Phi92
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Everything posted by Phi92
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Hello everyone! My question is - what concepts does one need to accept to call himself a Daoist? My answer would be simply - "The Dao produced One, One produced Two, Two produced Three, Three produced ten thousand things." My understanding is that that metaphor denotes periods of creation in the Universe. Dao = Primordial being One = Existence Two = Yin, Yang Three = Yin, Yang and Qi, however, this is disputed Ten thousand things = Everything that is Am I right or wrong? So accepting those basic concepts: Dao, Yin-Yang, Qi and perhaps the Three Virtues (compassion, humility, moderation), one can call himself a Daoist. There is also the difference between philosophical and religious Daoism, which sounds like a Western misconception. I believe every Daoist is partially both religious/spiritual and philosophical. I sincerely doubt that Daoists agree with everything Lao Zi, Zhuang Zi or Lie Yukou said. What are your thoughts? How would you define the basic concepts of Daoism and how would you define a Daoist? Thanks in advance!
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So I've been thinking... If the Dao is the path, principle, way of the Cosmos, its logos, then it means that it actually controls everything or sets rules for it to develop. Doesn't that imply at least some form of intelligence to the Dao? Not as an intelligent being, but as an intelligent energy or principle, however you translate it. If not like that and if the Dao is a part of everything, then that means that everything, every part of existence, has the innate ability to know its "course" or "principle." Does that imply a form of panpsychism? That everything possesses at least some form of a "program" or "intelligence" in itself? Maybe I just got the whole thing wrong, but nevertheless, I would be glad to stand corrected and to learn something. And yes, I know, the true Dao is ineffable in its entirety, but this is just an attempt to understand at least a small part of it. Bear with me!
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The Dao as a deistic, rather than pantheistic concept?
Phi92 replied to Phi92's topic in Daoist Discussion
Panendeism denotes a "watchmaker" aristotelian principle making God who is the whole universe, but also transcends it. He doesn't interfere with the world as a theistic God would (Christianity, Islam, Judaism). The word is in no way incoherent and it denotes concepts such as the native American Great Spirit (Wakan Tanka). And how the word looks or sounds like is completely unimportant. Ontological principle denotes something like the heraclitean logos - a cosmic law which pervades everything. -
The Dao as a deistic, rather than pantheistic concept?
Phi92 replied to Phi92's topic in Daoist Discussion
So is the Dao a concsiouss being, as a God, or an intelligent force, as an ontological principle? Or both, as a pan-en-deistic God? -
I've been a vegetarian for 11 years. I'm 20 now, so I don't really know how it affects me because it's my natural state. I'm healthy, never had major health problems.
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Hello everyone! It's very easy to notice the great simmilarity of (Neo-)Paganism and Daoism. Worship of nature, herbal remedies, meditation and other spiritual practices, magic, superstition (astrology etc.)... What is your opinion on Paganism? What are the main differences between Paganism and Daoism? In what way can they complement each other? I'm looking forward to hear your opinions!
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I hope you wont mind if I "resurrect" this topic. I think it's better than starting my own. I have a question regarding NDEs: - People usually see a consciouss Light, who answers their questions and instructs them Is this light the Dao? Is the Dao intelligent/consciouss?
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My girlfriend is also Wiccan ^^ And I really enjoy what they do! Great people!
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Hello everyone! How do you personally interpret Wu Wei - non-action? Do you see it as being passive, phlegmatic, "going with the flow"? Do you see it as being so skilled in something, that it becomes natural for you to do it, without effort? I believe Wu Wei can be accomplished by great practice and learning in a field. When you have a goal or a dream and you are set on it, you must act based on what's most natural to you and what seems to be the easiest, non-agressive and natural way. I don't think Wu Wei denotes passivity or having no plans or goals, but just that you accomplish those things in the most efficient and elegant way. It's simmilar to Occams razor - we examine and accect the simplest, most elegant theory. Wu Wei is accepting the most elegant and simple, most natural action to accomplish something. When one has attained Wu Wei, one does the right thing without much thinking. It is natural to him. It is a higher state of consciousness. It can be called enlightment. Am I on the right track? What do you think? Thanks in advance! --- P.S. If there was a simmilar topic or if this is the wrong subforum, I apologize!
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Personally, I value modern Druidism a lot. Why? - There is no dogma, you can be a pantheist, monotheist, polytheist, deist... etc. - They highly value philosophy, ethics, art, spirituality, nature and personal value and choice - A druid is often described as a sage, a scholar, poet, spiritual wise man and one who knows a lot You can read more here: http://www.druidry.org/
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This is how I roll:
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Western Scientists have made Zero Progress for Evolution of Humanity.
Phi92 replied to lazysamadhi's topic in General Discussion
I don't think that Western science and philosophy is all good. It has some very serious and major setbacks. Alas, so does Eastern science and philosophy. If we talk about spirituality, then seek the native tribes of Africa, South America, Asia, Australia... They know. -
The Dao as a deistic, rather than pantheistic concept?
Phi92 replied to Phi92's topic in Daoist Discussion
So the Dao didn't just create and tune the world, but it is the world and its actively participating? I know what those concepts are, it's just hard to pin down the Dao. I'd call it pantheism or panentheism mixed with animism/panpsychism. -
getting feel good stimuli without external drugs of any kind?
Phi92 replied to mewtwo's topic in General Discussion
Sports, martial arts, music, playing music, any art basically, watching an exciting movie, hanging out with people, riding a bike... Anything that requires either physical or mental effort... -
Are we talking about Diogenes of Sinope? The Dog? That was one crazy mot... man! It's hard to say what he meant. Maybe he wanted to warn Plato that he didn't see all aspects of the cup. Maybe it was a joke.
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Thanks!
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Richard Dawkins: The God Delusion Baruch Spinoza: Ethics Umberto Eco: The Name of the Rose I read slowly, so it's gonna take a while to finish
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Regardless what Lao Zi said or what he meant, a Daoist doens't have to agree with everything written in the ancient scripts. Otherwise, it would be a dogmatic religion and there would be less personal value and progress. So - no, I don't think love is a bad thing and falling in love. In fact, I think it's the most important thing in life, actually. Everything is better when you love someone and one should develop love for as much things as possible, for your girlfriend/wife or boyfried/husband, for family and friends, for forests and seas, for animals and those small things
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Studies document energy coming from trees :)
Phi92 replied to Thunder_Gooch's topic in Daoist Discussion
Currently, the weather is horrid here, but when spring arrives, I will most definitely meditate in nature and spend my time with trees Reminds me of one song: Great article! -
Ensiferum - Wanderer
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Yep, he was a fan of Spinoza
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Well from Spinoza's point of view, science is the method of "revering" nature/God. You could even call Spinoza an atheist/materialist/scientific thinker and not be far from the truth.
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Spinoza's thought was more panentheism than pantheism. Everything that is, is in God and God is in everything. There can be attributes which are beyond our cognition. But even so, I believe Spinoza was more of a naturalist pantheist, regarding the physical world to be the only thing that exists, without miracles, supernatural phenomena or souls.
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What makes you think that you aren't a Daoist, if I may ask? I'm having the same doubts myself. Also, in Wicca, as far as I know, nobody really believes that the gods are truly anthropomorphic. Most of them see those as visual representations of two energies - male and female (God and Goddess).
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I believe Daoism is a form of pantheism. I think that it is more probable than theism. I personally love a combination of pantheism and animism, although I'm still not clear on how that would work together.
