Are you a Daoist Spoon?

[Ninpo-me-this-ninjutsu-me-that]

It is a well know fact that Lao tzu used spoons in ancient China on at least two occasions , further more it has been proven by Chinese historians that confuscious was an avid user of spoons, even though Taoism and Confuscianism are, some might say, diametrically oppossed. 1.3 billion Chinese also make use of spoons on a daily basis!

 

Spoons have been at the forefront of all spiritual cultures for, up to, at least a thousand years!(..or so)

 

Witness the spoon bending scene in the film the matrix, what exactly was the significance of the spoon????

 

It has been postulated that the universe is doughnut shaped, but could it be, that, in fact, it is spoon shaped!???

 

Why was it when the first Europeans landed in 'the land of the braves', that they were shocked to find that the natives had already used ....the symbol of the spoon.

 

Thousands of us make use of a spoon on an almost daily basis. WHY?

 

The famous mystic spoon bender Uri Gellar was well known for spoon bending, but why a spoon, why not a knife or a hamburger for that matter? What secret does he know that we are not party to?

 

Has anyone else at Taobums noticed a connection between spoons and Daoist thought? Are there any who have, in fact, practiced 'shao tian gong fu'(sky spoon skills)?

 

I will let you be the judge! Any thoughts that can further explain the importance of spoons in spiritual circles would be greatly appreciated.

 

Uri Gellar, spoon expert.

 

[DaoChild]

I use spoons to eat soup.

[Apech]

I am disturbed by the emergence of this spoonite utensilist heresey, it is well known that Siberian Shamans used their hands or chop sticks and while early depictions of Atlanteans using scoops have been found this in no way substantiates the idea of there being a spoonal dimension to their spiritual tradition.

[Marblehead]

I think it is because of the invention of the spoon that it was possible for the animal now called man to evolve in a different direction from its more ape-like cousins.

 

Yes, I think that if the handle were removed from the spoon we would have a perfect representation of the universe. (Well, maybe two handle-less spoons upside down to each other.)

 

Peace & Love!

[Ninpo-me-this-ninjutsu-me-that]

I use spoons to eat soup.

 

Proof positive, but I feel what you have left out is, in fact, more revealing........puddings? A few secrets up your sleeve now doubt!

 

 

I am disturbed by the emergence of this spoonite utensilist heresey, it is well known that Siberian Shamans used their hands or chop sticks and while early depictions of Atlanteans using scoops have been found this in no way substantiates the idea of there being a spoonal dimension to their spiritual tradition.

 

As a untensilist I am greatly offended by your suggestion of heresey, I therefore am left with no other recourse except to challenge you to a duel....spoons at dawn it is! I will be seconded, of course, by the infamous Earl of Spooner(distant relative of the Spencer family who deliberately concealed their spoon heritage).

 

 

I think it is because of the invention of the spoon that it was possible for the animal now called man to evolve in a different direction from its more ape-like cousins.

 

Yes, I think that if the handle were removed from the spoon we would have a perfect representation of the universe. (Well, maybe two handle-less spoons upside down to each other.)

 

Peace & Love!

 

That's right! That whole opposable finger/thumb thing never fooled me either! Might I ask if you incorporate spoons into your daily taoist ritual/non-ritual? And if so, what is the deeper significance? There is, in actual fact a branch of Chinese medicine that does make use of spoons http://www.earlyspring.com.au/services.htm#guasha

So, I have even surprised myself by finding a direct spoon link to the 'hidden arts'! I'm onto something, I can just smell it!

[Marblehead]

That's right! That whole opposable finger/thumb thing never fooled me either! Might I ask if you incorporate spoons into your daily taoist ritual/non-ritual? And if so, what is the deeper significance? There is, in actual fact a branch of Chinese medicine that does make use of spoons http://www.earlyspring.com.au/services.htm#guasha

So, I have even surprised myself by finding a direct spoon link to the 'hidden arts'! I'm onto something, I can just smell it!

