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she said female cats are normally closer to Tao than often warring tom cats.

I don’t really have a belief in qi. I do have a daily physical interaction with it like I have an interaction with my coffee table in my living room. To say I have a belief in qi would be like saying I have a belief in my coffee table. Its physical existence is self evident through my direct experience making whether I have a belief in it irrelevant. .The difference is I work on my connection with qi whereas I take my coffee table for granted and don’t give it much attention. . Because I work on that experience with qi the experience deepens and changes. I don’t have much expectation for specific outcomes but I am pleasantly surprised when i see changes or the experience deepens. Regardless I find it a pleasant challenge to work with. I am told it can take you quite far in connecting with spirit or the divine or whatever you want to call it. Rather than believing in this I think it is healthier to just keep going and to continue to observe what arises and be grateful for the experience.

@steve My condolences to you and your family. Sending you love and best wishes.

Sorry for your loss, steve, stay strong at this difficult time. Best wishes to you and your family.

Sorry for your loss Steve. Hope that over time you find healing. I lost my brother earlier this year and have been learning much about grief. Best wishes and good healing to you.

It comes from wuji (tao-in-stillness) transforming into taiji (tao-in-motion) also going by Xiantian and Houtian. Yang floats upward, yin sinks downward. That's the beginning of heaven and earth. "In the heaven images arise, on earth they take shape," as the Ta Chuan explains it. (Unlike in all hierarchical systems, it's not "heaven first, earth later," it's a mutually dependent and simultaneous process.) And then every step of the way the pattern gets refined/complicated -- up to 64 steps times five times eight and their ten thousand combinations... and that's the outer border of a meaningful pattern. Beyond it lies Hundun, where there's no pattern. Chaos. Plenty of information, no meaning.

Cats are also telepathic, capable of forming strong bonds with (the right) humans, dogs, each other, and sentimental objects -- a domestic cat's emotionality is not unlike ours, and they are strong empaths at that. And judging by some behaviors I've observed in some cats, they are no strangers to abstract thinking. I may have posted this before -- apologies if it's a repeat. This is the monument to Semyon the Traveling Cat installed in the city of Murmansk, Russia, and based on a true story. In 1987, the Sinishin family, returning from a vacation in Moscow, accidentally lost their cat named Semyon who was traveling with them and, as cats do, ran out to explore at some point and got lost in the huge city. Not knowing where to look, the family had to return home without him. Semyon showed up at the doorstep of their home in Murmansk six years later, skinny and tired but successful in his incredible quest. Murmansk is located two thousand kilometers away from Moscow (and a bit over a hundred kilometers away from the Arctic circle.) The story got published in the local newspaper and received a resonance comparable to the story of the Japanese dog Hachiko, who became a symbol of fidelity and also merited a monument. (The dog did the opposite of the traveling cat though -- he sat in one spot for years... but you probably saw the movie with Richard Gere.)

Thank you all very much, my father has been very ill and passed early this morning. I value all of your good wishes and friendship.

Sorry for your loss, steve.

Thread split for well-wishing:

Just make sure it is the right kind of spirit

when thinking stops spirit takes over

Strange list as I still have many of those things .... they are not in the 'were' category ; wood stove, carburetors , hand drill, a wagon, and I still occasionally have a schooner

Waving

Roger Waters

Yes, I've done Stillness Movement. Reading works by Nathan Brine, Damo Mitchell, hearing about Rudi's system - they all sound good.

The second part of the reverse text is a quote from Spell 2 Book of the Dead. O (you who are) Unique [C7], who shines like the moon, the Osiris, Ankh-ef- [C8] en-Khonsu, goes forth from your multitudes, [C9] (O) deliverer of those who are within the sun-light, open for him [C10] the Netherworld, indeed, the Osiris, Ankh-ef-en-Khonsu who goes forth in [C11] day in order to do everything all that pleased him upon earth among the living-ones. In the Book of the Dead this Spell has the heading " Spell for going out into the day and living after death". The real name of the Book of the Dead is the book of 'Going forth by Day and living after death' - and the end of this Spell indicates the goal of 'goes forth by day in order to do everything that pleases him upon earth among the living ones' i.e. resurrection as an akh (a fully equipped spirit that can come and go as it pleases). It starts by addressing the unique or only one who shines like the moon. It doesn't say who this is, it could be Thoth but more likely as it then refers to his 'multitudes' to be Osiris Lord of the Underworld. This would make sense in terms of the desire to be released from the underworld. Those in the sunlight is probably the blessed (justified) dead. Those who pass the weighing of the heart were thought to reside in the Field of Reeds (Elysian Fields) and be constantly bathed in the sun's light. This is a kind of intermediary state of bliss (which is clearly not enough for Ankh-f-n-Khonsu who seeks full liberation). So he asks for the Netherworld (Dwat) to be fully open to him so he can come and go as he pleases. The goal is here framed not as bliss or wisdom or even survival but perfect freedom. He can do anything he chooses and come and go as he pleases.

