Nanashi

Taoist Anarchy is a fantastic ideal, but given the complexity of modernity and its weapons, it becomes romanticism more than a possible reality.

Aye, I can understand that many, generally speaking, are a product of "modern times" and such an ascetic, spartan view isn't the most popular modus operandi around. Kenjutsu is one of my passions, and I admire Musashi for developing his own style of swordsmanship-- and being pretty damn successful at it. Still, I believe these precepts can apply to everyday life in a meaningful way; like you explained: cutting through the BS. And yeah, that was an interesting duel, considering his record. I also find it more than ironic that later in life, while suppressing a Christian rebellion, he was struck on the head with a rock, which affected him greatly.

I've heard it stems from a drop in blood pressure.

Ah, Daruma. A wise Master indeed. Among the "Enlightened," I consider him and Bankei to have the best teachings.

Nac: Wow, that is a beautiful Enso.

http://www.salem-news.com/articles/novembe...sh_11-27-08.php

Hello, I've been lurking for a while and usually enjoy the discussions. I am a starving artist, haiku poet and intermittent fencer. I have been practicing philosophical taoism (Quietism) for almost a decade now, but find it hard to meet people who are spiritually centered in such a material world.

I suppose the movement died out, and I'm no expert of their philosophy, but I know they appreciated Nature, and didn't like the aggressive methods and effects of an increasingly industrialized world. That's the extent of my knowledge with them, but I agree it would make for interesting study.

I've been practicing Bagua for a while, but only by relying on the manuals of Robert W. Smith from the 60s. I find it to balance external and internal systems, with combining Taoist philosophy and mysticism. The style is fluid, almost a faster taichi, so it makes for good exercise and serves as a useful boxing science. I wouldn't know where to find any practicing masters, but Taiwan would be your best bet.

Yes, and even in the works of Gandhi's inspiration, Henry David Thoreau. Walden reads like early American Taoism (in spirit), but I don't recall how closely he was influenced by the Transcendentalist movement of the time.

"He who is skilled in war subdues the enemy without fighting."

Seeing the extremes of Yes and No, the forum is Buddhist and Taoist in spirit; which gives it a Zen/Ch'an flavor with discussions. Ray Grigg's The Tao of Zen comes to mind. Some otherwise honest threads seem to get hijacked in fiery debates, though.

Thanks for linking that geocities site, the translation of the Tao te Ching on it reads so much better than many of the commercial translations available in bookstores.

Shon: Thank you for the welcome; I've read some of your posts in various threads, and you always brighten up a conversation. The poem you shared is quite wonderful, very suitable to my outlook. YawningMind: iie-- No, I am not Japanese, but I did grow up in Hawaii, where the language was taught in public schools. I've picked up the basics and bit more through self-study, but my ability in linguistics aren't as keen as they once were.

Some of my renditions of the taiji: and