 

Believe it or not, I do remember something about spoons being used in some form of healing. It was a long time ago so my memory fails me on details.

 

There are also those people who make music using spoons.

 

My most often repeated non-ritual Taoist use of the spoon is when I am supplimenting my fatty Chi belly with peanutbutter. The spoon is so much more efficient than are the fingers.

 

Peace & Love!

[C T]

A Taoist Spoon i am not

though i admit sometimes i do get in a knot!

To help me unwind,

I drink a little wine

or take a swing on the twine

Usually helps to get me back in rhyme

just right at dinnertime....

 

[EagleShen]

A few arisings of thought this produces (and yes i think you are onto something Ninpo-me-this-ninjutsu-me-that):

 

Isn't there a famous saying something like, 'before enlightenment, eat with spoon; after enlightenment, eat with spoon?'.

 

Spoon medicine is called Gua Sha, and in fact many medicines are administered by a spoon. Is the caduceus, the traditional symbol for healing in the west, actually a spoon and not a staff with intertwined serpents?

 

Consider the human spirit as a spoon, scooping the bowl it becomes filled with soup, submitting to the insatiable mouth of desire it becomes empty of soup, and then returns to the bowl again to be filled with more soup, 10,000 times does the spoon seek the soup, until the spoon has no more desire for the soup, enters into the hot water of purification and becomes pure desireless potential in the great cutlery drawer of the Tao.

[Mal]

(or other spiritual cutlery item)

[Apech]

As a untensilist I am greatly offended by your suggestion of heresey, I therefore am left with no other recourse except to challenge you to a duel....spoons at dawn it is! I will be seconded, of course, by the infamous Earl of Spooner(distant relative of the Spencer family who deliberately concealed their spoon heritage).

 

 

 

Ninpo,

 

How very spoonist to think of a duel ... always with the aggression! Have you by any chance been in Lubin, Poland recently ...

 

Spoon

 

... I think it may have been you.

[Marblehead]

Have you by any chance been in Lubin, Poland recently ...

 

Spoon

 

... I think it may have been you.

 

Hehehe. Yeah, I think a spoon would not be the weapon of choice for someone thinking of robbing a bank.

 

(But then some people don't think very well.)

 

Peace & Love!

 

 

Here's a nice spoon quote:

 

Bending the spoon is impossible, so instead, you must become one with the spoon. Once you do that, there is no spoon, there is only you. Then all you need to do is bend yourself.

 

(From "nospoonblog.com")

 

Peace & Love!

[Dreamingawake]

[Taomeow]

Taomeow = Miaodao

[Ninpo-me-this-ninjutsu-me-that]

I must say, you've all done very well with this spoon thing, especially Eagleshen who gets 10 out of 10 AND a gold star(perhaps a golden spoon would be more fitting).

 

Believe it or not, I do remember something about spoons being used in some form of healing. It was a long time ago so my memory fails me on details.

 

There are also those people who make music using spoons.

 

My most often repeated non-ritual Taoist use of the spoon is when I am supplimenting my fatty Chi belly with peanutbutter. The spoon is so much more efficient than are the fingers.

 

Peace & Love!

 

I think you've really focused well on the non-dualistic use of the spoon in everyday life, I had never considered using the spoon in such a fashion.... it's opening a whole new world for me. Is their any particular kind of spoon you would recommend or is it the focus of the user that is more important rather than the utensil?

 

A Taoist Spoon i am not

though i admit sometimes i do get in a knot!

To help me unwind,

I drink a little wine

or take a swing on the twine

Usually helps to get me back in rhyme

just right at dinnertime....

 

 

Truly delectable.

 

 

A few arisings of thought this produces (and yes i think you are onto something Ninpo-me-this-ninjutsu-me-that):

 

Isn't there a famous saying something like, 'before enlightenment, eat with spoon; after enlightenment, eat with spoon?'.

 

Spoon medicine is called Gua Sha, and in fact many medicines are administered by a spoon. Is the caduceus, the traditional symbol for healing in the west, actually a spoon and not a staff with intertwined serpents?