Yeah, what happens then in your next incarnation? You remember all your skills? No warranty you get physical body again, some people souls can stick to the Yin reality after death for aeons. No warranty you will find right methods of cultivation. Daoist say you must cultivate in this life time

The middle bit says Bedhety great god lord of the sky (= the winged disk.) on the right ( offerings of ) meat and birds ( fowl) on the left ( offerings of) bread and fish.

I may have seen evidence cats can tell what I'm thinking. They communicate through body language, etc. And are very good at reading posture and gestures, etc.

or ... the daobumren are bajaaynga garruugu garrugarrugu gujarri

Well, we cannot put a blanket definition for chi as oxygen. Chi means breathing in Qigong that the west has never tell it like so. It was a poor translation of Chinese masters to snow everyone. They just make that up so that can tell their story. That is why the west got stuck that Chi is energy, nothing but energy, and ignored the rest of the vast definition. We have lots of newcomers saying that they practice Qigong. I believe that they don't even know what Qigong means. I do not have any reason to believe that someone could give me a good definition of Qigong. BTW Qigong(氣功) was only known as "energy work" in the west. Sigh, it was assumed that Chi is energy again; and gong(功) translated as work. However, gong really means the effect or efficacy. I believe in the scientific method to prove things since I had learnt that in high school. Especially, I was an electrical engineer and become more close to modern scientific approach to look at things. I can only deal with whatever people say as beliefs without proof. In another site, I was talking to a biochemist about cell respiration which he knew nothing about and said that is not his field. I was surprised. Since that is related to his field, he doesn't even bother to look it up or curious about it. He was just blindly believes the non-scientific stories about Qigong that is speculating around the world. Sigh!

I experience the metaphysical, have done for 35 years now. I also have had ‘experiences’ that turned out to be hallucinations brought forth by my own mind. I prefer to say I believe in the metaphysical.

She said "."

..... Hey Man .... we built this giant teepee thing

A delightful young lady . I went down to the river beach yesterday . Nice and quiet and very beautiful ... especially after the festival throngs have gone .... had it all to myself ; we finally got good rain, river is up and clear and fresh , new large pebble banks / beaches from the last flood and a bright green shady rain forest surrounds . But someone was there . Oh ! its 'young Janis Joplin ' (as one of the elder indigenous referred to her at the festival - she borrowed a guitar down by the river during the festival and belted out a song ... to the stunned crowd ; a very strong and good voice for such a slight young woman ) . She is my friend's young niece that has moved here ' as a base' for a while . She had an art pad and was sketching a human butterfly or an angel as she was sitting by the river bank under the shade of cedar tree ... ahhh to be young again . We left at the same time , her ; ''Oh ! I forgot ! '' ''What did you forget ? '' '' I came down here to smoke a joint and I forgot to '' Me ; '' Well, there you go then . '' '' What ? That I dont even need a joint to be forgetful ?'' '' No . That the place was so good and you are in such a good space that you didnt need it anyway . '' We went and had an indepth chat as she is very interested in magic, ritual, study, yoga , astrology, astronomy , religion , cultivation, etc . (its in the family tree .. Grandma was a CoMason and Auntie , my friend, is very into that stuff and has being doing some sessions with her) . She drilled me with questions and at the end ; '' How can I find out about this stuff , how do you learn this stuff ? I want to do it .' How do I get where you are ? '' Me; ''' Its easy . Just read , study, practice, incorporate, balance, and work with others and anything associated with it ..... then keep doing that for 50 years .'' God luv 'er .... she wanted to dedicate herself to it on the spot . But, of course , she is running off with a nice young fellow to the next festival in the state south of here ... so after that , but wait ! after that, there is one in the state north of here ... and after that there is this big party coming up ..... Ahhhh .... the 'folly' of youth . She is just like her Auntie ... and I was , at that age .

At the very least its curcurmin is a strong pigment, and many pigments of plant origin tend to reduce inflammation due to their antioxidant properties and ability to interact with inflammatory pathways. Anthocyanins in berries and grapes, carotenoids like lycopene in tomatoes and beta-carotene in carrots, etc.. I don't think it's a magic bullet but apparently it can contribute to the good causes. I usually have a Vietnamese turmeric ointment on hand for mishaps like cuts and scrapes and use it instead of neosporin et al (which prevent infections but also impede and slow down the healing of wounds.) Internally it's supposed to be combined with piperine which potentiates its effectiveness.

