Mal

PPD do not show up in Google, because they are private.

I like that quite a lot

There is no one method for attaining realization of the Tao. To regard any method as the method is to create a duality, which can only delay your understanding of the subtle truth. The mature person perceives the fruitlessness of rigid, external methodologies; Remembering this, he keeps his attitude unstructured at all times and thus is always free to pursue the Integral Way. He studies the teachings of the masters. He dissolves all concepts of duality. He pours himself out in service to others. He performs his inner cleansing and does not disturb his teacher with unnecessary entanglements, thus preserving the subtle spiritual connection with the teacher's divine energy. Gently eliminating all obstacles to his own understanding, he constantly maintains his unconditional sincerity. His humility, perseverance, and adaptability evoke the response of the universe and fill him with divine light.

 

Walker's HHC 18

http://brianbrownewalker.com/hua-hu-ching/

At that time the prince asked the master again, "Venerable Teacher, if good men and women are motivated to attain correct awareness in order to restore their integral nature, how can they maintain their awareness and subdue the delusive activity of the mind?"

The master replied, "Kind prince, good people who are motivated to attain the correct awareness of a universal being should dissolve all conceptions of duality. With integral awareness of their moral responsibility, they will be able to help all people eliminate the darkness of the dichotomous mind and the delusions stemming from concepts of existence and non-existence so that they can finally attain the essence of integral subtle transcendence. When this has been achieved, the one who renders service to others discovers that, in truth, there is no one being served; he no longer perceives other lives as external to himself, nor does he perceive his own existence as separate and individual. If universal beings still held any concepts of self and others, longevity and brevity, life and death, then they would not be beings of true universal awareness.

"Kind prince, what do you think? Did I attain awareness of the integral nature of the universe through the use of any special esoteric method?"

"No, Venerable Teacher," replied the prince, "As I understand, what you teach us is not something that can be obtained through the practice of any esoteric method, for there is no specific device that can uplift one to the higher realms. Once something is labeled as the ultimate method or device, it has already become a hindrance to one's attainment of integral awareness. Therefore, to an intergral or universal being, any external established means is not the Universal Way."

"You are right, kind prince. There truly is no way for a Universal One to separate his being from the nature of the universe. If I had used any particular way to attain awareness of the integral nature of the universe, then the masters who live in the deep central realm of one great life would not have recognised me as a universal being. They refer to me, however, as a cosmic person who lives in all times and places, and this is what a universal being should be.

"If there is someone who states that a Universal One has attained the correct awareness of the integral nature of the universe by means of any specific way, then he is simply mistaken. There is no relative, specific way in which one can achieve awareness of the integral truth. The integral truth of the universe cannot be distinguished through a dualistic mode of perception. Therefore, a Universal One teaches only the integral way of life. What are labeled as methods of achieving enlightenment and uplifting one to the higher realms, wise prince, do not exist in the integral realm.

"Kind prince, one of integral virtue is selfless and impartial. When my fellow students and I studied with our teacher, no one received special attention or instruction for his own particular benefit. The teacher gave the same instruction to all of us and it was up to each student to absorb, digest and develop the teaching within himself. A student should not attempt to provoke special attention or instruction from his teacher, nor should he attempt to sway the teacher to show a personal preference for him. Some people try very hard to impress a deity in whom they believe in order to invoke special favours or blessings, but this is only a fantasy that demonstrates the persons lack of true spiritual development. Unconditional sincerity is what evokes a response from the subtle realm of universal divine power.

"For a teacher to impart his wisdom to others is purely a realization of his virtue. A student should not try to disturb his teacher with emotional or material entanglements of any kind, because the gross energy of mental, physical or emotional entanglement severs the subtle spiritual connection with the divine energy. If a disciple is excessively emotional or his mind is very rigid, good teachings will be distorted and the teacher's wisdom will not be assimilated. If the teacher must continually work on the student's mental problems, he is prevented from sharing his spiritual treasure with the student. The student should not insist that the teacher solve his problems or do the inner work that is an essential aspect of one's own cultivation. Instead, the student should eliminate all obstacles and make himself an empty vessel to receive the light of One Great Life from his teacher."