 

Consider the human spirit as a spoon, scooping the bowl it becomes filled with soup, submitting to the insatiable mouth of desire it becomes empty of soup, and then returns to the bowl again to be filled with more soup, 10,000 times does the spoon seek the soup, until the spoon has no more desire for the soup, enters into the hot water of purification and becomes pure desireless potential in the great cutlery drawer of the Tao.

 

I raise my spoon in respect, in your direction. Truer words have never been said before about spoons. You ARE the spoon master...... if ever there was/is/will be one.

 

 

Ahhhhh, so, we have a master of the left handed utensil path online do we. All you forkists are the same, it's all stab, stab, stab; will you never realize the artistry in the path of the spoon? I'm putting you on my duel list, it's getting rather full/empty now. How does 6:30 am on Sunday suit you? Spoon Vs. Fork.....witness how your prongs will slide off my curved spoon type implement. The dark days of the fork lords will soon be over.

 

 

Ninpo,

 

How very spoonist to think of a duel ... always with the aggression! Have you by any chance been in Lubin, Poland recently ...

 

Spoon

 

... I think it may have been you.

 

That's a man after my own heart if ever there was one.....that's hilarious!!!

 

Dreamingawake: Inspirational

 

Taomeow: That's not a spoon.... at first glance.... it then came to my attention that the hilt was rather elongated in comparison to the blade..... I see what you are showing me, there's a spoon hidden in the hilt isn't there! Possibly even a whole dinner set I'll warrant! Clever!

 

Edit: A further thought has just occurred to me, it occasionally does: 'Is an unused spoon still a spoon?'.

Edited November 16, 2009 by Ninpo-me-this-ninjutsu-me-that

[NeiChuan]

oh god I wish I was a spoon.

[sheng zhen]

I spoon my girlfriend.

[Ninpo-me-this-ninjutsu-me-that]

oh god I wish I was a spoon.

 

The 'Order Of The Spoon' is always open to new members, but I should warn you, it's a path fraught with dangers. Mal used to be a highly talented 'Spoonite knight' of the spoon table until his favorite flavour of soup became unavailable(Oxtail)it was then he began using infernal passes of the fork over his chakras in order to attempt to bring it back again. He passed over to the fork side, and has had to don the Jim Carey mask ever since.

 

He never realizes that even if his favorite flavour soup should come back he will not be able to consume it with a fork. Such delusions are common on the fork side of the plate.

 

 

I spoon my girlfriend.

 

Me too..... if by 'spoon' you mean to respect all kinds of inanimate objects.

 

Just kidding.

[NeiChuan]

The 'Order Of The Spoon' is always open to new members, but I should warn you, it's a path fraught with dangers. Mal used to be a highly talented 'Spoonite knight' of the spoon table until his favorite flavour of soup became unavailable(Oxtail)it was then he began using infernal passes of the fork over his chakras in order to attempt to bring it back again. He passed over to the fork side, and has had to don the Jim Carey mask ever since.

 

He never realizes that even if his favorite flavour soup should come back he will not be able to consume it with a fork. Such delusions are common on the fork side of the plate.

Me too..... if by 'spoon' you mean to respect all kinds of inanimate objects.

 

Just kidding.

 

Please write a book.. Lol

 

The fork side made me LOL.

[Marblehead]

Is their any particular kind of spoon you would recommend or is it the focus of the user that is more important rather than the utensil?

 

All spoons lead to the same destination. And afterall, it's not the spoon that matters but rather how the spoon is used that is of primal consideration. Think about that - if one uses their spoon upside down one will never finish their soup.

 

Peace & Love!

[EagleShen]

I must say, you've all done very well with this spoon thing, especially Eagleshen who gets 10 out of 10 AND a gold star(perhaps a golden spoon would be more fitting).

 

Edit: A further thought has just occurred to me, it occasionally does: 'Is an unused spoon still a spoon?'.

