TzuJanLi

Greetings.. Agreed.. 'space' is created as they are set aside pending further clarification or additional information, and.. in the interval, i simply account for what i have seen and experienced that works.. Be well..

Greetings.. Maybe.. but, personally, i also allow for experience to be perceived through insight and transrational experience.. then, i set aside those interpretations that are inconsistent with what 'is'.. i do not reject inconsistency, but i have a keen sense of what works, so.. i set aside stuff that doesn't work, pending additional information or further clarification.. i am interested in what Life 'is', so i pay attention in every way i can, and.. if i am honest about my interest in Life's actuality, i will pay attention without the expectations of beliefs.. i will 'look' with unconditional sincerity.. Be well..

Greetings.. No, it demonstrates the contrasting perspective to Buddhism's beliefs.. i understand Buddhist beliefs, i simply find favor in understandings that are experientially sound.. Be well..

Greetings.. As i observe body-minds 'doing' what they do, i also observe them as they relate to each other, as in this forum.. i notice that each one exhibits qualities unique to its own individual location, wherever that body-mind positions its location, or is positioned by other forces.. i notice that some body-minds demonstrate group agreement, but express their individual understandings of the agreement in manners distinctly flavored by the influences unique to them alone, like personal memories, genetic inclinations, socio-economic relationships, and personal relationships, just to name a few.. then, i am able to observe, directly and by reliable accounts, that the distinctly unique bundle of thoughts, opinions, memories, beliefs, and preferences (its identity) operates the body-mind from which it perceives the information about itself in a manner consistent with its identity.. it writes opinions that reflect its understandings, it speaks what it believes, it directly influences the environment in which it exists. To suggest that the 'self' or 'identity' is not tangible, is absurd, that fact is plainly obvious, why make such a pointless deal about it.. but, to suggest the 'self' doesn't exist is equally absurd, as the effects of 'selfs' are equally plainly obvious.. so, unless i misunderstand, the suggestion to abandon 'self' is disingenuous, as it would discard the memories that distinguish one being from another, one course of action from another, any option from any others, in deference to preference.. What then is left to the politically correct body-mind absent its 'self'? The belief that 'self' does not exist is the fertile potential that can lead to Nihilism or that dehumanizes human interaction, that validates abuse and oppression by questioning 'to whom' it occurs, regarding body-minds as temporary and inconsequential.. Mostly, i see two schools of thought, those that claim 'self' doesn't exist, and.. those that over-indulge 'self's' potential for abusing its own existence.. both perspectives lead to destructive results, and seldom is there the common-sense awareness to understand what works from both perspectives.. it seems the need to have others agree with, and validate, one's beliefs is more important than actually modifying the 'self' to a perspective useful to itself and to its environment.. it is my understanding that those that claim there is 'no self' are just modified presentations of their 'self' to advance a 'self-gratifying' belief.. so, if the 'selfs' (of all beliefs) could agree to an understanding that sincere cooperation is more beneficial than unilateral righteousness, the human experience might evolve beyond the 'self-imposed' limitations of 'self-gratification' to the exclusion of other 'selfs'.. Be well..

Isn't the "body self" the vehicle of intent? Is it false, or simply misunderstood? it seems that the body self is the common reference for these discussions.. Be well..

Greetings.. Thank you for the clarification.. Life happens, and for a while it happens through the perspectives and experiences of individualized bodies, this is known because it is so.. similarly, the millions of words describing 'no self' are of the same lineage, cause = feeling, and.. effect = need to share, describe, convert, communicate, etc.. there is joy in the experience of those that just let their deeds describe the 'feeling' they 'know'.. i'm guessing most of us have been in the company of someone like that.. Be well..

Greetings.. Hi Seth Ananda: If the words had remained unspoken or untyped, would the actuality be affected? Whether something exists by dependent origination or is independently existent, do not both exist in relationship with the experience of their existence? in the presence of happening, is there truly any origin? Be well..

Greetings.. I am curious.. for those that might 'walk the walk', is it also necessary to 'talk the talk'? I ask as it seems to be a fairly well regarded characteristic, talking that is.. mostly about beliefs, unverifiable and with no influence on our expiration date.. but, i have been fortunate to be in the company of those that exhibited great understanding and depth, but who didn't know the appropriate 'talk'.. i'm not certain they knew they were a 'self', but their unique presence has a tangible effect on the reality in their presence.. it's interesting to ponder these relationships.. Be well..

