taijistudent

Yes, we are navigating through life and things happen. There are words, sentences, chapters, the novel. Maybe novels within novels. But there is a story. We just have to see it. We are Playing within the Play.

You might want to meditate using the I Ching, possibly using an online service such as this IChingOnline.net. It would be a way for you to begin studying Chinese philosophy in a way that may have meaning to your every day life.

I like your approach. I think that you may find a way keep the original simplicity and still retain the sense that you are attempting to convey. I believe this is an interesting approach that will add to the understanding of the Dao De Jing.

Nothing ever happens as expected. Not one minute from now, not one year from now, not 50 years from now. Things happen as they happen. But this does not prevent me from setting some goals and intentions in life. But a goal is just a temporary direction. Things happen along the way, and like a good navigator I use some of my own energy to maneuver but I do not fight strong tides or head winds that might exhaust me or over turn me. This may not be the way for everyone, but it is one way.

My point of view is very simple. We all have skills. Some of the quite unusual or more well developed. Mozart had very unusual skills, though most would not call them supernatural. Some people can hold their breadth longer and others can go longer without eating. Some may have greater sensitivity to this or to that. So are more obvious than others. Each of us has our own path and to be true to oneself will lead us toward the development of those skills for which reason we are here. "And this above all, to thine own self be true". Trying to be someone else can be frustrating, lead to poor health, and create possible prolonged unhappiness. Search within your own self and here you will find The Way which is Your Way . The skills you are seeking are within you not in someone else.

I really like the descriptions contained in this article and its points are very well taken. My only addition would be is to describe the Nei jin as being more of an elastic or bouncy type of jin. Otherwise, I believe the article is right on target. Thanks for sharing!

Suppression or repression of a natural desire leads to stagnation and poor health. So it is best to manifest whatever one wishes. However, to avoid excess, which can also be harmful, then one can practice diversity. Many pursuits in life moderates each individual pursuit, thus moderation is naturally attained. To attempt to attain moderation via suppression is unhealthy since it is self-enforced stagnation. Moderate flow yields healthy mind, body, spirit.

Thanks. It is a bit confusing. Feels almost like bait-and-switch. Anyway, I doubt any 1.5 million will be transferred because I don't know for what. If it is for giving a seminar in Sydney, I will be happy to make the trip first and collect.

Yes, I agree that QIgong, via relaxation, slow rhythmical movements, and deep breathing can lead to better health. But of course, as with anything, excess of anything can lead to poorer health. My own preference are simple movements all of which are capable of providing equivalent results (Qigong was actually designed to be quite simple). These movements are amply conveyed in Youtube videos or various Qigong tapes (I think the tapes of Yang Jwing-Ming which can be purchased at a discount are more than adequate). I am a bit confused by the title of the thread however.

I can only supply you with the advice that has worked for me and others in my life who were facing problems: Pursue life with diversity and moderation.

Yes, burn out is possible as in any activity in life whether it be physical, mental, or spiritual. I have found it to be wise to approach any practice in moderation and always staying attune to feedback signals that he body is sending. I know of many people who pushed to exceed what would be healthy for them and in the process harmed themselves. It is no different than running. Running a mile or two may be healthy. Running a marathon can kill. Any excess can create harm.

I think the best way to envision Qi is to view it as the basic energy unit of all matter and life. Qi (i.e. energy) combines with Yin/Yang wave patterns (consider yin and yang the two opposite poles of a wave) to form moving waves, or the basic essence of everything. This process is described in the Dao De Jing as two (the wave) emerging from the one and the three (wave + energy) emerging from the two. As consequence Qi energy permeates everything but in different forms. In China, the word is used in an enumerable number of ways as we might use energy in our own language. Specifically, in medicine, there are a variety of different concepts of Qi in order to explain the human physical, mental, and spiritual beings.

Yes, I would agree that all matter and life is vibrating (i.e. Qi).

Absolutely. It is your inner flow of time (duration) that you sense while learning and creating. It cannot be put into words but you can feel it.

I agree with all of your points. Let me underscore a few: 1) If there are indeed blockages that are causing stagnation, anywhere in the body, then increasing Qi buildup will be counterproductive and can actually cause further harm. Consider this similar to pouring more water down a toilet that is clogged. The water will backup and overflow. This is basic to classical Chinese medicine (which I want to differentiate from the post Communist revolution brand of Chinese medicine). 2) Anything warm is good for moving the blood, e.g. warm soups, water, or bath. 3) Hot and spicy will overheat and again be a potential cause for heat rising and causing harm. Best to relax, moderate exercise to keep blood and qi moving, and deep, whole body, massage (tuina) for the fastest, most effective and longest lasting results. Herbs and acupuncture help with moving the blood and eliminating toxins but its effects are nominal compared to the action of tuina, cupping and quasha when and where appropriate. Good luck!!

