Rara

Critical thinking is, well, critical. We are encouraged to do so much of this, but we lack the balance of sensory meditative and creative practice. This is why for a Taoist, it is important to breathe into the belly, because once the mind has shut itself up after 5-10 minutes, you start to feel the benefits from "the other side" Another thread for you to browse

The thing is, awareness and thinking should not be confused. Awareness and feeling of the belly is relaxing into a pace where you can "feel" the belly. Feel the process of expansion as you breathe. Taoism teaches to empty the head and fill the belly. I opened a thread on this tooic a few years ago with a similar question. I'll try and find it for you

I don't think that's what the OP is saying at all. In fact, they said nothing to impose a Western science view, but merely asked how "chance events" are affected by Tao (if at all) I already already stated my opinion on quantum mechanics, but I ask why you feel the links that you provided hold up equally to the quantum theory argument? Both articles are journalistic and to the best of my knowledge, misinformed.

Right, I get ya. And also, then, I would also ask, does Tao determine consciousness? To which, I would simply say, yes. So yes to your question, but not to confuse with it governing chance events. If Tao is all encompasing, but non judgemental, all things are within the Tao. But we are not here to understand what man cannot understand. From your artice, "it is impossible to predict when an atom will decay". Tao knows, but knows nothing too. The phenomenon of chance, or something seen as random or unexpected is still what we can call an act of nature. Just like seasons changing, Tao determines this. But it is unknown whether one day it decides to put a tornado into a town, or whether this is from a butterfly effect of some other incident.

Perhaps, it's not an area I'm all that read up on. But what do you mean by chance events?

Hey! Here are my direct answers, if I may 1) In a nutshell, yes. 2) Also yes. It's easier to observe and feel as opposed to describing it. But you can paint a fair picture 3) No, I would say it's all encompasing 4) I am intrigued to hear an elaboration on this question. Taking it at face value, I have to say Tao determines nothing amd quantum mechanics is only theory 5) Sure...everything is an essential part of Tao

They're a little tight. My masseur noticed my left leg/hip moreso than the right. So he advised the stretching but yes, also strengthening the core. He is a firm (no pun intended) believer in having strong glutes to support the back. Admittedly, squeezing the glutes and abs as I write this sat down is taking some of the ache away. I'll bear this in mind to do throughout the day.

Can you feel lunges in your knees? I don't know if what I've been feeling over the past two days is healthy. Unless I'm holding the pose too long? (5-10 secs)

Well... Maybe it is! I've always known myself as a stressed guy, which is why I first took up martial arts in the first place. 10 years down the line, although I don't feel stress nearly as much, my back has gotten worse. My masseur certainly feels tightness, which sucks as I am working daily to "let things go" most of the time I'm awake.

Yes, it would seem that the tai chi may well help in theory (my teacher is Jin Ye from the Wu Yinghua family tree) so correct form is being taught. I'm not sure if you were comparing to other tai chi taught in the west or whether my position is still relevant? Although, I think you mean that doing a lot of horse stance etc. is hardly helping? I think you're right in what you say though - there is an imbalance of me being sat vs having enough time stretching the back out. Here is a little detail of a typical working day: 7am wake up, potter about 8am Drive for 45 mins - 2 hours 10am 8 hour working day, usually active. At least standing work, sitting on breaks of up to 45 mins. 6pm Drive back home, 45m-2hr. 7:30/8pm Tai Chi and other exercises 9pm Sitting with dinner 9:30pm relax time. Granted, I currently live in a place with no living room, so I do notice myself "sitting up" on my bed as I either watch something on TV or on my phone. This means I am never sat on my backside at all in the eves, my back is arched against the headboard with pillow. I'll shift to lying down eventually, but my head will the be raised a bit so I can still watch something. Probably terrible for the neck, right? The neck is a secondary stiffness but bearable. You see, I don't think I am doing too much different from someone of my age (31) and in fact, I know people that sit or drive much more than I do during the day that don't have back pain. I do spend at least 7 hours a day on my feet afterall and should have a pretty strong core from years of martial arts/planks etc. Anyway, I can only conclude that I need to do more time on the stretches as whatever it is, my lifestyle isn't doing it any favours, whatever it is that's causing it...