 

(Eagleshen bows in gratitude at having his humble spoonist understanding acknowledged by such a courageous pioneer of the spoonist way)

 

Perhaps we should ask, is the great unmanifest spoon still the unmanifest spoon if it has not divided into the 10,000 cutlery sets?

[rain]

well if Taomeow's way doesn't work we could always

tie you to a chair and play this one 10 000 times

 

 

maybe that would answer your question?

 

[Ninpo-me-this-ninjutsu-me-that]

Please write a book.. Lol

 

 

I am nowhere near qualified to write such a book, I am a mere teaspoon compared to many tablespoons even within this forum....and need I say, this thread.

 

 

All spoons lead to the same destination. And afterall, it's not the spoon that matters but rather how the spoon is used that is of primal consideration. Think about that - if one uses their spoon upside down one will never finish their soup.

 

Peace & Love!

 

My God man! That's gold!

 

I should imagine if there is a hell, it's a room with a huge table and thousands of famished people sat down with a piping hot delicious bowl of soup in front of them, yet either unable or unwilling to use their spoon in the correct fashion....doomed to an eternity of hunger!

 

That's a metaphor for life you've just come up with.... how many of us right know are using our spoons correctly in order to fully benefit from the soup of life?????

 

 

(

Perhaps we should ask, is the great unmanifest spoon still the unmanifest spoon if it has not divided into the 10,000 cutlery sets?

 

I had to sit down when I read that. There is no answer I could give that would be worthy of the question. But, it did set off a cord within me that perhaps resonates to something like this: 'Holographic Spoon Universe Theory'.

 

well if Taomeow's way doesn't work we could always

tie you to a chair and play this one 10 000 times

 

 

maybe that would answer your question?

 

 

10 000 times!!! I played it once and it took me closer to the brink of insanity/enlightenment than I care to get! I'm glad I wasn't born in the era when people broke into song and dance during daily conversation.

 

 

Recently I have been extensively researching spoons online(extensive means about 3 minutes to me)and I have uncovered numerous hidden links to spoons within the English language itself(and possibly other languages too).

 

Take case 1, 'Spoonerisms'...... for example 'cop porn'/'popcorn', these I feel have been made use of as 'occult blinds', to send the seeker the wrong way, how cunning to use a 'spoonerism' to send the spiritual seeker the wrong way when, in fact, the big secret is right there in the word SPOONerism!

 

http://www.fun-with-words.com/spoon_example.html See for yourself! My other favorites were: this is the fun part/this is the pun fart and the classic 'four of hearts'/'whore of farts'(I didn't write 'em).

 

 

Also due to my extensive research I have uncovered......wait for it.......... a global conspiracy of epic proportions designed to relegate the humble spiritual spoon to the depths of the cutlery draw...... thus sidetracking our spiritual development!!! I have conclusive evidence of this which is as follows:

 

Question: When, exactly, did you last hear of any of our spiritual leaders in history mention spoons??? Never right! By a sheer factor of odds at least one must have mentioned a spoon! But no, no trace can be found; coincidence? I think not. All trace of the humble spoon reference has been removed. Deliberately.

 

I have painstakingly reconstructed some of the most famous quotes of our spiritual leaders as they would have been at the time before the 'Spoon Revisionists' got hold of them, they are as follows:

 

 

Muhammad Ali: Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, 'scoop like a spoon'

 

Jesus Christ Almighty!(at the last supper): 'All right, who's the joker that nicked my spoon again!'

 

Lao tzu: A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single 'spoon'

 

Popeye: I am, what I am, 'and what I am is a spoon'

 

 

There are many, many more, but I really need to go to the toilet now. I also feel quite taxed due to my vision this morning of the 'four spoons of the apocalypse'.

 

 

Spoon out.

Edited November 16, 2009 by Ninpo-me-this-ninjutsu-me-that

[C T]

I am nowhere near qualified to write such a book, I am a mere teaspoon compared to many tablespoons even within this forum....and need I say, this thread.

My God man! That's gold!

