are around civility. While TDBs provides room for, encourages, lively, often vigorous and sometimes rough and tumble, debate ... that is balanced by protecting decency and sensitivity towards each other in such a variety of instances that no set of specific rules could ever adequately cover. A moderator's basic role is to moderate members' incivility toward each other in conversation. Members support this process by 'reporting' offending posts A fictional example of how 1&2 shake out: If there's a TDBs debate about music between Mozart vs a beginning piano player, and it becomes heated enough that reports are generated for moderator consideration then, still, "level of knowledge, achievement, or status" are not basis for moderation. Civility is, applied equally to each member. It's up to each member, not moderators, to sort out the truth (and other questions of quality) for themselves in conversation. Moderators just keep the conversation civil within reasonable limits. For issues of staff bias, members can contact the current admin. The staff (admins, moderators) also deserve and have protection against incivility and against abuse of staff resources. Staff protection is enforced at the discretion of the admin, lead moderator/s, and by consensus of the moderation team. The admin also has broad discretion to protect the civility and resources of any aspect within TDBs e-community. signed, - Trunk, author & past admin - Sean, owner & admin of TheDàoBums abcabcabcabcabc
  13. newcomer

    Hello 小白狼, Taoism.. a big wide subject 1,000s of years old, with many branches. Healing wise there's various qi gong schools and esoteric energy meditations as well as general rules for living simply in accordance with nature. Start by looking around, reading posts, investigate different qi gong forms, they improve general health. Nothing is necessarily easy though, it all takes time, study and practice. Many stories of sickly people seeing a qi gong master and being told the cure is, just do this for 5 hours a day, for a 6 months or so.. When I think of mantras I think more Hindu practices, but I'm sure you'll get advice on peoples practices. Its all a world finding what connects with you and long honest practice. We're an eclectic philosophy forum for learning, discussing and cultivation. Below are 3 important sections: Our Rules, The Insult Policy and our 3 Foundations. Before you join give them a read. Most of it boils down to being respectful. No name calling or trolling. Post as if your mom's looking over your shoulder. Discussion and arguments are what the board is about. Keep it civil, don't get personal. Don't be a troll or one issue zealot. We're here for good conversation and making some friends along the way, to be a community. Jump right in, start threads, ask questions, look for interesting threads and post your (relevant) thoughts. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. TDB team Read and review Our Rules: Please take a moment to review our Forum Terms & Rules detailed below. If you agree with them and wish to proceed with the registration, simply click the "Register" button below. To cancel this registration, simply hit the 'back' button on your browser. Please remember that we are not responsible for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of this bulletin board. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact us immediately by email. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary. The content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of content found on the website. You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, spam, obscene, profane, threatens or incites violence, invasive of a person's privacy, nor of denigrating and/or erotically suggestive avatars, signatures, links and pictures, or otherwise violative of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by this bulletin board. -Mal Rules & Use 7/22/11 Our Insult Policy- Read it, Live it Basically No personal attacks. It is totally fine to vocally disagree with a person's opinion, technique, politics, approach, lifestyle choice, etc. But no insulting (or links to attacks) of individuals, nationalities, genders, political preferences, lifestyle choices, etc. While this may sound restrictive and categorically un-Taoist, I believe it is a useful guideline to help us stop for a moment and think about how to present our perspectives intelligently without just flinging unproductive rudeness at each other. This way other members can receive value from your perspective and you can gain clarity by reasoning out why you initially felt compelled to verbally put down someone else for being different. No one, including the originating poster, gains anything from statements like "So and so is a complete moron", etc. If you have an opinion and you believe it's relevant to a topic at hand, post it as constructively as possible so we can learn from you, debate with you, ignore you, whatever. If you can't abide by this simple constructive guideline, either create your post in a PPD or expect it can be moved. This is our mini-octagon here for those of you that insist on a more primitive breed of taoist war. TheDaoBums' Three Foundations: Eclectic, Egalitarian, Civil. TDBs' Cultural Context and Founding Principles ver.2020-Jul-16 The purpose of this document is to concisely state the most fundamental framework principles that give TDBs it's distinctive shape. This is not "all the rules, permutations, etc", just the steel beams. TDBs exists in the general