doc benway

Empty void renew Explosion of foliage Jasmine scent lingers

Now there is! Thanks. PS I posted this in a separate thread but I should've posted it here - My favorite guitarist (lately...)

Probably my favorite guitar composer and a great soloist. He's the guy on the left. On the right is Terry Riley's son Gyan. This piece is partly written out and much improvised. Enjoy,

Don't be so presumptuous, my friend.... I suggested a book club so that each and every member of this forum could participate in a friendly, informal, and relaxed discussion about whatever topics interest them. I did not suggest the idea to read books that I find interesting - I've done that alone for decades and don't need a club for that. I'm hoping to read books that I otherwise would never have thought of or heard of. In return, I like to share books that have been particularly valuable to me. I, for one, have no interest in trying to restrict or control the suggestions of the members. We are called the Tao Bums forum but no restriction is made on the topics we discuss and I think the experience is that much greater for this (thanks Sean!). I am not on a mission to make this into an educational program on Daoism. I don't have the expertise, time, or inclination for that. I am not prepared to make this project any more complicated than it already is. I am happy to continue on this course of asking for reading recommendations from all interested parties and selecting books in a relatively unbiased fashion from all selections. Perhaps there will be suggestions that are so far afield that they need to be discouraged but I am much more interested in going with than against the members' ideas. It appears there is some degree of interest in this vision. If our members would prefer a different approach now or at some point in the future, I'll gladly pass the torch. No harm done. Your point about taking more time for each book discussion is a good one. Most book clubs read ~ one book per month. Perhaps we need more time - bimonthly or quarterly might make more sense. I will put together a poll regarding book frequency. Thanks for your comments, Pietro. I do appreciate the input and hope to make this accessible and interesting for as many people as possible. I recognize that not everyone will be happy or agree with the approach or the specific book selections. There is no obligation to participate and no penalty to skipping a book. Given that we've never had a book club before, not participating in an individual discussion or the whole thing entirely will be just like nothing had changed on the forum.... Life is beautiful.

I'd like to emphasize Buddy's warning - I would not practice this stuff without a credible teacher. I'm lucky to have found one and over the years of practice some pretty intense stuff has come up. Having someone I have confidence in to reassure me and give me guidance and support has been critical.

If I can make the time, I'll start reading it again and see if I have anything to offer. It'll be interesting to see how his descriptions compare to my practice.

I'm carrying on the Tao of Physics discussion from the other thread. When I first read that book it blew my mind. It was about 20 years ago. I was very science oriented and when I saw the common understanding between the experimental physics and Taoism, I was hooked forever.

Interesting yi quan clip emphasizing fa li training - the push at ~ 35 seconds is particularly impressive.

Excellent discussion of jin. Thanks for that link. If you have any interest in Wu style taiji, the Wu style federation recently reissued a book that looks quite good. The production value is excellent, I've only glanced through a friend's copy but I was impressed enough to order one through this link, http://www.wustyle.com/catalog/product_inf...cdf60b770ddfb1d

I think at least one really good pearl has come out of this thread - namely, the importance of focusing on the yi, not the qi. Nice to see you posting Jane, I always appreciate the clarity and thoughtfullness of your posts. Steve

You're off to a good start there, Brian. I like it. I would mention something about the footwork - side stepping, attack, retreat, chase, duck, pivot, .... it's all in that little tiny 90 second form - pretty amazing. I might also mention the importance of posture training. Xingyi trains you to generate power through proper posure and timing. It starts with 5 element and animal training, developed with creative and destructive sequences, and further refined in the linking form with the more complex body movement and footwork. I really like your description of it being "balls to the wall" for 90 seconds like in a street fight - I feel exactly the same way. I often practice it more than once without pause to work on endurance as well. Nice contribution! Steve

So I'll take your suggestion for next month to be Robinet - thanks Here we are: To Be Human Clear Light of Bliss Taoism: Growth of a Religion - Isabelle Robinet (trans. Phyllis Brooks)

Haha! Your life sounds complicated!

Is this a problem or an opportunity? It's all a matter of your perspective. I learn more from people who disagree with me than agree So it looks like we're back to To Be Human and Clear Light of Bliss

Happy Birthday to me... I'm a rat!

Mal is da man!

