Stigweard

I have been exploring recently the process of 'Inspiration' and how it fits within Taoist teachings. I would be very interested to hear of you views on this.

Yes, and right there, in general terms, is the fundamental premise of the ancient spiritual tradition of Tao that adheres to individual sublimation and universal integration as the central channel of Taoist cultivation. Blessings on your Way Scott This statement so deserved to be in this thread as well

Yes I believe we are in the same groove here. Could you expand on what you are saying please? I am interested in what you are saying but I want to make sure I am understanding you correctly.

work makes me taste steel grinding my teeth with a file iron tongue chi kung

I am sorry my friend ... it appears I am quite dense because I have missed what you were trying to say. Could you rephrase or expand on your post for my poor comprehension?

Hiya Blasto You are of course correct that we shouldn't 'indulge' in speculation. However, "speculation" is from the point of view of the ignorant aspirant pondering the clouded mountain tops. The teachings of subtle and purer energy has been passed down to us by the masters of Tao. It is from the perspective of the achieved Xian who have ascended the summit and in turn point the way for those still climbing. Notice though that I am not saying "higher planes" as such, merely indicating that there is a spectrum of energy that spans from the coarse and dense through to the subtle and mysterious. And you are right that language cannot encapsulate the subtlety of universal reality. Words and models can however point our minds in the direction of truth and if we are to be effective guides to others we must learn to use our words impeccably. Firstly just a point of clarity here. I know it is a contentious issue hereabouts and contrary words have been exchanged on this subject, but the Taoism that maintains the view about the reality of both subtle realms and subtle energy is not "philosophical Taoism" but is the ancient spiritual tradition that preceded it. There is evidence that suggests that "philosophical Taoism" as such is very much a latecomer and the term possibly wasn't even used until the commencement of Western investigation of Taoism. 1 And yes once again you are right that we must temper the counsel of the ancients with "good old fashioned intellectual humility and skepticism". When we encounter these higher principles and teachings we must not simply believe the face-value of things because doing so would be "blind faith" and being blind is not the way of the Xian. As an aspiring Taoist we also acknowledge the infinite mystery of life and our initial understanding of a principle may not be the subtle reality of what is truly being communicated. Nor however should we disbelieve them out of hand because to do so would be to assume one "knows it all" and thus you immediately entrench yourself in your own conceptual fixations, creating divisions of what is right and what is wrong. In doing so we once again may miss the subtle universal truth. And so we must "sound out" what we are hearing or reading and listen ever so carefully to the implications of what is being conveyed; to listen to the space between and beyond the words. In doing so we may discover, through our own experience and awareness, that which inspired the speaker or writer to articulate their experience of universal life. ------------ 1. http://kirkland.myweb.uga.edu/rk/pdf/pubs/pres/TENN97.pdf

Two representations of the Twelve Terrestrial Branches Two representations of the Sixty Phases

The 10 Celestial Stems showing the Wuxing (five elements) in their Yin and Yang expression.

And do you believe that we are able to 'tune in' to this pure state of Chi?

Sure ... the next question then is do you necessarily believe that 'universal chi' has a spectrum of sublimity to it? In other words, is there only one grade of 'universal chi'? Or can you conceive the notion that the spectrum of chi extends into 'higher', 'purer', and more subtle states? If you can conceive of such a notion then can you also assimilate the idea that, just like tuning a radio, we are able to 'tune in' to the higher 'realms' of universal chi?

Yup I hear you I initially felt the same way, until I looked closer at the meaning of 'inspiration': Inspiration has at it's roots "in" + spirare (same root as 'spirit') "to breathe". And here we see the Taoist implications because Qi 氣 is also designated to mean breath / spirit. So I believe that inspiration is pointing to a more refined and subtle energy than just coarse emotions and the only word left to possibly describe it is a 'feeling'. For example when I play with Wuji Taiji my movements are not created by attachments or desires. My mind is empty, Wu, and my intent is unified with my breath ... the movements, or Wei, merely 'happen'. What causes me to move in certain way? I could only say that it 'felt right' to do so, and it is that pure feeling that I am calling 'inspiration' and thus is my connection with Wu Wei.

Bumping this up to get more views and discussion over Post #14.

Yup I hear you. Like I said over in The Tao of Inspiration thread, "my line of inquiry is about the possibility of identifying a signifier for the experience of being one with one's own true nature or virtue/de ... something practical to guide our awareness toward ever-increasing embodiment of one's true self-nature." And in my current exploration the best descriptive I have for that feeling is 'inspiration'.

To add to the excellent posts above, Wu Wei 無爲 (Effortless Action) is to do nothing outside of one's true nature ... one's De/Teh 德 (virtue). When one's consciousness is 'lined up' with the Tao in any given moment all of one's actions will be natural and spontaneous; they will be empty of contrivance and artifice. With one's actions imbued with inner 'inspiration' one's actions will be Wu Wei. I have explored the link between De/Teh 德 and inspiration over here: http://www.thetaobums.com/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=129003

Excellent page being developed by Pietro on Bruce Frantzis: http://www.taowizard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Bruce_Frantzis

Good call ... you can see the differences here: http://www.taowizard.com/wiki/index.php?ti...v&oldid=755

Have made changes to http://www.taowizard.com/wiki/index.php?ti...#Categorization ... need feedback and discussion.

Excellent! I have responded it turn here: http://taowizard.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?...&p=113#p113

Added an excellent piece from Creation to the Taoism section: http://www.taowizard.com/wiki/index.php?ti...eligious_Taoism

Agreed

Well said my friend .... 5 stars from me

And hello right back at ya! Would you care for some tea ... just brewed a cup of Dandelion root

Well Marblehead will say that Taoism is not a religion but a philosophy that became a religion!