 

Ni's HHC 18

http://www.bookdepository.com/Complete-Works-Lao-Tzu-Hua-Ching-Ni/9780937064009

Thanks M I now have Zombie run 5k - which was fun but as I don't want to do a 5k race ... I also got Zombie Run 2

Working (and walking) through the 1st season, did the 1st "mission" twice - once in the 5k on Saturday then again in Zombie Run on Sunday. As I'd done it the day before and knew they wouldn't "catch me" (think I've got that part turned off) I was able to just do a nice slow walk ... ok I still sped up just not a much as the 1st time

It's working, i.e. I went for a walk 2 days in a row, now I want to get in another before the weekend so I can collect more stuff and build my base (as well as hear how the story ends)

Was telling my Mum about it and she said “How old are you?” Apparently not too old to play.

One does not present ones own opinions, but presents the educated theories of the people in the research end of things in academia.

That's cool, but personally I'd rather just ask my teacher if needed and preferably experience it myself, rather than reading the theories (even though I have an undergraduate degree in psychology)

One of the things that happens here is that genuine sharing and helping goes on off board, by pm etc, because that way, the absurdity of internet keyboard jockeys is avoided. One way or another, sharing is done, and probably the private methods that spin off are more fruitful in the long run. Sometimes I think the forum is 'front of house', merely.

Bolds mine I once read that Taoists use to frequent the gathering places of travelers and quitely watch the goings on ... waiting for the student to be ready

the money shelled out to learn xing shen zhuang has already paid for itself a hundredfold

 

although I open and close more than what the form dictates, daily, often.

Recently when I think about improving my spine "xing shen zhuang" appears "coincidentally"

I think I've asked before but can this be learnt from a book/video ?

One thing you might try is sitting a little deeper in your form.

Just a little at a time - this might help stretch you out a bit.

Especially where you sit in horse or single whip.

In the last few months the above have been noticeable helpful _/\_

(while my form is nothing like as deep as it was in '11 comparing with the past is a bad idea... although I like remembering how many painkillers I'm NOT on now vs a few months ago Panadol, Ibuprofen, tramadol, time release tramadol ... not fun times)

But that got me a nice new set of xrays, ct scans, and ultrasounds and I met a cool physiotherapist

P.s pipe smokers don't inhale (it is still very dangerous I.e. mouth/throat cancer) I didn't actually know that till a few years ago and only thanks to the internet as I don't know any other pipe smokers (perhaps due to the dangers mentioned above)

(This probably isn't helpful) have you tried changing to pipe smoking? I've never smoked cigarettes but I've a few different pipe tobaccos that I like to sit down and smoke once a week or so.

I'm very surprised that I don't actually feel like smoking more often, it's just a nice way to sit and do nothing every now and then.

Sounds cool, and would be a good exercise for your storytelling. I've though about using zombie run as it sounds like lots off fun, but I don't have joging as part of my training currently so if I used it they would catch and eat me :-( (I'm guessing you don't make it to the end of the story of you are slow in zombie run)

Monk walk could be like a pilgrimage, journey to the west style. A 30 day 30 min fitness walking program.... our something like that :-)

I feel the structure of (any) discussion forums makes it extremely difficult to use them as databases.

They were just not programmed with searchable as a highest priority. There is so much information on eg kundalini on the web but most of it is not accessed through a discussion forum, rather the sites are designed to present that information.

I sometime wonder if the raw data of the "threads" here could be accessed through a different user interface I.e. like using google with

Site:thetaobums.com to search just ttb

Does anyone have any examples of discussion forums that also have something like a reference/index of topics that is automatically create rather than maintained by people?

TTB is almost like a live discussion and once that discussion is finished it can feel like a waste to see great threads and ideas get "lost" site the page.

But over time as you read those disappearing threads and get to know the people posting in them, you get a very good idea of who knows what. Those active members are the great wealth of ttb, not the dust they have left behind

Every now and then I find these sort of statistics interesting

http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/thetaobums.com

http://digsitesvalue.net/s/thetaobums.com

While Alexa has been around for ages digsitesvalue.net is very new so I'm not sure how accurate it's $value and $ income are.

