Rara

I'm in. This is me all over, though, I also include myself in the retarded zombie club. And also, have you seen a zombie that isn't technically retarded? I suppose the crimson-heads from Resident Evil, maybe.

That's why we can only work on ourselves. Let the world be...

Ah yeah, I had the Buddha images. He came and cured a migraine once I had to take the "kill Buddha" advice though...I really was beginning to get delusional. Great advice. But I only say meditate if the OP can find a good teacher, which I believe they are finding hard right now.

Hey... So... Don't worry, you're not alone. I don't really want to reply with a wall of text so in short, I just have to say that I went through this as well. Obviously, not image for image, but every feeling you describe (words don't do it justice, do they?) that internal explosion, lucid dreams/nightmares, erratic behaviour and feeling above everything because of it. It too, all came at a time of extreme stress and trauma. It also came a few days into dropping weed and alcohol....so here's what I think went on: The tension rose so much that something "popped" inside. I am absolutely convinced that the connection you had with the Dao/God/Universe was very real, and this was the wake up call. The only problem is that we didn't handle ourselves very well. Then, I lost it all voluntarily, because I wanted a normal life again. To have a job. To not scare my friends and family anymore...you know the story. However, a few months ago, I remembered one message...follow the signs. You spoke about sychronicity and things just working out. My friend, I have realised recently that this is the Way. So take what you have learnt and remember to follow the signs. Remember to ground yourself...I will always say, martial arts, martial arts, martial arts. Otherwise, fate will look after you. Just go with it, just remember to stay grounded and look out for your loved ones and the path will unfold for you around all that.

As @Fa Xin mentioned, a teacher is going to be a big factor. I would absolutely advocate Brazilian Ju Jitsu and because it's such a tight-family martial art, there is a good chance your teacher will be legit. It's grappling but also flowy (and I find it to be very effective) I don't see tai chi on the list, but qigong is good for your internal health. With tai chi and qigong, you want something from one of the major lineages, Yang, Chen, Wu, Hao or Sun. Avoid something that just has "tai chi" on the banner with no speak of lineage!

Good martial arts, bro. Tough if you're broke and unable to get anywhere but it's the biggest character builder. By "good", I mean something grounding that isn't going tonhave you tearing heads off for enjoyment, but also, not too floaty that it puts your head in the clouds.

This.

I would love to read more, but I must leave my thoughts here in case I run out of time. I can relate to a lot of what you say and I would break this into two parts: 1. Purpose: The thing is, we all need a purpose. And we all have one, but it's hard to see it until you realise it and say it out loud. I know a teacher has been recommended, but if this is tough due to location, I cannot stress enough how good counselling is. Funnily enough, the last time I was feeling lost, I ended up speaking with a priest. Never done that before and it's bizarre how I ended up in that situation, but I must admit, he opened my eyes to a lot. Who knows who is out there to help. But your legs will carry you to the right place, if you're able to get that far... 2. The girlfriend. You have a couple of things to look at here. Do you love her enough to be by her side no matter what? If so, sticking by her to ensure she gets better is your path right now. But for this to happen, you need to tactfully explain how you need to live your life, but give her reassurance that you are there. If you need to go out, you will be back at such and such a time. Explain your circumstances and needs diplomatically, but always reassure her. Girls are delicate, and it's taken me 31 years of constantly fucking it up to realise that you need to yield, but be clear and assertive at the same time. If you aren't in the mindset for the above, I'm afraid to say it's exit strategy time. There is a fair amount of accountability on her part to ensure the relationship works, and if she isn't emotionally available, or you feel that this is a general clingy, attention-seeking problem that is draining your energy...you need to find your way out. Again, this would need to be tactful, but a firm decision. Don't fear the consequences...work to ensure that there are as little as possible.

Resistance and struggle is normal because it's fighting the temptation to give up. The more you practice, the more this struggle diminishes and the practice becomes effortless.

