Basher

Same here...grew up near Croydon, Surrey, spent a while in Essex. Am now back living in leafy Surrey, and working in Guildford.

Sounds Good. In my youth I was a bit of a kung Fu Kid, but I tried a bit of most arts, mastering none !! Finally found an art I really liked, an Internal style of Lee (Li) Family Kung Fu.. studied that for a few years, along with T'ai chi. But for various reasons eventually gave it up, but always regretted it. A couple of years ago I located a great Instructor who's teaching that same Li style. But I was more interested in Li T'ai Chi Ch'uan, (another part of the various arts that they teach), so I've started to learn (re-learn) that ! But the more I learn, the more I discover, there is still left to learn. ! Basher

Welcome aboard, which part of "Blighty" are you from ?

Society doesn't promote a feeling of individual freedom. Governments all around the World are a little scared of intelligent individuals who don't follow the "norm". Some are seen as Eccentric, or New Age Hippies, others are just treated as outcasts or outsiders. Loners on the fringes of society. We're all expected to behave or dress in a certain manner and most of the time, the majority of us go along with it. As long as it doesn't go against our beliefs, just because it's easier not to resist what everyone else wants / does. That way, society feels like a safe, warm & fuzzy place to be. But sometimes, even the little things can show how much Freedom we've lost in a Big Society. For instance, society "expects" everyone to wear matching shoes, matching socks, etc. 99.9% of us are like Sheep and follow what the others are doing. Why not show your individuality and (if you normally wear them) wear odd coloured socks tomorrow. It's a start !!! (LOL)

We have a few of those Tai Chi / Kung Fu experts in the UK, that try to appeal to the Corporate types. Guess they want huge numbers or loads of cash. I looked into a few, but when their own website proclaims a Tai Chi/Kung Fu Instructor as "Sensei" & he's wearing a Karate Gi, you gotta laugh. :ph34r: Yet to see one mentioning a Sifu / Seen Zarm or similar, with the Instructor in a Chinese outfit, rather than a Japanese one !

I enjoy browsing EmptyFlower & Rum Soaked Fist, but seem to spend majority of my on-line time reading posts here !!

Hey, Stop that !!! It CANNOT be spoken about, ok !!

You'd think that "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Taoism" by Brandon Toropov and Chad Hansen (5 Mar 2002) would be a Good Start.... but several of the Bums have advised of a few errors. But might be worth a look, in order to get an overall picture. Or perhaps try this one: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/religion-spirituality/Eastern-Religions/Taoism.html Or are you after more "Traditional" stuff, like the Taoist Classics ? http://www.shambhala.com/the-taoist-classics.html Think everyone has their own favourite translation / translator. Plenty of Book Reviews on here, for you to browse.

Welcome (again) !! Who was it who said "Identify your own faults, before criticising the faults of others." As I'm currently up to fault No. 39 !!! Believe that my being a "Fr*****n A*****e was No. 12 !!! (LOL)

One Animal attacks another !!! (Without any training whatsoever) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-22153149

Non ?

Hi Slipstich and welcome to TTB's. I'll let those "further along the path" recommend some reading material to you. (As my first two "Taoist Book" choices aren't everyone's cup of tea, or idea of daoism).* But just for starters, why not try using the "Search" function, you should be able to read a few threads about what others are reading / have read. Best to take a look under General Discussion - Book Film Media Club. Enjoy your time here. Basher PS: Just in case you were wondering, I'm referring to "The Tao of Pooh" & "Te of Piglet" Books by Benjamin Hoff. Lighthearted books on Taoist thought, with analogies to Winnie the Pooh, etc. But containing several ideas of note. (Loved the story of the Stone-cutter).

Welcome to TTB's, informer. I'd suggest that you try the "Search" function first. As you may find that your question has been asked & answered on here many times before. But it's just a suggestion, we're all pretty laid back on this site. Well, when I say all, I mean all EXCEPT .............. !!!! Aaaarrgghhh.

Earth has NO Master, but a whole heap of Slaves, some of them Pasters, lots more of them Maids. Try waking up now, to see which is which, make peace with the Tao, before they turn on the Switch ! Bzzzzzzzzzz (Lights Out)

A Body = Bag of Skin, holding collection of Bones, Organs, etc together in one place. One Body usually contains one mind, one spirit, etc. But all of these can also be part of the collective consciousness / Tao. (LOL)

Hi Dot, welcome to TTB's.

Hi Sofia, I think that you will find lots of interesting information here. Your English is very good, much better than my Spanish anyway. I thought that we in the UK paid a lot more for overseas Books, sometimes the UK Pound figure = the US Dollar figure. But at least we can usually find / order any Book we like, if we have the money. Agree with you that it's very difficult to understand the true meaning (original intent) of a lot of Chinese works. Because I'm not Chinese, with a chinese mind-set. I don't read or even speak Chinese. Therefore, I rely on the Translators point-of-view and their understanding of the texts. Often, by reading several different translations of one Book, you can obtain several different meanings.... not ideal. Basher

I AM NOT A SLAVE !!!! (Oh, hang on a moment....what's that dear ? (listens to partner) ...) Ooops, apparently last night I forgot to put the Rubbish out for recycling ! Basher (the Slave).

Agreed, but what about all those Criminal Scumbags who don't feel the least bit Guilty about their various "Crimes" and are simply out for All they can get for themselves in this Life. Who probably, if they ever thought about it, wouldn't believe in the hereafter. Can Kharmic "retribution" be relied upon ?

Think you're a "Semi-Vegetarian" !!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarianism

Welcome Wilbur, agreed there are are a lot of nice, humble & wise seekers on here... Some very self-opionated types too, just like in the real World. LOL

Believe TCM does advocate a mix of hot and cold foods, but no chilled drinks, not even chilled water. The Taoist Chang Ming (Long Life) Diet also warns that you shouldn't drink any ice-cold drinks. As (amongst other things) your body will use up an enormous amount of energy, warming itself back up to its usual temperature. Also, no drinks with your food.

Its gotta be Tomato Ketchup on Chips, HP/Brown sauce on Bacon (sorry Veggies), Reggae Reggae livens up a Shepherds Pie. One Christmas, when all the Family were gathered round for a nice Meal, I brought out all the sauces, just to ensure everybodys tastes were covered. Somebody brought out the Branston and I got in a complete Pickle !!

Today's the Day (Apparently). All Foreign Journalists / Tourists have been advised (by North Korea) to Leave South Korea. Didn't buy the Hobbit 3D Blu-Ray today, as we could all be dead by tomorrow !

What about the current president of Syria ? Where does he rank ? Surely these guys can all be assasinated by hitmen maskerading as News Reporters ? Just a small point, but isn't this a list of the Best Dictators ? The worst Dictators would be people like Simon Cowell.