Jeff

Judging others is never helpful. Right & wrong is always dependent on context. Do you hate anyone? No. Do you have a hero? No. Have a great weekend.

The key is to be fully present and not sleep through it. Why would you worry about practices? With your knowledge, why would you be worried about death of the body?

Consider that you are the light... The closer to the flame, the less perceived separation and the less of "you"...

There is a flow and everything just happens. Try to feel the flow. The issue comes from your perceived desires and the judgements that you are making around the stuff/activities. Take a look at why you believe there is a difference between drinking tea & playing the piano compared to taking out the trash. How does it "feel" different? You don't repress or stop desires. They fade away on their own. It is more about accepting that you have to take out the trash and just do it. No need to judge. Like I tell my children, people spend more time "worrying about a test" than actually "studying for a test." Or, as Manitou simply stated... Make a list and just do it.

The answer is a different response to your stress statements above. Perfected habits do not address stress, they are just the Ego response defense mechanism. Anger is the result of a "perfected habit", a knee jerk response to a past experience. Watching your own anger is actually pretty funny. Good response to the koan... Whether you are young with the sun shining on you or old and being blown around by life, the key is acceptance. Not struggling against existence. Feel the flow and ride it.

Everything, A slightly different perspective and an old koan for you to consider... How is a brown leaf blowing in the wind like a flower in the sun? Have a great Sunday.

"just listening" is excellent meditation, whatever the sounds. Try "Sailing" by Christopher Cross. Floating on a sea of consciousness.

Late to the party, but fun to read. Impressive job staying the course.

Very good questions... Also on the same point, which is better (or what is the difference)... to be a... perfect, spirit-like, or sagely-minded man?

I would not be too hard on yourselves with the arguing point. I think a "Good Man" in this context, means Sage or enlightened. Also, reading the recent posts in this thread, does it seem that maybe Marble cloned himself... Not naming names, but...

Excellent. Thank you!

Let's get the party started...

As a relative newcomer, I tell you that you will be missed. But, your points are understandable. Before leaving, consider joining us reading some of the old masters. We are just finishing with the TTC and are about to start with the words of Chuang Tzu. Your insight and participation would be appreciated.

Also... Interesting thought on "Contending". I read it slightly differently... The Way of the Sage is to act, but not interfere. Since a Sage is One with Tao, how is it possible for a Sage to contend? I would be be interested in your thoughts... Have a good week.

And family!

The great thing about the text is that it seems to write at multiple levels (world, mind, esoteric). Giving something to everyone, no matter what the time period... Does anyone see what this section says about Desire? Also, have a good weekend.

Welcome. Good choice for a name. Everything is always normal.

@Dawei - Great to hear. Thanks for sharing.

MH, I think it is time to move on to 80.

Agreed, and thank you for the post. @Dawei - I also wish you well.

Very true. The Holy Trinity becomes even more interesting when you learn that originally the Holy Spirit was described with a "female" word tense. The "descent" of the power of the Holy Spirit is pretty similar to descriptions of "Kundalini". Western energy is top down. Eastern more bottom up. Same truth.

Good point about conquered people. It also is talking about the calming of the mind. The great wound or bitter quarrel is the moving past the Ego. He is saying that even after you experience/feel Tao, that the mind/Ego will still flare up. Don't sweat it and keep moving forward towards the Tao (or Way) of Heaven.

In this context they are the same. Son of Man describes the aspect of earthly existence. Son of God describes the divine aspect. Mainstream Christians would disagree with these definitions, but if you actually read Jesus' words, you will see the direct corrolaltions to Taoism/Buddhism.