Pun intended? That was brilliant! I know. Even my teachers are wired to their phones when not teaching. Still, they do better than most of us. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, I guess. Is it one way or another for you? How do you want to live? True. I still like to be optimistic and think that steps such as solar energy, recycling, abolishing diesel engines and maybe even Elon Musk may be enough to save us. I'd say Taoism makes most sense. But I'm biased There's some good stuff in religion if you look deep enough. The problem is the people selling it to us (or deterring us, depends which way you look at it) We're only human, give us a break. Maybe we'll all get there in the end...trial and error and all... Yes. History suggests we've always behaved like chumps. Religion is there to try and stop us behaving this way, but it's real hard. You two sound like a match made in heaven! There is no fixing it. We can only fix ourselves (I hope you see the deliberate paradox here) Hope my response helped get this ball rollin' for ya

Hi all, I was sharing some DMs with another bum while I was away and felt that this little story might be a fun read, so I am copying and pasting it here. Here's how it went down in Wudangshan ... I came to Wudang to explore and see if I could find a good place to train. I checked into a hostel (which actually turned out to be the wrong one entirely - more on this blessing later) and went for a walk. Before I reached the mountains, I found a small temple in the main town. On my way out, there was an old gentleman doing some sort of taiji exercise in the grounds. Something like cloud hands, but different to how I know it. Anyways, I watched for a minute or two then he stopped and bowed to me. I walked over to him and with no English on his part, and no mandarin on mine, he began to teach me the technique using his hands and moving my body. Needless to say, he was very skilled and my thighs were burning within a minute or two. I used this app, Pleco, to try and make sentences for him, and vice versa, and he offered to take me to a school. Next thing, I was on a bus with this stranger going up the mountain to Dragongate. I was like, "No way!!" I knew of Dragongate 10 years ago...probably one of the first lot of Youtube vids I found that drew me to Wudangshan. I spoke with Chong Qin, the senior here who speaks English and she agreed to put me on a program learning a taiji form, qigong and meditation. The Sifu is Master Wang, who drops into sessions and helps correct us where need be. There's a few of us from Europe and a couple, (the lady is Sifu's daughter), then a load of kids that train and live here. A few days after I came, one of the trainees that's here for a year, showed me the International Youth Hostel - the place I was supposed to be on day one. It turns out that the taxi driver had no idea where he was going and didn't understand me and the lady at the other hostel had no clue either. I can only think, if I went to the correct place, I may not have even ended up here! Haha. Some call if fate, I guess!

Hello Bums! Apologies for my intermittent attendance on this forum - I've been so busy and I find it hard to keep up. I am on the verge of booking a trip to the Wudang mountains. Initially, I am thinking of going to the Taoist Wellness Academy for a month. I want to know if anyone has been to Wudang and what experiences they've had. The TWA has a fixed price which includes accommodation and food, but I want to know if you think that there may be other places where I can get good bang for my buck. In my time there, I want to practice tai chi, study taoism, and maybe pick tea. If you have any alternative suggestions, do let me know

Aaaaand I'm back, round, full circle. It was a tricky question to ask Sifu, via my teacher and translator. They had difficulty in the first place understanding my concept of "Gods", even though to a westerner's mind, that's what I see in Taoist temples. Like many others have already said in this thread, they do have many, many Gods (and a main three) They just don't think the same way we do. My questions just seemed too detailed - I don't think they've ever had anyone as pedantic and annoying as me asking like this haha. But Sifu explained that for people like us, we only really need to confide in, and be thankful to Laozi, for giving us the doctrine. Statues and shrines are not essential, as our idea of worship derives from Abrahamic religions anyway, and it would be a bit OTT. But if you want to build an alter, burn incense and pay your respects, you're more than welcome

Haha Well, I'm happy this thread resurfaced due to the bump. I have some questions on this for my Sifu this week so I'll drop my two cents soon.

