glooper23

Orb, do you think the fighter has to believe in the master's abilities in order to be affected?

Interesting. Thanks.

I will look up Qigong. Thank you.

I'm understanding your words, but I'm still struggling to see the practicality for me. I think it requires that I sincerely figure out what my problem is. Right now, I'm struggling to decide on how to live my life. I'm making many sacrifices that seem to conflict with my past. Now, I don't really know how to communicate with people because I seemingly contradict the majority. So, duality comes up when I decide that someone is living their life the wrong way. I think in this fashion as a way to figure out how I want to live my life. If I don't know what I disapprove of, how can I know what I do approve of? At the same time, I feel guilty thinking this way because feels like I'm judging that person. I feel guilty now whenever I look at someone and decide I don't like it. When my father drinks and watches TV all day, I decide that I do not want to be like that. The idea of labeling his actions as mundane or unfulfilling seems like a judgment that makes me no better. So then I wonder if there is no preferrable way for me to live. Perhaps I should accept the goods and the bads and just let things be. But then I worry that I will end up making a rash, foolish decision. Perhaps I will drop out of grad school because I "let go and let God." And then I will look back and realize I was merely thinking foolishly instead of actually following my "true self."

drewhempel, that sounds fascinating. I will read through it soon. 3bob, I'm not sure I understand. I'm still interpreting it to say, "write the music if you want, for either way, you will be fine."

Thank you, Iyoiyo. The underlying theme I get from your post is that it is ok to do things you love. On the contrary, it's foolish to do things that you think will make others love you. I suppose it's up to the entertainer to decide if they are playing the violin to impress or playing because it gives them joy regardless of the impression. Would you agree with this?

So how do I decide if it's right to spend my time writing songs?

Perhaps I've been reading articles at sites such as www.taoism.net incorrectly. I will try to find the texts that caused me to presume those ideas.

Thanks for the response. My problem is that I'm not grasping spirituality. I've been living a very atheistic, physical experience that made believing in spirits a delusion. So, I suppose much of my effort is focused on the improvement of my physical life - that is, my body and brain. I have a very hard time believing that there is anything outside of the physical parts of my body and brain. I struggle to believe that I will live forever, because I believe I am the neurons and synapses signaling in the brain. I would like to believe in a spiritual self, but it seems delusional.

Thanks, Bob. I will start reading more from Alan Watts.

Marijuana helped me see the obvious in different ways.

Thanks, CowTao. I suppose I'm missing the practicality of the concept. I'm currently reading with my computer, so we can consider it to be the "book." I consider it to be separate from me... is this wrong? What exactly is the point in discussing the duality other than exchanging opinions about something? Is the point that we should erase duality from our minds and focus on everything being one? If so, how does that pertain to me and the computer? Should I see my ex girlfriend as something I both loved and hated? Should I look at a broken leg as both hurting and helping me? I guess I don't understand how to utilize this knowledge.

Surely, but does does the avoidance of masturbation (is there a term for this?) do more good or more harm? When I stopped in the past, I would go 2 to 4 weeks before I'd go crazy and have to release.

Interesting info. ShaktiMama - what do you think about a guy who masturbates to an image in his head, with the goal of delaying orgasm? Would you consider this person to be a loser as well?

Duplicate

Thank you for the thorough reply. My initial reaction is that I ought not take what I read and see to necessarily be 100% accurate. Symbols, writings, and experiences are man-made and thus, fallible. Perhaps I should take what I sense and decide for myself what I believe to be real.

I'm also attempting to do this, but I don't know how long I will last. Ultimately, what will keep me going is a good reason. If I can't find any proof that not masturbating has some significantly positive result, I'll end up going back and doing it.

Hey. My name is Aaron, and I am interested in learning more about Taoism. I started reading about it in Wayne Dyer's book: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life. I began searching for information about the Tao online, and I have found some interesting sources. There are great YouTube videos about the subject, and some websites give useful interpretations of the text. Still, I have many questions about how to live the Tao. I will likely create topics in hope of quelling the confusion. Perhaps my questions have already been answered! So I will be looking through many old topics. See you around.

Thank you.

I like this. One question: you say that it is good to allow myself to experience the anger I felt with the driver. How do I go from experiencing the anger to learning to give a more cordial response than the finger? Where does the motivation to improve myself come from if how I am right now is divine?