Taoist Spirit Immortality Books

[Daeluin]

Tao Te Ching: Chapter 67
translated by Timothy Freke (1999)

 

People say that my talk of Tao is all

well and good,
but it doesn't relate to anything!
But this is precisely what makes it so
important.
Tao doesn't 'relate' to anything,
because Tao 'is' everything!

I have three qualities that I treasure
 and hold close:
Love,
simplicity,
and daring not to put myself before others.
From love comes courage.
From simplicity comes generosity.
From daring not to be first, comes
leadership.
People today want to be courageous,
but not because of love.
They want to be generous, but not
 through simplicity.
They want to lead, but not with humility.
This is hopeless.

In conflict it is love that wins.
Love is the strongest protection.
If you have love,
it is as if Heaven itself were keeping you safe.

A good guide doesn't insist.
A good employer doesn't push people around.
A good competitor isn't angry,
and if they win they aren't vindictive.

Natural Goodness doesn't struggle,
it brings out the best in people.
In ancient times this was called
 'Heaven's Way.'

[Rocky Lionmouth]

Practices might allow you more body awareness and experience some chi, and that is useful.

But then again many people dont get anywhere with the practices spiritually, or choose the wrong ones.

What is the foundation except ur own life and life path, finding the right positive direction to go in? And that is different for everyone. it may or may not be doing energy practices, and no matter how much practices you do, you still have to live your life.

People only ever talk about the foundation for something... but foundation for what? For more advanced practices and qigong, for being a kungfu spiritual master like in some exciting tales. All side paths and side achievements. Attractive and flowery experiences are described and appeal to those who really just want them. Probably a waste of time if one is really only looking for tao, but perhaps if that is your "foundation" that is what you must experience first.

If you do a terrible practice, live unnaturally, and have many underlying mental issues, don't blame a lack of grounding energy for "frying" your higher centres. Fix the common sense stuff first. A person living naturally can get all they need without training years to be a warrior.

Who wants to be like a baby and experience formlessness and be emptied out? Why do you need to prepare so hard to even begin going in that direction?

Well, of course not all can find their way through that door and there are many misconceptions and dead ends, as with many other spiritual endeavors. The results and their quality are as much depending on the seekers focus, effort and their place in the grander scheme.

 

Well, foundation for me doesnt mean preparation for more advanced or "the real" stuff, that sounds more like a conmans version of a secret society. I think the foundation is like a users guide for setup and further learning, what an openminded and diligent person can extrapolate from basic training of many classical martial arts is limitless.

It can apply to martial skill but also communication, life-skills, survival, internal skill, spiritual development.

In so many words: creating a framework or toolbox that allows a more organized approach.

 

I personally believe the warrior-thing to be a myth, appropriated for marketing and/or control. Attractive and flowery experiences are to be avoided if one has lofty goals, i agree

 

In my opinion living naturally requires skill, knowledge and the wit to apply them. Going towards formlessness presupposes knowledge of form, i think this is implicit in the classics. Emptyness also, how can you empty if you do not survey what is cluttered and go to work?

 

Most Taoist practices come with loud warning labels, the emphasis on foundation is there for a reason, because those who transmitted it know the perils and do not want us to go in blind or reckless. Its the same with psychotherapy. It will help and be worth it, but it will be a bumpy ride at times and the challenge does not lessen over time.

 

****

End of rant