field of "The Search for Truth". The Usual organized formats (schools) for The Search tend to have: 1. focus exclusively within a school 2. hierachical learning structure, hierachical ability to speak TheDàoBums' founding principles form a deliberate cultural counter-point: 1. run independently of any school, which allows a more eclectic atmosphere 2. conversational learning, egalitarian ability for members to speak TDBs' social format is "cafeteria", not "classroom". It's part of TDBs' premise that, broadly in culture, these two formats are necessary, distinct yet complementary. TheDàoBums has a strong egalitarian ethic in that it's whole purpose is to provide a civil very open context for member conversations. However, its governance structure is mostly top down; it's not a democracy. - admins - own / run the board - moderators - enforce rules - members - converse TDBs' Conversational Context: 1. At TDBs member participation in conversation is non-hierarchical. Meaning, members have equal ability to talk regardless of level of knowledge, achievement, or status / credentials of any kind. TDBs has an underlying ethic of valuing the communication of each person. 2. TDBs most basic rules about conversation are around civility. While TDBs provides room for, encourages, lively, often vigorous and sometimes rough and tumble, debate ... that is balanced by protecting decency and sensitivity towards each other in such a variety of instances that no set of specific rules could ever adequately cover. A moderator's basic role is to moderate members' incivility toward each other in conversation. Members support this process by 'reporting' offending posts A fictional example of how 1&2 shake out: If there's a TDBs debate about music between Mozart vs a beginning piano player, and it becomes heated enough that reports are generated for moderator consideration then, still, "level of knowledge, achievement, or status" are not basis for moderation. Civility is, applied equally to each member. It's up to each member, not moderators, to sort out the truth (and other questions of quality) for themselves in conversation. Moderators just keep the conversation civil within reasonable limits. For issues of staff bias, members can contact the current admin. The staff (admins, moderators) also deserve and have protection against incivility and against abuse of staff resources. Staff protection is enforced at the discretion of the admin, lead moderator/s, and by consensus of the moderation team. The admin also has broad discretion to protect the civility and resources of any aspect within TDBs e-community. signed, - Trunk, author & past admin - Sean, owner & admin of TheDàoBums
  14. Hello

    Greeting Goaforce, Welcome to the site. It'll be interesting to find out if there are others here who've read the untranslated Taoist commentaries. I hope you do and there is good conversation. We're an eclectic philosophy forum for learning, discussing and cultivation. Below are 3 important sections: Our Rules, The Insult Policy and our 3 Foundations. Before you join give them a read. Most of it boils down to being respectful. No name calling or trolling. Post as if your mom's looking over your shoulder. Discussion and arguments are what the board is about. Keep it civil, don't get personal. Don't be a troll or one issue zealot. We're here for good conversation and making some friends along the way, to be a community. Jump right in, start threads, ask questions, look for interesting threads and post your (relevant) thoughts. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. TDB team Read and review Our Rules: Please take a moment to review our Forum Terms & Rules detailed below. If you agree with them and wish to proceed with the registration, simply click the "Register" button below. To cancel this registration, simply hit the 'back' button on your browser. Please remember that we are not responsible for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of this bulletin board. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact us immediately by email. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary. The content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of content found on the website. You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, spam, obscene, profane, threatens or incites violence, invasive of a person's privacy, nor of denigrating and/or erotically suggestive avatars, signatures, links and pictures, or otherwise violative of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by this bulletin board. -Mal Rules & Use 7/22/11 Our Insult Policy- Read it, Live it Basically No personal attacks. It is totally fine to vocally disagree with a person's opinion, technique, politics, approach, lifestyle choice, etc. But no insulting (or links to attacks) of individuals, nationalities, genders, political preferences, lifestyle choices, etc. While this may sound restrictive and categorically un-Taoist, I believe it is a useful guideline to help us stop for a moment and think about how to present our perspectives intelligently without just flinging unproductive rudeness at each other. This way other members can receive value from your perspective and you can gain clarity by reasoning out why you initially felt compelled to verbally put down someone else for being different. No one, including the originating poster, gains anything from statements like "So and so is a complete moron", etc. If you have an opinion and you believe it's relevant to a topic at