Stigweard

I think this sums up this thread perfectly: SO, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

Hey folks, Just want to add a polite moderation reminder to steer clear of insults. Yes we can passionately disagree, and yes we can vigorously debate. But if you start slinging insults at someone, their teacher, or their beliefs then you will be appropriately dealt with in accordance with our Moderation Guidelines. A few insults have slipped under our radar already in this thread (we kinda had our hands full with other issues ), so here's a polite notice that tolerance levels for insults in this topic is officially "0". Warm Regards Stig <-- Moderation Team -->

Hey Paul, You stepped over the line and you got pinned for it. There are two mature ways you can deal with this: 1. You can accept our decision and modify your contributions accordingly, 2. You can reject our decision and exercise your free liberty and choose not to come here any more. The third, less mature option, is for you to deny that you overstepped our policies and whinge and bitch complaining about how unfair it is. Option 1 & 2 earns you respect, option 3 makes you look like a ... well ... you know what I mean. You choose.

OK I must respond and then we let it lie. My comments were made with the assumption that this was the first case of Gauss' holier-than-thou proselytisation. However I must admit I was wrong as I was brought up to date that Gauss had made a nuisance of himself by spamming newcomers in the lobby with FG ... even telling them to go to another forum. Thus Gauss had already notched up his very own moderation log before this post. So, with that precedent in mind, TaoMeow was acting totally within her right as a moderator to make that warning and I completely support her without reservation. To reemphasize, I was wrong and TaoMeow was right and I agree, with his history in mind, Gauss needs to rethink the way in which he is contributing here at TaoBums.

Up to this point our moderation activities have been orientated around obvious violations such as profanity, insults, etc. Underpinning our Moderation Guidelines is the endeavor to provide an enjoyable place for people to discuss and learn. We have also promised to apply a light a touch as possible in the achievement of this goal. Which is why, when considering new policy it needs to be thought out thoroughly. Now topics often branch out into areas quite different from what was initially intended, it's normal in a relaxed conversation, people go on tangents and I am sure we have all done it. However, it becomes a detraction for the enjoyable atmosphere when certain individuals excessively post off-topic material effectively "Hijacking" the thread to be focused on their particular view or opinion. So, in the spirit of collective enjoyment, we are considering adding "Excessively Hijacking Topics" to our "Causes for moderation action" found in our Moderation Guidelines. I would be very interested in your views and comments.

Our esteemed, benevolent, and mysteriously absent dictator has this to say: Sean's Note on Profanity:

I am bumping this back up because we have recently seen another case where someone could be overly attempting to hijack threads with their own agenda. I am loathe to lightly implement "more rules" ... as far as I am concerned, in the spirit of Laozi, moderators should not interfere with the normal activities of members. But it can be seen that this type of behavior creates a discordant atmosphere in topics and it is only on those grounds that I would consider this new policy as appropriate. So this is once again under serious consideration. What say you?

As TaoMeow has rightly reminded me, discussing moderation issues in-thread is bad form. But it has happened here so let's quickly deal with it. All we as moderators are meant to do is to sweep the floors and take out the trash. Nothing more. Check our Moderation Guidelines and we have a very short list of things to monitor. Periods of disharmony is part of the spirit of TaoBums and, whilst we have tightened the reins on worst-case offenses, we must ensure the much-loved free-spirit of this forum is safe-kept. And here is another point ... sometimes the greatest posts come out of those periods of disharmony. I know how much I am grateful for Vaj's proselytizing Buddhism over Taoism because so many of our quality members stepped forward and opened their hearts and minds to share their views and knowledge of Taoism. So it isn't for us moderators to decide what is the "higher functions" of this forum because, to embody Laozi's principle of dispassion, we must honor the gutter trash as much as the diamonds. So if you don't like or disagree with the OP then debate away wildly and freely. I have enough faith in members and readers to be able to make up their own minds. I humbly apologize for this moderator's disturbance of this topic.

Thank you for posting this ... it is very important for us moderator's to keep this in mind. The spirit of TaoBums is free and wild and finding the balance between having some constraints and safe-keeping that spirit is a curvy and oft-times fuzzy line.