Do not go about worshipping deities and religious institutions as the source of the subtle truth To do so is to place intermediaries between yourself and the divine, and to make of yourself a beggar who looks outside for a treasure that is hidden inside his own breast. If you want to worship the Tao, first discover it in your own heart. Then your worship will be meaningful.

Walker's HHC 17

http://brianbrownewalker.com/hua-hu-ching/

The master continued. "Kind prince, if good men and women study and embrace this scripture, yet are scorned by others, this is the result of the ignorant actions of their past lives that are bearing bad fruit in this life. Through continuing to study and practice the truth contained in this scripture, however, their energy will be cleansed and they will attain the crystal clear awareness of a universal being.

"Kind prince, after I received my birth from the Subtle Origin, I dedicated myself through many lifetimes to innumerable religions and their deities, believing that they would act as intermediaries between me and the subtle, integral reality of the universe. I did not neglect or overlook a single one of them. Yet if someone in the distant future, in the age of confusion for instance, were to directly embrace the integral truth contained in this scripture, the virtue he would embody and the merit he would attain would be much, much greater than what I attained through my long religious dedication.. This is because he would be aware of his own divine nature through direct contact with it, not through the indirect process of worshiping others who have achieved the integral truth.

"Those who turn to deities as intermediaries between themselves and the subtle truth are like beggars who look outside themselves for the very treasure contained within their own nature. It is only after one discovers one's own divine nature that prayer or worshiping the one universal life can be a true and effective spiritual cultivation of the wholeness of eternal life.

"Kind prince, as I just mentioned, if there are good people in the future who can embrace the truth contained in the scripture and who can study and practice it with great sincerity, the merit and virtue they will attain shall be immeasurable. You see, kind prince, this scripture is the subtle truth of one integral universal life, and the responsive power of the Universal Integral Way neglects no one and can be denied by no one!"

Ni's HHC 17

http://www.bookdepository.com/Complete-Works-Lao-Tzu-Hua-Ching-Ni/9780937064009

I'm on facebook - I like to share inspiring quotes and cat pictures

(p.s. The Tao bums is on facebook too)

Hey H, found an old thread with no real info :-)

http://thetaobums.com/topic/1332-is-tonglen-practice-healthy/page-2

I like old threads http://thetaobums.com/topic/453-osho-rocks/?p=3137 it's a shame Yoda err... "got religion"

and a recent one http://thetaobums.com/topic/16220-benefits-of-cultivating-loving-kindnesscompassion/?p=432811

Generalization - may have a slight depressing quality that some personalities could find challenging (eg. probably me, as I can get depressed sometimes) but can also be used to treat depression. While I practice loving kindness meditation, I haven't done tonglen very often.

Apparently the Dali Lamas practice is Tonglen and it sounds like you are finding it beneficial

Have not seen any reviews yet but the preview looks very good

The most important thing I found is to practice the new movements you just learned, the bits you remember I mean, as soon as you get home, then at least once per day everyday until the next class.

Yes! Even if you practice it totally incorrectly that's actually a good thing. You have learnt something now you can correct it. Over time you will start to see more and more differences and learn how to correct them. Your teacher may like to sequentially run through the moves, giving people a general overview of the flow, and then add corrections for students who can absorb them. It's often easier to teach like this when you have very different levels in the one class than trying to get everyone to the same "level" in a part of the form.

Some people can learn by just following a form class once a week, but that can take a long time Sifu was always happy when we would try to show him what we had been practicing. I was happy when, after quite some time, he started to recognise what I was attempting to do

Find a classmate to practice with?What you are describing is what I have experienced with weekly classes. When I learnt my partner learnt with me so we practiced together during the week (she could remember the moves better than I could)

It's very tricky at the beginning, can't learn everything at once, and it might feel like you are remembering nothing but you may be surprised.