Are Cats Nature’s “Perfect Creature”? Cat owners have long suspected their feline friends might just be flawless. Research, it turns out, may agree Are cats nature’s perfect creature? Research into cat evolution, intelligence, and behavior suggests they might be. From DNA studies showing little change in 9,000 years to their unrivaled hunting instincts and mysterious independence, cats appear fine-tuned by nature itself. Discover why scientists, as well as cat owners,believe felines may be the closest thing to perfection in the animal world. But what does “perfect” really mean in biology? Let’s dig into the research. Are cats nature’s perfect creature? The DNA That Barely Changed “Cats have changed remarkably little in nearly 9,000 years.” Unlike dogs, who humans actively shaped for herding, hunting, and guarding, cats essentially domesticated themselves. DNA studies comparing ancient wildcats to modern house cats reveal that felines remain strikingly similar to their wild ancestors. The biggest difference? Coat patterns and colors. That genetic stability suggests cats already had the right tools to thrive in both the wild and alongside humans. In other words, they didn’t need to reinvent themselves — they were already “good enough.” Born Hunters, Built for Efficiency “Every feature of a cat is optimized for predation.” From needle-sharp claws to eyes adapted for low light, cats are precision predators. Their teeth are specialized for slicing meat, their flexible spines allow explosive leaps, and their whiskers act as finely tuned sensors. Scientists note that cats are “highly specialized carnivores,” with very little evolutionary “waste.” Every part of their body serves a purpose, creating a predator that is sleek, efficient, and incredibly effective. Intelligence With a Twist “Cats can be as smart as dogs — they just don’t always care to show it.” Studies of feline cognition reveal cats are capable of solving puzzles, recognizing human cues, and even remembering events for months at a time. The twist? Unlike dogs, they’re less motivated to perform for humans. This independence is part of their evolutionary success. Cats didn’t need human approval to survive; they developed as opportunists, thriving whether or not people were involved. That autonomy is part of what makes them so fascinating to live with. Adaptability Without Compromise “Cats thrive in almost any environment — from ancient deserts to modern apartments.” Cats originated in desert regions, but today they flourish on nearly every continent. Their ability to live in both wild habitats and human homes shows just how versatile they are. While many species rely on humans for survival, cats remain semi-independent. Even feral cats, descended from domestic stock, can survive without direct human care. That balance of closeness and independence makes them unique among companion animals. The Caveats of Perfection “Perfection in one context can be a flaw in another.” Cats’ strict carnivorous diet limits their adaptability if prey becomes scarce. Free-roaming cats are devastating predators in fragile ecosystems. Their independence means they can be misunderstood as aloof or untrainable. In biology, “perfect” doesn’t mean flawless. It means perfectly adapted for a specific role — and cats have mastered theirs. Why Cat Owners Love the Idea Cat owners already know: living with a feline feels like living with a little marvel of design. Their grace, their independence, their ability to be both wild and cuddly — it’s a package that feels complete. The quoted research gives language to what many pet parents sense every day: cats aren’t just companions, they’re evolutionary masterpieces. “Cats are evolution’s reminder that sometimes, nature gets it just right.” My Take: Are Cats the Perfect Creature? If by “perfect” you mean well-adapted for a carnivorous, stealthy, largely independent lifestyle — then yes, cats are among the closer approximations. They are superb at what they do, with minimal evolutionary “waste.” https://catanddogtips.substack.com/p/are-cats-natures-perfect-creature

Love it ! Cosmic massage hippy at markets ; ''Would you like a chakra balance ?'' Me; '' No thank you .'' '' Why not ? '' '' Because I have spent several decades in yogic and magical meditation, practice adjustment and fine tuning of them .. I would not want any random person 'balancing' them for me , even if they could ..... thank you ... have a nice day .''

Stock market contrarians will tell you that by the time ordinary people on the street are saying to invest in X, it´s time to get out. Opinions are like that too: if everybody believes it, it´s probably no longer true.

This is one of the reasons some schools encourage learning from multiple teachers once one has a solid grounding and is familiar with the key points. I think the general call for systematic purity is ironic given that Daoism and Tantric Buddhism are so obviously syncretic systems. Of course, one does not want to be a spiritual dilettante either and I assume that, given limited time and resources, most people will settle into their home system. But even then, one can continue to collect endless teachings. And of course, different means may conflict with one another creating. I've been listening to some videos about the wordless book of heaven--- which is essentially the teachings expressed from heaven to any given person. It is wordless because it cannot be fully captured--- the Dao that can be Dao'ed is not the true Dao and all.

I'm also curious, do you practice a neigong system currently or in the past?

I’m sure he means a lot to loads of people, and have made a real difference to others. In addition to this, he is also voicing his opinion, in this very thread.