forestofclarity

When Buddhism speaks of a lack of self, they mean there is no inherent, independent self. This applies to things as well as people. This doesn't mean things and people don't exist at all. For example, if you take a person's hand--- there is no independent, unchanging something called a hand. On the one hand, there is a collection of fingers and a palm, and each of these can be further subdivided ad infinitum. Another is that what appears to be a hand depends on other things: the presence of a sentient being at a certain distance. From the moon, you won't see the hand at all. From the perspective of an atom, a hand is a vast universe. There is not one thing you can say is a "hand". Even so, an empty hand still packs a punch, even if it lacks a self.

If I had to guess, the solvent stage would be the stage of "breaking down"--- speaking in terms of chi, it would be breaking down obstructions and in terms of spirituality, it would be breaking down dualities. The later metal stage would be the stage of unification.

I posted this over on ZFI, but also wanted to hear the "Taoist" perspective as I am actually a Buddhataoist: 1. To focus on a single concept, object, thought, etc. This is classic samadhi/jhana type concentration. Here, one-pointed refers to the object of meditation. 2. To unify the mind as a whole--- i.e. to look with a single, wide-angle lens. This is more of the open-awareness type model. Here, one-pointed means unified, relating to the mind. Of course, these two simply represent two ends of the spectrum. With concentration practice, it requires a lot of effort and motivation (at least, to get it up and running before effort drops away). With more open awareness, there is the danger of shading off into semi- or un-consciousness. In my personal practice, I find that concentration practice is becoming harder because I'm feeling more and more the adage "nowhere to go, nothing to do." Of course, in concentration practices, I really learned about the emptiness of the mind. My unproven theory on this is that the first is more suitable to long retreats and monastic environments, while the second is more useful in daily life. Matt

I wonder if it is possible to "force" chi. My experience tends to say the opposite--- that you get more out of opening and relaxing than anything else.

I've been reading this translation by William Scott Wilson each day at work. I think it's a great book for everyday life.

I wonder if you could put something up about sitting in oblivion. I've heard many different methods. But to partially play devil's advocate (mostly to help clarify my own understanding), I might say: The difference between Christian meditation and Zen meditation is the goal oriented nature of Christian meditation. The goal of Zen (if you can call it a goal) is non-abiding, whereas the goal in Christian meditation is abiding in God (even if God is beyond thoughts and images). There is more to say on this, but let's see what this brings.

Why does everyone think that society will simply collapse? Humans are social beings--- the more likely result is that we'd return to a less technological society. I blame Zombie movies personally. I guess high prices causing less cheap goods is far more boring to fantasize about that the whole world going up in flames, except for the elite few who are smarter than everyone else who take to the hills.

Durkhrod, This isn't a Taoist or a Buddhist thing. Simply put, most people are not seeking liberation. Most people are seeking to live long, have happiness, increase their power and sense of well-being. Not all Buddhists practice the highest teachings, but rather rely on repeating mantras and praying to Buddhas for the things they want. Taoism and Buddhism each contain an outer skin like this, but each has a vibrant inner core that guides one to liberation. You shouldn't blame the people because they don't agree with you. If they agreed, then your point of view would be irrelevant. But who knows over the course of years here how many helpful things have been said, how many seeds have been planted that will sprout fruit much, much later and without our knowledge? The question should never be, why aren't people like so and so, but rather, what do I have to offer? Matt

Vajra, I would note that the sheer quantity of your posts obscures good communication with you about any ideas, and also tends to ruin the threads you post in. Accordingly, I have put you on "ignore" and have no idea what you are saying which is the only way I can read threads like these without being overwhelmed by numerous posts. Yet I can see in some of the other Taobums a shift from tolerating Buddhism to becoming adverse to it, and taking Buddhism to be some sort of mindless, evangelical religion. I would ask, if possible, that you limit the number and tone of your posts to prevent pushing people from Buddhism even further.

This whole idea of dependent/independent lies on the manifestation side of things, the dualistic side. We are warned right away that the "Tao that can be Taoed is not the constant Tao". Having said that, going to the realm of forms and concepts, if the Tao were independent, how could it interact with the world?

In my mind, I see a question raised by this. In certain Buddhist paths, the idea in a sense is to go beyond intention. Intention relies on good and bad, likes and dislikes, splitting, dualism, and so forth. But this water method is based on a specific method, with a specific intent, aimed at a specific goal. In this sense, the water method may create a tension with non-dual methods. Just a thought.

In the end, its not about your pain or my pain, his pain or her pain. Rather, it is THE pain. We all share it and feel it at some point in our life, in the same way. The causes and conditions may be different, but it is the same. Having said that, the only way I found to desl with it was to study it closely. Once you understand the pain, then you will find the solution to it.

Raymond, My feeling is that you (like most of us) won't fully "get it" until you can find a teacher who can answer your personal questions. I would look up a BK Frantzis teacher and see if you can work with them.

There are also different methods of vipassana. Here are some I have learned: 1. Sweeping the body with awareness 2. Noting everything that arises 3. Seeing/noting arisings as impermanent, not-self, or non satistfying 4. Seeing everything as one of the 5 skhandas and how they relate Vipassana, as I was taught, comes from the root word "vi-" which is to split (as in vijnana, splitting knowing or discriminating consciousness). The thread that connects the practices is in splitting things up. This splitting allows one to step back and view things arisings with equanimity rather than continuously identifying with them.

Blood circulation is a form of energy. I don't think energy or qi is as mysterious as we make it out.

I see some dzogchen teachings out there that are available and seem to be fairly ultimate: Awareness in Dzogchen It seems to me that the truth is simple and so is the practice. All the other, more complicated teachings seem to simply keep us going until we realize the very simple truths. Also, I heard a Bob Thurman podcast some time ago, and he said the Tibetans will do something like this: First, do 100,000 prostrations and recitations of Om Mani Padme Hum Now, I will provide you with the highest truth, the greatest truth, the ULTIMATE truth: All things are impermanent.

Ha ha, my thoughts exactly!

I wonder if you would speak to the difference between suppression and liberation.

I've been listening to some of these audios --- interesting. However, a lot of stuff is left out--- like divination, and basic stuff on yin-yang and 5E. Anyone have any resources for further study?

This is work that is alive, Effervescent, free, liberated, Gloriously enlightened, True, and great. Do you think it can be attained By people who shut the door And sit quietly with blank minds? - Liu I-Ming

Meditation is like brain surgery. Anyone who thinks it is without danger, in my mind, is simply thinking foolishly. Even basic mindfulness practice, which threatens to habits of mind that keep us asleep and ignorant, can bring up pain, discomfort, and strong resistance. The teachings are full of tricks and traps of the ego (and others). Meditation in my experience tends to quicken the fruition of certain karmic seeds. A lot of negative stuff comes out. The solution, of course, is not to stop meditating, but to realize that we are dealing with powerful techniques that should be used with respect. Electricity is dangerous, but most of us here use it every day. Driving is dangerous. Swimming is dangerous. However, meditation/contemplation practices are far more beneficial than any of these.

I wouldn't say this because it tends to run counter to my experience, and also to the recommendations of sages I respect. However, rather than dismiss it out of hand, I was wondering if you had some experience in this area.

Why do you say that?

It's because saviors can't save us, they can only show us the way. The fact that the overwhelming majority of people choose not to do the work to save themselves, well, that's on each of us.

I would say that immortality is not something you gain, but something you already are. We cannot become infinite by adding finite things to ourselves--- rather, it is my belief that we are already infinite but fail to realize it. So I would say that we don't gain immortality, but lose our mortality. Pursue knowledge, daily gain Pursue Tao, daily loss