Rara

The Dao Bums
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content count

    2,966

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    4

Everything posted by Rara

  1. Suddenly, I remember you. You posted a thread years ago with pictures from Malaysian temples and how you identified how many people take Taoism too seriously. Ok, back to your remark. No, not at all. But I don't see why you should be so abrupt towards me and expect that anyone here should know the details of your life and/or have read your blog. All I did was respond to a post of yours based on a question you asked. Your OP included either a lot of jokes (this is your style?) or sarcasm...I don't know. But if you want to sit there and talk down to me on the basis that I haven't taken the time to know the context of your post then I guess there is no use in me carrying on with this discussion. But you know, it seems in which case you have the answer you are looking for, so happy posting in future. I know for next time
  2. Good questions actually. Why show up to any temple? What do the monks and priests know...really?
  3. Very well. If you wanted to get an opinion from somebody that knows you, why did you bother with your original post?
  4. Funny you should say this. I stopped weight lifting when I began martial arts and dropped 20 lbs of muscle mass. I got worried recently when dropping more weight so I started 5X5 from scratch again but wonder if I should keep it up. Hmmmm...
  5. So, do you feel it is hard to find a worthwhile QiGong class? I'm in martial arts limbo right now, having completed 2/3 of the wing chun system and having very little internal cultivation emphasis. I am just curious. No QiGong, but there are Tai Chi classes in my area (like most) but wonder how valid they will be considering my current daily cultivation seems to be going ok (in cooking, cleaning, preparing/drinking tea and seated meditation)
  6. Hahaha! This is excellent.
  7. I haven't read the links but am totally in tune to what I am saying. My last martial arts teacher was a father figure to me...then I snapped out of it and realised it's all about "him" And with Taoism...the problem is the "ism" Somethings then become a movement, and then things are let slide due to dogmas and organisations agendas. Just like any other religion. I will practice, but only on the grounds that I am still going along my own path For me, that has also included not eating meat or wearing animal skins...even if the Taoists tell me it's ok...for me, it isn't.

  8. a blog post about tea and the body

    Rara replied to sillybearhappyhoneyeater's topic in General Discussion

    Thank you for sharing, that was a nice read. I just so happen to be throwing my own tea ceremony next Monday I also started watching the film Death of a Tea Master last night, but it was late and evidentally, the film needs some focus!
  9. Ok, here are some links... The journey up - sheep on top of "their" hill: https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2015/04/08/IMAG1550.jpg https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2015/04/08/IMAG1553.jpg Shade coming over the land in the distance: https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2015/04/08/IMAG1559.jpg The sun itself. Pics don't do it justice though, it was literally 90% covered. Here the camera has caught just glare from the remaining sunlight making it look brighter than it was: https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2015/04/08/IMAG1556.jpg https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2015/04/08/IMAG1558.jpg Hopefully this provides a good idea of the atmosphere of where we were at least
  10. But one can lose their Way...I think from what is being descirbed is just this.
  11. In reference to this, no, I don't think that Tao can be found in your current work week... Maybe the environment of your work effects you majorly? I see you call yourself a "masochist"...not very Tao and I would say you should work on changing this first and foremost. Does this have a knock on effect with your wife? Are you resentful for some reason?
  12. I've actually heard about this technique before for helping with insomnia (which I also get) I will try this out for sure Thanks everybody for your replies, they have been very useful. Ok, now I'm off back to my sitting.
  13. I thought alpha was the mad intense waves and beta were calmer. Or am I muddled? Or perhaps I read misleading info? That said, I believe surely beta must be calmer...just going on the basis of lingutstic patterns like "Alpha Male" for example...the predator with more ego in the mind...
  14. I thought alpha was the mad intense waves and beta were calmer. Or am I muddled? Or perhaps I read misleading info? That said, I believe surely beta must be calmer...just going on the basis of lingutstic patterns like "Alpha Male" for example...the predator with more ego in the mind...
  15. So far then: -Do not concentrate too intensely. The mind and breath should be equal in gentle attention to each other Question...in mindfulness, I have been "letting thoughts pass". Sometimes, I think I get this wrong and struggle in an attempt to ignore them. Perhaps I should chill with them and accept they are there? Other thoughts: Do we think that we should then be very careful what teachers we go to? e.g Many Taoist teachers DO say that even women should breathe into the dan tien. I was watching a wudang meditation video but I also found that there was so much too it...seemed like I had to concentrate too hard to imagine a purple ball of qi in my lower dan tien :/
  16. Ok, I have read this. Very interesting! From this, I have some thoughts that I will post below.
  17. Thanks, will give this a go when I get a chance

  18. Karate kid kung fu form?

    Rara replied to mewtwo's topic in General Discussion

    Well, since learning, I find myself striking doors shut with pivots...but this is the other way round to what you are saying. Using manouvers on things rather than putting every day motions into my training. Makes me ponder now though!
  19. I see, for intense focus uses alpha waves, restricts and confines (thus creating limitation. I will learn from your posts
  20. Thanks, I will read in detail a bit later
  21. Thanks Darkstar. Lol at you closing sentences XD
  22. Please can you elaborate? I mean, to me, I was doing natural breath...natural in a relaxed state, rather than a panic state. But I do know about "breathe into your dan tien"...now is that what you mean by breathing normally and being aware of the dan tien? If so, then I think we are saying the same thing
  23. Apparently Zen Masters hit their students with sticks if they go to scratch an itch during meditation...
  24. Hello...I have some pictures from my morning of the eclipse that I would like to share...I am struggling... can somebody show me how? Thanks
  25. I think this sums up my post. That's probably why there is some "stumbling" on that path of yours. Listen to what is being said inside...stop thinking "what if" and you will find yourself where you're meant to be...the place where you were all along which you were too distracted to see.