Hello from another Newbie

[kumachan]

Hello, my name's Gene and I found this site while looking for more info on Taoism, particularly Taoist meditation. I'd like to ask whether anyone reading my post has read "Decoding the Dao: Nine Lessons in Daoist Meditation – A Complete and Comprehensive Guide to Daoist Meditation" by Tom Biso?

 

I look forward to learning from and participating in this forum!

 

Best Regards,

 

Gene

 

 

 

[RiverSnake]

Hm....you don't seem like a newbie?

 

My 2 cents, Peace

[kumachan]

Well, I'm certainly a newbie to this forum!

 

As for any experience with Taoism: I read the Feng & English illustrated versions of the "Tao Te Ching" and the "Inner Chapters, Chuang Tsu" some thirty odd years ago when in high school and found them to be over my (at-that-time, stoned) head. Threw coins with the I-Ching, but only as a novelty and I never really understood the Tao behind it or the triagrams. Later on I read "The Tao of Pooh" and figured that I had gained some concept. After that, a co-worker explained to me that the main teaching of the Tao was "To do nothing", even if the boss told him otherwise. That was a fun(ny) experience! I've been practicing sitting meditation, on and off, for some years now, mainly Zen. I've read many books written by many Zen masters and teachers, but never turned my attention back to study of Tao.

 

I am familiar with Tom Bisio as I was introduced to Baguazhang practice by one of his students last year. I've never met Mr. Bisio, nor practiced with him, but am familiar with his martial arts credentials. I have no knowledge of his understanding of Tao and am asking if anyone here might be familiar with his book.

Edited July 7, 2013 by kumachan

[Uroboros]

Welcome! I hope you find what your looking for. Even the things you dont know your looking for!

Peace.

[kumachan]

Thanks, for the welcome, Uroboros!

[RiverSnake]

I am not familiar with many traditional Taoist meditations.....but It is my understanding that Chi Kung is often emphasized in Taoist practice.

 

My 2 cents, Peace

[kumachan]

Thanks OC!

Edited July 9, 2013 by kumachan

[Gypsy]

Hi,

The practice of Zen is to eat, breathe, cook, carry water, and scrub the toilet — to infuse every act of body, speech, and mind — with mindfulness, to illuminate every leaf and pebble, every heap of garbage, every path that leads to our mind's return home.

~ Thich Hanh

Much to read, without identifing as a reader! Enjoy

[footprint]

HAave not read this bok, will keep in mid.

cheers.

[Bubbles]

I am familiar with Tom Bisio as I was introduced to Baguazhang practice by one of his students last year. I've never met Mr. Bisio, nor practiced with him, but am familiar with his martial arts credentials. I have no knowledge of his understanding of Tao and am asking if anyone here might be familiar with his book.

 

Hi kumachan

 

Welcome to TTB.

Tom Bisio is a serious and well known Bagua teacher and Tuina practitioner for sure. Why are you asking about his lastest book?

[BaguaKicksAss]

It is very likely that what is found in that particular book is in a few (but not many) others. Also it is very likely that there are folks here who have been taught the same sort of stuff by their teacher; asking specific questions if you have any would help .

 

Welcome to the we love Bagua, er I mean Taobums forums.

[kumachan]

Thanks for the replies and welcomes!

 

Basically, I really don't know anything about the use of meditation in Taoist practices and read about Mr. Bisio's book on a web forum dedicated to Chinese internal martial arts. There appears to be many Chinese IMA folks over here on TTB, so I thought that I'd ask if anyone had an opinion. On the book, I mean. I'm really new to Baguazhang and I'm trying to remain conscious/aware of what I feel while mud-stepping right now, as single-palm change is currently confusing me. I've read a few posts in the personal practice section since reaching the required five posts, and wonder whether I should even be thinking about this at this point, given that single-palm change is an apparent challenge! Maybe I ought to just keep mud-stepping!

