TheExaltedRonin

 

While I don't particularly like it, 99% of all forum rules at the internet, include sentences like: "You agree to not post something that is derogatory, inflammatory, insulting, obscene, inappropriate, degrading, annoying, repetitive, or start with the letter Q." This is why the "mod squads" are knocking at your door: We are all here because we've agreed to act "civilized" toward eachother. Sometimes that's hard, especially when we want to convince people, but at least we need to make an honest effort.

I was uncivilized because I challenged the norm thought? Please.

No, not mod squad. Not necessarily anyway. Interpersonal consequences.

I've been this way all my life and haven't faced any "consequences".

ExaltedRonin....

 

If you like to challenge people, people will feel challenged. Just sayin'. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your personal style. If that's how you want to be, that's the way you get to be.

 

Just understand that there will be consequences. Not everyone will want to be challenged the way you want to challenge them. Not everyone will pass your test, or even be interested in taking it.

Consequences? Like what? Mod squad? LOL

But why take the 'irritating people' path? There are so many other paths to walk that would lead toward friendship and sharing rather than alienation and/or dislike. The destination would be the same.

I lead a life of fair isolation. I mean I work, have friends and am married but I have no concern with making friends here. I want to learn and evaluate.

You can't get good results trying to learn from people if you don't challenge them. The results won't be the same.

Ya but see I'm on mobile so none of that is viewable.

And seeing people irritated is a harsh presentation. I like to challenge peoples views until they start to show their true nature. I guess its my own personal test if you will. You can't lose or pass, I just get to understand you better.

I recommend something.

I have always been fought, attacked, degraded and more for following the original texts.

When I was Muslim, when I was zen, when I was a Mahayana Buddhist, and now a taoist.

A lot of people tend to disagree with my now unorthodox view on the texts. I attempt to follow the texts and nothing more. Nothing added to the sect after the original texts etc. I don't do alchemical taoism, mystical, etc. I just follow what the TTC, HHC, and zhuangzhi practice. Simple, no boundaries.

I know nothing. I have said that many times here. Many people seem to misunderstand what I say. Mainly because its a "traditional" view. I admit I need to work on conveying my messages.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the arguments. I enjoy seeing people become irritated and express their true nature. It helps me and the opposer to better understand each other.

After being threatened by the TTB mods and re reading my posts I understand this place a bit better.

Now, my suggestion is simple. Allow mobile and desktop users to select a sect, school, etc. Of taoism or any other branch and post it to their profile.

For example mine would be:

TheExaltedRonin

Traditional Taoist

More would be:

X member

Mahayana Buddhist

Alchemical taoism

X School

Or whatever else they would like to add. This would present a layer of authenticity. I believe the main semantic arguments held between me and many other members is not understanding our background.

Many people have been here for a long time and I personally am not willing to dig past 10000 posts to see what they think and feel.

All of the communication here on my part and my opposer's parts is the heart of misunderstanding.

I do understand what you are saying. I just don't agree with most of it. Are any of us perfect? I surely hope not. But no, you haven't proved your points.

 

And FYI, I never reported you to the Mod Squad. I thought we were having a good on-depth discussion and both of us were staying true to our initial thoughts and understandings.

 

I hope you never fear expressing yourself in any of the threads as long as you comply with the rules of the board (and there aren't that many).

 

And remember, this board is not restricted to only Taoism but open to all belief systems and many other concepts of interest. If you look at posts from our New Age members I wouldn't blame you for saying that that wasn't Taoism. It's not. But discussions of such are very much allowed here.

That's fine if you don't understand. At the mercy of myself I forgot there are "different" sects of philosophy and religion here.

TBH, I didn't even read that text wall you put up. There isn't much else I can explain. I figured it was in clear plain English.

Anyhow, I'll be putting up a new thread in GD suggesting some things.

@marblehead

I will remain silent. I've proven my points and its up to you to accept and understand my positioning. Hopefully you won't neglect to review my posts again and see what I'm properly saying.

a true ronin would never call himself the exalted ronin,

i hope you see the irony in this

Of course I do. I neither feel I am exalted or a ronin.

All these threads are the same haha. Useless is good

Couldn't agree more.

@rara

I'm always irritable!!!

I've really came to understand some things in my own way:

First off we have Ding and Jing Meditation. Ding meaning focus and jing meaning stillness. Many forms of meditation tend to mend the two together (which is cool, don't get me wrong).

I experimented. I made a topic a few days ago asking TTB members how exactly to perform Ding meditation. Everyone generally ruled against it.

Here's what happened:

I examined ding meditation to its most simple foundation. Focus. So, as I was walking I put expletive pressure into focusing all energy into the act of said walking. Mindfulness right? To an extent.