hand, post it as constructively as possible so we can learn from you, debate with you, ignore you, whatever. If you can't abide by this simple constructive guideline, either create your post in a PPD or expect it can be moved. This is our mini-octagon here for those of you that insist on a more primitive breed of taoist war. TheDaoBums' Three Foundations: Eclectic, Egalitarian, Civil. TDBs' Cultural Context and Founding Principles ver.2020-Jul-16 The purpose of this document is to concisely state the most fundamental framework principles that give TDBs it's distinctive shape. This is not "all the rules, permutations, etc", just the steel beams. TDBs exists in the general field of "The Search for Truth". The Usual organized formats (schools) for The Search tend to have: 1. focus exclusively within a school 2. hierachical learning structure, hierachical ability to speak TheDàoBums' founding principles form a deliberate cultural counter-point: 1. run independently of any school, which allows a more eclectic atmosphere 2. conversational learning, egalitarian ability for members to speak TDBs' social format is "cafeteria", not "classroom". It's part of TDBs' premise that, broadly in culture, these two formats are necessary, distinct yet complementary. TheDàoBums has a strong egalitarian ethic in that it's whole purpose is to provide a civil very open context for member conversations. However, its governance structure is mostly top down; it's not a democracy. - admins - own / run the board - moderators - enforce rules - members - converse TDBs' Conversational Context: 1. At TDBs member participation in conversation is non-hierarchical. Meaning, members have equal ability to talk regardless of level of knowledge, achievement, or status / credentials of any kind. TDBs has an underlying ethic of valuing the communication of each person. 2. TDBs most basic rules about conversation are around civility. While TDBs provides room for, encourages, lively, often vigorous and sometimes rough and tumble, debate ... that is balanced by protecting decency and sensitivity towards each other in such a variety of instances that no set of specific rules could ever adequately cover. A moderator's basic role is to moderate members' incivility toward each other in conversation. Members support this process by 'reporting' offending posts A fictional example of how 1&2 shake out: If there's a TDBs debate about music between Mozart vs a beginning piano player, and it becomes heated enough that reports are generated for moderator consideration then, still, "level of knowledge, achievement, or status" are not basis for moderation. Civility is, applied equally to each member. It's up to each member, not moderators, to sort out the truth (and other questions of quality) for themselves in conversation. Moderators just keep the conversation civil within reasonable limits. For issues of staff bias, members can contact the current admin. The staff (admins, moderators) also deserve and have protection against incivility and against abuse of staff resources. Staff protection is enforced at the discretion of the admin, lead moderator/s, and by consensus of the moderation team. The admin also has broad discretion to protect the civility and resources of any aspect within TDBs e-community. signed, - Trunk, author & past admin - Sean, owner & admin of TheDàoBums
  15. been 3 years since I've bumped this one up. I've found it a very valuable practice. When I'm good, I'll do a shortened version each time I visit the washroom, inorder to keep the feeling flowing throughout the day.
  16. No more right-wing bullshit.

    They come off as idiotic because they have views that are unlike yours and the worst of politics is attacking those who don't share your reviews as idiots. It's bad whether either side does it. We all need to look out for it. While one sided, I don't think the board is hypocritical because of, well, this thread, the owner clearly states his view and rules. This is a eclectic philosophy board though, we're not supposed to be too hung up on politics, and do best when we see it through a philosophical lens and don't get personal. That's been real hard lately. Love it or hate it, the board's turned moderate and left, after a period of increasingly Alt-right posts. Hopefully if one ignores 1 thread, that's in a side forum area, you won't see much politics. The mods have been trying to keep it calm, and in the past month, believe it or not, we've cautioned and given more points to the zealotry on the Left, then on the Right. On the other hand, as a mod I've been more active on the political thread lately. Maybe I shouldn't have. It does give permission and too often things flow downhill. I'm hoping the thread and politics simmer down.
  17. new or various gadgets

    Liked the Riding Dragons video. Sent it to my daughter's who has caught the skydiving bug. My latest gadgets are Oculus Quest VR 2, at $299, its an amazing game machine, but it plays Netflix, Prime video(w/ subscriptions), Youtubes like you're in a theater. Games are immersive and require full body movement. More down to earth, got a cast iron rocket stove. Its the only serious fire instrument that seems safe on wooden deck, (on metal table w/ pads under it). Burns hot and clean, no sparks. With a foil catcher under it, no debris left. Bruntmor Camping Rocket Stove, Self Feeding Wood Burning Stove ($103). You can put a pan or kettle on the top, but its more fun to add wood and see a blue hot flame coming from its chimney.