I'd like to pitch in here and fervently defend Gauss' right to post his views in the Open Discussion forum. Even though I share none of his views and nearly choked on my coffee in astoundment of the narrow-sighted, neo-religious waffle he shared, the fact is that Falun Dafa is an evolution of Taoism as much as the confusion of Western Taoist views that frequent our little mud-pool we call The TaoBums. So if we were to condemn this topic as "Off-Topic" then we might as well trash 80% of the topics in the Open Discussion. Yes Gauss is a FD convert and yes his mouth-frothing attempts to convert others has me almost wanting to wipe the spittle from my computer screen. HOWEVER he does have the right to post his views just as everyone else. As those of us that have been around here for awhile will attest, we have seen many missionaries come and go. The beauty of TaoBums is that this sort of nonsense never finds fertile soil here and always will the appropriate "sorting out" be made by the members themselves WITHOUT the need for moderators to overstep their guidelines. I trust the same will happen here.

its value's falling like the U.S. currency ev'ry day more loss

I was about to comment ... but no ... sorry ... I've got nothing

"The teaching of Tao originated in prehistoric times. For many generations people searched out methods by which to develop themselves. These methods are numerous and some have even been formalized as different schools which emphasize one or two things and make other aspects secondary to one's personal cultivation. Here I would like to give you some idea of the many effective methods which are practiced among achieved ones. ~ Nei Tan, Internal Medicine, which can support a person's spiritual future through refinement of the physical, mental and spiritual essence, ~ Tai Shi, Internal Breathing, which is higher than external breathing, although both are usually practiced together, ~ Tao Yin, Energy Channelling, for purposes of health and spiritual benefit, ~ Chun Shih, Visualization or concentration, ~ Fu Erh, External Nutrition, using natural herbs and other things, ~ Shing Jeau, Walking, for gathering and refining energy, ~ Fuh Chi, Internal Energy Maintenance, ~ Bei Gu, to stop eating food completely (especially helpful to those who are cultivating spiritually so that they can stop looking for and preparing food for themselves - eventually they combine their life with the environment), ~ Fu Chi, Intaking Natural Energy through breathing and swallowing, which should be practiced with Bei Gu, ~ Fang Jung, Sexual Cultivation, ~ Fu Jyeo, Secret Talismanic Characters, Words and also Invocations, ~ Jing Tan, Golden Elixir, ~ Shr Jeah, Method of Exuviation into a New Life." p3, Ni Hua Ching, "Workbook for Spiritual Development of All People", Seven Star Communication, CA, 2005 So, in answer to the OP, "No" not all lineages are the same, however they seem to want to achieve the same basic goals: Health Happiness Longevity Spiritual Freedom

Groovy groovy Hence the many parallels drawn between Tao and water. So I am assuming then that the cycle remains: 1. Water 2. Wood 3. Fire 4. Earth 5. Metal Yes? Next question: How does the Hetu and the Loshu interrelate? The Loshu seems the simpler model hence it is easy to draw the conclusion that it preceded the Hetu. Is this the case? Either way, what is the evolutionary connection between the 2 models?

OK let's just assume for the moment that you are right. How does this theory of yours enhance either your practice or your spiritual attainment?

Hahaha!!! She is starting to get worked up folks ... QUICK! Ask more questions!!! Here's one for you ... why is Water the first element in the Loshu?

Heya Lienshan, I think it's great that you want to plumb the depths of Laozi and really get all the juices. But I really think you might be over-complicating things a little. Also you might want to revise your magic square / I Ching associations. The magic square originates with the Lo Shu or Lo Shih. Here is the traditional format: When it is associated with the Later Heaven I Ching Bagua it looks like this: This would mean: 1 = Water 2 = Earth 3 = Mountain 4 = Lake 5 = 0 6 = Heaven 7 = Wind 8 = Thunder 9 = Fire Note that 5 = 0 because it represents the indescribable whole, the unifying force. If you were to associate a phase to 5 it would be Earth because Earth is the harmonizing and stabilizing force. A question for you Lienshan -- are your theories coming from traditional sources or are they your own investigations? Regardless though, I will always applaud someone who is willing to sift through the surface to find the hidden gold.

