Rara

Haha. To use the cliché, "It's all a part of the journey, maaaaan"

Further to my post above, my landlord put his old microwave in here first. I tried using it once and it locked itself and wouldn't unlock. It turns out that it didn't like me either. Landlord said "how the hell did you break it already?" But that's me. Often technology breaks around me. I control this better these days, before it was out of control! Unfortunately I wouldn't rather eat things cold. According to TCM, I'm a warm-wet food guy. Unfortunately, not supposed to eat too much spice due to yang overload, but I LOVE spice.

Yep, mainly covered already. I'm always late to the party...must be a time zone thing. Fresh, organic, wok-fried and steamed food best. I went several months without a microwave and all was good. My landlord who sometimes crashes here put one in the kitchen, so I have used it out a few times since for reheating things but it isn't my go-to. I don't know how much it kills qi, I'm just going with the obvious "fresher is better" and the closeness to nature that Daoism teaches us. Tbh, I haven't noticed any negative effects. Then again, I'm not exactly using it twice a day on ready-meals but I have seen the state of people that do live that way 🤣

This has come into my mind at two critical points in the last four months. Firstly when we were having our elections here in the UK, second as Covid-19 hit the west and I watched nations of frightened people fending for themselves, taking from others instead of sharing and thinking of the vulnerable, not realising how rich and fulfilled they already are. Pointing fingers at politicians, criticising how things have been handled (I am guilty of this one) and criticisms of other countries. "Imagine there's no countries", is a very enlightened line. Not to throw away our identity, but our political stubbornness and separation. So I put my blessings out to the world, for forgiveness and understanding. The world has panicked, and now let's be humbled and love our brothers and sisters.

On this subject of walking, I realise I didn't mention the usefulness of a light 10 minute jog and stretching first thing in the morning. Also, a variety of aerobic-style arms swings and exercises to turn the wait in order to tire/relax the muscles. Call it, "limbering up" and letting that tension go. I think with some trial and error, you'll find what works for you

His opinion.

And with that comes the question "What? But some of those things aren't Daoist" If you ask a philosophy bum. Herein lies the difference between what we perceive as "Daoist" by reading books and actually acknowledging how it actually is in China

Burning incense and paying respects in prayer to ancestors and past historical figures of the country. Said figures have become immortals/Gods. You'll even find a Buddha in one of the temples in Wudangshan!

That sounds like one of two things: 1) I don't know who the teacher is, but if they are not from a credible lineage, nor an ordained teacher, he could have just been doing mind trickery where all his students are basically hypnotised. Unfortunately, this is all too common. If a teacher has really developed qi, you feel it when you walk in the room without demonstration, because it will radiate from them. You'll know when you're in the right place. 2. Possible blockage. But if you are able to learn a taiji form and practice it daily, religiously, this should subside and prep you.

I only find this to be the case on the day of actual training, though. In fact, within hours of putting down whatever is being lifted, the body can return to a neutral state. I find that I can sink back into "soft mode" just fine.

@silent thunderand @gatito That's it. You have been sentenced to horse stance for 2 hours. Off you go.

@gatito One thing. We gotta stop @ sean thing. Sean gaaaawn.

I'll find my way to that thread eventually, then. Of course. My point was that maybe we should all just start new threads regularly with actual valuable stuff. One thing I really miss about MH was his dedication to the Zhuangzi section of this forum. But how many times can we do the same studies over and over without it becoming mundane? Yup!

Ah, the old technique of pointing to the naughty kid in the room and giving them a platform for all to see, while the rest of the kids laugh at them Classic schooling given to attention seekers. As for street rules, yes it's just another era of TDB. I'm not exactly sure if we'll get out of this era. I mean, we need at least one mod to pass the torch to someone. Also, surely one year someone will stop paying for this domain name?

I don't think this will ever change. I've said time and time again, this is because we have a General Discussion. I think the forum would generally be more solid if it was Daoist-only focused. Although, there are a few occult guys here that really do add some benefit, so I would never change what we have, so it's swings and roundabouts. In other news, I joined a few Daoism facebook groups this year and it made me want to come back here even more. Talk about hippes. Ugh.

I ageee. Maybe we should stop being bums and start some up. Soon. When I can get up, that is. No hurry. I'll do it later.

Even if planet earth is a warzone, would we flee? Absolutely not. You mentioned Stosh...is he still about? Personally, I've never had any issue other than a miscommunication that got ironed out real quick...

No mods, but @Earl Grey does a fine job of shit-shovelling on a regular basis. And @ralis It's a crap job, but these guys are putting in the time.

Well, I still kinda like it here. It only takes a bit of time before we just gravitate towards the threads and people that we want to, anyway. What's the problem?

Awww yeaaaah. That's the stuff... ...now show me a sports event. C'mon, baby, show me...

You got that reaction because I now question my sexual orientation. I don't quite know what to say. I think I need to go away and come back again.

I am so hot for this right now.

If no teacher, just stand. Drop the shoulders, close the eyes, sink knees slightly and keep back straight and relaxed. Basically drop into the tailbone, then glutes, then thighs. 5-10 minutes at first. Eventually you'll got longer. Focus on breath at first, then you will eventually sink more inside and ... I'll stop there. Feeling > words.

@statusquovadis A thread for ya

Your path is just as noble! It'll be interesting where you end up next. Maybe not in this life, maybe the next 🤷‍♂️This life can indeed change in weird ways, though. Anyway, you're on YOUR way, that's what counts.