Rara

Yeah, I've heard many times people argue that chi is fake. That's like saying consciousness is fake...very misinterpreted as some mystical nonsense by those who can't categorise it or be open enough to just admit that something is just there! We cannot explain it, or trace it...but we cannot deny it. Otherwise there is no existence, no experience. Could you imagine that...? Probably easier to understand that chi is present haha

Hmmm....maybe my expectations of myself are higher than my actual potential. This is a certain thing I must contemplate in regard to what I wrote above. Great thread guys!

True, I hear that...and that's why I practice a martial art...but there is still that voice questioning that. I mean, it's not as if water avoids the croc drinking it, for example. We are all a part of a predatory food chain of some sort (even as humans of course with hierarchy) and if we are naturally weaker, isn't it just our nature to submit? Otherwise we'd all be struggling to get to the top... Or perhaps I should shut that voice the hell up and just carry on fightin'

Interesting as I have similar questions. I seem to change my mind left right and center so I can never seem to commit to any chosen path! However, I have since decided on short-term things and to just make my life up of these. Change keeps me motivated in that sense. And if I can't get motivated, I should probably be sitting down and watching TV until I pick up again. No kidding, I'm naturally quite driven, which leads to problems if I make a habit out of doing things. So, sometimes, my motivation is to take myself away from something to learn how much I miss it!

Oh, and on this... pasteurized cow's milk vs soya milk? Talking this because both are standard in supermarkets and who is really that bothered about all these other funky alternatives that I'd have to drive to some far out place to find....I mean, raw cow's milk in itself. How on earth are we meant to drink this if we don't have a farm? I've heard so many arguments on this so now I'm drinking soya milk (I did notice my stomach beginning to hurt after drinking cow's milk) But NOW I've read that you can get numerous diseases from relying on processed soya products (England this is) Either way, I need something for my yummy sugary cereal haha

Oh shit. Lol

I've been looking for info on this for months. Thank you!

I like this. It's the whole reason I "became a Taoist" lol....I just wanted to be ME!

Thank you. This is my whole argument (in my own head) with the "be like water" philosophy. Water just exists and is manipulated by man. So are we to just accept that we are to be manipulated by others and moved about without a care in the world? Sure, I get that water can fight back in the way of a waterfall...hard hitting, bet again, this is just down to where the water has ended up...dropping with gravity. I have been a firm follower of changing my own destiny for a while...but now as I'm getting older, it's getting tiring...and I have a voice in my head telling me to submit and just enjoy the ride....

Perhaps in regard to the pace in which we live...we seem to evolved somewhat. But some things remain totally unchanged as far as Government is concerned, as an example! I found the majority of the TTC quite reflective of present day...that's what it's appeal to me was in the first place!

Well, the art of doing without actually doing...check out this thread: http://thetaobums.com/topic/9086-how-do-you-personally-employ-wu-wei-non-action-in-daily-life/ Surely the TTC sends the message which you already employ...following your own path and only living by what you KNOW rather than what you need to try and figure out or believe in before you die! That's the way I see it...I didn't pursue Taoism...I just realised I was it...and it was me

I totally hear where you're coming from on this angle...you have many choices. I for one have had, and still have such disagreements with my partner. She's going veggie for God's sake. But still, I'm just like whatever. You could accept the way she is...depending on whether it is in your spiritual quest to be the same family man. The decision is with you whether you really believe if this life is still for you, or whether you are ready to commit to riding off into the sunset instead and settling up on top of a mountain with a shaved head and kick-ass long silver goatee. You could also completely ignore everything and just do your thing in your spare time around all this. aka, do nothing. Clearly her angle doesn't mean much to you, so why should yours matter to her? You could try and lead by example. Maybe she cries...maybe you're carefree. If she doesn't want to be upset any more, she could always look to the one who is never upset for inspiration My friend overseas in a Taoist/Buddhist and is married to a Christian...both very sure of their beliefs. But what comes first? Their love for each other. Sorta falls into both religions, right? But it's your choice..and your angle....do whatever you wanna do, because whatever the answer, it will always be right.

There are no coincidences I have no idea why not...but it's really awesome that there aren't. I just let it be and bathe n the awesomeness

Thank you all...I feel more confident for all your advice. @teknix Your answer reflected that cautious "part of me", but makes me feel that I just need to take a break when I start to feel the legs reeeeeally going. I mean, today I tried again and the pins and needles was mild, but I was able to stand without screaming. So I will practice but not over do it. And probably just see a doctor for another opinion too!