 

Specific questions: I'm not sure how Tao is "shown" or "revealed' through Baguazhang (or Xing Yi, Tai Chi, et al.) practice. Is it a walking meditation? Are there seated meditation techniques used or even helpful in Taoist practice?

 

Thanks again for the responses!

Edited July 9, 2013 by kumachan

[BaguaKicksAss]

Thanks for the replies and welcomes!

 

Basically, I really don't know anything about the use of meditation in Taoist practices and read about Mr. Bisio's book on a web forum dedicated to Chinese internal martial arts. There appears to be many Chinese IMA folks over here on TTB, so I thought that I'd ask if anyone had an opinion. On the book, I mean. I'm really new to Baguazhang and I'm trying to remain conscious/aware of what I feel while mud-stepping right now, as single-palm change is currently confusing me. I've read a few posts in the personal practice section since reaching the required five posts, and wonder whether I should even be thinking about this at this point, given that single-palm change is an apparent challenge! Maybe I ought to just keep mud-stepping!

 

Specific questions: I'm not sure how Tao is "shown" or "revealed' through Baguazhang (or Xing Yi, Tai Chi, et al.) practice. Is it a walking meditation? Are there seated meditation techniques used or even helpful in Taoist practice?

 

Thanks again for the responses!

 

That last question would take a book sized post to explain... oh wait, I think a few people have already written some, whew lol. It has always been recommended to me, even by my most esoteric woo woo (as some call the metaphysical aspects of Bagua) teachers to get the physical down first. Get the alignments right before adding energy, or you can really mess yourself up. Also the physical comes first, then the energetics, Daoism, meditation and so forth come later. I mean in regards to the martial arts movements. Nothing wrong with doing them alongside as a separate practice. I would recommend an in person teacher if you can, especially if you are looking at combining things/going deeper than physical.

 

Yes to both, but saying it like a walking or sitting meditation is only scratching the surface.

 

Mud stepping, which system are you training under?

 

Bisio's book; he has some awesome stuff out there . I don't know about that book in particular, but his Neigong stuff I've heard really good reviews of; he has good information. I would also recommend Park Bok Nam's, Jerry Alan Johnson's, and Bruce Frantzis' material. Btw, for awesome physical aspects of Bagua Andrew Nugent-Head has the most amazing (and free) vids on vimeo. The Yin folks also have really good video material.

[kumachan]

Thanks for the info, BKA! I recently found a copy of Park Bak Nam's "Fundamentals of Pa Kua Chang" and find the chapters on footwork very helpful. As far as which style I'm studying, I started studying last fall with one of Mr. Bisio's students and that lineage is Liang Zhenpu -> Guo Gumin -> Gao Ziying -> Gao Jiwu. I recently started practicing at Frank Allen's school and I believe his lineage is B.P.Chang -> Bruce Frantzis -> Liu Jing Ru (Cheng style). Both schools started me off with mud-stepping.

[BaguaKicksAss]

I'm glad you have found some good teachers . Yes the circle walking is the most important. Btw, we have a few Bagua conversations going on around here from time to time. For your specific question above, I recommend posting it in the regular forum section as you will get much more response. Also if it is an overall question instead of focused on one particular system/book you will likely get a much wider set of responses.

[faust91]

Hello, and welcome to the forums Gene!

[gendao]

Good question!

So, has anyone read Decoding the DAO: Nine Lessons in Daoist Meditation: A Complete and Comprehensive Guide to Daoist Meditation by him yet?

He just seems more IMA-oriented, not as specifically a cultivator..

So, is this book still worth getting, or no? Anyone even met this guy before?

[cheya]

Re: Bisio's book: Decoding the Dao, Nine Lessons...

You can read excerpts from lessons eight and nine at his website:

 

http://www.internalartsinternational.com/free/daoist-meditation-lesson-eight-theory-golden-fluid-the-micro-cosmic-orbit/#Hormones_Jing_and_The_Endocrine_System

 

and

 

http://www.internalartsinternational.com/free/daoist-meditation-lesson-nine-theory-golden-fluid-returning-to-dantian-meditation/