Stigweard

Many thanks to you my friend and the gift of your blessing

I just realised something... IT'S THE EQUINOX !!!!! God I love this incredible Universe ... what perfect synchrony ... Gossamer you get healing for Eostar !!!! YAY!!!

I have considered your post carefully and I believe you have made some excellent points, especially the analogy of the water wheel ... about how the idea of storing Qi can be an artificial contrivance which can disturb the natural flow of Qi. However I would like to open dialogue with you on the point of storing Qi beyond 100% because I do not believe that to be the case at all. Please let me explain in full... From my understanding and experience our Self in it's original (100%) state is imbued with the full quotient of Qi. However, through the process of social conditioning, experiential stress and the chasing of sensory desires we deplete the reserves that are available to us. This path inevitably leads us to premature decay and death. The whole process of Qigong and Nei Dan is to reinvigorate our energy reserves by firstly clearing the energy channels of our body and then by collecting and storing this energy, yes, in our lower Dan Tien. From here the collected energy naturally flows back into the organs to keep them healthy and vital. Another reason to give focus to the lower Dan Tien is that when thoughts and desires arise our energy floats up and is 'lost', so the act of keeping one's awareness centred in the lower Dan Tien is one of conservation. So in this sense we are not trying to 'overfill' our energy quotient beyond 100%, merely endeavouring to keep it as 'topped up' as possible and to limit and prevent unnecessary leakages.

Thank you for your reply Gossamer Please let me respond carefully to your post ... I have deliberately overlooked the parts that are excessively rancorous and points that, because they can neither be proved nor disproved here, are simply outside of my ability to comment on. That is fine ... I have fairly much considered this to be a closed avenue And I have called you my dear good friend ... my neutrality is uncompromised I have dealt with you all as you are ... neither believing nor disbelieving the assertions of either side. I have valued each of your perspectives for what they are. Are we to take this as your final decision? I had something else in mind that would fulfill my originating intent of wanting to do something to truly help you. If you trust me, if you believe in my integrity then I was about to suggest that the donations stay with Sean and that I personally perform such a healing ceremony for you. I have some considerable skill and experience in such matters and I would be more than happy to help you in this way. Neither Mak Tin Si, David nor his wife would be involved. It would be a sacred contract between you, me and the good spirits that guide and watch over us. But the final decision is yours and yours alone. I am here, I am waiting to help you in what ever way I can. All you have to say is "Yes".

Darin I would like to reach through the screen and give you a big ol' man hug Did ya get it? Good good ... see you next time on the beach (watch your dreams buddy o')

It is the Waning Moon, nearly Dark ... time to reflect ... nothing can or should be achieved here right now. A moment for introspection ... letting go of attachments to outcomes ... to regroup one's energy ... to breathe with the flow of the downward/inward cycle. *takes deep breath ... slowly exhales* Here is where we have come: Gossamer came to our lovely little corner of the world laden down with the trauma he brought with him. He was obviously seeking help. He turned to Mak Tin Si for help but was taken aback at the idea of being asked to 'donate' specific amounts of money in exchange for the ceremonies on offer. This is where I stepped in. My intent was three-fold: 1. Provide a source of healing for Gossamer 2. Give Mak Tin Si a chance to demonstrate his services 3. Dispell the turbulence that was being created I put out the call for people to donate a small amount each and we all witnessed the phenomenal support that rolled in ... it was truly amazing and I want to once again express my deep admiration and gratitude for all the generous souls who gave so selflessly! Go team!!! Now I will take it as no coincidence that David and his wife where drawn into the circle, I see it as a perfect resonance to the pool of healing that we created. Of course this caused a mini-tornado of stress for Gossamer and I was not at all surprised to see Gossamer flee from the scene. Now admittedly I was starting to feel a little frustrated and my attachments to an outcome nearly caused me to make the error of acting hastily and perhaps inappropriately. Thankfully David himself stepped in and quite correctly said that we needed Gossamer's full consent for the outcome to have integrity. Now Gossamer if you are reading this, however you want to interpret things, David made a move of integrity that was for your highest good. Please my friend, see this as a sign that David wants this whole unfortunate business to be over as much as you do. Now here we are in a new thread with, as I see it, a couple of major obstacles: 1. David and his wife are amongst us and Gossamer adamantly holds that they are here with ill-intent and that we are all being duped by them. 2. There is a general, and obviously increasing, sentiment, both from Gossamer and other folks on this board, that Mak Tin Si's view that he doesn't charge for his services and yet insists on a donation with a set minimum amount is contrary to that of an authentic healer. So let us take a moment to reflect on where we have come. Try not to make declarations of who is 'right or wrong'. Let us think creatively for a solution, for a way past these obstacles, that will be of benefit to everyone.

It is not my everday practice but I do Sun and Moon breathing ... not quite the same as gazing though. It is more a process of connecting with and breathing in the energy.

There you are

Hi Gossamer, It is good to hear from you again I truly understand how you are feeling my friend. If I was in your shoes I would be thinking and feeling exactly the same as you. I can see how there are some fairly large obstacles in the way of you feeling 100% happy with proceeding with the process we have started together. On one hand we have Mak Tin Si whose manner may appear less than 'ideal' in comparison to our preconcieved ideas of what we think a healer should be like. And then we have David and his wife here displaying none of the malevant behaviour you hold to be true. But just like I recently mentioned to a good friend we have the luxury here, due to the fact that we can take as long as we want before hitting the "Add Reply" button, of being able to present only the best of ourselves. Appearances after all can be very decieving and we all have the prevailing tendancy to believe in what we want to believe even if the bare truth is jumping up and down like a jack rabbit right in front of our noses. Wihout being attached to any outcomes I would like to ask you a question if I may Hypothetically, imagine just for a moment that you did in fact come to the point where you were 100% happy and enthusiastic to go ahead with our process. What would have had to take place for you to arrive at this 100% happy and enthusiastic place? Most sincere and warm regards my good friend

stiff breeze lifts my kilt my foe sees I fear him not "Faith and Fortitude !!!"

