Rara

Would be nice to have a thread for posting works though. You never know, could be a book... Or even discovered one day by future civilisations. How cool will that be? "Today kids, we will discuss the writings of this Rara Tzu. It is up for debate whether he or she even existed as an individual, or whether he was a collective of like minded Taoists holding the sacred philosophy"

Yes. The compulsory 'one size fits all' system. It's not too bad, there are alternative institutes for the arts and of course, they can be studied in standard schools but the encouragement to push creativity is still outweighed by the "useful" subjects. I kinda like being useless for a lot of things! See "Sir Ken Robinson - Do Schools Kill Creativity" on Youtube. Nothing better than a professor encouraging those with creative flair. EDIT: Oh and home economics. Would be pretty handy being educated in this "modern day survival".

Thanks for your reply. I do think that it naturally occurs Better that way rather than forcing such a thing. I mean, when I was a teenager I would be extremely unsettled...on the prowl somewhat. That's normal. By choice of choosing a discipline, I have found a great partner and the "need" for sex has decreased. It isn't dead, but it is no longer something I'm "dying" for. Looking back, had I have not adopted a spiritual practice, then I would probably still be addicted to "boning"...that's a better word to use. Porn terminology haha...I see that different to "love making"...I think we all do!

May I ask, how it is "fact"?

I always did wonder... There isn't a "new" book out there. What about a modern Taoism book? Like TTC or Zhuangzi but with cars and phones. OUR experiences. I started doing some poetry a while ago in my phase of, well, I don't know what that phase was. But I haven't touched it for ages. And I'm older and wiser these days taopoetry.wordpress.com

This is interesting...how many of us want to admit this when on a "path"? Failure to admit it is ego in itself... Hmmm... Thanks for the post!

It's odd...I'll explain more if it comes to anything.

At this moment of reflection, I would just like to give thanks to all the philosophies that have pointed me in the right direction...on my Way. It's been a tough week where I've had to face many challenges...but I realised throughout how much progress I have made in 4 years of mindfulness and cultivation practice. This week, I have seen old emotions of tension and stress returning and bubbling within me. But just before boiling point, I have cooled myself right down and found clarity and stability again. I feel like I am successfully recovering in a life im which I once felt lost...at a rapid pace. So my blessings to Lao Tzu, The Buddha, Chuang Tzu and all of you at TTB that have been of assistance...whoever you are. I hope this post inspires anyone who is practicing, perhaps struggling...I say please keep going. You will be rewarded for the time you have given yourselves x

I listened within...and one day, I saw something amazing. Reality as I knew it crumbled and my eyes were opened. Belief is something we want to do, put on us from birth like you said...but knowing, there is just that. It cannot be described, only YOU know And knowing is all we need. Once we know ourselves, nothing external can grip us, or harm us. Knowing is freedom. Belief is just imaginary.

My Kung Fu teacher said to me the other day, to paraphrase; We are born into this world with very little information and understanding. Every now and then we get a third of an echo of 1% and it's enough for us to make decisions, quite profoundly. That's quite a fair remark if you ask me!

Hehe, I was accused of being a female posing as a man recently on this forum. I give off that vibe?? Anyway, yes, a real shame that people go down this route...of fraud that is. Being a forum, I understand concealing identity for security reasons, but using it to manipulate is not cool. I think most of the "genuine" people suss these very quickly though.

Seems that there is some political agenda being pushed around the place at the moment. Charities seem to be involved...it's all a bit dark. I'm helping someone in need right now away from home...I can't put my finger on the motive but something is up, I must say. It's got me wathcing my surroundings very, very closely.

I was told mine is a lion cub....but I also have a monkey as a secondary or something? But that I should visualise the lion cub at times of anxiety amd aggression to help me calm down. I was told this by a practicing shaman, so I took it with a pinch of salt.

No, Scientology, Islam and Christianity are just those...not Taoism. I agree that Jesus etc doesn't reflect Taoism, but all that is within the Tao... The Tao is "limitless". Talking about/understanding other ways is not "sacrilege". And followers of other faiths can do whatever they please. It's a free world...but Taoism is here for those who want it. As for chi in nature, I stumbled upon them (or him?) late. I can't comment other than from the outset, the guy seemed pretty intense and extreme. Didn't feel right to me...but hey, if it works for you, all the best. EDIT: I would like to add that I know what you mean re women in the Middle East...where is the choice there? Some do not have the ability to escape practices that are forced on them. I wish I had all the answers, but I don't. All I know is that Taoism teaches the kind ways in the nature of all and that's why people learn and follow...to return to that nature. I would never push my Taoist ways of kindness on anyone...but I am the first to speak up when I see a political injustice. There is the Tao, and within it, there is a weird game of life that we have to play and do our best with.

Yup. There is stacks of research into its multi-uses. From oil being used to cure cancer to THC in pills for arthritis (my friend's mum got some of these here in England) DEA situation is odd. Correct me if I'm wrong, but federal law crushes state laws in the US? So you could pick up some green in Cali and within minutes that shop is being raided by officers? I saw this on a film "Super High Me"...

I have many alter egos. It's all fun...I got bored of having just one character.

Some British humour right there. MH won't get it.

Oh, and... Cherry pick from them all if you like. Build your own religion. The broader exploration is much more useful than sticking to one or two. Especially if one of them is full of crazy dogmas and "truths" (which is just some wordy spiritual gaga) ...you could end up wasting your whole life following!

Sure...one must be prepared for the consequences. I would rather accept the consequences and engage than turn the other cheek EVERY time. Minimise the warfare, but if someone takes the utter piss, you gotta put the smack down.

Side note: We tend to say "I am hungry" French say, translated, "I have hunger" Subtle language difference that can change one's perception/belief immensely!

Phone/net hacking a single mum's devices for supposed randomers to begin conversations aimed at her when she is out and about. Belief that it is political to drive her out of the village...that she is a pawn or an excuse that parties need to prove the government isn't working and that she is an example of that. Elections are this month...the synchronicity and weirdness is unbelievable. I'm speaking on behalf of someone...she is freaked out and in tears because the police and doctors are not being very helpful...but police have even been lying about past cases with her (supposedly she denied help one time after calling them when the truth is that they never even got in touch) It's all long winded. So just imagine the films Truman Show or Hot Fuzz. I thought she was paranoid at first, but after today, I smell a rat. Would authorities be interested in tapping such vulnerable people in order to swing a political vote? What do you think? EDIT: I should add that basically, she will just sort a business order online, and then see a deliberate target advert outside of her window. Be dealing with a welfare authority then go out into the street to have people go by her talking about single mums draining the system (why she is upset is because she's an entrepreneur attempting to make an honest living after a shitty 10 years) There are too many "coincidences" here

Thanks again

Had to watch this over and over. Straight in the head...so rapid!

Exactly that. She is in no state to pull herself out, she's too far in. So that is my task for now. I'll fix it, no worries. That is me...Link...Spiderman...or a medium, whoever. I got to be of service right now. Will let you know how goes.

Forgot to say, she rang me at 1am...she thinks she is ill. She said maybe she did deny help from police/docs, she just doesn't know. Delusions...so many, she cannot tell what is really happening now, that's for sure.