  18. Everyone post some favorite quotes!

    Quem Iuppiter vult perdere, dementat prius- 'Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad' credited perhaps falsely to Euripides. Wonder how a worse case situation might be for Trump? A Sunset Blvd ending, betrayed, forgotten and driven delusional by past adulation, and jail. Will his admirers stick with him? Or is losing their ultimate ranking of character. I guess his legal entanglements will continue til he dies, and he'll be increasingly viewed as Nixonesque but.. I've been wrong before.
  19. I was thinkin our concept of human justice tends to be Disney-esque. We view the world from a short term, highly personal lens. Thus there's a strong tendency to feel victimized, when.. it's life. If one assumes life is supposed to be fair, then you'll be victimized twice. That's not to say we're powerless but its a big world with a 1,000 players and 1,000 things in motion. Sometimes we're trampled. Hopefully when it happens we can get up and keep going. Guess I'm thinking its a mechanized universe that doesn't care. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't. Probably points to we need to care more.
  20. Sweet hello to all...

    Hi Ajay, I look forward to your conversation. Welcome to the board. We're an eclectic philosophy forum for learning, discussing and cultivation. Below are 3 important sections: Our Rules, The Insult Policy and our 3 Foundations. Before you join give them a read. Most of it boils down to being respectful. No name calling or trolling. Post as if your mom's looking over your shoulder. Discussion and arguments are what the board is about. Keep it civil, don't get personal. Don't be a troll or one issue zealot. We're here for good conversation and making some friends along the way, to be a community. Jump right in, start threads, ask questions, look for interesting threads and post your (relevant) thoughts. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. TDB team Read and review Our Rules: Please take a moment to review our Forum Terms & Rules detailed below. If you agree with them and wish to proceed with the registration, simply click the "Register" button below. To cancel this registration, simply hit the 'back' button on your browser. Please remember that we are not responsible for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of this bulletin board. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact us immediately by email. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary. The content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of content found on the website. You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, spam, obscene, profane, threatens or incites violence, invasive of a person's privacy, nor of denigrating and/or erotically suggestive avatars, signatures, links and pictures, or otherwise violative of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by this bulletin board. -Mal Rules & Use 7/22/11 Our Insult Policy- Read it, Live it Basically No personal attacks. It is totally fine to vocally disagree with a person's opinion, technique, politics, approach, lifestyle choice, etc. But no insulting (or links to attacks) of individuals, nationalities, genders, political preferences, lifestyle choices, etc. While this may sound restrictive and categorically un-Taoist, I believe it is a useful guideline to help us stop for a moment and think about how to present our perspectives intelligently without just flinging unproductive rudeness at each other. This way other members can receive value from your perspective and you can gain clarity by reasoning out why you initially felt compelled to verbally put down someone else for being different. No one, including the originating poster, gains anything from statements like "So and so is a complete moron", etc. If you have an opinion and you believe it's relevant to a topic at hand, post it as constructively as possible so we can learn from you, debate with you, ignore you, whatever. If you can't abide by this simple constructive guideline, either create your post in a PPD or expect it can be moved. This is our mini-octagon here for those of you that insist on a more primitive breed of taoist war. TheDaoBums' Three Foundations: Eclectic, Egalitarian, Civil. TDBs' Cultural Context and Founding Principles ver.2020-Jul-16 The purpose of this document is to concisely state the most fundamental framework principles that give TDBs it's distinctive shape. This is not "all the rules, permutations, etc", just the steel beams. TDBs exists in the general field of "The Search for Truth". The Usual organized formats (schools) for The Search tend to have: 1. focus exclusively within a school 2. hierachical learning structure, hierachical ability to speak TheDàoBums' founding principles form a deliberate cultural counter-point: 1. run independently of any school, which allows a more eclectic atmosphere 2. conversational learning, egalitarian ability for members to speak TDBs' social format is "cafeteria", not "classroom". It's part of TDBs' premise that, broadly in culture, these two formats are necessary, distinct yet complementary. TheDàoBums has a strong egalitarian ethic in that it's whole purpose is to provide a civil very open context for member conversations. However, its governance structure is mostly top down; it's not a democracy. - admins - own / run the board - moderators - enforce rules - members - converse TDBs' Conversational Context: 1. At TDBs member participation in conversation is non-hierarchical. Meaning, members have equal ability to talk regardless of level of knowledge, achievement, or status / credentials of any kind. TDBs has an underlying ethic of valuing the communication of each person. 