nantogph Posted December 9, 2014 I do find the ideas beautiful and wise and they soothe me. I am not a strict sexual moralist or even monogamist. I do like the odd drink, no drugs. Very little drink though. I like my footy, and irrevernce and can have a temper, not be too earnest, bit arrogant at times, a lot of westerners like me.Am I to western/arrogant to be a Taoist, do I need to be more saintly, or is it just enough to feel a lot of the teaching wise and profound anf feel them deep. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seeker of Wisdom Posted December 9, 2014 More of a Buddhist myself, but I think your question is relevant to all paths. Don't worry about not being saintly enough. You will change in many ways through practising/living cultivation. Have confidence in your ability to fundamentally change the way you view reality, the way your mind works, the way you behave - and get stuck in! Don't try to live up to an image of 'ideal Taoist'. That's wearing a mask, and you want to take masks off. Instead, try to live according to the results your actions will bring to others and yourself. That's real virtue. Trying to fit an image from rules handed down from on high is just holy conceit. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Sternbach Posted December 9, 2014 (edited) With all these flaws, you want to become a Taoist???!!! NOT A CHANCE!!! I'm just kidding. Taoism is a philosophy or a way of life (even though pretty much an undefinable one, see chapter 1 of the TTC). Any improvements in the ethical sense may be a result thereof, they are not a prerequisite. Edited December 9, 2014 by Michael Sternbach 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChiDragon Posted December 9, 2014 With all these flaws, you want to become a Taoist???!!! NOT A CHANCE!!! I'm just kidding. Taoism is a philosophy or a way of life (even though pretty much an undefinable one, see chapter 1 of the TTC). Any improvements in the ethical sense may be a result thereof, they are not a prerequisite. A Taoist needs to be cultivated, in order, to become one. It will not happen overnight. Of course there are prerequisites which is to get rid of all these flaws. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soaring crane Posted December 9, 2014 Of course you can develop a Daoist view of your world, anybody can. I suggest beginning by observing nature and spending as much time in nature as possible. And try to develop the ability to remain non-judgemental, of yourself, of others and of the natural world. And start a Daoist practice like Qigong (with focus on the philosophical principles behind the practice). Read a few books, but focus mainly on the experiential, keeping the intellectual/academic on the periphery. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted December 9, 2014 If you want to be saintly follow the path of Mother Teresa. If you want to be a Taoist follow the path of the Tao. And follow your own Tzujan (naturalness). 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rara Posted December 9, 2014 I do find the ideas beautiful and wise and they soothe me. I am not a strict sexual moralist or even monogamist. I do like the odd drink, no drugs. Very little drink though. I like my footy, and irrevernce and can have a temper, not be too earnest, bit arrogant at times, a lot of westerners like me.Am I to western/arrogant to be a Taoist, do I need to be more saintly, or is it just enough to feel a lot of the teaching wise and profound anf feel them deep. I've been practicing five years and I still f*** and watch footy. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rara Posted December 9, 2014 Don't try to live up to an image of 'ideal Taoist'. That's wearing a mask, and you want to take masks off. Instead, try to live according to the results your actions will bring to others and yourself. That's real virtue. Trying to fit an image from rules handed down from on high is just holy conceit. Oh, and that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChiDragon Posted December 9, 2014 (edited) Yes, anyone can be a Taoist. Ever since I had translated the following document, I have been practicing these principles to a certain extent. My goal is to be a Wu Wei Taoist.Ref: Taoist CanonEdited: to correct the reference document. Edited December 9, 2014 by ChiDragon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted December 9, 2014 Yes, anyone can be a Taoist. Ever since I had translated the following document, I have been practicing these principles to a certain extent. My goal is to be a Wu Wei Taoist. Ref: Taoist Canon If you are short in stature you can call yourself a wee wee Taoist. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChiDragon Posted December 9, 2014 If you are short in stature you can call yourself a wee wee Taoist. Let's hope we do get some proper guidance and not ended up with that........ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flolfolil Posted December 9, 2014 (edited) ... Edited March 5, 2015 by Flolfolil 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChiDragon Posted December 9, 2014 (edited) rainbowvein....Following your own naturalness is following Tao's way. No...??? Edited December 9, 2014 by ChiDragon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daeluin Posted December 9, 2014 no one is a taoist every one is a taoist we are all what we are we are all changing how we change depends on where we place our sincerity and intention 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thelerner Posted December 9, 2014 Ye-es, you can become a philosophical taoist, though a religious Taoist who follows a Pantheon and belongs to a temple that celebrates the various formal holidays would probably not consider you one. You might have to do a fair amount of travel to find a religious Taoist though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mYTHmAKER Posted December 9, 2014 I do find the ideas beautiful and wise and they soothe me. I am not a strict sexual moralist or even monogamist. I do like the odd drink, no drugs. Very little drink though. I like my footy, and irrevernce and can have a temper, not be too earnest, bit arrogant at times, a lot of westerners like me.Am I to western/arrogant to be a Taoist, do I need to be more saintly, or is it just enough to feel a lot of the teaching wise and profound anf feel them deep. What drink do you consider to be odd? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thelerner Posted December 9, 2014 What drink do you consider to be odd? the first, third and fifth, after that nothing seems odd. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChiDragon Posted December 10, 2014 I'm afraid I don't think I can have this discussion with you. It is really an experiential matter. Based on clear, delineated personal experience. That is fine. I have no problem with that. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walker Posted December 10, 2014 Any old bum can read a Daoist book, feel soothed, and call himself a Daoist if he likes. He could also find a Stephen Hawkings book soothing and call himself a physicist, too. If you want to enter the teachings to any degree of depth and have teachers feel it is worth their time to teach you, you you will invariably have to make major lifestyle changes. If entering the teachings and yielding to deep changes in your lifestyle and worldview does not seem necessary or likely to you, that is great, but why, dear physicist, use a label you do not really understand? 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChiDragon Posted December 10, 2014 Anyone may become a Taoist only, and only, by self-cultivation. Can a physicist do that too....??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wayfarer Posted December 10, 2014 Taoists are the Tao, not-Taoists are the Tao - doesn't look like you have any choice in the matter 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted December 10, 2014 Anyone may become a Taoist only, and only, by self-cultivation. Can a physicist do that too....??? Yes. Of course. Absolutely. Why the fuck not? (Sorry about that last one but I needed to add emphasis.) 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChiDragon Posted December 10, 2014 (edited) Yes. Of course. Absolutely. Why the fuck not? (Sorry about that last one but I needed to add emphasis.) Even though the latter wasn't very Taoist, but I am sure a Taoist would like to appreciate it. This old bum thank you...!!! PS.... Edited to add a smile. Edited December 10, 2014 by ChiDragon 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted December 10, 2014 (edited) This old bum thank you...!!! PS.... Edited to add a smile. Hehehe. I don't normally use smileys - it's more fun letting others try to figure out whether I'm being serious or just BSing. Edited December 10, 2014 by Marblehead 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChiDragon Posted December 10, 2014 (edited) Hehehe. I don't normally use smileys - it's more fun letting others try to figure out whether I'm being serious of just BSing. Well, there was a statement about a real Taoist doesn't smile which is not true. Edited December 10, 2014 by ChiDragon 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