I'm open to a wide range of books and don't want you to feel that I'm saying it's not relevant - just thought I'd share my recollections (I read it a long time ago). If you want to scratch it, I will. If you want to leave it in the poll for now - I'm fine with that. I like exploring the relationship between Eastern philosophy and modern physics - fascinating stuff. Nothing is more in tune with the Dao than string theory, IMO... The holographic model is pretty cool too... Thanks, Steve

Hi Jane, I'm not quite as cute but I can do that. You just can't see or feel it.

I've posted that video here before - I love it. It's an excellent demonstration of the role of psychology in these magic power demonstrations. They always look the same. It's very easy to spot when you've seen a few. Here is another good one - you must watch the whole thing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa1nzD-n25Q...feature=related

Our list so far: Clear Light of Bliss: The Practice of Mahamudra in Vajrayana Buddhism by Kelsang Gyatso http://www.amazon.com/Clear-Light-Bliss-Ma...8638&sr=1-6 To Be Human by Jiddu Krishnamurti http://www.amazon.com/Be-Human-Jiddu-Krish...8535&sr=8-1 'The Tao of Physics' by Fritjof Capra http://www.amazon.com/Tao-Physics-Explorat...8662&sr=8-1 (Moderator's note: I've read this book and it's more about modern physics than about Daoism. The word Tao is used as "way" of physics. The focus seems to be a comparison between physics discoveries and principles with Eastern philosophical principles and quotations but it's not a book about Daoism) cat - Before we start multiple book clubs, I'd like to see if we can get one off the ground. Pietro - It is necessary to start selecting future books in advance or we will not be able to discuss a new book each month. We could certainly limit the club to a book every other month or even quarterly but let's see what happens if we try one book per month.

Points well taken Brian. When my son was wrestling in high school, I used to train with him. Very impressive training regimen and effectiveness on the takedowns, submissions, and pins. That's when I knew I no longer physically intimidated the boy - from then on I was running on respect. I've had the ?pleasure? to spar with a few good Western boxers as well, quite a few times I remember looking up from the floor not quite sure how I got there. I respect anyone who dedicates themselves to martial training, irrespective of style or geography. In my experience, it's much more about the practitioner and the teacher than about the style or nationality. People tend to be too concerned with magic, especially here in the States.

Good luck Cameron, Lezlie, and Sean on your upcoming moves! I'm a rat - maybe I need to move this year...

Teachers have got to eat and feed and clothe their families too. When someone can teach you something that may improve your life, isn't that worth something? In our world, the instrument of trade is money. At one time perhaps, you lived with your shifu as a family member, doing chores and so on. Maybe you paid for your knowlege and training in livestock, rice, and so on. That's pretty much a thing of the past. There are still some temples and monastaries where one can retreat to and learn without payment other than to work on behalf of the community. There you are paying with your time. As a teacher, whether you consider it payment for your time, your knowlege, your skill, your expertise,... what does it matter? This is how we live together and each have our own area of specialization that can benefit others.

I was taught that the intention guides down the front (ren mai) and up the back (du mai). I was taught that the intention is independent of the breathing. This is important, otherwise your breathing will not become still. Good luck!

Here are suggestions so far for our next book. I'm going to move this along so everyone has time to get it by early March. Here are suggestions so far. I will put together a poll in the next few days, if necessary, so that we can vote and choose by mid February. That'll give our international friends 2 - 3 weeks to get their books. Here's what we've got so far: Clear Light of Bliss: The Practice of Mahamudra in Vajrayana Buddhism by Kelsang Gyatso http://www.amazon.com/Clear-Light-Bliss-Ma...8638&sr=1-6 To Be Human by Jiddu Krishnamurti http://www.amazon.com/Be-Human-Jiddu-Krish...8535&sr=8-1 Let me remind everyone to please make one suggestion per month and make it very clear in your post in the book selection threads. Please don't flood these with lots of book names. I don't want to get the book selection threads to be too confusing. I'll leave the very first thread I posted, Book Club Anyone?, open indefinitely for general discussion about books. Thanks for your cooperation everybody. PS For those who have been voicing concern about reading stuff outside of Daoism, my experience has been that you find gems in the most unexpected places and they can affect you in most unexpected ways. I hope as many of you as possible will join us on this journey together. Who knows, we may learn something, and we may even have some fun doing it. Cheers!