Soooo, I just clicked "Notify me of replies". Is this the new way to subscribe to the thread?

I remember watching this video a couple if years ago and was wowed. Incredible stuff, for its purpose

Thanks, does this happen to work the upper back in unison? I'm thinking because of the twist at the waist. I assume thay you go down like a lunge, pause, then twist? I notice that the knee doesn't touch the floor, so it must take some building up to...

Thanks, I have no injury that's for sure. The first thing I did was go to the docs and tell them that I was injured, but they told me otherwise haha. Actually, it's a more narrow stance that we have compared to all other styles (I am doing Wu style) but she is very strict on alignment. You're right, with the knowledge I have at the moment about the root of the problem, it's worth asking her as well. I think it is common to "over shoot" a stretch. I watched a video yesterday on a static-lunge-looking pose and was educated on how a lot of us (including me) lean too far forward. The key is to apparenty gently squeeze the glutes and abs and just gently fix in position as you go down. I'm always learning

Awesome. That's one thing I didn't ask in my question. Super important to know

Hello! As @idquest said, it's down to your particular type. I ignore a lot of the "do's and don'ts" because they don't necessarily work for me. @Gerard had some very good advice for me based on TCM and my birth year/month and it's proven to be very helpful. To answer your first question, I identify as Taoist. Secondly, I believe the key is to eat "seasonally", but again based on your type. So I'd recommend Gerard's advice if he's kicking about. The below info isn't strictly what he said, but it's more an example of me bringing in his ideas. As it's autumn here in England and I live in the north, warming soft/wet foods seem to be the best for my all-round wellbeing. Plenty of stews and soups, even Weetabix in the mornings with warm coconut milk works well for me. Grains are my friend I like oats, rice, bread. These all seem fine as I don't overdo it. I've discovered the joys of warm plums too. They are the only fruit I really eat right now. I'd eat cold bananas, watermelon, satsumas etc. in summer but I can't face things like that at the moment. I eat a lot of refined sugar, mainly in chocolate form because I love it, but I have a very physical lifestyle so I don't believe it's doing too bad for me.

Hi! I wrote a post last year about my TTC being gone (never EVER lend to unreliable friends! Why do I never listen?) The Chuang Tzu was stolen (well my bag was and the book was inside) I have had a £15 Amazon voucher since Christmas so I might as well cash in. Which version of TTC do you reccommend? I think I already have my eyes on Burton Watson's Chuang Tzu...

@Rocky Lionmouth Back-in-part, when I can get time. But it is nice to drop by and see the usual suspects still floating about

Yep. Lent TTC to my friend two years ago. He needed some help getting out of his head (and home) It did the trick. He moved into a boat of his own...but I never saw the book again. He lost it! Today, Zhuangzi was in my rucksack and... The van that it was locked in got broken into and all bags were taken! I hope that book also lands in hands that need it. I think I need to buy two new books though XD

Hello Rocky! Looks like my psychic connection to you has been delayed by 8 days hahaha. I've been away from the forum for ages once again, but here I am again. Lesson to be learned from this. Keep all your Taoist stuff in a box in your home and don't let them leave. Put them straight back after each read, even a page! You're right...some things are just different/better in hard copy. I have new versions of these texts in said box now

I laugh but that's only because it's true.

I don't usually read interpretations for TTC because I like to figure things out for myself. Now I've done enough thinking, I say I'm ready to ask for some interpretations. Lao Tzu talks a lot about the filling of bellies. What does he/do you think he means? My view is that he is talking about feeding until satisfied...whether that is with chi, food or as metaphorical as anything in life... What are your thoughts?

We learn them as kids, and we discard them as adults. The world tells each and every one of us that we can conquer, reach the summit of whatever ladder we're climbing. It's all about "me", but it's ok if we wear suits and smile at each other across from desks, or have children which are so much better than everybody elses. I'm in it as well when under pressure, life is life and bills need to get paid. But I try hard not to be a dick as much as possible. Being organised and not taking too much on helps...an art that really is lost, especially in the city.

Yes, we pat the body but not quite as hard as this. Also, light stretching of the eyes is supposed to help stop wrinkles and also grip and release the left armpit for a good heart.

Wow. More parallel to other religions then? Like ramadan...?