Basher

Welcome, Bew.

Hey, BKA I was just nodding off then ! Welcome to The Tao Bums, or TTB's for short. As a relative newcomer myself, I'm amazed at the variety of experiences & knowledge hereon. It would be interesting to read about your journey into Magic, amongst other things. Question: If, instead of just wandering around in circles, you circled yourself really, really quickly. do you think you'd ever get the chance to kick your own backside ? (LOL) Basher

Welcome antelux, plenty of people on here from all around the World. Enjoy your time here. Basher

Hi Tutare & welcome to TTB's. Interesting mix you've chosen..... But how do you feel Buddhism sits with Hermetics ???

Wecome GM, believe there's a lot on here that'll interest you Philosophy wise & more. Look forward to reading your take on things. Basher

Hi Giacomo, and welcome to the Tao Bums. Loads of different views on Chi / Ki here. I've sensed / felt it frequently during training in Tai Chi Chuan & (Internal) Kung Fu. But don't claim to be advanced or able to replicate any of the feats you see on you Tube. Or know anyone that can. If you really want to learn how to generate Chi, your best option (IMO) is probably to study under a reputable Chi Kung / Qi Gong Instructor. There are various techniques for making your own body healthier, then using energies to help to heal others. Not too many schools I know feel the need to use their Chi to set light to stuff.

You are thrice Welcome, Katherine, to the Tao Bums. Can you relate any of your life experiences here ? What interests you about the way ? Basher

As the phrase is usually "Jack of all trades, master of none" I'd guess that your real name is Jack, you realise how much you still have to learn & that you're a Taoist !!!! (master of no one, not even yourself) Regards B.Asher (LOL)

Many thanks for the update, Pix. I'm aware that the Japanese took some parts of Chinese Boxing & taught it as "Shorinji-Kempo". But wasn't aware that there was a Japanese link to Shaolin itself.

Welcome, true, tis cold here in the UK. But I like to see / feel the seasons change. Enjoy your time here. Basher

Whenever I'm wondering "Where Am I?", I usually use a GPS to locate my whereabouts. Todays Newspaper will tell me "When Am I?", but have yet to find an answer to "Why Am I?"

We nearly all have a (natural) habit of defining "new" knowledge, based on what we already (think) we know. So we pidgeon-hole stuff into safe little boxes... This is Science, this is Religeon, etc etc. Unfortunately, the Tao doesn't fit into our neat, ordered, world view. We cannot change the Tao, we need to alter our thoughts and way of thinking. Basher

Welcome Ant, I've seen the Spring Forest mentioned many times on this Forum. Can you tell us all some more of your own experiences, learning this impressive system. As some of the more outlanding claims might put people off. thanks Basher

Chi Dragon, Some Instructors are more interested in getting on with their own Training & Teaching, rather than responding to Internet Gossip or those Slandering their Reputations for their own (dubious) ends. It's all too easy for some no-account nobody to anonymously insult or fault those they are probably jealous of !!! It's even easier to do this to somebody who is dead & who therefore cannot respond via the Net. Why can't we simply revere any / all of the worthy acheivers / Grandmasters etc from all schools / styles. And put our efforts into advancing our own knowledge / skill & trying to help others acheive more. Rather than "bashing" anyone that doesn't meet our own individual criteria for "greatness". Put a bunch of Crabs in a Bucket of Water & start boiling it & each of the Crabs will (individually) try to climb out. But they'll also try to grab hold of & climb over any crab that's higher than them. End result, all of the crabs will boil to death. Respect to All Basher

Hi Pix & welcome....excuse my ignorance, but I didn't realise there were any Japanese Shaolin Chi Grand Masters ! Is there a Japanese form of Shaolin Gung Fu or do you mean your husbands Instructor was Japanese & had studied Shaolin ? Or am I being thick (which is also quite possible) Basher

If you treat others without any Respect, why are you surprised that they treat you in the same manner ?

I try to respect everybody's opinion, beliefs, system, training. I might not agree with all or any of it, but who's to say that mine is more valid, functional or important. Unlike some people (Tao Bums included), I don't insult everyone that doesn't share my views... Sure I will defend my Instructors / systems etc if somebody else is knocking them, but some pupils seem like zealots trying to convert you to their system or way of thinking. My Instructors are perfectly able to defend themselves, without my help. To be honest, they're probably not in the least bit bothered by the "My Instructor is better than Yours" brigade. Leave them in the Playground.... Not mentioning any names you understand.

Yeah, but is Haripal a real pal of Harry's or not ?

Welcome.

I'm a BAD Taoist !!!! I have worked hard for everything I own & am attached to all of it !!! If I catch somebody trying to steal anything of mine, I'd have all sorts of strong emotions coursing through my veins. If somebody threatened me or a loved one, I'd be inclined to defend myself / them very strongly indeed ! I'm studying Tai Chi etc to try & curb my quick temper & control my emotions. But unfortunately I still have a long long way to go..... In the late 1970's, early 1980's I studied under a Grandmaster of Kung Fu who never got involved in any trouble whatsoever. He said that he could pick up on any Bad Vibrations, 10 minutes before anything actually kicked off !!! So he'd just walk away & find somewhere more peaceful. He also had a very modest home & few possessions. Perhaps he knew the secret to a peaceful life ? Basher

I know West Wickham & Bromley quite well. As I grew up in & around Thornton Heath, Mitcham, Norbury & worked in Croydon. Currently nearer to Banstead, Epsom & Sutton. Small World.

Hi Rara, and welcome to TTB's. Which particular part of Blighty are you from ? As I'm currently in leafy, but flippin freezin Surrey Know what you mean about the closed mindedness of some communities.... Once heard of a Tai Chi Class that was expelled from the Church Hall, because their practises weren't "Christian" !!! Basher

Brenda, welcome to the Tao Bums. I believe that we are all "relatively" new to the Tao, some are just a little further along the Path. That said, the Tao is ageless, we are all a tiny part of it and we all have to walk our own path anyhow. Nobody else can do it for us. There are some good "Bums" on here that I'm sure would be able to offer you some better advice. All I can think of at the moment, is the old cliche. Time is a great healer, but some wounds run too deep and won't heal by themselves. I'm sure that you've probably already tried this, but just in case you haven't. Have you thought of getting some help to deal with your traumatic experiences ? As sometimes just talking with a counseller, face to face, helps you to cope with things. Is your Mother simply lost & lonely without your Dad ? Or is she really interfering & trying to control you and your life? Is anyone in your Family being supportive to you ? If so, could they help in any way? If your Family come around unannounced & things are too much for you. I'd suggest that you take up a hobby, tai chi, painting, etc. Anything that you'd like to do or learn, that gets you out of the house. That way the next time they pop over, you'll simply be out enjoying yourself! Lao Tzu said: If you are depressed, you are living in the Past. If you are anxious, you are living in the Future. If you are at peace, you are living in the Present. Wishing you all the best. Basher

Does that mean that you're Body is better at moving in straight lines, rather than walking in circles ???? Please explain.

Lots of notable Martial Artists including Bruce Lee of course, follow the principle of "use whatever works for you & discard the rest". My trouble is, I'd like to master one complete system. Before embarking on a search for something else. But that is just a personal thing.