lifeforce

The Book Of Lieh-Tzu. Considered one of the 3 classics of philosophical taoism, it is often overlooked but I feel it is a much easier read, especially for those people who are beginners of the Way, than the Chuang Tzu. For me it has acted as a bridge between the poetic verse of the TTC and the Chuang Tzu. I've only read the translation by A.C. Graham so I can't comment on how it compares with other translations. An easy read, a bit darker than the Chuang Tzu but with a lot of humour also. I like to read a passage slowly a few times early in the morning, contemplate on it for a while, and try to use the wisdom gained from it throughout the day. I highly recommend it. The same author has a book on Mencius which might be worth looking at.

This thread could be relevant.

This is the best quote on the thread and everybody seems to have missed it !

I have practiced full lotus for years and have never had to modify my diet.

Excellent find. Thanks for sharing this.

I didn't know there was a test. I suppose you passed. Whatever way you look at it, it's 100% bullying. Disgusting.

Isn't all this a bit unnecessary ? Military style meditation training taken to the extreme. Bullying, there's no other name for it. It makes me sick. What happened to compassion and virtue here. Is this what the Buddha's teachings have been reduced to ? These sadist zen monks should be charged with assault.

Still going. 20 minutes full lotus. Normally 5/6 days out of 7.

I have opened my mind. Everything else is because of this. Therefore, I voted 'other'.

Wow. This is a lovely piece of writing, straight from the heart. I get lots of days like this. The feeling that there is nothing to do, no practices to practice, no need to sit and meditate (but I do anyway). No big questions to answer. It's all taking care of itself. Just being. Beautiful

I don't know about that but I think Christopher Lee was a graveyard occupant in his early horror movies.

And how 'insignificant' we earthlings are. Fantastic pictures ralis.

As others have mentioned, you could learn a decent qigong/neigong set from a book or dvd, such as Ba Duan Jin, Xing Yi Nei Gong etc etc or even some Baguazhang specific qigong. The problem with learning decent internal martial arts is that there are a LOT of bad teachers out there. Way too much new agey crap. Don't limit yourself to IMA. You could supplement any self taught qigong with a solid 'external' art such as wing chun, choy le fut, hung gar, mantis, traditional karate etc etc. Not that I'm suggesting that there aren't any bad teachers in the externals, but they may be easier to spot.

Yes. It truly is indescribable. A moment when our true nature is revealed to us. Beautiful.

Over the last few days I've been skimming over some verses/poems and quotes by the ancient Ch'an and Zen masters. Hui Neng, Huang Po, Tozan, Bankei Hakuin To be quite honest some of these writings have the hallmark of philosophical Taoism (Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, Lieh Tzu) Even mentioning Tao, the Way etc etc. Ch'an and Zen seems more like Taoism than the Indian Buddhism from where it supposed to have originated. I think I read somewhere that in some Ch'an and Zen schools, the TTC is part of the curriculum. Forgive my naivety in these matters as it's something I've only recently been pondering. Any thoughts ?

Great stuff. Thanks

I've also had a quick look at some of the stuff floating around on the net. What I get from it is a deep sense awe, appreciation and gratitude, that everything in the universe shares a connection.

Hi everyone Is there any benefit from reading the Book Of Changes as it is, purely for wisdom and insight rather than for personal divinations ? Thanks.

Thanks John, I'll have a look for that thread.

The works of the Confucian sages and the later neo-confucians can also be added to this cross pollination of wisdom. It is we who construct the boundaries between these traditions. When we reflect on the words of the ancient masters, the connections are glaringly obvious.

Love the blog. There's some great stuff there. Is it your work ?

Two months on and I'm still meditating 5-7 days a week. Full lotus for 20 minutes. Anyone else ?