Chang

"Early to bed, early to rise, Work like hell: fertilize."

Faith and belief. I have a close friend, a Doctor of Medicine, who is a devout Roman Catholic. I have discussed Taoist Martial Arts and Health Practices with him and explained how it is possible to experience the movement of energy in and around ones body. He laughed and informed me that I am deluded, asking where was the proof? He on the other hand has no doubt that he will spend eternity in Heaven with the Holy Father. If asked for proof that this will be so he simply smiles and states that he has no need for proof as his faith is strong. Faith can also be extremely dangerous. Of the worlds religions which can match Christianity and Islam for fanaticism and where will you find greater faith than in the mind of the fanatic. For not only is the fanatic prepared to die for his beliefs but he is happy to see everyone else die for them as well. Alas, faith cannot be reasoned with.

I am afraid that our Saudi Arabian friend was confusing belief with faith. There is a difference but i would not have wasted my time arguing the point with him.

Moderator Message Just a friendly reminder to keep to topic if that is your wish or else ignore this thread if you do not like the way the discussion is going. Trading insults, however gently, with other Bums is not productive. Thanks for your understanding. Chang for Mod Team

Hello and welcome to the forum. The use of tones in meditation has been much discussed here in the past and arouses mixed opinions. Here is a post you may find of interest. http://thetaobums.com/topic/23334-question-about-bwe-isochronic-tones-binaural-beats-etc/?hl=%2Bbinaural+%2Bbeat#entry335326 Good luck and best wishes, Chang.

I am afraid that I am really at a loss as to what all the fuss is about. Might I suggest a little exercise. Take your argument outside this forum. Find a woman (there are quite a few about) and explain that a discussion forum, of which you are a member, has dared to provide a sub section titled "Womens Cultivation. A place for Women to discuss personal and practice issues within a private forum." Tell them in detail your objection to this ( I have just discussed this matter with my partner who came back with a very well reasoned response) and see what the reaction is. You might even put the matter to a number of women but do not be suprised if the reaction is similar. Again let me again stress that this is not going to effect you or your place in the Tao Bums. Just give the Womens Cultivation Section a chance - surely this is not asking much?

To be fair 50% of the worlds human population can hardly be construed as "a few." I would like to suggest that the Womens Cultivation Section ( a title i find far more descriptive than "The Womans Thing") be simply given a chance. It is not that long ago that the thought of women being granted the vote led to cries of "the end of the world." But the world seems to have gone on its merry way. I fully expect that the Tao Bums will do the same.

I have no experience and hence no advice to offer regarding power lifting as an internal path. I would advise you to get into some serious flexibility work however and would recommend Pavel Tsatsoulines DVD's Beyond Stretching and Beyond Stretching The Seminar. Pavel is a strength athlete and his exercises are geared for that arena - including powerlifting.

For those who may be interested in a little background knowledge of the subject. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_Bucket_Challenge

It may well be the case that there is an energetic reason for the blockage of your nose but it would probably do no harm to have it checked out by a Doctor.

If only that were so, but

I went through a long period where I used to take cold baths and I must say that I found them most invigorating. This Ice Bucket Challenge however smacks too much of the school playground for my liking. I also dislike being coerced into giving to charity.

When considering the attitude of men towards women, our own attitude and that of other men, it is well to ponder these words of John Masefield. C.L.M. IN the dark womb where I began My mother's life made me a man. Through all the months of human birth Her beauty fed my common earth. I cannot see, nor breathe, nor stir, But through the death of some of her. Down in the darkness of the grave She cannot see the life she gave. For all her love, she cannot tell Whether I use it ill or well, Nor knock at dusty doors to find Her beauty dusty in the mind. If the grave's gates could be undone, She would not know her little son, I am so grown. If we should meet She would pass by me in the street, Unless my soul's face let her see My sense of what she did for me. What have I done to keep in mind My debt to her and womankind? What woman's happier life repays Her for those months of wretched days? For all my mouthless body leeched Ere Birth's releasing hell was reached? What have I done, or tried, or said In thanks to that dear woman dead? Men triumph over women still, Men trample women's rights at will, And man's lust roves the world untamed O grave, keep shut lest I be shamed. John Masefield

