Rara

Hello! Does anybody have a reliable reference for hand signs used in Taoist meditation? I have learnt some Buddhist ones but have heard that the Taoist ones are quite different in meaning/purpose....

I guess finding it all online would be too easy...hence my lack of success so far

It's everywhere...burying the thread I posted yesterday! lol

Made a start...I think I've seen enough

Yeah, I'd say that's more like it. Less of an abstract way of putting it!

Just read the other threads on this exact topic...you can search for them. I think everyone has the same vibe but it's good to continue to raise awareness, just in case. I found more on another forum that accuses him of preaching a lot of nonsense and distorting Taoism. Some of which, I must agree. Also, a lot of talk of him being a fraud or scam. Interestingly, a lot of his recent videos are accusing other places of being fraudulent... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux04YJfa7PU Defensive, by the looks of it. I've seen this sort of behaviour time and time again and it always turns out that our instincts have served us right.

I am almost convinced that emptiness cannot be literal. Once we meditate on emptiness, that emptiness becomes form... So far, for me, it is an analogy for quietening everything in the mind that isn't the pure, mindful conscience...

Ha! I knew somehow this topic would be on here. I've just been drawn in by this dude for a while now as he is all over Youtube and Google when I try and get some research done. I find that a lot of things he says are quite "strict" to say the least...my initial instinct was that he is trying too hard for attention - which either way would make him untrustworthy as a "Daoist Master" imo. Anyway, glad I found the tread. Is there any update on the fella? Basically, I found this blog yesterday: http://www.taoistmasterblog.com/difference-between-taoism-handsigns-and-buddhism-mudras/ I mean, do Buddhists deserve such a roasting? Lol. Anyway, if there's a thread on these "mudras" or "hand-signs" on this forum, do let me know

You don't. I'm merely saying that there's some people here that think that "enlightenment" or self-mastery or whatever you want to call it cannot be reached if you take drugs. And occasionally having fun with drugs? Again, I say where do we draw the line? What about addiction (as this rumour is what is in question) or even dependency? Can a man smoke 40 cigarettes or 5 joints a day and still obtain inner peace/enlightenment? Or even ibuprofens to kill a headache if he still needs to maintain a 50-60 hour a week job because he enjoys it despite the odd health issue it causes?

Bit by bit, piece by piece. Stuff I was learning about 3 years ago - only some of that is even becoming clear today!

This is what I found interesting. Just watch 11:00-11:30 and you'll see why I started this thread Thanks all!

I go Batman style with mine and just plunge in. Once you get enough of it, you'll realise that it is just what it is. One of my issues was in my family and I developed horrible anxiety and depression. Then, beings came to attack me in the night and I became even worse - afraid of the day AND night...but after a while and training to control my conscience...and at times in my sleep, I was able to cope with these "demons" and fight back. Soon enough, I was able to let go of them, and now I'm no longer afraid. heights still suck though. So I need to get myself to a theme park soon!

I just posted an interesting 30ism min documentary that I found on Wing Chun here: http://thetaobums.com/topic/28748-wing-chun-and-taoism/ For those without such time on their hands, there is a golden part where it is declared that before the martial art can be successful, one must find inner peace. As rumour has it, Wing Chun "master" (I say this loosely as I don't so much agree with the status in any shape or form) Ip Man was addicted to opium. Yet he must have had inner peace anyway in order to have mastered the martial art. Discuss

I had this and my GP blamed it on poor posture behind the computer. Totally muscular so when I sat for meditation, I could feel the pain straight away when straightening my back. Yoga core exercises were advised and improved my condition!

@silent thunder and @4bsolute Thank you. This has cleared a few things up for me! A few things have just clicked...and yes, me as a creator. Now...well, I think I'll save this for another thread. For those interested, just found this on Youtoob:

Could still be rehearsed, but yep. either answer will do. We will probably never know!

I hear this. But then again, I just love chocolate so much! Is it so bad to enjoy pleasure...? Surely not if you want it... Like Taoist poet Li Po...liked his wine....

Though I feel that the mind will always have some form of opinion...depending on what has affected it during the day. Food, sleep, something in the water...who knows. Very interesting all this!

Am wondering how bad this is actually. I eat a lot of fruit during the day but also stuff like pancakes and chocolate. Yum! surely all these sugars combine to equal danger? I only do this because I run out of things to eat. I cook fresh meat and veg daily and make my own savory lunches but breakfast cereal is sweet. Then there's all the fruit and chocolate snacks because I'm still freakin' hungry and I don't have any more time to cook in my day! Also, fruit is bad for the teeth too because of acids. Where do I draw the line? Or shall I just carry on munching? It all feels right anyway, no health problems yet

You seem very bothered by your surroundings and judgements. Really, I'm seeing a complete misplacement in what you, and where you are. Consumed by an environment that you don't belong in. I've been at this stage too. Music is also my thing and I know exactly what you mean when everything just seems wrong and worthless. My advice would be to do "F*** it therapy". There's a great book by John C Parkin called "F*** it", but I say you don't really need the book. You just need to go out one day and do whatever the hell you want to do (within reason of course!) Nothing too extreme but something that just feels right for you that doesn't include one damn thing that you've listed as negative in this thread. For example, my ways of dealing with this sort of stuff is to run away for a few days. Go miles down the country and stay somewhere else...vanish for the day to the waterfall etc. In other words, take yourself out of the equation and watch how life changes depending on where you place yourself. Gradually you will start to learn more about yourself and what is really wrong you will be able to answer for yourself.

Lol...I had a friend that quit meat. He became less angry...so yes, I would say that diet will change a mindset more than we think! Instantly for that matter!

One thing I use it for is to avoid injury later on in life. When I first started, I realised that we as humans these days are lazy walkers. Heavy footed, feet out of line, shock on knees etc...it's all stuff that we can control but are often too lazy to. But I don't always make a point of doing walking meditation. Maybe if I am having a few leg issues. But usually, just try and remain mindful when walking...even if it's just to the local shop.

And what about caffeine, cigarettes, ibuprofen etc.? I had 3 coffees today (I quit for a while) so this sent me wild. On consecutive nights of 5 hours of sleep, lots of coffee and sugar, I noticed radical differences in my experiences during my days. Dream like, if you will. Surely this observation in itself is successful and meditative? Let's not forget that it's extremely hard to find ANY pure air these days too...

Please can you enter some other threads and tell people how they're being too serious when you see them doing so? And post your original pic of the temple for laughs? Hehe, I'm sure it will help some people!

Just being mindful in whatever you want to do. ie , I cycle and concentrate yet stay relaxed. Never been hit by a car haha