2. TDBs most basic rules about conversation are around civility. While TDBs provides room for, encourages, lively, often vigorous and sometimes rough and tumble, debate ... that is balanced by protecting decency and sensitivity towards each other in such a variety of instances that no set of specific rules could ever adequately cover. A moderator's basic role is to moderate members' incivility toward each other in conversation. Members support this process by 'reporting' offending posts A fictional example of how 1&2 shake out: If there's a TDBs debate about music between Mozart vs a beginning piano player, and it becomes heated enough that reports are generated for moderator consideration then, still, "level of knowledge, achievement, or status" are not basis for moderation. Civility is, applied equally to each member. It's up to each member, not moderators, to sort out the truth (and other questions of quality) for themselves in conversation. Moderators just keep the conversation civil within reasonable limits. For issues of staff bias, members can contact the current admin. The staff (admins, moderators) also deserve and have protection against incivility and against abuse of staff resources. Staff protection is enforced at the discretion of the admin, lead moderator/s, and by consensus of the moderation team. The admin also has broad discretion to protect the civility and resources of any aspect within TDBs e-community. signed, - Trunk, author & past admin - Sean, owner & admin of TheDàoBums
  21. Hearing Loss

    I'd love to find a solution to my tinnitus. I get the feeling the cause was long long hours of highway driving with music turned up too loud. Lately I get spammed by lipoflavoroids ads, but don't think they're the solution.
  22. Inequality

    Doesn't matter what a Daoist does. What matters is what you do. Or is this all theoretical.. for study not for action. Which is fine. Most of us, Daoist or not, are not diving into poverty stricken areas to 'save' them. Some, God bless them will, but it takes a special self sacrificing person. for me, its chickens, I send out a flock or two each month thru Heifer.org, or so they claim. Over a life time, I'll be responsible for 10,000's of birds.. maybe some bird flu too, but it's something. It might be the best thing one could do is work smart, work hard, get lucky and wealthy enough to open up some factories in poverty stricken areas that hire locals. Pay'em a decent wage, and lift some families out of dire poverty. How to make $$? I find its very Daoist to find value in other people's garbage. My family's business was reselling used corrugated boxes. Bought'em by the ton, sold'em by the box. Started in the 1930's, did quite well.
  23. Hello

    Hello ShenGoku, Spiritual Questions.. give it a shot, we got all kinds of answers, from all kinds of people. One will be correct, the question is which one? Kidding, sort of. Take answers with a grain of salt, and ask follow up questions. Welcome to the board. We're an eclectic philosophy forum for learning, discussing and cultivation. Below are 3 important sections: Our Rules, The Insult Policy and our 3 Foundations. Before you join give them a read. Most of it boils down to being respectful. No name calling or trolling. Post as if your mom's looking over your shoulder. Discussion and arguments are what the board is about. Keep it civil, don't get personal. Don't be a troll or one issue zealot. We're here for good conversation and making some friends along the way, to be a community. Jump right in, start threads, ask questions, look for interesting threads and post your (relevant) thoughts. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. TDB team Read and review Our Rules: Please take a moment to review our Forum Terms & Rules detailed below. If you agree with them and wish to proceed with the registration, simply click the "Register" button below. To cancel this registration, simply hit the 'back' button on your browser. Please remember that we are not responsible for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of this bulletin board. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact us immediately by email. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary. The content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of content found on the website. You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, spam, obscene, profane, threatens or incites violence, invasive of a person's privacy, nor of denigrating and/or erotically suggestive avatars, signatures, links and pictures, or otherwise violative of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by this bulletin board. -Mal Rules & Use 7/22/11 Our Insult Policy- Read it, Live it Basically No personal attacks. It is totally fine to vocally disagree with a person's opinion, technique, politics, approach, lifestyle choice, etc. But no insulting (or links to attacks) of individuals, nationalities, genders, political preferences, lifestyle choices, etc. While this may sound restrictive and categorically un-Taoist, I believe it is a useful guideline to help us stop for a moment and think about how to present our perspectives