The "constellation of habits", when referenced as 'ego', has no consensus of meaning among 'society', which does have a consensus of meaning.. Ego, is so variably described as to defy agreeable understandings.. witness the numerous disagreements on this forum.. The "constellation of habits" is also uniquely identified as self, then.. self and ego battle over top billing, each employing the other a weapons, so.. again, i suggest stop looking for 'something', and just look.. it's amazing what can be seen when we're not looking for 'something'.. Be well..

Greetings.. The fixation on 'self', whether it exists or not, requires a 'self' to adjudicate a result.. i understand the benefit of simply looking to see what 'is', not looking for 'self' or looking with the intention of finding 'no self'.. just look, without expectation.. the inquisition against self as the source of humanity's problems is not valid, especially if you are appealing to a 'self' to abandon its existence.. at RT, there was simply a transformation into another version of 'self'.. if 'you' only look to see what is so, 'you' will not attach to 'self' or no-self.. that is liberation.. Be well..

Greetings.. NDEs (Near Death Experiences) are excellent references for Death Meditations, but i do not suggest that as a goal.. NDE, as an unfortunate occurance, has the references to compare with a structured meditation.. It is my experience that understanding the process of transitioning out of the tangible existence, most commonly known as Death or Dying, is the same as training for anything we wish to do well.. as a faithful companion, which it is anyway, Death is an excellent counselor, revealing options unavailable to those that reject its companionship.. Be well..

Greetings.. It is possible to systematically shut-down the body's physical systems using intention.. it is necessary to have a trained spotter for the first several adventures into Death Meditation, someone who can revive you appropriately, without shocking you.. there is a place where all that's left is a thin energetic link to the physical body, barely noticeable, and.. the Life energy is expanded into the Cosmos, pulling away from the physical constraints.. it is here, if you can maintain this thin delicate balance, that you prepare for a departure with clarity and focus.. where you can experience grand interaction with the Cosmos prior to the final abandonment of the physical vehicle.. th process takes hours and requires a fairly disciplined preparation.. but, its worth the price of admission.. Be well..

Greetings.. When i learned Chen Style Yi Lu (1994), the teacher spoke almost no English, mostly "yes, no, related hand gestures, and Ha Ha Ha".. no theory other than how the movements translated into effective application (demonstration, not words).. through excellent teaching, he showed how every retreat (yin) is balanced by an advance (yang), and every sinking balanced by lifting.. not that could be seen, but that could be experienced in application, direct real-time application.. Later discussions about Yin/Yang relationships made perfect sense.. Be well..

I do not view 'Tai Chi' negatively at all.. i experience its use as ambiguous, and favor less ambiguity.. As an "abbreviation of Tai Chi Chuan", a Martial Art, the vast majority of experiences i have had with 'Tai Chi' schools and practitioners, is they have no practical understanding of the Martial aspect of Tai Chi.. Tai Chi, practiced as a lifestyle based on the principles of Taijiquan, is a brilliant and welcome addition to the skill-set of a functioning person and a functioning society, but.. it should distinguish whether or not its curriculum includes the martial art referenced by its name.. again, it is 'my' unsolicited and likely irrelevant opinion, i do not speak on behalf of anyone but 'me'.. No, i have not crossed-hands with Mr. Moy, but i would welcome the experience.. Be well..

I understand that it is 'unhealthy' when you are severely beaten.. it is also unhealthy when someone challenges the 'Tai Chi' player who has no actual experience in the Martial aspect, but believes the 'hype' about 'Tai Chi'.. the misunderstandings about Tai Chi as a martial art or as a lifestyle have been a great dis-service to the long history of Taijiquan.. i am suggesting a more formal distinction.. aside from that, i have tried TTCS forms, and find them not suitable for martial applications, numerous principles are violated or completely overlooked.. Be well..

Greetings.. I do not, personally, favor TTCS forms, however.. i appreciate the health benefits they 'can' enhance.. i am also reminded of several of their practitioners that have reported back and knee issues to me, as well.. the long and short of it is that the primary responsibility for learning falls on the student, that they research what is available, speak to other students, and choose according to their goals and understandings.. TTCS has a reputation that spans a wide range of descriptions, but.. i have personally spoken with people that derive a great sense of health and well-being from the practice, and that can't be so bad.. I have been judging and refereeing Taiji and pushing-Hands competitions since 2000, in fact i will be officiating at the ICMAC event here, in Orlando, this weekend, and.. in all of the years i have officiated and competed, i have never seen a TTCS competitor.. it may be that they philosophically oppose competitions, i don't know, but.. i originally competed to find out if the supportive gestures of my classmates and teachers were valid in the neutral but informed eyes of others, so.. i figure most folks are like me, so i am curious as to why TTCS people don't compete.. It is my personal feeling that teachers and schools should inform the public of their curriculum's intentions.. i favor Taijiquan, as traditional martial training, and i am appreciative of the health and meditative benefits that flow naturally from that practice and discipline, and.. the Taoist philosophical foundations associated with Taijiquan are excellent guidelines for a well-rounded and holistic life experience.. when the school or teacher doesn't train in the martial applications, including 'live drills', it is 'my' unsolicited and largely irrelevant opinion that the label, "Tai Chi QiGong", is an appropriate distinction.. Tai Chi is ambiguous, as i have seen fairly good Taijiquan at "Tai Chi" schools, but.. i am a huge fan of 'truth in labeling'.. the distinction of Tai Chi QiGong is not derogatory nor does it diminish the teacher's skills or the student's potentials within that skill-set.. in fact, it might be a marketing win.. Anyway, just some random thoughts on the matter.. Be well..