The last thing we want are vigilantes or mobs seeking justice, for "What are a handful of reasonable men against a crowd with stones in their hands?" GEORGE ELIOT, Romola As for being really strange one of my old Mums favourite sayings was "Theres nowt as queer as folk." Its true I'm afraid. As regards a group who will stand against all odds and say "Right makes might!" Well good luck in finding a group who can all agree on what is right or have the wisdom to recognise it when they find it.

Chuang Tzu had a few words to say that may be of interest:- The True men of old did not dream when they slept, had no anxiety when they awoke, and did not care that their food should be pleasant. Their breathing came deep and silently. The breathing of the true man comes from his heels, while men generally breathe from their throats. When men are defeated in argument, their words come from their gullets as if they were vomiting. Where lusts and desires are deep, the springs of the Heavenly are shallow. The True men of old knew nothing of the love of life or of the hatred of death. Entrance into life occasioned them no joy; the exit from it awakened no resistance. Composedly they went and came. They did not forget what their beginning had been, and they did not inquire into what their end would be. They accepted (their life) and rejoiced in it; they forgot (all fear of death), and returned (to their state before life). Thus there was in them what is called the want of any mind to resist the Tâo, and of all attempts by means of the Human to assist the Heavenly. Such were they who are called the True men. Being such, their minds were free from all thought; their demeanour was still and unmoved; their foreheads beamed simplicity. Whatever coldness came from them was like that of autumn; whatever warmth came from them was like that of spring. Their joy and anger assimilated to what we see in the four seasons. They did in regard to all things what was suitable, and no one could know how far their action would go.

A good little exercise Enishi. Thank you.

May I take this opportunity to thank the ladies for posting their views on this thread. It is very enlightening for me as a male to hear what you have to say and you may rest assured that it has been noted.

I have never much cared for this "Rude Boy," "Blokey," "Propper Lad" rubbish. The umbrella term idiot would serve very well to describe the behaviour of these types. The terms Boy and Lad say all there is to be said regarding their mental age as well. It would be well if some Tao Bums tried a little harder to grow up into men and leave the boyish behaviour where it belongs - the locker room or perhaps the kindergarten.

There is nothing new under the sun.

The point that is mostly overlooked in standing practice is that of correct bodily alignment whereby that which is manifest, namely the physical body, is used to strengthen that which is un-manifest, the energetic body. To correctly align the body whilst stationary is the first step. After this comes correct anignment of the moving body. To use standing practice as an endurance contest is to miss the point I am afraid. I will also add a warning. A good teacher is a must when dealing with stance and posture, as standing for long periods in a misaligned posture is asking to do oneself a mischief.

When considering attempting to prove matters esoteric to the general public at large we should remember:- "Having eyes they see not, and ears, they hear not, and neither do they understand"

But you do reserve the right to be wrong Marblehead and you also reserve the right to change your mind.

She did indeed lack compassion and hers was a philosophy of "rational self-interest." As a trade unionist this would not appeal to you GP. However her philosophy is very far from dead I assure you and you may expect both her name and philosophy to continue popping up. I must admit to having enjoyed both Atlas Shrugged and the Fountainhead enormously and one thing you can give Ms Rand credit for - boring she aint.

I must admit to having "waded" through Atlas Shrugged. The third and final part of the filmed version will be out soon. Enjoy.

Hello and welcome to the forum. I am sure that there will be someone here who can point you in the right direction for training in Greater London. You are now free to post on the forum but for the first seven days you will be restricted to ten posts per day. Before getting started please take the time to read the two posts pinned at the top of this welcome section and also take a look at the forum terms and rules http://thetaobums.co...um-terms-rules/ This covers all that you need be aware of when getting started. Good luck and best wishes, Chang and the Tao Bums Team