intelligently without just flinging unproductive rudeness at each other. This way other members can receive value from your perspective and you can gain clarity by reasoning out why you initially felt compelled to verbally put down someone else for being different. No one, including the originating poster, gains anything from statements like "So and so is a complete moron", etc. If you have an opinion and you believe it's relevant to a topic at hand, post it as constructively as possible so we can learn from you, debate with you, ignore you, whatever. If you can't abide by this simple constructive guideline, either create your post in a PPD or expect it can be moved. This is our mini-octagon here for those of you that insist on a more primitive breed of taoist war. TheDaoBums' Three Foundations: Eclectic, Egalitarian, Civil. TDBs' Cultural Context and Founding Principles ver.2020-Jul-16 The purpose of this document is to concisely state the most fundamental framework principles that give TDBs it's distinctive shape. This is not "all the rules, permutations, etc", just the steel beams. TDBs exists in the general field of "The Search for Truth". The Usual organized formats (schools) for The Search tend to have: 1. focus exclusively within a school 2. hierachical learning structure, hierachical ability to speak TheDàoBums' founding principles form a deliberate cultural counter-point: 1. run independently of any school, which allows a more eclectic atmosphere 2. conversational learning, egalitarian ability for members to speak TDBs' social format is "cafeteria", not "classroom". It's part of TDBs' premise that, broadly in culture, these two formats are necessary, distinct yet complementary. TheDàoBums has a strong egalitarian ethic in that it's whole purpose is to provide a civil very open context for member conversations. However, its governance structure is mostly top down; it's not a democracy. - admins - own / run the board - moderators - enforce rules - members - converse TDBs' Conversational Context: 1. At TDBs member participation in conversation is non-hierarchical. Meaning, members have equal ability to talk regardless of level of knowledge, achievement, or status / credentials of any kind. TDBs has an underlying ethic of valuing the communication of each person. 2. TDBs most basic rules about conversation are around civility. While TDBs provides room for, encourages, lively, often vigorous and sometimes rough and tumble, debate ... that is balanced by protecting decency and sensitivity towards each other in such a variety of instances that no set of specific rules could ever adequately cover. A moderator's basic role is to moderate members' incivility toward each other in conversation. Members support this process by 'reporting' offending posts A fictional example of how 1&2 shake out: If there's a TDBs debate about music between Mozart vs a beginning piano player, and it becomes heated enough that reports are generated for moderator consideration then, still, "level of knowledge, achievement, or status" are not basis for moderation. Civility is, applied equally to each member. It's up to each member, not moderators, to sort out the truth (and other questions of quality) for themselves in conversation. Moderators just keep the conversation civil within reasonable limits. For issues of staff bias, members can contact the current admin. The staff (admins, moderators) also deserve and have protection against incivility and against abuse of staff resources. Staff protection is enforced at the discretion of the admin, lead moderator/s, and by consensus of the moderation team. The admin also has broad discretion to protect the civility and resources of any aspect within TDBs e-community. signed, - Trunk, author & past admin - Sean, owner & admin of TheDàoBums
  24. PROBLEMS WITH MY LOWER DAN TIEN

    Greeting realtonysh, my rule of thumb is when things get hot or strange, take a break. What does it mean- stop practicing, stop worrying, take some long walks. Do something else, preferably grounding, maybe for a few days, maybe a few weeks. For a Hindu perspective on things, look at Dwai's writings. He's very good. Welcome to the board. We're an eclectic philosophy forum for learning, discussing and cultivation. Below are 3 important sections: Our Rules, The Insult Policy and our 3 Foundations. Before you join give them a read. Most of it boils down to being respectful. No name calling or trolling. Post as if your mom's looking over your shoulder. Discussion and arguments are what the board is about. Keep it civil, don't get personal. Don't be a troll or one issue zealot. We're here for good conversation and making some friends along the way, to be a community. Jump right in, start threads, ask questions, look for interesting threads and post your (relevant) thoughts. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. TDB team Read and review Our Rules: Please take a moment to review our Forum Terms & Rules detailed below. If you agree with them and wish to proceed with the registration, simply click the "Register" button below. To cancel this registration, simply hit the 'back' button on your browser. Please remember that we are not responsible for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of this bulletin board. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact us immediately by email. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary. The content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of content found on the website. You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, spam, obscene, profane, threatens or incites violence, invasive of a person's privacy, nor of denigrating and/or erotically suggestive avatars, signatures, links and pictures, or otherwise violative of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by this bulletin board. -Mal Rules & Use 7/22/11 Our Insult Policy- Read it, Live it Basically No personal attacks. It is totally fine to vocally disagree with a person's opinion, technique, politics, approach, lifestyle choice, etc. But no insulting (or links to attacks) of individuals, nationalities, genders, political preferences, lifestyle choices, etc. While this may sound restrictive and categorically un-Taoist, I believe it is a useful guideline to help us stop for a moment and think about how to present our perspectives intelligently without just flinging unproductive rudeness at each other. This way other members can receive value from your perspective and you can gain clarity by reasoning out why you initially felt compelled to verbally put down someone else for being different. No one, including the originating poster, gains anything from statements like "So and so is a complete moron", etc. If you have an opinion and you believe it's relevant to a topic at hand, post it as constructively as possible so we can learn from you, debate with you, ignore you, whatever. If you can't abide by this simple constructive guideline, either create your post in a PPD or expect it can be moved. This is our mini-octagon here for those of you that insist on a more primitive breed of taoist war. TheDaoBums' Three Foundations: Eclectic, Egalitarian, Civil. TDBs' Cultural Context and Founding Principles ver.2020-Jul-16 The purpose of this document is to concisely state the most fundamental framework principles that give TDBs it's distinctive shape. This is not "all the rules, permutations, etc", just the steel beams. TDBs exists in the general field of "The Search for Truth". The Usual organized formats (schools) for The Search tend to have: 1. focus exclusively within a school 2. hierachical learning structure, hierachical ability to speak TheDàoBums' founding principles form a deliberate cultural counter-point: 1. run independently of any school, which allows a more eclectic atmosphere 2. conversational learning, egalitarian ability for members to speak TDBs' social format is "cafeteria", not "classroom". It's part of TDBs' premise that, broadly in culture, these two formats are necessary, distinct yet complementary. TheDàoBums has a strong egalitarian ethic in that it's whole purpose is to provide a civil very open context for member conversations. However, its governance structure is mostly top down; it's not a democracy. - admins - own / run the board - moderators - enforce rules - members - converse TDBs' Conversational Context: 1. At TDBs member participation in conversation is non-hierarchical. Meaning, members have equal ability to talk regardless of level of knowledge, achievement, or status / credentials of any kind. TDBs has an underlying ethic of valuing the communication of each person. 2. TDBs most basic rules about conversation are around civility. While TDBs provides room for, encourages, lively, often vigorous and sometimes rough and tumble, debate ... that is balanced by protecting decency and sensitivity towards each other in such a variety of instances that no set of specific rules could ever adequately cover. A moderator's basic role is to moderate members' incivility toward each other in conversation. Members support this process by 'reporting' offending posts A fictional example of how 1&2 shake out: If there's a TDBs debate about music between Mozart vs a beginning piano player, and it becomes heated enough that reports are generated for moderator consideration then, still, "level of knowledge, achievement, or status" are not basis for moderation. Civility is, applied equally to each member. It's up to each member, not moderators, to sort out the truth (and other questions of quality) for themselves in conversation. Moderators just keep the conversation civil within reasonable limits. For issues of staff bias, members can contact the current admin. The staff (admins, moderators) also deserve and have protection against incivility and against abuse of staff resources. Staff protection is enforced at the discretion of the admin, lead moderator/s, and by consensus of the moderation team. The admin also has broad discretion to protect the civility and resources of any aspect within TDBs e-community. signed, - Trunk, author & past admin - Sean, owner & admin of TheDàoBums
  25. Heward James

