mentalground0

beautifully said

i know this won't be comforting, but it may take you a while to find that path. not many people in my circle knew what path they wanted to follow when they were in high school. and i've found that if you don't have a specific path in mind, that you will either find out what you don't want to do OR the path will find you. for example, when i was in high school, i was tracked into the math and science classes (aptitude + being female = classes being chosen for you), so my thought then was that i'd go to college in those fields, but they didn't make me happy. i didn't enjoy all the studying i had to do just to pass by in tests. so i thought anthropology was my field, but i'd have to do field work and research all the time to keep a teaching job, so that was out. i worked various jobs, didn't like any of them. finally went back to college, seven years after high school, thinking i'd become a veterinarian assistant and once again, was not happy. a few teachers in the lit and writing courses i was taking saw my aptitude for understanding the classics and a gift for the written word. so i changed my major, took some multimedia classes, ended up with a BA in Humanities (Literature & Writing) and a Certificate in Interactive Multimedia. six years later, ended up with an MFA in Creative Writing, a job teaching computers in a community center and almost done with my first novel. i'm 35, i write, i play on computers all day and i get to hang around a great group of kids while teaching them some skills they need and an appreciation for the arts. i'm so happy with where my life is right now and i wouldn't have ended up where i did without those misadventures and missteps. that's what life is about - exploring everything that interests you and filling up your cup. and trust me, your family and friends may not understand everything - or anything - you're trying out, but as long as it's fulfilling or enlightening to you, then it's all good. i hope my story gives you a little hope or piece of mind. don't worry - you'll find your path.

i know what you mean. I've got two piles of 7 books each sitting in my living room. eventually i'll get to all of them have you checked out goodreads.com? you can post reviews there and read others' reviews. great stuff and rather addicting

i have no recommendations b/c i find it very difficult to do much screen reading. my eyes always feel strained after a while. i'm all about the dead wood version...and i'm a writer, voracious reader and tech teacher

beautiful, Lin thank you

and i agree about the trash talking, Cameron. that's why we need to transform the trash vibe into trickster energy, spinning negativity on the board into positivity to our fellow man, both here and out in the world, transforming the thought process from a competition into one of challenging that competitive urge by laughing at it all. it's freeing to laugh at the most inappropriate times - not laughing at someone's misfortune, but laughing at the absurdity of it all - the "big joke". maybe some people here on the board just need a good belly laugh, yes?

yes! I was reading Alan Watts. have you ever checked out Trickster Makes the World by Lewis Hyde? fascinating discussion about trickster stories and how writers and artists are tricksters in their way. truth, my friend

sweetness! any place in Jersey is a short drive or train ride for me thanks Mantra!

MTC... i was reading quite a bit about tricksters last summer, and although the trickster is disrespectful, he (sometimes she) does it to change society's view. and it's not a disrespect as much as a turning things upside down, laughing at the sacred, praising the profane. "Many native traditions held clowns and tricksters as essential to any contact with the sacred. People could not pray until they had laughed, because laughter opens and frees from rigid preconception. Humans had to have tricksters within the most sacred ceremonies for fear that they forget the sacred comes through upset, reversal, surprise. The trickster in most native traditions is essential to creation, to birth." --Byrd Gibbens so let's all be taoist tricksters, teaching others (when they ask) through laughter, pranks and turning the illusion of this world on its head. and for the record, i'm a woman and i wouldn't say "my teacher is better than yours" i work with kids and usually they grow out of that by 7 or 8

as an adopted philadelphian, i've seen first hand how negative "brotherly love" can be. we're the city of brotherly love and one of the highest murder rates in the states.

ok, maybe i'm a jerk for bumping any older threads, but was there a consensus about this? maybe there are more people into kunlun now so we'd have enough people. i can counted in for an east coast session!

i have the merton translation and my favorite is the The Woodcarver (i feel that affinity to finding the inspiration rather than forcing it or thinking it comes from the spirits) you should also check out Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries and my current favorite Awakening to the Tao by Liu I-Ming, translated by Thomas Cleary. Awakening has many contemplations to meditate on.

aaah, interesting. my instinct yesterday was to let my arms go when i went into the "death" experience, but i stopped myself b/c i didn't think it was kosher. next session should be interesting.

I just received the book on Friday, read it Saturday and started practice today. Interesting results. Can't wait to see what else unfolds as I continue.

does anyone know anything about ta chiu? all i know it's a taoist celebration today (12/27) in hong kong where you call down the gods and ghost to collect their power and renew our lives, then all the names in the community are written on a parchment, attached to a paper horse, then burned to let the names rise to heaven.

Where in Jersey? I'm in Philly and would be willing to drive for someone who could relieve the discomfort in my back.

Root: open (38%) Sacral: open (50%) Navel: open (38%) Heart: open (31%) Throat: open (63%) Third Eye: open (69%) Crown: open (44%) these results don't quite seem possible, although the lower % in root, navel and heart do make sense.

hello everyone! i'm looking forward to discussing taoism with people who are as moved by it as i am.