 

I should imagine if there is a hell, it's a room with a huge table and thousands of famished people sat down with a piping hot delicious bowl of soup in front of them, yet either unable or unwilling to use their spoon in the correct fashion....doomed to an eternity of hunger!

 

That's a metaphor for life you've just come up with.... how many of us right know are using our spoons correctly in order to fully benefit from the soup of life?????

I had to sit down when I read that. There is no answer I could give that would be worthy of the question. But, it did set off a cord within me that perhaps resonates to something like this: 'Holographic Spoon Universe Theory'.

10 000 times!!! I played it once and it took me closer to the brink of insanity/enlightenment than I care to get! I'm glad I wasn't born in the era when people broke into song and dance during daily conversation.

Recently I have been extensively researching spoons online(extensive means about 3 minutes to me)and I have uncovered numerous hidden links to spoons within the English language itself(and possibly other languages too).

 

Take case 1, 'Spoonerisms'...... for example 'cop porn'/'popcorn', these I feel have been made use of as 'occult blinds', to send the seeker the wrong way, how cunning to use a 'spoonerism' to send the spiritual seeker the wrong way when, in fact, the big secret is right there in the word SPOONerism!

 

http://www.fun-with-words.com/spoon_example.html See for yourself! My other favorites were: this is the fun part/this is the pun fart and the classic 'four of hearts'/'whore of farts'(I didn't write 'em).

Also due to my extensive research I have uncovered......wait for it.......... a global conspiracy of epic proportions designed to relegate the humble spiritual spoon to the depths of the cutlery draw...... thus sidetracking our spiritual development!!! I have conclusive evidence of this which is as follows:

 

Question: When, exactly, did you last hear of any of our spiritual leaders in history mention spoons??? Never right! By a sheer factor of odds at least one must have mentioned a spoon! But no, no trace can be found; coincidence? I think not. All trace of the humble spoon reference has been removed. Deliberately.

 

I have painstakingly reconstructed some of the most famous quotes of our spiritual leaders as they would have been at the time before the 'Spoon Revisionists' got hold of them, they are as follows:

Muhammad Ali: Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, 'scoop like a spoon'

 

Jesus Christ Almighty!(at the last supper): 'All right, who's the joker that nicked my spoon again!'

 

Lao tzu: A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single 'spoon'

 

Popeye: I am, what I am, 'and what I am is a spoon'

There are many, many more, but I really need to go to the toilet now. I also feel quite taxed due to my vision this morning of the 'four spoons of the apocalypse'.

Spoon out.

 

Then there is the Scot who waved to his neighbor who was out walking the dog, and hollered, "Are ye oot and aboot with your SPOONiel, me wee mate, good on ye, tis a loovely day indeed..."

 

[Apech]

This talk of spoons is all very well but what you have all clearly failed to realise is that all utensils are empty of real selfhood. A spoon, any spoon, is just part of an endless stream of causation, a cycle if you like, of knife, fork, spoon, knife, fork, spoon ... which while not implying any underlying or fundamental oneness of utensils, and although having the appearance of objects posited in space/time are actually a non-cognizant sub-fractions of the un-arising spontaneous and yet omniscient luminous kitchen. In this way, a true master, having the superior view of the this-thatness-born looks in the drawer sees that far from being full of spoons in fact the cupboard is bare, the drawer is empty! He sees beyond the appearance of the metallic scooping device to the rawness of pure non-ceptualised interdependent yet self-luminous no-spoon.

 

Until you lot realise this superior view or at least throw yourselves at the the feet of one who does, you will continue to reify the spoon. I am not trying to argue - just stating the truth as it is known to truly advanced practitioners. It is not my fault if you fail to listen and waste your time on meaningless and ultimately fruitless spoonery.

[Marblehead]

That is probably true, Apepch7. We may also have lost sight of the fact that all spoons, regardless of size and composition, are dependantly originated even though they were most likely independantly manufactured.

 

And it is true, it is in the emptiness of the spoon that the true essence of the spoon can be found.

 

Peace & Love!