    Hello Heward, your opening post is strangely 3rd person, but that might be writing style. I look forward to some live and interesting writing from you. Welcome to the board. We're an eclectic philosophy forum for learning, discussing and cultivation. Below are 3 important sections: Our Rules, The Insult Policy and our 3 Foundations. Before you join give them a read. Most of it boils down to being respectful. No name calling or trolling. Post as if your mom's looking over your shoulder. Discussion and arguments are what the board is about. Keep it civil, don't get personal. Don't be a troll or one issue zealot. We're here for good conversation and making some friends along the way, to be a community. Jump right in, start threads, ask questions, look for interesting threads and post your (relevant) thoughts. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. TDB team Read and review Our Rules: Please take a moment to review our Forum Terms & Rules detailed below. If you agree with them and wish to proceed with the registration, simply click the "Register" button below. To cancel this registration, simply hit the 'back' button on your browser. Please remember that we are not responsible for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of this bulletin board. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact us immediately by email. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary. The content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of content found on the website. You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, spam, obscene, profane, threatens or incites violence, invasive of a person's privacy, nor of denigrating and/or erotically suggestive avatars, signatures, links and pictures, or otherwise violative of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by this bulletin board. -Mal Rules & Use 7/22/11 Our Insult Policy- Read it, Live it Basically No personal attacks. It is totally fine to vocally disagree with a person's opinion, technique, politics, approach, lifestyle choice, etc. But no insulting (or links to attacks) of individuals, nationalities, genders, political preferences, lifestyle choices, etc. While this may sound restrictive and categorically un-Taoist, I believe it is a useful guideline to help us stop for a moment and think about how to present our perspectives intelligently without just flinging unproductive rudeness at each other. This way other members can receive value from your perspective and you can gain clarity by reasoning out why you initially felt compelled to verbally put down someone else for being different. No one, including the originating poster, gains anything from statements like "So and so is a complete moron", etc. If you have an opinion and you believe it's relevant to a topic at hand, post it as constructively as possible so we can learn from you, debate with you, ignore you, whatever. If you can't abide by this simple constructive guideline, either create your post in a PPD or expect it can be moved. This is our mini-octagon here for those of you that insist on a more primitive breed of taoist war. TheDaoBums' Three Foundations: Eclectic, Egalitarian, Civil. TDBs' Cultural Context and Founding Principles ver.2020-Jul-16 The purpose of this document is to concisely state the most fundamental framework principles that give TDBs it's distinctive shape. This is not "all the rules, permutations, etc", just the steel beams. TDBs exists in the general field of "The Search for Truth". The Usual organized formats (schools) for The Search tend to have: 1. focus exclusively within a school 2. hierachical learning structure, hierachical ability to speak TheDàoBums' founding principles form a deliberate cultural counter-point: 1. run independently of any school, which allows a more eclectic atmosphere 2. conversational learning, egalitarian ability for members to speak TDBs' social format is "cafeteria", not "classroom". It's part of TDBs' premise that, broadly in culture, these two formats are necessary, distinct yet complementary. TheDàoBums has a strong egalitarian ethic in that it's whole purpose is to provide a civil very open context for member conversations. However, its governance structure is mostly top down; it's not a democracy. - admins - own / run the board - moderators - enforce rules - members - converse TDBs' Conversational Context: 1. At TDBs member participation in conversation is non-hierarchical. Meaning, members have equal ability to talk regardless of level of knowledge, achievement, or status / credentials of any kind. TDBs has an underlying ethic of valuing the communication of each person. 2. TDBs most basic rules about conversation are around civility. While TDBs provides room for, encourages, lively, often vigorous and sometimes rough and tumble, debate ... that is balanced by protecting decency and sensitivity towards each other in such a variety of instances that no set of specific rules could ever adequately cover. A moderator's basic role is to moderate members' incivility toward each other in conversation. Members support this process by 'reporting' offending posts A fictional example of how 1&2 shake out: If there's a TDBs debate about music between Mozart vs a beginning piano player, and it becomes heated enough that reports are generated for moderator consideration then, still, "level of knowledge, achievement, or status" are not basis for moderation. Civility is, applied equally to each member. It's up to each member, not moderators, to sort out the truth (and other questions of quality) for themselves in conversation. Moderators just keep the conversation civil within reasonable limits. For issues of staff bias, members can contact the current admin. The staff (admins, moderators) also deserve and have protection against incivility and against abuse of staff resources. Staff protection is enforced at the discretion of the admin, lead moderator/s, and by consensus of the moderation team. The admin also has broad discretion to protect the civility and resources of any aspect within TDBs e-community. signed, - Trunk, author & past admin - Sean, owner & admin of TheDàoBums abcabcabcabcabc