Chang

Hello Bluemind and welcome to the Tao Bums. You will find much to interest you here I am sure, not only on Taoist asceticism but on pretty much everything else as well. Before moving on to all that however please take the time to read the two pinned posts at the top of the Lobby and take a look at the forum terms and rules http://thetaobums.com/topic/19575-forum-terms-rules/ We are a very easy going bunch here but there are a few things it is best to be aware of. Best wishes, Chang

Hi Fullset and welcome to the Tao Bums. The Lobby is really only for introductions and isn't perused by that many members. For that reason its probably not the best place to get questions answered. It may pay you to post your medical question in the "Off Topic" section. Before you move on please take the time to read the two pinned posts at the top of the Lobby and take a look at the forum terms and rules http://thetaobums.com/topic/19575-forum-terms-rules/ Its just a few things you need to be aware of. Best wishes, Chang

Hi and welcome to the Tao Bums SpaceCowboy. Though long gone to join his ancestors Alan Watts still seems to bring many new people to the path. You will find much mention of him on the forums. Before delving in please take the time to read the two posts pinned at the top of the Lobby and the forum terms and rules http://thetaobums.com/topic/19575-forum-terms-rules/ We are an easy going buch here but there are one or two things it is best to be aware of. Best wishes, Chang

Yo and welcome to the Tao Bums. You will find a great deal here on all of your interests, past and present. Before delving in please take a few moments to read the two pinned posts at the top of the Lobby and also take a look at the site terms and rules. http://thetaobums.com/topic/19575-forum-terms-rules/ Whilst it is good to keep to the straight and narrow of the path the butterflies can be very beautiful can't they? Best wishes, Chang

Hello and welcome to the Tao Bums. As a Clinical Psychologist you are likely to find much to interest you here. Before diving into the other forums please take the time to read the two posts pinned at the top of the Lobby and take a look at the forum terms and rules http://thetaobums.com/topic/19575-forum-terms-rules/ We are a pretty easy going bunch here and there are just a few things to be aware of. Best wishes, Chang

I have not previously read much about this in the Taoist tradition but was aware of powerful spirit plants from Anglo Saxon sorcery. Such things are spoken of in Brian Bates Way of Wyrd http://www.amazon.co.uk/Way-Wyrd-Brian-Bates/dp/1781800170/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377334262&sr=1-1 which is well worth a read. The compelling cult classic, now reissued in a brand new edition with a new introduction by Brian Bates. This bestselling fictionalized account of an Anglo-Saxon sorcerer and mystic is based on years of research by psychologist and university professor Brian Bates. Sent on a mission deep into the forests of pagan Anglo-Saxon England, Wat Brand, a Christian scribe, suddenly finds his vision of the world turned upside down. The familiar English countryside is not what it seems; threatening spirits, birds of omen and plants of power lurk in this landscape of unseen terrors and mysterious forces. With Wulf, a sorcerer and mystic, as his guide, Wat is instructed in the magical lore of plants, runes, fate and life force until finally he journeys to the spirit world on a quest to encounter the true nature of his own soul. An authentic and deeply compelling insight into the spiritual world of the Anglo-Saxons, it has inspired thousands of people to learn more about the ancient northern tradition. A spiritual classic!

Hi and welcome to the Tao Bums Eullrich. You will find much to discuss here from the Taoist Sages to Ben Franklin (who was something of a Taoist Sage himself). Please take the trouble to read the two pinned posts at the top of the Lobby and the Forum Rules http://thetaobums.com/topic/19575-forum-terms-rules/ before moving on. You will be able to get a personal journal by a simple request. Best wishes, Chang

Hi and welcome to the Tao Bums. You will find no shortage of suggestions here but please take the time to look at the two pinned posts at the top of the Lobby and the Forum Rules http://thetaobums.com/topic/19575-forum-terms-rules/ before you move on. We are a pretty easy going lot but there are one or two things it is best to be aware of. Best wishes, Chang

And were the unfortunate person to have a complete sex change (whatever that means) by way of surgery and hormone treatment then should they serve their sentence in a male or female prison?

Hi Cheya, It would be difficult to give an answer without seeing the book. The correspondence course consists of nine parts which lead you through progressive exercises in great detail. If you click on the link I gave above you can look through the whole course. There is also a great deal of background information given. I have no gripe with Bisio but do wonder if the information in the book follows the same path as in the course, which is Tien Dao Chi Kung. My curiosity is not so great that I will be buying the book but good luck to anyone who does though.

