lifeforce

Taiwanese Oolong is my favourite. A lovely clear, clean, beautiful tasting tea. No bitter aftertaste or sharpness on the tongue. I'm also partial to a bit of Pu Erh, Genmaicha, Sencha and Silver Needle White Tea.

In Daoism there is a source, in Buddhism there is not. Someday you may have to choose a path to follow as the two obviously clash and confusion will arise.

Yes. Even though there are members here who delight in telling me that what I practice is not neigong. However, the term neigong (internal work), and the myriad practices associated with it, cover a wide range.

I know this is the Hindu forum, but may I offer the Ch'an method of self-inquiry, hua tou, which I'm having much success with. http://thetaobums.com/topic/36371-zen/?p=582700

The ancient masters taught freely asking nothing in return. The internet is chock full of their words of wisdom. Expensive books, videos, retreats and seminars are not needed. Selective free literature, self inquiry and contemplation can cause the mind to 'turn'.

'The Mind is transparent, having no shape or form' - Huang Po

The journey is the destination, and the destination is the journey.

I have no doubt that there are high level masters who live in secluded grottoes deep in the Chinese wilderness. I also believe they would only reveal themselves to the right people.

Not really, because I was replying to bamboo's comments. I think I'm allowed more than one post to state my opinion. Sheesh !

The nail that sticks out, always gets hit.

You are quite right Taoist Texts. I've met several people throughout my life who I would term 'sagely'. Every single one of them was humble, and shunned the limelight and exposure. They offered, and shared, much, but asked for nothing in return.

True sages don't advertise themselves, at all, ever. It would go against everything they've ever learned.

Bamboo, I don't mean to disrespect you or your practice. Sorry if I sounded that way. However, this is a public forum and I'm just stating my opinion. I remain skeptical. Once this book became popular, suddenly Wang Liping appeared teaching seminars for extortionate sums of money. Something that goes totally against the Dao. These trends are common in any of the Eastern spiritual arts. From my own perspective, I've accomplished,(or not accomplished!)more in the short time of 'turning the light around',than I ever did in all the years I spent on the cushion. But that is something for another topic. I sincerely wish you well and don't wish to come across as some know it all. Everyone has their own path.

I'm also not convinced that Opening the Dragon Gate is true. There are some really bizarre, fantastical experiences detailed. Maybe it's fiction to advertise Wang Liping's 'system'. Then he can charge mega$$$$ to teach people to sit in full lotus. Most Buddhist temples would teach you for free. So much for 'leaving the dust of the world behind'

Please be aware that The Chronicles of Dao is a work of fiction passed off as a true story. Kwan Sai Hung is a fake.

What about Korean Zen ? Everyone seems to forget Korea. As if Chinese Ch'an suddenly morphed into Japanese Zen. Not.

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1. Dai Style Xinyi 2. Xinyiliuhequan These are two devastating arts I would come out of martial arts retirement to learn. Unfortunately I don't know of any teachers or practitioners here in England.

The Secret of the Golden Flower is a manual of self inquiry. Turning inward to see reality as it is.

Life IS the Dao. Try not to think of them as separate.

The Secret of the Golden Flower, as stated in the Thomas Cleary translation, is a layman's handbook for realisation. No teacher is needed. Be your own teacher. Leaders, teacher's, guru's, lineages etc etc are a means for authority figures to control.

I went from eating meat to vegan overnight. I was so traumatised after watching 'Earthlings'. I never had any problems at all, but everyone's different.

In your opinion ? I'd rather translate ? OK. No more comments from me. Thomas Cleary must be wrong also.

From the Cleary translation : 'This manual contains a number of helpful meditation techniques, but it's central method is deeper than a form of meditation' and further... 'The essential practice of the golden flower requires no apparatus, no philosophical or religious dogma, no special paraphernalia or ritual. It is practiced in the course of daily life. It is near at hand, being in the mind itself, yet it involves no imagery or thought. It is remote only in the sense that it is a use of attention generally unfamiliar to the mind habituated to imagination and thinking.' But which 'original text' are you referring to ? It seems to me that it is the same 'original' that Wilhelm used. 'What Jung did not know was that the text he was reading was in fact a garbled translation of a truncated version of a corrupted recension of the original work.' and further... 'There are enough flaws in Wilhelm's readings of grammar, terminology and conceptual structures to render his translation practically dysfunctional.' Cleary is pretty damning in his thoughts on the Wilhelm version, even though he thanks him for bringing focus on this text to the Western world. and why this text is not a formal meditation practice... 'In modern times, followers of sectarian Zen and Taoism have come to lay great stress on sitting meditation, but classical masters have pointed out that addiction to stillness can have serious mental and physical drawbacks. If the practice of "turning the light around" is carried on only in specific settings or postures, it may be impossible to integrate it fully with everyday life, leading to a kind of split personality' Thank you.

Who mentioned Zen ?