ChiDragon

Not with Lao Zi...!!! That was not how he sees Tao.

3. 無,名天地之始。 3. Invisible was the name given to Tao at the origin of heaven and earth. The reason that I have to use the word "invisible" for the character "無", wu, was due to the difficulty of choosing a proper word for the translation. As Marblehead has indicated: Wu = mystery=potential The words mystery and potential are only descriptive words for Tao rather than a given name for Tao. Now, for a better understanding, let's look at the meaning of "Wu". Wu means none; nothing; don't have; non-exist; nothingness. However, Lao Zi uses the character very differently. He wanted to call Tao "Wu" at the beginning of the heaven and earth (the universe). Wu, here, doesn't mean none; nothing; don't have; non-exist, nothingness but invisible with high potential creative power. Tao is always exist, Lao Tze wanted to distinguish Tao in two states of presence which are invisible and visible as indicated in Lines 3 and 4 of Chapter One. 4. 有,名萬物之母。 4. Visible was the name given to Tao as the mother of all things. I'm glad that you have no problem with that......

That is true but that is not what I am against. The thing that was it is "then" and "now". Since we understand what is "now" which supersedes the "then", then, why are we still using the "then" old concept. Why not use the "now" concept to make the "then" less skeptical.

Zhe.... I would like to have your valuable comment on Post #131, Page 9 of this thread. Thank you.

I have no problem with your wordy response because it was expressed explicitly with great skill. Well, you were not looking for the hole nor the hare in the first place until you saw them and registered in your mind. Then, you know what to look for to find them again. Everything was there waiting for you the see as long they are there in the first place. However, if you've looked at them long enough, then you will see the true picture. Unless you don't want to see what you want to see but to see what somebody else wanted you to see. "Full of desire, you see its manifestations." Is not the correct interpretation! What it's really saying was you only see the "manifestations of your own desire" rather than its own(Tao's) manifestations. Another words, you are only seeing what you wanted to see instead of what Tao want you to see. Edited: Shown in bold.

You got that right! That was not your opinion but your best understanding. That is, also, the understanding of the most knowledgeable native scholars too. Welcome to TTB. PS.... We would love to hear your understand of other chapters too!

Beyond that is all imaginary for theoretical and instructional purposes.

It sounds like this dog is very protective for its master. I had a German Shepard before. When someone approach or touch me, he makes a warning sound but not aggressive like this. Indeed, the problem is the dog but not you.

The best quote of the day, yet, pertaining to this thread.

Thank you for the kind words! There is nothing to be ashamed of but it's only a matter of mutual understanding. In regards to "sink chi to the LDT". It is merely a description for a feeling that below the navel when a deep breath was taken by someone. Here is the sequence for a normal deep breath only: The air went into the nostrils filling up the lung fully, the diaphragm goes downward causing the abdomen to be expanded all the way. Under the condition at this instance, it was said to be that "the chi was being sunk to the Dan Tien". The Chinese Taoist called the location where the abdomen is the "丹田" but, for simplicity, it was understood it was referring to as the "low Dan Tien". If you have noticed that any martial artist or Chi Kung practitioner, the first thing that they do was to take a deep breath. Under the instruction from a teacher, the first thing he will do is to take a deep breath. Then tell the student: "This is Chi sunken to the Dan Tien". Therefore, physically, the student took a deep breath; and mentally was understood it was 氣沉丹田(Chi sunken to the Dan Tien) with no questions ask.

Thanks for the definitions. They are relative for those who, only, wear the shoes for one side. One would have a different view if one sees both sides of the story. Anyway, one has to be experienced to see it like someone has been saying here constantly. As you can see is more of a cultural thing than what you call racism. I don't know have you been noticed in the past few months, there were some Chinese friends came to visit the forum and using the same tone as I was. However, they did not stay too long because they wear not accepted here due to the difficulty in cultural communication. Unfortunately, that is the ways things are. The reason that I am sticking around is because I had been exposed to the western culture and try to break the ice gap. Even though, I know due the constitutional rights, there are certain things are restricted not to say in public; but, hey, how are we going to communicate without some sacrifice. Somehow, we put ourselves in a dilemma. PS..... I do thank you for all your endurance for my presence.

With 12 oz. Chi in a container too?

If your mind have been made up, there is no point to discuss it any further to derail this thread. Thank you!

It would be hard for someone, especially, when one is having a strong animosity against one particular individual and always twisting the positive into negative. One is always trying to find fault in others for his amusement and dragged others to joint him will never be satisfied with himself. Enlightenment is waiting for you to be realized that not all things are to be negatively viewed toward others. PS..... I will take a deep breath for..........!!!

Please don't forget the most important part is to take a deep breath.

The word "racist" is not in my dictionary. I say it with Taoist honor. It was only in your mind.

This is hard to accept, isn't it.....???

I like your scramble logic without following the sequence of events. I do update my knowledge daily, don't you? There is something that I don't know today but I will find out tomorrow. Likewise, I do make correction for my mistake from the new thing that I learned. There may be something I have been practicing without knowing at times. Fortunately, I have become enlightened by finding the answer instead of grabbing pieces from here and there. Unfortunately, there are some people, here, are 唯恐天下不亂, by picking random notes with a purpose to belittle someone without merits. Please enjoy your day and happy for being a plodder. PS.... Keep coming, it is good for my Xing Kung practice and please don't forget to pay some attention to my new signature.

Is it because you did not hear what you want to hear....??? To be honest with you, if the lineage did not recognize the phrase "氣沉丹田", sink Chi to the Dan Tien; that "the 丹田(Dan Tien) in the phrase was understood that is referring to the lower Dan Tien", then go find another lineage that does!

Yes, but It is very consistent in the Chinese language. The only consistency one can find, in the West, are some fallacies and fiction stories. As you can see, that is why you are reading all these inconsistent wild tales about Dan Tien. If you have doubt, then you just have to question and determine which is a fact or fallacy yourself. I wouldn't accept all the things that I've read as facts. Be careful who you are talking to, even me. What it comes to is use your own judgement.

It's not really our problem but let's hope for the best.......

Perhaps, this maybe in the West; but the phrase "氣沉丹田", sink Chi to the Dan Tien, was referring to the same thing for centuries since the existence of Gong Fu in the East. The 丹田(Dan Tien) in the phrase was understood that is referring to the lower Dan Tien throughout the martial arts industry. Anyway, it is immaterial right now how it came about. The important thing is that we have established the definition of Dan Tien(丹田) and should be treated it as a fact for the consistency of communication. Let's hope this will avoid further confusion in the future discussions. Hopefully, we will not hear fallacies like 1. My Dan Tien was torn. 2. Rotating the Dan Tien 180 degrees. 3. I am going to fill my Dan Tien with Chi.

Thank you for your kind words. That was only aiming at the unreasonable ones. Please ignore my ignorance.

They did not have any scientific knowledge then, so, do we have to follow their footsteps in modern time and space age....???