ChiDragon

I cannot answer your question before you tell me what and how you were doing in your Qigong. However, if you are doing it correctly, there will be a detox reaction taken place inside your body. Please tell me about your practice....???

I've never agreed that "immortals" are existed. Are we only reading ZZ's parables and what they say, aren't we.....??? If we are applying modern logic to argue that his fairy tales are not true and some of the things don't even exist; and If you people do not know how to read metaphors, let's quit now.......!!!

I would not criticize too much on this translation; but it certainly didn't reflect closely to the original thoughts. I believe in the original section it did state that a person(?) flies in the air still depends on the draft of the wind. The metaphor says, even though one can fly but still relies on the draft of the wind. This still leads to my bias interpretation on the "Free Wanderer": If one has to be depended on the draft of the wind to fly, then one is still one level behind to be a "Free Wanderer". It was simple because one still has to depend on an attachment which does not give one the freedom to fly independently.

ZZ had defined what immortal(神人) is here. If it was stated the same all the time, then why should anyone go look for the answer elsewhere......???

That was no yummy bone. The more stuffs he knows, the more he toss in to create more confusion.

A man is a man. An immortal is a an immortal. A man is not an immortal. An immortal is not a man. How much more flexible can a language be......??? @MH.... Sorry, we got into this again. It was just inevitable. I've tried to stay within the scope of the subject, but.....!!! Oh well.....!!!

This is a good example of a Free Wanderer having all these exemptions. In the parable, ZZ was indicating that only a divine figure or immortal can attain the realm of a Free Wanderer. It is because immortals are free from natural disasters and free of any human attachments. Thus they can travel or do as pleased with no limitation or restriction. ZZ's philosophy of Free Wanderer" is based on no limitation or restriction forced upon oneself.

Sorry, I got me lost in the translation. To me in Chinese or English, a man(人) is different from an immortal（神人）。　You may twist it anyway you like for your argument sake; only, if you want to put someone in doubt due to the ambiguity in some words.

This whole phrase was thrown off and misled by one mistranslation of two compound characters 神人. It is not possible for a man not be harmed by natural disasters. Only an immortal or a divine one can be exempted. 神人：　divine one; immortal. Thus it should be rephrased as: "Nothing could hurt that divine figure(神人) ; the greatest floods, ............ "

We're existed but not by choice.

1. There is no special recommendations but just practice. The strength will build efficiently after a prolong practice of the stance. 2. Yes. 3. As a beginner, one should never go too deep but to a comfortable position until the muscles get use to the stress which has never been applied to the legs before. 4. One should never push the muscles to the limit to avoid over strain to the muscle at the beginning. One should start easy on the muscles, then slowly applying more stresses to the muscles by bending the knees progressively until one can do the 90 degree stance for a long period of time.

I would say that is only a misconception. You have to focus on the dan tien, in order, to have the whole body effect. Otherwise, they wouldn't say "Chi sink to the dan tien(氣沉丹田)" for nothing. The phrase is above all; no one can defy it.

Perhaps that's why there it was no harm done to the body. Unconscious is to knock someone out so one doesn't feel the pain. The purpose of analgesia is for someone not to feel the pain without knocking one out. FYI If you want to know, there are some acupoints that can put someone unconscious or death. However, putting someone unconscious is very dangerous; it may cause death or memory loss.

1. Yes. 2. Acupuncture but not acupressure. 3. Yes, it is safe I would say. I had seen a documentary showing acupuncture anesthesia for surgery which was practiced in China. Ref:

The key to be a "Free Wanderer" is to be independent of all attachments. If any affair engaged to an attachment with limitations, then one is not free. ZZ has sat up many examples in this chapter indicating who has an attachment and who was not.

I'm good as long as I don't use a hammer to force fit everything.

The reason they weren't mentioned is because they do not apply here..........!!!

All the sections in Chapter One are pertaining to the "Free Wandered". One may think that was all about "transformation" but it can be, only, forced to fit first three sections only. However, it seems to me that nobody can come across to section 4 with that idea.

Did this ever occur to you that "Let Nature take its course" has the other side of it also....??? Let Nature take its course, does it imply to you that "don't let Nature go off course". What happen when Nature go off course...??? In your case, you did exactly what you have to do by trying to correct the course of Nature. What happen if you have failed in the correction....??? If you die, then what happens....??? Nature still take its course.....!!! According to Lao Tze's philosophy, Nature take its course is when everything happens in a natural way. Sometimes, Nature do make an error which is being unnatural. When it was unnatural, then it went off course. Indeed, everybody can try to correct the course of Nature but not to control nor master it. PS..... You welcome, btw......

I would like to clarify something here and rephrase. In case one wants to know what the "Ho" is...??? It means river. "The mole drinks from the river." "the representative of the dead and the officer of prayer" Should be translated as "the master of the ritual ceremony for the dead" The metaphor is suggesting that in order to be a "Free Wanderer", one need to stay away from politics even though a highest office such a throne was offered. Thu this symbolize ZZ's philosophy for one to be a complete "Free Wanderer" by not assuming somebody else's responsibility.

Haven't I said enough for the why's......??? Are these your questions again or just exclamation......??? @Stosh...... Welcome back. Love to hear your eloquent spoken words....!!!

Well, when I've spoken of ZZ himself, it simply means he can be imagining himself or anyone could be a free wanderer. It was an advice for all really.

Well, apparently it is not okay. If we don't agree this far, our difference will be much great later on. I might have to be faded out the picture completely...............

That's funny....!!! Other translations: the Kun always transforms into Peng.......??? That is a key concept (transformation) in Chuang Tzu's philosophy.......??? IMO That was only his imagination to show his thoughts was different from the ordinary people. It was only a metaphor to indicate that Zhuang Tze himself does not want to stay in the little pond only seeing the sky above. To Zhuang Tze, a big fish is the ocean is like a small fish in a little pond. He said that was because he likes to think big and exaggerate by making a small scene into a big one. I don't think that ZZ's philosophy was about transformation. The title of Chapter One is the "Free Wanderer". A free wanderer must be able to travel as free as a big bird rather than a fish in a pond with restricted moving space. Therefore, the reader must consider the main philosophy in relationship with the title of the chapter. Otherwise, it would be meaningless by having all the concentrations on the small and large imaginary creatures.

No, I didn't forget.... That is a brand new ball game to open a can of worms which I can never put it in words. I have enough trouble with Chi Kung/Nei Kung already......