Tree Stump

Hi marblehead, Then I think we're, for the most part, in agreement and I thank you for your thoughtful comments. I still maintain that 'Considering oneself already dead' is both easily misunderstood and misdirected. Contemplating death of course is important. But contemplating life is more so, because our most natural experiences in life (eg. love, fear of death, pain, sex) are to be united with nature's very being and its will. To be united with the Tao, no? Such experiences are surely the most valuable treasure one could have in this world. Wouldn't you agree? I understand that *contemplating* death can reveal just how precious life is. But 'considering oneself already dead' seems to be a blatent disregard for the gift of life itself. Attachments detract from natural life, but not fearing death is detaching from life itself, it is detaching from nature. I cannot see how it isn't nihilistic to be honest. Sorry to harp on...

Hi marblehead, So by 'living totally spontaneously' you mean "Not being 'tied down' " ? Ok, fair enough. But I'm not sure 'considering oneself as dead' cultivates freedom any more than *being* dead cultivates freedom. Surely freedom comes from being grounded, working with and for nature. Nature certainly distinguishes between dead and live trees. Freedom isn't stepping out of the process, it's stepping further in. Isn't it? Or in your view are we just trying to escape the cycle of life?

Which is what, an illusion? That sounds awfully nihilistic. Quite dangerous in fact. I often wonder whether such nihilistic interpretations of Taoism and Buddhism have somehow contributed to the apparent human rights abuses in China.

After trying sitting meditation for several years, I discovered yoga and t'ai chi and realized the importance of active meditation - purely because it's integrated with real, tangible life instead of purely a state of mind... it seems to me to be far more taoist than the more introverted buddhist approach. Here'a a haiku for you: great sage meditate for hours, reach nirvana oh crap, have to pee - Tree Stump

just durian fruit beside its corpse casualty curious of smell

to a distant shore in my garden discovered something smelly lurks

high on emptiness falling leaves follow the wind on thee i sail home

Yes, such an important concept. A few questions and thoughts. Don't we will what we think will satisfy us? Doesn't it then stem from a fundamental lack that we feel? The constant reminder of our brokenness? Yet it seems we forget our original, ontological unity and fill that emptiness with empty ideas. That's how we arrive at such a broken, distorted and ultimately nihilistic will. - Tree Stump

Hello everyone. I've just signed up on this wonderful board and wanted to say hi. Just the past few hours browsing the board I've learnt a great deal about Taoism. I look forward to contributing a little here and there, and thank you for having me. - Tree Stump

waiting on coffee I silently meditate enlightened addict