The answer to that question is: "It depends" If you did a search on this forum on "Jing" you will find alot written about sexual practices in Taoism. However, and it is a big HOWEVER, the main consideration is how sex fits in with one's spiritual practice. The Taoist alchemical formula is that we transform Jing, or sexual energy, into higher forms of Chi or Shen energy. The 'normal' biological flow of Jing is downwards and outwards -- ejaculation for men and menstruation for women. If there is too much "down and out" then the Jing becomes depleted and our life essence is wasted with the result that we no longer have the vitality required for spiritual development. So, from a pure energetic view, Taoists try, through various practices, to "reverse the flow" of Jing, turning it inwards and upwards. By stopping the leaks of Jing, and in fact transforming this raw energy into higher subtle forms, Taoists get a vital boost to their development. Now one way of "reversing the flow" is through celibacy, and for the young and those on a spiritual mission then this can be a recommended path but only if you engage in proper practices. For the young, like yourself, I would definitely recommend finding a good Kung Fu like Hsing I Chuan, Bagua Chuan or any Kung Fu that attunes to the basic Taoist tenets of the Five Elements or the I Ching Bagua. It would be also good if that Kung Fu taught basic Chi Kung and meditation. If you have the patience and temperament for it then perhaps you can also look at Tai Chi Chuan. There are however many practices that use sex as a cultivation -- viewing it as a fusion of the feminine yin and the masculine yang. There are stories of how high level practitioners of opposite sex would come together at times to supplement each other's energy with the polarity aspect. Personally I wouldn't recommend these sorts of practices unless you had many years of chi kung and meditation behind you. For most people an attitude of conservation should be observed plus an observance of natural forces. According to some teachings you should conserve your Jing more during Autumn and Winter, while Spring and Summer are times when the high energy allows for a certain degree of loss. I have heard that a man can ejaculate within two days after the full moon and not lose his Jing. So yes, the answer is "It depends". It depends on how much Jing you have, it depends on where you are in your development, it depends on the spiritual goals you have, it depends on your choice of partner. Developing clarity of mind so you can perceive what is naturally right for you is the key

Welcome to the party my friend. First encounters can be like the first rush of blood in a new romance ... it can be heady and intoxicating and can turn your life upside down. Regardless of which path you choose you need to ground yourself out with dedicated practice be it Tai Chi Chuan, Chi Kung, meditation, prayer, yoga or whatever. I would strongly advise not to indulge too much in marijuana. It can be good to help dissolve our fixations so that we can get more of a fluid view of life, but this can quickly lead to substance abuse if we become dependent on it to alter our awareness. Finding a practice that shifts the awareness naturally is much better in the long term. Marijuana is a power herb and is yin in nature. Your loss in sex-drive may be because of this. But I will re-emphasise that finding good practice to ground you and keep you focused is what you should be looking for. Would you say you are an action type of person, or someone who likes to be still and silent?

The suggestion that Moderator's are deleting posts in the open forum is a serious issue. Please note that our Moderation Guidelines - The Tao Bums clearly states: Proof of this happening should be reported immediately. Please try and keep in mind thought that, just like cat said, owners of their own personal practice forum have the power to make moderator's actions (deletions, editing, etc.) within their forum. So, and as we see above this has happened, you maybe falsely accusing Moderators for deletions.

my mind is made up!! way too many distractions give me peace, fresh air!!!

LOL Serious accusations there -- we have a very strict no-delete policy that we adhere to. I am confident that if we checked the logs then your accusations would be proven unfounded. As to the insult thing -- it's pretty much a fuzzy curvy line. We can't be there watching every single post and we rely alot on people making reports. As such alot of the borderline insults pass by our notice until something becomes really blatant. I think it is quite ironic that, in your parting comments, your words drip with implied insults to the whole board. Perhaps you should reflect more on your own thoughts and attitudes then those of others. Warm Regards Stig

It came through a little while back about a possible change to member ranks. Here is one idea I have used in a forum. It is based on the ranks of monks Novice 10 posts Initiate 20 posts Aspirant 55 posts Companion 150 posts Steward 400 posts TaoBum 1000 posts Master TaoBum 2500 posts I have yin yang rank bars as well if we want.