Rara

Maybe Zhuangzi has been taken too literally by a lot of people...just found this: https://personaltao.com/taoist-diet/

A shock to the system cutting everything at once, I'd imagine. Also, I think it's how we've genetically evolved. I started a similar thread the other day and realise without grain, I'd probably die.

Yes I am...did I tell you that? This is my question, warming foods may be good for my digestion...but I have anxiety as well. I have a history with anger/insomnia etc, so I always thought cooling foods were best for me...

Yeah, yesterday I had around 2-3 cups for green and although I have refrigerated filter water, I tend to leave it in a glass and sip it gradually, so it gets to room temperature. I'm not too sure I fancy drinking just warmed water without the tea though.

@Gerard Do you suggest drinking hot drinks only? If so, how would you go about this? I used to drink a flask of tea throughout the day but found the caffeine/dehydration a problem and found myself drinking cold water in the evening to replenish. I don't think I have the right idea...

Oh, Amen to this. You've nailed it with this post.

Most of the time I keep my head down and just move on. Think of it like school - you have studying to do and there's disruptions all around. Try and carry on but if the noise is too much, take yourself off to a quieter area

I believe you posted this in your first post. But thanks for this, it is a nice reminder to not rush food and multitask when eating...it's easily done in this day and age.

My Dad does have diabetes. And prior to this, I was brought up on his ways ...if I can avoid this in my life then that'll be a bonus

I love your profile name btw...not sure if I ever said this?

That's unfair. If I ate like that I would be dead haha (and you'll be saying the same about my diet, just on the opposite end of the scale)

Interesting point. For example, I'm usually mega-hungry around 10am, but not usually first thing. But at that point, I could eat sausages, eggs, toast, tomatoes and finish with cereal. So where do I fit lunch in? Closer to 5pm...alternatively I could snack on fruits etc and have a large dinner around 7pm and be done with it. But if I DO the 5pm lunch thing, I end up eating a dinner around 10pm...I always get hungry around then. I think this pattern comes from doing more shift-orientated work though. They seem like good times all round for if I work early or late...

Thanks Gerard. I read the first article and will read the rest when I can. Funny how it has "don't worry" as a big point. I am concerned how I'm struggling to gain weight despite piling in calories of dense yang foods. I like what the writer said about the "Qi of the cook". So true! This is how I judge cooking...you can just feel the chef's personality in a good meal.

@Stosh Do you have a "typical day of eating" that you could share? I'm curious as to how one can eat 3 meals a day without the inclusion of much carbs. When I've tried it, I've spent more money because of eating extra protein foods instead. Plus, must be hard to get over 1500 cals on such a diet?

Thanks Stosh. Interesting how you mention the fats and proteins as I was just thinking a while ago how shitter I feel when eating them alone veg. But on paper, "it looks so healthy". This is what is known as the Atkins diet, right? Then you get some guy like Joe Rogan, pushing that kind of diet and saying "avoid bread and pasta"...but he is 200lbs and a natural beast. If I avoided bread and pasta, I'd be 30 lbs (and that would just be the skeleton I have) Carbs are ultra-fuel for me. So as long as I'm ok to eat my breads and cereals in the morning (which is really not advised in this day and age of recent diet fads) then I'm all good. On a good run, I eat masses of locally sourced lean meat, carbs, homemade oaty treats. Simply add veg to my dinner for colour and snack on fruit throughout the day. I guess I should count myself lucky then...I feel sorry for those that can't enjoy wheat!

I was given an avocado, peanut butter and snickers smoothie once. It was amazing!

Sure. But when I speak to Chinese native-speaking friends, an example of what one said to me: "My English is very poor and I think that is really pathetic" There are a number of ways in which he could have said this. In English, this is extremely derogatory yet, quite frankly, as you see from the statement, his English is actually quite good. By his tone, he certainly didn't mean to sound so depressed about it, he just meant that he isn't fluent and wishes he could be better. Either way, we get the idea as to what he was basically saying, so I'm more than happy to say that I in turn have the basic idea of what the TTC is getting at

Daoism evolves with the times. Whatever translation you're using, the words will apply to current situations.

Oh absolutely. Someone said to me once that she was surprised that me and my then-girlfriend were together because she was "very spiritual" and I seemed more "pragmatic". I apologised to her for not wearing a sign and shouting about my spirituality on top of the mountains

Hehe, I too am only interested in Lao & Chuang. I think I confuse people around me because I follow Tao, and people assume that I will be spiritual. Well, I am. But that doesn't mean I have the time for psychics, mediums and tarot cards. My ex, and her mum especially, are into all that. It's probably why we're incompatible...I'm a little to Chuang. I come across as an atheist to "spiritual" people and new-agey to atheists, I imagine haha. But yeah, I stand by not getting involved with much of this "magic" in Taoism. It doesn't seem authentic, nor true to the philosophy. It's a different Taoism altogether.

Heya. I haven't read the book but have a look at chapters 49, 51, 54 and 64 of the DDJ. Those words are pragmatic and can be applied to parenting as much as governing people.

Ok, but back to the question about using Lao Tzu or Chuang Tzu texts as a way to understand their meditation - I feel all the books in the world would be wasting your time. As far as I know, Taoists in Wudang practice simple "mindfulness", at base level (outside of qigong/tai chi/kung fu etc.) and also claim to have the understanding of the texts down as well. So my unhelpful advice would be to ask them how they came to these conclusions. They've been preserving the typical traditional teachings anyhow. One would argue that the Buddhist influence is key here though, which is probably right. Maybe no one is really able to decode the TTC or Chuang Tzu properly anyway...

My Tai Chi teacher doesn't advocate meditation at all. Similarly, taking 30 mins to chill out has a better effect. Ever heard of the term "Qigong madness"?

No, but I think claiming to just be a "philosophical Taoist" puts one in a box a little bit. Why not enjoy it all? I used to be quite defensive of being on just the philosophical path. The more I read, the more I practiced though...and then I started to realise that I was resisting too much of the "good stuff" before. I'm not saying to put on a robe and make an alter. But practice and you'll find your dabbling in the "religious" anyway. *Disclaimer - I dislike the term "Religious Taoism". For me, it isn't necessarily religious...depends what sect, I guess. EDIT: Ok, just saw your post on page two (which I liked) I think you already get my point.

For the record, here's a thread on this https://www.thedaobums.com/topic/31557-lao-tzu-and-the-belly/