Rara

Because people realised by alamgamating various TMA, you get MMA anyway which opens up a whole new world of creativity and evolution in fighting. I'm on boards with it. I just don't do MMA anymore because it's physically terrible for you.

True, but for internal martial arts, very few have a clue. Kung fu still has a bad name. Sure, it might be fairly ineffective in the octogon, but my god... if only people really understood its universal purpose and meaning.

I think about this a lot at the moment. Because martial arts was my plan in later life to instil "focus and discipline" into me, but I grew up playing guitar. I realise I need nothing else really. It's an immersive experience and a way to end up in the flow of the Dao. Mastery of just one craft, no matter what

Wanna open a temple and see how much we can raise in a year? I have a five year plan. Also, we can have all sorts of stock options. Holla

Well, I deleted Twitter 😂 I didn't quite turn off the internet but I'm using it sparingly. Picking a side? I'll pick one when there is one to pick. But amidst the noise, I'm cool climbing back into the cave for a little while longer. You are in trouble for bringing up threesomes and Belgian ale, though. A guy's trying to cultivate here

By doing without doing. Let's not do this lol...there's a wu wei thread somewhere on this forum

Yes, I think it's safe to say that if there is a call to action, Daoists respond accordingly.

Yes, the DDJ has plenty of chapters on governance, but no one wants to follow the Way. The one striving for the power is the least fit to be king.

And yes, trying your best can still be done as well. We keep it simple - personal cultivation is primary but when outside in the world, we do our best/what we can to help diminish inequality (and other things) But please remember that it isn't as simple as "fighting the good fight". Alas, the oppressors and non-cultivators are the majority and we cannot force change here. We need to accept that this has always been, and always will be the case. You can become the "Perfect Man". That's all you can do.

Hi Mig. Can I answer your question here with another question? Have Daoists ever been oppressed?

I got frustrated years ago because I'd pactice for an hour or two a day, but continued to get lots of back pain due to hunching at a computer or driving for long periods at a time. The low energy would transfer into my daily standing but also when simply sitting on the couch in the evening. If you have no choice but to live a lifestyle of desk work, have a policy where you get up every hour and do a quick set of something. It doesn't have to be qigong. Often something a bit faster will warm the muscles up better...but remember not to do anything to strenuous. I usually do a quick kung fu form, but it can also be leg and hip stretching, stretching up to the sky etc. Either way, as long as you're moving more often, it is good. I wouldn't worry about ZZ because trading one static posture for another won't hugely benefit you.

I'd personally stop cultivating and try to find a reputable teacher. I used to try and go it alone and with all the drips of information, it all went very wrong for me also. Meanwhile, take the advice above that integrates as much ordinary activity that distracts you from this current thought process. Keep us posted!

Yes, I work with this in simple standing, occasionally in horse or single-whip and when rolled into forms, thing just "go" 😁

Hi! I'm not a Flying Phoenix guy but if I may offer an alternative... You are on the right lines looking for foundation practice. I always say try and find a reputable teacher because nothing is quite like direct face to face instruction. Difficult if there is no one in your close proximity, plus the pandemic is not helpful here, but bear this in mind for the long term. It may be the case of saving some money up and doing a bigger stay somewhere one day at a school. From what I see in your first post though, you aren't grounded enough and I personally recommend a year of just breathing practice, once in the morning and once at night. The eyes gaze at the noze that gazes at the heart. Eventually you can sink your awareness lower into the belly which will take any issues with the third-eye away.

Also, it's down to supply and demand. There is no real demand for Daoist temples compared to any if the 6 major world religions.

Hi Mig, I swear you asked this same question a year or two ago. From what I know, no, not really. Scammers on the other hand...

Yes, I have given this much thought in the past year. When I was younger, Daoism was "exciting" because I saw it as a very laid back philosophy, especially with Zhuangzi. My problem is that I am naturally free spirited, and can use Daosim to justify mindless behaviour sometimes as well, which sometimes indirectly causes harm. Moments of being "at one with the Dao" are only ever just moments. So while I still lean more towards Daoist philosophy and practice (because knowing and feeling are simply superior to intellect) I now respect Confucius' contribution to humanity. The balance for me is to still be as genuine as I can when being "kind and benevolent". And if there is a problem with somebody, let it be known but in the least harmful way. My point is, to anyone that reads and tries to learn from this thread, is not to misinterpret the words to justify not being generally a "good person". Edit: I reread your last post and the "I see what you mean" prompted me to say, yep...I know you know. I guess I just wanted to get all that out there!

Very interesting as Daoists in China are very nationalised. "Filial piety" is of great importance in Chinese culture as well as other Confucian ideas here that could be perceived as the "opposition". How can such lessons be a bad thing? They are not, in context, because it makes a good ruling for keeping the country and families together. I think it is important to reinforce the meaning that we act naturally well if we do not stray from the "trail", and that this chapter is not a bad criticism to Confucian thought, but more of an observation. This is why I think it is important to balance these philosophies, as it is very idealistic (and unrealistic) for people to understand these words and apply them.

Meat in early age is fine and decrease it as you get older. From what I saw, these kung fu kids in China are genetically so different anyway. Rice and veg gives them more arse-kicking ability than anything, so meat isn't a huge part of the bowl.

Hmm, well it could be accurate and unadulterated but I doubt this. Sounds like "sect" rules but bear in mind this is a school for training. The no-intoxication is a big clue to that, yet some Daoist priests drink wine, so.... I second the idea of aiming for prevention. If you have to kill, so be it but you should always aim to avoid this in future. Try not to be too overly sensitive to it, it'll drive ya mad (I've been there. Started crying once over ants...that's a bit much)

Make of that what you will haha. Reminds me of a translation I read years ago. Something like; monkeys, three nuts then four nuts. Monkeys angry.... ....and so on. I walked off and bought Burton Watson's after that. It would not surprise me if a lot of the book is misinterpreted in the west. I asked a Chinese kid in Wudang about the famous butterfly allegory and he said it was about quantum mechanics. In the west, there have been lots of other meanings attributed to it, but it is so hard to even know as it is so abstract. PS Champion effort on what you did transcribe. That somewhat ties into legitimate cultivation at least

Bless you.

The world is a mosh pit. Sometimes we fall. The good guys help us back up. We can catch people early enough just by paying attention. Sometimes an outsider will know without even needing to have that conversation. Look out for each other. It's the least selfish thing we can all do.

And another one: https://www.facebook.com/coldmountainboy/

For those that use Facebook, I thought I'd post this. Some really funny stuff. Post more if you know of any! https://www.facebook.com/adadkeepstheweebsaway/