It seems suspicious that this book is comprised of 9 lessons and I have to wonder if it is based on the old, and very informative, Chinese National Chi Kung Institute Chi Kung Correspondence Program. If that is the case this program can be obtained for free at http://www.scribd.com/doc/85575747/Chi-Kung-Correspondence-Course-Chinese-National-Chi-Kung-Institute As you point out the information is all out there already and is not difficult to get hold of. The difficult part is finding the time and discipline to do the work necessary to make progress.

Hello and welcome Josh. You will find much in which to dabble in the Tao Bums and there is also guidance to be found here. Please take he trouble to read the two posts pinned at the top of the Lobby and take a look at http://thetaobums.com/topic/19575-forum-terms-rules/ It is pretty easy going at the Tao Bums but there are one or two things to be aware of before you move onto the other forums. Best wishes, Chang

Welcome to the Tao Bums rkotecha. There is much to be found here by those looking to learn and the list of subjects is legion. There are few set rules but please take the trouble to read the two pinned posts at the top of the lobby and take a quick look at http://thetaobums.com/topic/19575-forum-terms-rules/ before you move onto the other forums. Best wishes, Chang

Welcome to the Tao Bums Lux. I am sure that you will find much to interest you here and hope that you can indeed share communication that supports unity. Please take the time to peruse the two posts pinned at the top of the Lobby and take a look at the Forum Rules http://thetaobums.com/topic/19575-forum-terms-rules/ before moving on. Best wishes, Chang

Have you thought about getting a sticker. A low-life would find it fun to snap something off a car but peeling a sticker off would be too much like hard work for them.

Yes people should leave other peoples stuff alone but unfortunately they don't. At least they haven't stolen the pickup yet!

Welcome to the Tao Bums Randommer. I am sure that you will find much to interest you here. Best wishes, Chang

Welcome to the Tao Bums. There are quite a few of us here from the UK and I am sure that you will find much to interest you. Please take the time to read the two pinned posts at the top of the lobby and also take a look at the forum rules http://thetaobums.com/topic/19575-forum-terms-rules/ before moving on. We are pretty easy going here but there are one or two things it is best to be aware of. Best wishes, Chang

Readers interested in Shaolin Boxing would probably enjoy Sugong. The life of a Shaolin Grandmaster by Nick Hurst. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sugong-The-Life-Shaolin-Grandmaster/dp/1907524215/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376911215&sr=8-1&keywords=sugong Nick Hurst was working in London when he threw in his job in advertising to train for four years in Malaysia and China with a kung fu grandmaster, Sugong. This book is a mix of Nick’s experiences in South-East Asia and the story of Sugong’s extraordinary life. Initiated into kung fu by an opium-addicted master, Sugong was expelled from school, kidnapped, and nearly killed in a family feud. All by the age of sixteen. He fled army conscription in China, only to be engulfed in a world of gangsters and blood-brothers in Singapore. Saved by a Shaolin warrior monk, his penance was eight years of fiercely-enforced temple training. A near-fatal fall-out with his master, love affairs, race riots and gangland vendettas all followed as he travelled through South-East Asia. Throughout, he struggled to adhere to martial arts’ ethics in an imperfect world. His story spanned fascinating periods of history of four Asian countries in Asia: war-torn 1930s China; instability in post-war Singapore; racial tension in the newly independent Malaysia; and a gangster-led Taiwan in the aftermath of its Chinese breakaway. The origins of Shaolin kung fu and triad organised crime are explored to provide a context to his life. A ripping yarn and well worth a read.

Your goals appear to be but the "flowery trappings of the Tao." Why do you wish to become a breatharian? I once new a man who sought this goal and had reduced his diet to one apple per day. He did look a sorry sight and I cannot say that he appeared to have made much spiritual progress either. He moved overseas and I lost touch with him and no longer know if he is still living. He considered himself very much a Taoist but the fact was that he hadn't quite got it.

Demand much of yourself and expect little of others. Thus you will be spared much vexation.

Hello and welcome to the Tao Bums. I am sure that you will find much to interest you here. Please take time to read the two posts pinned at the top of the Lobby before moving on to the other furums. Best wishes, Chang

As an Anglo Saxon I take full responsibility for my forefathers warlike ways and would like to take this opportunity to apologies without reserve to everyone except the damned French.

We come into the world alone and that is how we leave it. Whilst we are here we can interact with our fellows as we see fit and/or as we are able. Many spend their time here alone. Many spend their time here wishing they were alone.

Whilst there is certainly method to the madness the translation is a laugh a minute. "Healthy men have strong kidneys and big tough sex organs". To be fair the book does get very good reviews.