I'd also ask the teacher what he recommends you practice between classes

Interesting, his use of sound made me think of how whistling pots were used to access altered states of consciousness http://www.peruvianwhistles.com/index.html

Animated Earth is a VERY interesting book

I do quite like this bit

"The Universal One reveals this profundity to those who cultivate themselves for the sake of all"

As cultivating for the sake of all helps us weaken attachment to false concepts of duality

Most of the world's religions serve only to strengthen attachments to false concepts such as self and other, life and death, heaven and earth, and so on. Those who become entangled in these false ideas are prevented from perceiving the Integral Oneness. The highest virtue one can exercise is to accept the responsibility of discovering and transmitting the whole truth. Some help others in order to receive blessings and admiration. This is simply meaningless. Some cultivate themselves in part to serve others, in part to serve their own pride. They will understand, at best, half of the truth. But those who improve themselves for the sake of the world--to these, the whole truth of the universe will be revealed. So seek this whole truth, practice it in your daily life, and humbly share it with others. You will enter the realm of the divine.

Walker's HHC 16

http://brianbrownewalker.com/hua-hu-ching/

"Kind prince,suppose there are good men and women who offer as much of themselves as there is sand in the River of Timelessness to help people in the morning, and as much of themselves as there is sand in the River of Timelessness to help people in the afternoon, and then as much of themselves as there is sand in the River of Timelessness to help people in the evening. Suppose, too, that they continue to do this for eon after eon for the purpose of receiving virtuous blessings.

"Now suppose there are people who hear this sacred scripture and joyfully break through all obstacles in order to follow it. The blessings of these people will be even greater yet, for this scripture has boundless power.

"The Universal One reveals the truth contained in this scripture to those who cultivate themselves not for their own sake, nor only half for their sake and half for others. The Universal One reveals this profundity to those who cultivate themselves for the sake of all, for this is the highest level of virtue. If there is someone who accepts this truth and who studies, practices and teaches it widely, then this person will certainly be acknowledged by the universal beings of the divine realm. This person will truly accomplish the great merit of shouldering the responsibility of transmitting the divine revelation.

"Kind prince, many people are pleased and satisfied by the various limited religious doctrines existing in the world today. They all hope to live in the kingdom of Heaven someday and sit sublimely at the side of their personal deity, but by entertaining such hopes and beliefs they only foster concepts of self and others, longevity and brevity, life and death, and so on without end. With such conceptual entanglements they cannot even listen to the truth, much less study, practice and embrace it or explain it to others. In this case, how can they ever uplift themselves to the subtle, central realm to be with the Universal One of One Universal Life?"

Ni's HHC 16

http://www.bookdepository.com/Complete-Works-Lao-Tzu-Hua-Ching-Ni/9780937064009

HE, You will do well, it will probably be stressful the 1st time and things may not go to exactly to plan, but everything gets better with practice including teaching.

2 common traps to watch out for

Don't be negative about yourself (eg I'm not very good. I have not practiced for long)

Don't talk too much (often when you see that "they have no idea what I am taking about" look in a classes eyes the temptation is to talk more, instead I try getting them to do it as best they can, feel for themselves then correct)

I like to have a rough idea for the class with some idea of how long for each component but I never made a really detailed plan as I like to try and get a bit of conversation going and usually end up going somewhere different than planned. I often don't have a great answer to every question but I "enjoy" that and instead explore that question myself and often come back to address that question in following weeks.

I think my Sifu was a great teacher, but the first month new students would usually have a range of expressions from really interested to confused to bored :-) and the numbers drop off as the people realise that the class wasn't exactly what they are looking for. You can't please everyone no matter how good a teacher you are.

P.s. re: trophies :-(

When I want to try something in a game, and I manage to do so, I'm already enjoying that moment.

I do not need some token of achievement telling me "well done"

It's the task itself that should be it's own reward.

None the less token economies have always been popular "motivators" for completing trival, boring or routine tasks

Good point Leon, mobiles have a big user base and the apps are cheap. Looking at the PlayStation store after looking at the Google play store really drives home how much more expensive console games are (plus I'm stuck in the lounge room with the tv)

Sure the ps3 is still better than the mobile, at the moment, but I grew us playing Atari and Commodore 64 games where it was the game not the graphics that mattered.