I hear what you say Pietro and you have some sage advice. I do find though that, through the buffeting effect that can sometimes occur, it only helps you develop your 'root' deeper.

I had you in mind my friend

The Significance of Virtue The Daoist concept of 'Virtue'1 is rich in meaning. Generally speaking, Virtue and Dao are reciprocal concepts. In the fifty-first chapter of the Laozi, it is said that "Dao begets all things, and Virtue fosters them." Dao is the fundamental origin of all beings, while Virtue is the reflection of Dao in all beings. Dao is formless and imageless; Virtue, as the manifestation of Dao in all concrete things, is also formless. Therefore Daoists often refer to Dao and Virtue as a single concept, and consider them to be absolutely void and still, and the ultimate abstruse Ancestor of all beings. Virtue is the attainment of Dao As the reflection of Dao in all beings, Virtue can be said to be each concrete being's attainment of Dao. In the Pivotal Meaning of the Daoist Doctrine2 by Meng Anpai of the Tang dynasty, it is said that Virtue is attainment, and is the opposite of loss of Dao. For this reason, Virtue and the sometimes-used concept of 'Dao-Nature'3 are identical. Dao is omnipresent and all creatures have Dao-Nature. In the Book of Master Zhuang4, it is said that Dao is 'omnipresent', and can be found in mole crickets and ants, in bricks and tiles, in stools and urine. Whether it be the most spiritual of men or the most debased of things, everything has Dao. In the Book of Western Ascension5, it is said that "Dao is not only in me; all beings have it". This Dao-Nature reflected by all beings is Virtue. Virtue is the effect of Dao Virtue is the reflection of Dao, and Dao is the root of Virtue. From this perspective, we can say that the effect of Dao on the nurturing and ordering of all beings is played out through Virtue. Dao is Emptiness6 and governs Non-Being7, while Virtue exists in all concrete things and governs Being8. Of course, we are here not separating Dao and Virtue into two separate things, but merely reflecting on different situations and functions. Fundamentally speaking, Virtue and Dao are but two aspects of a single category. Hence, the first scroll of the Pivotal Meaning of the Daoist Doctrine quotes Master Xuanqing as saying that "Dao and Virtue are two significances of a single reality. They are one but not one, two but not two." Looking at their functions and effects, they are different and thus two, but as different expressions of the same reality, they are not two. In the same way, they are both one, but owing to their different functions, they are not one. Zhongyu, Liu. Translator: David Palmer. Taoist Culture and Information Centre. Accessed 17 March 2009. <http://eng.taoism.org.hk/daoist-beliefs/gr...o/pg2-1-2-1.htm>

One of our fellow TaoBums, Gossamer, needs help. As most of us will know he is afflicted by a malevolent person who is attacking him through his computer and also perhaps through black magic. Gossamer is also physically disadvantaged and is only recieving $600 per month on a pension. Mak Tin Si, our resident Taoist priest, believes through his ceremonies, rituals, and fu that he can resolve Gossamer's ills once and for all. But due to the rules of his temple he insists that the relevant donations are paid to perform this service. These donations include: Admittence into lineage: $90 Curing black magic ceremony: $120 Distance ceremony: $100 Total donation required: CAD$310.00 Gossamer claims, and I believe him, that he cannot afford this. And I can totally understand the reaction of his dismay and frustration. I too have been in the pits of financial despair before with little in the way of opportunities to get out. And when someone says, "I can help you out of this but you have to pay", it almost enough to make you want to scream and want to tear someone apart. I also respect Mak Tin Si's position that his tradition binds him to his course. A suggested solution my fellow bums is this: In coordination with Sean, our noble forum moderator , if at least 30 of us each donate $10.00 to TaoBums by using the "Support the Tao Bums" button at the bottom of your screen then Sean can donate the required lump sum to Mak Tin Si. And in return we will have ourselves a living Taoist experience to be a part of. I am quite sure both Mak Tin Si and Gossamer will by happy to share with us the details of the event. Perhaps Mak Tin Si, if the integrity of your service and tradition allows it, you could video your ceremony etc. and share it with us TaoBums via YouTube. So the first thing we need is for the OK from Sean that all donations from the "Go" date, up until the required amount is reached, is set aside for Gossamer. Sean can post us regularly in this thread letting us know where we are up to and we keep going until we have achieved our goal. So out with the credit cards ladies and gentlemen. Click on the Support the Tao Bums, and let us put our money where our mouths are by showing some genuine Taoist virtue and charity. NOTE: Remember to wait till we get Sean's OK so we keep it coordinated.

to gather our clan... embracing battle frenzy the scream of bag pipes oops ... past life flash back ... pardon me

Create a new thread on your post my friend ... I am always interested to hear what you have to say

Hiya Artform ... using our FAQ link the Stanford Uni has a good outline of the Daodejing which does touch on your question. It also mentions Victor H. Mair. <http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/laozi/#AppLao>

Just to keep everyone informed and up to date here is my last, and possibly final, communication to Gossamer:

I'm picking up what you are laying down my friend P_cwym9xXQA

Hiya Artform ... using our FAQ link the Stanford Uni has a good outline of the Daodejing which does touch on your question. It also mentions Victor H. Mair. <http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/laozi/#AppLao>