I dig Dragongate. But yes, reading Frantzis' The Power Of Internal Martial Arts and Chi and he highly advocates nei gong practices before beginning on any forms for fighting.

I went back up today We took a cable up to Golden Summit but walked back down. Even now my legs are sore because of all the training! I revisited Nanyan and saw much more as it was a clear day. I didn't try the tea shop this time around but I may get another chance to go up again before I leave. I managed to take a walk around the wall of Purple Heaven, around the back of the palace, but I didn't go with anybody that knows the area, so didn't find the cave. I will ask my teacher and maybe I will locate it one day. But yes, I saw Thunder God cave last week. I walked down some stairs opposite Purple Heaven and found a martial arts school - I assume it's yours. I took a photo so will try and send it to you. So our schools must be related, just located elsewhere? As mine is Dragongate, but not in the national geopark... About injuries, a fellow student has been using something called moxa on her knee. We have various rubs for muscles that I have been using but I have nothing too serious. My elbow has been in pain for a long time from hard martial arts though. My teacher knows and I may get something for that.

Hey! And I meant "Plum Ditch", not "Plum Valley" Yes, I've been up the mountain once and seen Nanyan Palace (I especially love the Dragon Incense - How on earth did they build that?!) Purple Heaven, Carefree Valley (with all the Monkeys) and Taizi Po. We only get Mondays off so I hope to go again next Monday to see Golden Palace and back to Nanyan again, because it was very cloudy and misty last week. I would like to see some more views if the weather will be clearer. Still, it was very cool looking around with all the clouds and mist. Life at Dragongate is nice with a good community. Training is tough though, my legs have struggled and I've even pulled a muscle in my left calf. 5am start with a 9pm finish, it isn't what I expected at all. BUT, I should have learnt all of the Taiji 32 Form before I have left and a qigong sequence. Being here, in answer to the OP, no, I don't think being a Taoist is for the well off. In fact, my stay here is very cheap and I am fed 3 meals a day. I believe the school (and all others in Wudangshan) have all lost popularity over the years, yet they make do with what they have. They look after about 20 kids here, like a boarding school, and they have some incredible skills. It's difficult to keep up with their energy but they are keeping me going. They're fantastic people, and very courteous

I am currently mixing and am at my absolute limit. I live and learn...

WMJ, where did you go? I am at Dragongate now! Plum Valley.... One week in, three to go

I never feel that I am truly aligned, until I have done something in the day that has challenged me physically. This can be a cardio workout, external or internal martial arts training, making a meal or guitar practice. Sometimes it is nice to sit after...this can be quite humbling and I can feel a better connection to myself and my universe. I don't know, maybe it's because we all have different make ups that we can achieve enlightenment in our own way. Some are built for mass hours of meditation, some for military, some for being a nomad etc etc....

3 TTC translations and 2.5 ZZ translations later, I've realised this. The common ground between them all becomes less and less, and now, I've probably whittled my own understanding and practice of Taoism to a handful of definitive ideas. That's probably all there was meant to be!

Zhuangzi was clearly roaming around sticking his fingers up at officials haha. Yeah, maybe worth checking out TTC for a little more order

I think you've landed yourself in the wonderful realm of Thinking For Yourself. Unfortunately, politics is black and white. Either you bat for one set of principles or another, and it's very easy to be drawn into rhetorical devices used by the educated/politicians/media to end up in a certain camp. Just like your Taoism, your political views will get looked down upon by serious conservatives and liberals alike. It's not worth the energy getting too caught up in, imo.

Qi can be like oxygen or food nourishing the blood. Good eating and breathing practices should do the trick

When I say Pu'er or Sichuan to the Chinese people that I know, they get so puzzled. I end up going further with my descriptions until they understand and correct me. It's all good us saying yin yang to each other, being western and having our own "dialect" for these things, if you will. I've given up trying to pronounce things correctly when speaking with the Chinese for now haha. I'll be over in the country in a few weeks. That should be even more fun!