Reed

I hope it's all right to ask a question or two One question I've been wondering is about energy techniques like the above and also things like MCO and BKF's dissolving etc with respect to a lying down posture. Is there a specific posture one needs to adopt when lying down and doing this kind of energy work, or can you be lying in any pose eg on your back, on your side, scrunched up in a foetal position, arms and legs all over the place etc?

If they're not, then I'm in trouble

I see, thanks

When it comes to making ethical decisions should we be looking more at the three jewels/treasures rather than to wu wei to help us, in a Taoist framework/approach?

Great thread and responses For me, it was a combination of reading things like BKF, S. Suzuki and Tao of Pooh last year, and then stumbling onto here.

Yeah. For me, the easiest natural way to journey is in hypnagogic states when I'm half asleep. Drumming tracks can be very powerful if you find a good one or even breathing patterns. I've always liked Raven Kaldera's stuff (although I'm not into northern tradition shamanism so I can't really comment on that side of things) and found this article useful about getting into trance states: http://www.northernshamanism.org/shamanic-techniques/altered-state/the-eightfold-path-to-altered-states-of-consciousness.html With respect to astral travelling, I had a long conversation with somebody about this on another forum who was quite advanced in shamanism/animism. I don't tend to go out my body when journeying (although I have half twisted out of it a few times at different times) and I think he was kind of the same although he could astral travel as well. When I journey it's more like altered states of consciousness -- I wouldn't describe this as just creative visualisation though. It's a bit like looking at the moon from the earth and exploring it through a telescope rather than getting in a spaceship and landing on it, although it's a bit of a fine line which tends to blur when I'm deep in a trance state, I guess. I'm not familiar with Paxson's work so I don't know quite what she says in her books. I seem to remember she's into traditional heathenry etc so she probably hates Raven Kaldera lol

Great post. It sounds like a minefield over there trying to find someone to train with.

Does anyone have any thoughts on Daniel Reid's section on nutrition in his The Tao of Health, Sex and Longevity? It's around 25 years old now. Do people still think it's relevant? Does he have a good grasp of Chinese medicine and the Chinese approach in general to diet? I've just started looking at his food combining today so I can't really say whether it makes a difference or not yet.

I know a few people working in a library near me who feel like that about their managers Yeah, IIRC (which I probably don't lol) from my studies, that part of the brain is involved with lust, sleep and appetite/eating. Is there such a thing as a philosophical Daoism?

I was wondering what this one was like. I've been looking for a commentary on ZZ for a little while now. Thanks for the link. I had my eye on this one as well and look forward to having a bit of a read of it.

Okay, I will give it a go. I know it doesn't quite fit what I said but I'm trying to relate to what I know so I can understand it better. sorry! I'll wait till you finish up. I meant here: 4. Visible (ie. observable by the five standard senses), it(Tao) was named as the mother of all things. or maybe I've misunderstood what you're saying? eta: never mind, I've just seen your new post further up.

With the common version we seem to be getting this kind of picture of reality: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/dualism/#PreDua We can experience the Tao just with our five standard senses (and in fact, there isn't anything else which isn't accessible by them) and the division in lines three and four occurs once we start conceptualising things and introducing language etc [ie Predicate dualism] This worldview would be compatible with monistic materialistism. ----------- With the received version we seem to be getting this kind of picture of reality: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/dualism/#ProDua Assuming visible means the five standard senses, we have room in this worldview for things like spirits and chi etc and senses beyond the standard five e.g. claireaudience/clairvoyance? ie there is more to the Tao than can be accessed by the five standard senses and it's not just a matter of introducing language and concepts which causes a division in lines three and four [ie property dualism] --------- I know we're not meant to be saying things like philosophical and religious Daoism but the common version seems more compatible with 'philosophical Daoism' and the received version seems more compatible with 'religious Daoism'.

This sounds interesting. I'm curious to see what this is.

This is a great discussion, IMO, on various topics like the self, life after death, deities and ethics: Hosts: Andre Radatus & Vance George Reed Guests: Eva Wong--Taoist, Alex Halpern--Buddhist, and John Avery--American Humanist Association Music: Universe Crew (PS it's being awkward and you will have to click on the title to watch in youtube itself.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ptk8nMj35I

I first came across the site last year when I was searching for some info on a Charles Luk book. The info was so helpful I started browsing and found the book discussions on the DDJ, and then ZZ who I'd never heard of before but instantly liked. Since I joined up, I've had some great responses to posts which really helped me find my way into Daoism and deepen my practices. So, for me, it's been very positive and hopefully it will continue to be so as I get to know people better

Thanks

It's an interesting word cultivation. Frugality to me seems to involve minimising loss whereas cultivation suggests maximising reserves of energy? What exactly does cultivation mean for you here?

I was actually reading this one last night. I have Cleary's version: I have three treasures that I keep and hold: one is mercy, the second is frugality, the third is not presuming to be at the head of the world. By reason of mercy, one can be brave. By reason of frugality, one can be broad. By not presuming to be at the head of the world, one can make your potential last. Now if one were bold but had no mercy, if one were broad but were not frugal, if one went ahead without deference, one would die. Use mercy in war, and you win; use it for defence, and you're secure. Those whom heaven is going to save are those it guards with mercy. ---- In his notes, he says breadth refers to capacity, versatility, generosity, and function.

Exactly. I have no doubt there are 'better' (whatever that means exactly) practitioners/masters knocking about quietly doing their own thing -- presumably Liu Hung Chieh was one -- but even if I was somehow able to find such a person they would never take me on as a student in a million years: I am just an average person looking to improve my health and, for my purposes, his water method stuff seems fine so far (although only time will tell whether it's any good for me personally). If it wasn't for people like him and his books my practice would never have even gotten off the ground lol

Yeah. There's another video here which I haven't seen in a little while which shows him (around 24 minutes into the video) beating a tai chi champion (he's called Sam Masich) having previously broken his back. I know somebody who knows the tai chi champion and he told me he's an accomplished fighter.

nice article

I may never be able to listen to Alice Cooper again without getting the image of the three of them together

say it ain't so!