Everywhere it is approximately the same nowadays. One just has to learn to adjust.

Angry is a normal human emotion and response. I believe repression and/or suppression of anger is unhealthy and will harm the internal organs. Each person may or may not get angry at different things. But if one is angry, sooner or later it manifests itself either in huge outbursts or damage to the internal organs. Best to let it out moderately (as opposed to a volcano) and appropriately (e.g. at the person that is making you angry). Moderation is usually a good path.

There are many ways to interpret the Dao De Jing symbols, especially in light of the changes in symbol meaning over the centuries. All translators and translations bring their own interpretations, biases, perspectives, and sometimes an element of "marketing". We each are drawn to the Dao in our own way.

It is essentially the same as ancient Daoism. Extremely similar to my own personal practice. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Yes, Qi is real. It is the basic substance of life/matter. Energy in its most ethereal form. If you are tired, it can come from so many causes: stress, over use of your mind, excessive activity, inefficient breathing and storage of breadth, poor diet, poor assimilation of food, not enough sleep, etc. etc. etc. One must look at the total lifestyle and attempt to understand what is happening.

Hi, You have identified anger which can only be addressed via self-reflection. Often you can tell what is bothering you in the manner you criticize others. Call it a mirror. In terms of directly addressing the stagnation, I would recommend the following in order of effectiveness: 1) Classical tuina from someone trained in preferably Northeast China. It has to be deep and it will take about four treatments yo see results if done correctly. Other, more superficial, body massage will also be effective but not as much. 2) Herbs: Milk Thistle, Dandelion, and certain Chinese herbal formulas such as Major Bupleurum, which you should use on the recommendation of a highly trained herbalist. I prefer the Milk Thistle and Dandelion in tincture form for initial treatments because of the concentration. 3) Qi Qong: self-massage, full body, gentle flow and twisting to move the blood. It should not be stiff. Yang Jwing-Ming provides good demonstrations. 4) Plenty of clean water during the day. 6 - 8 glasses. 5) A diet that is primarily green vegetables and whole grains. Keep it light so that you do not overload your system. Organic is best since it reduces the amount of chemicals that can become lodged in the liver. 6) No sugar or processed foods. 7) No cold drinks. Each person is different, so you have to experiment a bit, but approach it methodically and you will hopefully find what works for you. I would like to emphasize that classical tuina is by far the best. Couple this with cupping and/or guasha if necessary.

Yes, there are similarities within the differences and differences within the similarities. In this case, it would be impossible to have the ocean without the waves unless one admits to the absolute stillness of the ocean. To bring absolute stillness is possible and then there is nothing (e.g. the state of being that one has between dreams). The concept of particles and waves (at least within the quantum realm) only exists within a laboratory experiment (e.g. the point of view the experimenter wishes to take. What it actually Is, cannot be precisely described though Bohm's quantum perturbation interpretation for me is the best, where the "particle" is simply a perturbation within the quantum potential, the highest point in the potential being the most probable place for a "particle" to appear. Thus the two concepts are weaved together as waves (particles) within oceans (quantum potential). Bohm originally adopted de Broglie's notion of a particle "riding a wave", into a more cohesive model which more closely aligns itself as a cohesive unit with differences and similarities.

I think what the OP is expressing is that there are differences within the similarities and similarities within the differences. They are at once different and the same. Quantum physics confirms the duality of waves and particles. It depends upon the experiment being performed, i.e. the perspective. For example: Look at the ocean. There it is the ocean. It is the ocean. Then change your perspective. Look at the waves. There are the waves. The waves are the waves. Can one see the ocean and the waves at the same time? I don't think so. One must choose a perspective and say there is the ocean or there are the waves even though they are exactly the same. We switch back and forth all of the time. The two perspectives are both different and the same at once.

Here is a link that might help you decide: http://www.stevepavlina.com/forums/personal-effectiveness/4984-school-phenomenal-memory.html

I would agree. One does not can cannot train for any experiences. They come when they come if they come. What one can do is quietly practice healthful exercises and live well and observe what happens. Practice for your health and over all well being, don't expect much more than a healthy body, and what comes will come. One never knows.