Greetings.. I have studied I Ching for many years, through 6-8 translations.. i do not use it for divination in the traditional manner.. what i have learned, is to study it by reading it thoroughly, following the changing relationships.. having read several translations completely, and Thomas Cleary's 'Taoist' translation several times completely, i am convinced the most beneficial use of I Ching is in its profound understanding of human nature.. and, in the the progression of inclinations resulting form the matrices of trigrams, or more appropriately the intersections of personalities and stimuli.. after enough reading, I Ching begins to counsel you from within, not as expectation or preconception, but.. as sensing the relationships of Life unfolding, in real-time spontaneously.. I Ching, internalized, is a constant understanding of relationships as they unfold, a synthesis of 'happening', an expanded awareness.. Be well..

Greetings.. A man in California walks to the beach and says, this is the Pacific Ocean.. a man in Japan walks to the beach and says, it feels like a good day to fish in the great water.. is it two different 'waters'? or, is it two different understandings of the same water? Be well..

Greetings.. It has occurred to me from time to time.. that, at one point there was no Tao, no 'word' that described what was self-evident, nature.. with the 'word' there were people that were observed to in harmony with what the word Tao was understood to mean, but.. the understandings differed among people who once could simply experience nature without a word to create a separation where it didn't exist previously.. i am not certain that Tao has been a service to its meaning, 'the Way things are'.. Be well..

Greetings.. Hi Ya Mu: i refer to this as the 'still mind', in which clarity emerges and the interactive relationships between and with all things are noticable and experiencable.. from which, the evidence that fuels your passion is simply 'self-evident', and.. yes, i get why you are frustrated, but.. i measure the war battle by battle, and each battle by the tactics necessary to prevail in the unfolding situation.. and, i pick my battles carefully and strategically, not so that i will always win, but.. that if i lose, i will have had the most effective presence.. Be well..

Greetings.. Hi Ya Mu: I notice lots of things.. i belong to an 'organic food coop', we grow and barter locally AND twice weekly we meet the trucks from other regions and barter/buy/sell as we sense the needs.. we have a collective needs/services coop, too.. and, with all of that, i still find that to enhance life for my brothers and sisters, it is beneficial to improve the existing system that robs them of their resources while feeding them inferior, even harmful, products.. i think it's an entirely pragmatic solution to make a difference wherever we can, even if it is less than ideal.. small steps are better than no steps.. Be well..

Greetings.. Perhaps i should have been more clear.. in no way do i suggest that we should abandon any effort to directly and personally feed, clothe, nourish, build shelter, generate power, etc.. but, when Tao reveals lack of natural resources, it is also 'hunter/gatherer' spirit to enforce holistic supplementation of what is locally insufficient.. it is one thing to argue idealistic gaols, quite another to implement pragmatic solutions, even if they are less than the 'ideal'.. it really is. Be well..

Hi Ya Mu: Life still has the 'hunter/gatherer' qualities.. we 'hunt' opportunities, we 'gather' the rewards of our efforts.. we contribute to the collectivation of sustenance, but.. we are overly tolerant of those that collect unfair tariffs, bribes, and market harmfully inferior products or advertise harmfully inaccurate claims.. i suggest that rather than "sit on your ass and let others do it for you", that we actively assure that what 'others do', they do fairly and get a fair reward for their efforts.. the population densification in urban settings cannot become self-sufficient, but it can insist on a holistic relationship throughout the supply line and custodial chain.. replace the profit-taking middle-men/women, with quality control people that earn what others simply take.. assume the role of 'hunter/gatherer' in the current environment.. it's a matter of perspective.. Be well..

Greetings.. 'Intention' IS action, before 'mind' gets involved.. Be well..