Melanie

A thread to share creative crafts, be they pen, paint, poem, sculpture or anything really. They don't need to be relevant, nor do they need to pertain to Taoism Just please post only your own art.

One of my favorite fantasy writers is Terry Pratchett and he has a book in his discworl series called Thief of Time where for a good percent of the book he makes light of the Taoist and Buddhist monastic culture. In particular though he has a character named Lu-Tze, who is the temples sweeper but also the temples greatest monk despite the fact that all the high ranking monks hate him for being so odd. He also carries a small book that he quotes wisdom from, he had collected this wisdom by observing the saying of a inn keeper woman. As the book goes on Lu-Tze (sometimes mispronounced as Lousy) spouts wisdom very much like the Taoist master, saying things like 'it is in the nature of ways that no one can be sure who the teacher may be." The character reappears in a few other books but no in as a significant way. So finally the question I am getting at is have you come across books where Taoism and Buddhism is used for comedic purpose but in doing taught a bit about the nature of these spiritual paths.

Love the brush work trunk

Not imposing your will on others can be difficult especially when others request that you do. Being asked your opinion, desire, thoughts or even instructions then trying to answer without extending your personal will can be a challenge.

I always find sympathetic ears help friends out a lot. That with the hug and your own aura of happy friendly joyful loving energy does wonders for friends happiness from what I've seen.

Well think of the doctors entrance as the birth of the golden fetus its a stretch but the symbolism could work

That's why your so much better with words then I am.

Couldn't resist Welcome to the group, I look forward to reading what you have to add.

You'd hear it if it was a sonic rainboom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nk50eES-0w

I'll start us off by posting one of my older sculptures This is my buddha Buddhabot

Any separation from the Tao is an illusion that's an important one to remember Although the notion of importance and non importantance is a duality.

I second this, but mainly because I want an excuse to vainly post a few paintings

but that doesn't mean the ugliness doesn't have its place the duality is an illusion but it has its place too Just like all other illusions

Sorry I know this is off topic but you bird friend is named Tinkerbell? That's an adorable name My tortoise familiar is named Wujing, he's an anti social creature mostly, preferring to find quiet places to hide most of the time. He's very patient, loyal and easy going though also very easy to care for.

*Moves her hands trying to answer with signs but realizes she only knows a dozen or so, so instead she smiles and waves to answer the question *

Ooh some red ones this time

Luna witness? Wait... 173? That would HURT! I know they are eggs but still OUCH.

Welcome to the group, Being myself a fool, I understand being an idiot I look forward to reading your contributions to the discussion. Don't worry I think its a given that we take each others advice in regards to our own paths rather then as absolutes.

Thank you, its a very nice flower.

I kinda like them being in off topic, not that I don't want more people to see them, (Mablehead's flowers should be seen by more people in my opinion) but them being in off topic makes people have to take that one extra step to see beauty. Its in the nature of enjoying flowers that you stop to do so, you must take the moment and the effort in non effort to see it.

Its best to follow your intuition, welcome to the group I hope you like what you find and please feel free to contribute

Disabled Not Broken's books would make a great start of course Since your already associated with Taoism there's a good chance you already know some energy practices. You could find a book on wiccan and pagan rituals and from there see what your intuition says you need and what you're heart says is right. Like in Taoism its not necessary to believe fully in the stories and gods but you do discover that believe in them or not they are archetypes in the collective unconsciousness so their symbols do help if your trying to cast a spell. If you want a psychological view on archetypes, unconscious mind, and collective unconscious you can check out Carl Jung too.