Puzzling Question

[ffvii]

If the Tao teaches us to lead a virtuous life without suffering and desire and etc. then if one follows the Tao perfectly and becomes one with nature, how can he have an equal balance of yin and yang in him? like how can he be balanced as far as happiness sadness and anger and calmness. if he is always happy or calm?

[Small Fur]

Transcendence.

 

On the level of awakening, yin and yang are resolved and are no longer separate- self and other/ this and that/ yin and yang; they become and Are the great 'nothing'.

 

And, it is not that there is not emotion or other possible states in the formed being.

It's just that, it doesn't matter anymore to your awakened being. You are no longer attached to the variety of displays in yourself or in others- whether this be physical, material, emotional, or otherwise.

 

The awakened self is free, allowing the diverse states of emotion to be in greater harmony, in a resonance with one another, like in an immense song- the totality of that sound resulting in a 'sound of silence' and thus, that harmony appears exteriorly as an expression of equanimity. But even that equanimity is not itself exactly an emotion, but nor is it the state of realization itself, but rather a type of reflection of what has been realized.

 

This is a really beautiful, simple and thoughtful question. Thank you for asking it.

Blessings on your path. Namaste

Edited August 28, 2011 by Small Fur

[Mal]

If the Tao teaches us to lead a virtuous life without suffering and desire and etc. then if one follows the Tao perfectly and becomes one with nature, how can he have an equal balance of yin and yang in him? like how can he be balanced as far as happiness sadness and anger and calmness. if he is always happy or calm?

 

How does the Tao stay in balance?

 

Is it a static fixed position?

or does it move, varying between one and the other, achieving balance through movement.

[thelerner]

In the dynamic world its not always balance we need, its harmony. As the world tilts this way and that, being balanced (50/50) rolls you over. Harmony acknowledges the changing of the world and adapts.

 

I think suffering and desire happen. Our role is to deal with it skillfully.

 

Is the ideal man always calm and happy? I think a part of him is (us too, but its smaller and easily dwarfed). I don't think trivialities affect him much. But being human the big things do.

[Marblehead]

What a bunch of lovely rsponses! Small Fur, I like your response much.

 

Try to forget balance. Think harmony. Static balance is death - non-being.

 

Edit

 

Oh! Forget suffering too. Hehehe. But yeah, we all experience pain now and then.

Edited August 29, 2011 by Marblehead

[ChiDragon]

How does the Tao stay in balance?

 

Is it a static fixed position?

or does it move, varying between one and the other, achieving balance through movement.

 

Static balance is full of potential energy and ready to be released. In Tai Ji philosophy, when one is standing still, it was like a mountain standing firmly. It was considered to be conserving energy ready to be released. When one moves, one moves as swift as the waves of the ocean.

 

A motto for Tai Ji practitioners:

靜如山，動如海

Still like a mountain, move like an ocean.

[Marblehead]

Static balance is full of potential energy and ready to be released. In Tai Ji philosophy, when one is standing still, it was like a mountain standing firmly. It was considered to be conserving energy ready to be released. When one moves, one moves as swift as the waves of the ocean.

 

A motto for Tai Ji practitioners:

靜如山，動如海

Still like a mountain, move like an ocean.

 

Well, I must say, a valid alternative to my understanding. Worthy of consideration.

[thelerner]

Static balance is full of potential energy and ready to be released. In Tai Ji philosophy, when one is standing still, it was like a mountain standing firmly. It was considered to be conserving energy ready to be released. When one moves, one moves as swift as the waves of the ocean.

 

A motto for Tai Ji practitioners:

靜如山，動如海

Still like a mountain, move like an ocean.

But.. even standing still aren't the most dynamic positions those where the weight is unevenly balanced?

 

At 50/50 isn't speed/motion slowed?

[ChiDragon]

But.. even standing still aren't the most dynamic positions those where the weight is unevenly balanced?

 

At 50/50 isn't speed/motion slowed?

