Rara

The Dao Bums
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content count

    2,966

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    4

Everything posted by Rara

  1. And they do say, you can only really look after others if you can look after yourself....
  2. Yes, this is a very good thing to bring up. Bear with me though, I have a lot of work on out of town but I'll come back to this when I can.
  3. Picasso liked to paint, Michael Jordan liked to play basketball. As long as we're having fun
  4. Aren't we to understand that our brains have changed physically since then, and that there is not a lot of solid information as to how the species actually lived?
  5. Now I remember yeeeeears and years ago asking questions about image 2, especially. It's on this forum somewhere...if I ever find it, I'll sling it your way.
  6. Well, that was unexpected, quirky but surprisingly relaxing.
  7. "Confirmation bias" is a term that keeps springing up in my mind. For a lot of things. Definitely a fair point and keep doing what you do.
  8. Nono, you are right. That is what I'm getting at. Your first sentence...that's not so mental (as in, mad, right? Gotta be careful as we are talking about the mind so I don't want to misunderstand haha) The reason I say this is because of your next part. Yes. Yes indeed. "Taming the domestication or societal indoctrination", as well as...acting on impulse...which is...animal instincts. All you gotta do as a bear is tread on another bear's turf and you'll be looked up and down and challenged to a bloody death. When we're meditating, we are no longer going around shagging everything, trying to eat everything or barking at whatever we see in the park. But yes, I agree that animals rely on their instincts more than most humans, and therefore "do" better than we do because we have minds that get in the way. Damn minds. As to your last point, sure. Even if it is just to get up and enjoy a glass of water and some toast. And if that's all you need, then good for ya!
  9. I wouldn't be able to say with my hand on heart, that we ever lived like animals. Maybe more instinctively than today, sure...a time when we didn't have weather forecasts and supermarkets. However, one thing that has always differentiated us from the other animals is the ability to think, which is both a blessing and a curse. The daoism paradox is forever present, and I cannot talk too much on it before it sends me mad, but it goes a little something like: 'Hey - yes, the dao is nature, flows like water, is intuitive, instinctive and just works. Here's the catch: you'll need to read about it and practice to get there, so you'll need your brain for a little while. Oh, and your cat...yeah, he has more dao than you. But he can't think, and doesn't even know it. Psych!' Wait, but even Zhuangzi did something. Then again, maybe it's because he was married that he had to get out of bed. Well, if it works, it works buddy. I'd be curious to know more about how your decision making process works when life throws a curveball at you, but this is and as and when sort of thing. I'm interested to know if your mindset changes over time, mainly because mine has copious times since the beginning of my Daoist journey.
  10. Of course. Stosh just wants us to understand within ourselves. I learnt that very early on this forum.
  11. C'mon, let's debate some more Despite that, we are trained through meditation to calm animal instincts and thinking. But eventually, some decisions/direction/meaning must be made, or there's just no point in waking up in the morning. My understanding though, through practice, is that the mind makes itself up anyway. Then there is only one path left... ...and...drumroll... ....that is the Way, or Tao, of the individual.
  12. I had to read this twice, but I think we are saying the same thing...or are at least meaning to. You start with good Taoist logic here, sure. However, the tale pretty much has a skull saying he'd rather be where he is now. Yes, you're right about the death not necessarily being the end - and the skull is a great metaphor for this while still having a subjective opinion. Whether or not he is actually content is irrelevant in reality, because it's the moral of the story that counts for more.
  13. Or that the dead are content with being dead, perhaps. There's not much left to do than accept the end of the road, in fact, it's very wise to do so.
  14. Sure, he "gets over it" fairly quickly. But could this also be him celebrating her life and her own journey through nature; a birth, a wonderful life and a fated death?
  15. I wouldn't say he didn't care for so long, but that he didn't lose himself in his emotions following the natural grieving process.
  16. I've missed asking you questions to help clarify your statements. Can this possibly be that none of us can reach Nirvana because unfortunately, shit happens and we never know when we will be humbled again?
  17. "Simply" .... because it ain't that simple The goal? Go your own way. Monks practice for immortality, wanderers wander, warriors fight, butchers cut meat. Whatever you do, be one with it.
  18. I miss you TM. I made tea from ginseng route today for the first time. I went for a run just after and thought my heart was going to explode! I had to search this forum for the stuff and here I found this post! I think I might give the rest to some of the elders in my taiji class haha

  19. Reaching Deep Relaxation

    Rara replied to Yonkon's topic in General Discussion

    I second this practice, I absolutely love it. @Yonkon You asked if you need a teacher for qigong. I always recommend it because then you have somebody that can correct your postures. Even for zhan zhuang, your position will move without you realising. Youtube will do in the period before you start any sort of class, just, erm, try and find something authentic. You'll find that whatever teacher you get, it will always be slightly different techniques to what you learn before hand online or whatever.

  20. Strong chi - effect on others

    Rara replied to smilingone's topic in General Discussion

    They might poke your belly

  21. Travels in the False World

    Rara replied to rideforever's topic in General Discussion

    I say pretty much "yes" to both of these. It's accurate to Daoist doctrine, to understand that we all play parts like actors in order to get through life. Recognising (as well as accepting) this is such a simple yet correct way to look at life. Nothing really matters in the end...you know that, everyone else around you doesn't, but nevermind. And I tai chi my way down the street all the time. Figuratively speaking. I practice with as much focus as I can, and let the relaxed flowing mind and body carry itself out into the big bad world. Afraid so!

  22. My Journey (A request for guidance)

    Rara replied to vismundcygnus34's topic in General Discussion

    Arguably just two sides of the same coin. Either way, better to be one of these than completely unaware

  23. My Journey (A request for guidance)

    Rara replied to vismundcygnus34's topic in General Discussion

    There's a moral somewhere in the book of Zhuangzi that reiterates how a sage walks among the rest of us and blends in. The best thing about these experiences is having the choice to do so. I don't know if you're finding this already, but the more you follow said signs, and go with the flow...because life becomes intuitive, you remain at peace. Being at peace is useful in society. Everyone else is pretty damn all over the place, so you'll be a pleasant guy to hang around. You're very welcome. Maybe one day we will sit with a nice pot of tea and ramble more about this all. You never know.

  24. Taoist meditation techniques

    Rara replied to Toni's topic in Daoist Discussion

    I'm glad you got some common sense going on there haha

  25. Taoist meditation techniques

    Rara replied to Toni's topic in Daoist Discussion

    Well... The complete opposite for me. Palms on knees, cross legged, on a straw cushion if you can get your hands on one. Look at the nose, breathe in through the nose....and out through the nose. You don't want lucid dreams. You want something to calm you and to enhance your energy, not shatter it and give you too much excitement or anxiety!