Beware your thoughts...as they become your actions... Absolutely, you can never censor yourself, but always look inwards and don't be afraid to change if something is knocking on the head prompting you to do so. I used to have similar attitudes to you, but for whatever reason, they passed....

Whichever way nature takes me. I was born into a very rigid household. Must do 9-5 type mentality, must eat at sucha time etc... I still struggle from time to time but being self-employed really helped me at least get freedom. Ever turned up to a job when there's NOTHING TO DO?! But your boss still makes you do some meaningless crap just because? That drew me in to a whole way of thinking and it was unhealthy...because I started applying the habits myself! I was cleaning the house exactly 7 days after I cleaned it last, as an example, EVEN if I was dead busy that day and it wasn't even that dirty. Stress build up alert. I eventually learnt from my studies of Taoism, and now, if there is nothing on, I don't struggle to make something happen because it always ends in disaster. Takes too much of my precious time and leaves me stressed. Let be...something in the air will tell you to take action, just keep your ears open to it. Then, before you know it, tasks done...with no effort at all...

Heyyy! Well, 5 years later I join the discussion If anyone reads this, does anyone have any advice for the excruciating pain of pins and needles 30-45 minutes in? I was on the floor in agony for 5 minutes yesterday after my meditation. Half of me says no pain no gain, the other half says, dude, this isn't for you. What do you all think. I mean, I have no trouble getting in to full lotus, but I worry that I may do some damage if I stay in for too long...

Yes, I have a Chinese Taoist "pen friend" in Indonesia and he introduced me to this deeper understanding...I tried to once argue with him about God, implying that surely the universe can have the qualities at the very least, but I cannot prove and actual man in the sky. With the language barrier, he thought that meant I didn't believe in God...then he came back and told me a couple of months later that they were Pantheist and asked me to look it up. So I looked it up and slapped myself on the forehead. My girlfriend is Wiccan and before I became Taoist, I used to chuckle to myself a bit at particular ceremonies she attends. A year or two later when I began practising Taoism, I quickly learnt that they are incredibly similar, and despite odd pedantic differences here and there about things, we tend to just work well in harmony with our common purpose of being free-spirits and looking after living things and the environment around us.

Hi dude!

Oh so it's true then, that causes all the traffic around here! Haha That's why I still live here actually. I started a business and then figured as I'm here, I may as well go to either Manchester or Leeds to work as there's more opportunities...but I can still live in a quieter town Best of both worlds...seems to work for me at the moment. Though I don't drive, so public transport around the north does drain me! Thanks for the warm welcome guys, I shall pay visits whenever I can. If I don't contribute, it's because I'm reading and absorbing - but I will always be present in some shape or form!

This is the sort of thing I figured when questioning such things. Also, I went through a phase two years ago of getting mad at a world that couldn't "wake up" and seeing many injustices even here in England that mirror attitudes of dictatorships. Without piling any political bias or religious dogma into this thread, I just wanna say that how can anyone help being in a situation they are born and conditioned to be in? If you were born in Nazi Germany, you would have no choice but to believe you were on the side of the good guys...otherwise you faced death...not an easy spot to be in! Like you say, if it backfires (ok I'll say it, Karma) then that's that...then people learn (hopefully) and all is restored back to happy understanding land before the next egotistical one needs to start another conflict

Roll on South East England communities haha. I actually grew up in West Wickham/Bromley...so you may know the place! I live in a small village called Milsnbridge in Huddersfield now with my girlfriend. I'm not totally settled here, but I'm starting to feel that maybe I never will be, and that roaming like a nomad could well be my way in this lifetime!

Hey Brenda, I'm new to this forum too so thought I'd post to try and make a bit more of my introduction. I too suffer from mental scars, not so much physical, but to reinforce a few things Basher said here, I took up a martial art to help distract me from such things. I moved away and I also meditate daily if I can. This way, I get the right amount of freedom that I need, but can still love my family from afar and visit them/vice versa at appropriate times. Just one thing to be mindful of...just don't become too obsessed with any new thing you pick up. I'm criminal for this and going from one extreme to another is equally as sabotaging Keep a good balance, and you should cope just fine Dave