 

You have asked a very critical question regarding to Tai Ji. It has a lot to do with the Yin-Yang concept. In Tai Ji Quan, the weights were not to be distributed evenly; so one leg has more weight than the other. The leg with less weight was considered Yin; and the other leg was Yang. Still means not in motion but just reserving energy to be ready for release at demand; and it was considered to be in the Yin state.

 

Tai Ji was always considered oneself to be in a Yin state or a Yang state during combat mode. e.g. either one was standing still or in motion. In addition, the right hand was doing Fa Jin while the left hand relaxes and vice versa to produce the Yin-Yang effect at all times.

 

However, at static mode, a Tai Ji practitioner always puts oneself in a Yin-Yang state, simultaneously. For example, the body weight was distributed unevenly in the legs(Yin-Yang state) with the hands relaxed(Yin sate).

 

 

Edited to change the words from "not to be distribute unevenly" to "not to be distributed evenly".

Edited August 31, 2011 by ChiDragon

[thelerner]

You have asked a very critical question regarding to Tai Ji. It has a lot to do with the Yin-Yang concept. In Tai Ji Quan, the weights were not to be distribute unevenly; so one leg has more weight than the other. The leg with less weight was considered Yin; and the other leg was Yang. Still means not in motion but just reserving energy to be ready for release at demand; and it was considered to be in the Yin state. Tai Ji was always consider oneself to be in a Yin state or a Yang state and vice versa but not both at the same state simultaneously.

 

Thanks for the explanation. It jibes with my experience in Aikido nicely. The founder of Aikido would use yin and yan in his explanations, but sadly few teachers do these days.

[doc benway]

Thanks for the explanation. It jibes with my experience in Aikido nicely. The founder of Aikido would use yin and yan in his explanations, but sadly few teachers do these days.

I have a friend who has practiced Aikido for many years. He recently expressed interest in practicing Tai Ji Quan because of that lack in the Aikido programs in the states. He's originally from Hawaii where he says the teachers were more concerned with such considerations.

[Z3N]

There is no need to be worried about what is happy and sad. Up and down. Left or right. Yin and yang. The dualiaty only exists in our minds not in the tao. When anger arrives allow it to come. When happines arrives allow it to come. And so on. Allow it to come then go within your awareness without attachment then the balance happens naturally all by it's self. Without effort. The awareness is just the awareness. Much like the Tao is just the tao. Brain matter over complicates things. Allow your mind to be free without the attachment of right and wrong. Up and down. Yin and yang. Just simply awareness. So easy but yet so hard. Good luck!!!

[Jeff]

There is no need to be worried about what is happy and sad. Up and down. Left or right. Yin and yang. The dualiaty only exists in our minds not in the tao. When anger arrives allow it to come. When happines arrives allow it to come. And so on. Allow it to come then go within your awareness without attachment then the balance happens naturally all by it's self. Without effort. The awareness is just the awareness. Much like the Tao is just the tao. Brain matter over complicates things. Allow your mind to be free without the attachment of right and wrong. Up and down. Yin and yang. Just simply awareness. So easy but yet so hard. Good luck!!!

 

As Z3N stated, "When anger arrives allow it to come", but try to watch it. Watch it come and go. Watching will help with freeing from the attachment.

[mYTHmAKER]

Transcendence.

 

On the level of awakening, yin and yang are resolved and are no longer separate- self and other/ this and that/ yin and yang; they become and Are the great 'nothing'.

 

And, it is not that there is not emotion or other possible states in the formed being.

It's just that, it doesn't matter anymore to your awakened being. You are no longer attached to the variety of displays in yourself or in others- whether this be physical, material, emotional, or otherwise.

 

The awakened self is free, allowing the diverse states of emotion to be in greater harmony, in a resonance with one another, like in an immense song- the totality of that sound resulting in a 'sound of silence' and thus, that harmony appears exteriorly as an expression of equanimity. But even that equanimity is not itself exactly an emotion, but nor is it the state of realization itself, but rather a type of reflection of what has been realized.

 

This is a really beautiful, simple and thoughtful question. Thank you for asking it.

Blessings on your path. Namaste

 

:)