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Red definitely makes one look and feel more aggressive. Yang. But I don't think patterns have much affect on an I dividual, beside any personal or cultural attachment one may have towards a pattern (for example, people feel rich wearin an Yves Saint Laurent polo shirt or a Louis Vuitton brown bag)

I also think wearing tee shirts with graphics or phrases is sub par to wearing according to your body - if your shadow looks good chances are you've dressed according to your body. Me personally, I wear loose fitting cotton stuff, usually greys, blacks, navy blues, whites and if I ever wear patterns it's plaid. In terms of emotions, I don't think it affects me on that plane. I think I dress according to a character I want to express, so the emotions of this character (or avatar, or archetype) are derivative from the clothes I've picked to manifest this character.

Is there a [rough] universal diet and sleep-schedule suitable for all humans? Or is it the socioeconomic environment that influences our psychology to eat a certain way?

During the 17th century, Japan ate very scarcely - but they did so happily (or rather, contently) with a philosophy in mind. As far as modern Western food consumption goes, we eat strictly for pleasure and do not think too much about the additives and preservatives present in most foods. If you were to explain the way the Japanese ate during this era, I imagine Western medicinal doctors would disagree strongly, especially at how they suggested only ~5 hours of sleep a night will suffice and anymore is counteractive, keep all food and drink consumption to a minimum (even water) and only eat when your stomach is empty but do not eat at night. But people who followed these rules were have said to reach as old as 130 years old...

Is it the diet? Belief? Science?

Dont know what the college culture is like down under, but here in Ireland, at least where i am, its bordering on the ridiculous. Students moan and groan over fee increases, escalating costs of living, massive reductions in grants, expensive tuitions, etc. yet, a visit to the pubs and clubs any weekend, these places are jam-packed with... thats right, college students, spending their parent's hard-earned money, or worse, student loans, getting throttled.

 

The regrets, post-college, im inclined to conclude, arise from a complete lack of direction, discipline and just basic dont-give-a-damn attitudes while in college. Hence, if you were to be true to yourself to the point of resisting overwhelming needs to hang out or blend in, or maybe having just enough sense not to succumb to group-think and temptation, then going to college for its fundamental purpose, i.e. to excel in a particular field of study, will be a worthwhile endeavour.

The attitude amongst students here in Aus is similar if not identical.

If I went to college, it would be for, as you say, it's fundamental purpose. I would like to work as a lecturer, researcher or writer of some sort in the field if philosophy (main interest) or psychology (only because I think it is a necessary field to be explored at this point in time).

Get in person teachers . Just trust me on this one...

Too many subjects for one teacher!

If I were to pick one, I don't think their are any Taoist teachers is Australia... I mean someone who lives it, not just teaches it

The idea of going to university has been antithesis to cultivating / searching within myself. Often hear people regret going to college so early.

There's this awesome thing, it's called Bagua, start now so you don't have to stumble through it starting at 40. Here's a list of good teachers and ones to avoid and which years you can find them teaching. For magic, your current teacher will try to curse you, get a link object. Oh and here's the email of the one with a legit path you will meet 15 years from now. Aside from that, life is going to rock overall, don't worry about the crappy bits, they will end up being some pretty amazing learning experiences. PS invest in gold, it's going to go up way faster than regular inflation in the next 25 years . Don't invest in US $$, they are going to crash for a bit lol!

Could you shed some light on how you practise Bagua and how it's improved your life?

As a late teenager, I felt the call of the deep universe. But didn't know what that was all about.

What is the call of the deep universe, to you?

I think there is [rightly so] a fascination with Tai Chi and anyone so moved should explore it... but true mastery and understanding is for the long haul... and most will never really get there... but if you can appreciate what it offers you, then try it.

Thanks. I live in a main city, so I think I will take a stab at Tai Chi. I've prepared my time so I can invest in doing it consistently, with hopes of cementing a habit.

Everything happens for a reason and has its way of working out later on, so don't become discouraged by obstacles or failures...to have these things means that your character is being forged, and they will happen regardless of anything. Try your absolute best in every endevor, even if you don't need to, and even if it won't make a difference, and always be planning your next steps...aka, set goals constantly. You can't get what you want if you don't know clearly what that is. Who you are and what you do with yourself is more important than what you can get out of life...the meaning you derive from how you live will last much longer than an expensive car for instance. Don't neglect moderate fitness, and sensible nutrition...looking good gives you a big leg up in this world. Be tenacious and persevere.

One of the other main reasons I decided to post was to get advised on exercise, diet and other enriching activities which would be good to pursue as a young human. I've eaten a vegan diet for nearly two years now. From the book I'm currently reading, Cultivating Ch'i: A Samurai Physician's Teachings on the Way of Health by Kaibara Ekiken, I've concluded that it would be beneficial to see a doctor of Eastern medicine to get advice on ways of improving and refining my diet.

Some of the things I plan on investing time in the next year or 3 are studying Wittgenstein, Nietzsche, Kieekergaard, Diogenes, Heraclitus, Eastern philosophies, Jung, classical art/art history, literature, martial arts on top of regular exercise, learning Chinese and classical piano.

I am not without goals nor do I think I'm overloading myself - everything mentioned are things that I am already interested in, and I expect to add or remove some of those things... Wouldn't want to set myself up for disappointment

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Thank you all for your replies, I've read every one and have taken something from it.

I've been reading this forum for the last 6 or so months, really enjoy the stuff that gets discussed here. I'm turning 20 next month and currently going through exciting changes, and I think it would be beneficial hearing some views from you people.

Grown up in the city (bar the one year I lived in the country) and I currently work long hours at a restaurant. I work a lot of hours, so I'm making quite a lot of cash (more so than my peers that is). Lately, and especially from my current readings, I've been pondering a nomadic life.

Anyway, this is more about what YOU would do as a 20 year old, knowing what you know now.

As a side note, what forms of exercise would you start doing? (Tai Chi, Qi Gong, martial arts)

While talking to a Bhakti-yoga practitioner today, I couldn't help but notice the many similarities between the way these practitioners (Hare Krishna folk) live their life compared to Buddhist and Taoist teachings.

Basically, and unsurprisingly, religion and/or spirituality share many common principles. But how does one hone in on one school of thought? For example, if I choose to become a Bhakti practitioner, I feel like I would be missing out on a whole other world, namely, Buddhism and Taoism.

Anybody here 'migrated' from one religion or spiritual path to another or encountered this question along their own path?

Thank you for your time to read this

I have been reading the Tao Te Ching for the last six months. During this time, I have become interested in The Way.

I'm still new to this sphere of thought, but I want to progress it. I live a fairly normal tightly-knitted Western life, but since beginning the Tao Te Ching I want to adjust my life unto the Tao. I come to this forum in hope of absorbing and learning new things about The Way.

Before Taoism, I was very interested in Vedic literature.

I wish to find Taoist masters and learn from them, giving myself to them. Do Westerners have access to this? I am willing to learn Chinese.

Apologies for my disjointed style of writing, long time listener first time caller with the whole concept of online forum.