I believe (based off the TTC) that Lao Tzu and Zhuangzhi did not promote the typical sitting meditation for x amount of time.

However ding and jing meditation are reverently mentioned in the doctrines of old.

What happens if we split them up? Results. Using "ding meditation" in everyday activity is like pushing mindfulness to its limits.

Using jing meditation I believe one should not act unless required (yes, I paraphrased lol). Cultivating stillness in other words. So when for example you are waiting for dinner or coffee etc. Instead of pulling out your phone or reading the paper, just sit. Be still. Clear your mind through the physical stillness.

All just my opinion and its effectiveness to me. I do recommend try setting them apart rather than melding them together. See what happens.

Here is a link to my latest blog post:

http://adifferentpath.blog.com/2014/03/21/thoughts-on-thoughts/

 

I have just started absorbing this idea, but I am curious to know if you think I am on the right track or not.

 

I appreciate your feedback!

I would offer some insight but I'm getting a bad gateway error. Either way, I view it as a stepping stone, right or wrong. Whenever you examine yourself youre on the right path.

Dissolving

the mind is instead

a matter of not-doing:

Simply avoid becoming attached

to what you see

and think.

Ch44 HHC

I really like this. Simple and to the point. Maybe it'll help a passerby.

Ah and now here is the blatant attempts to disambiguate our conversations.

Such good times.

@soaringcrane

And yet you keep coming back. I must be of some importance, no?

Also, I enjoy these discussions. Unfortunately I am the target, but I don't see the issues. I simply talk, listen, and reply. No foul play involved.

"So many judgements. So many criticisms at those who are not what you expect them to be.

And then calling this forum hypocritical when it you you who is expressing hpyocracy.

And you keep insisting that we should not call ourselves Taoists while you continually express counter-Taoist thoughts and words.

And in closing you try to insult us by comparing us with people of a totally different belief system.

Now, I'm not saying that you are full of BS or anything like that. But what I will suggest is that you have no idea what Taoism is about."

You say those are criticisms and judgments? Interesting. I call that noticing.

Who have I insulted? Did I say YOU act like a Christian? No.

And please, enlighten me oh great Marblehead of the TTB forums, the exalted premier student of the land filled with vast knowledge and incapable comprehension of the ancient texts how I have said one thing counter to taoist beliefs?

Seems your dodging the most basic practice-acceptance. It seems here that you have failed to practice non duality, judgment, criticisms and more all in one post. What does the TTC say? "Turn your judgments inwards before turning them on someone else".

But what would you know of that? You enjoy preaching to everyone how your knowledgeable and so on and so forth, but yet here you sit, doing multiple things the TTC says not to. How Taoist of you.

Now, let's look at your anger. How misconceived can you be (being a taoist and all) to take my words so literally? You know nothing of me and my practice but yet you pass judgment. What's the word I'm looking for here....hypocritical.

And I am not a taoist? Ah. The classic rebuttal of an argument. " well...well...your not "x"."

Come on now. Let's show our proper age.

Everyone is a taoist my dear. I feel competent and full with my knowledge regarding taoism. Because I do not subjecate myself to modern day teachings of taoism does not mean I am not one.

Review yourself. Take a step back and look at what you have said and where your misguided thoughts have gotten you. Not only have you put me on the "spot" as you said you wouldn't earlier, but you have failed to see my objective.

I will heed my own words as well. I will review everything and see where I stand. But I understand this conversation to the fullest-as to where you do not.

Practice real taoism for a moment-humor me if you will. Analyze, understand, and turn your judgment inwards.

@chidragon

Yet another call I never said.

@marblehead

OC.

I'm not Chuang tzu and neither are you.

You take the time to post your emotions and irritance towards me but can't spare a mere few minutes to point out to my ignorant juvenile mind where I said such things?

Wow. And here I thought you practiced a virtuous lifestyle Marblehead.

Unless, you simply can't find where I said such things.

Maybe some will soon come to realize that I am opening their narrow minds. As I too have a narrow mind and am wandering the detailed mind of the members here on TTB.

I enjoy it. This is a learning experience. But most members here can't say they practice taoism and act like imbeciles.

Or can they? Who am I to say?

I love you too soaringcrane.

I feel so much better. Seeing all the irritable narrow minded people being dealth with a whole Taoist view on their behaviors and this is how they act.

Priceless.

@rara

Who says I expected anything? Keep these comments coming.

@marblehead

Oooh. It seems I've hit a nerve. So taoist. Hahahahahahaha.

Tell me once where I have said we should act like something. Go ahead. Quote me. I'm fairly confident you won't respond.

I'll be waiting. Your anger has blinded you towards me. Let's see how ignorant it will make you become.

*ill practitioners

To be realistic this site followers are very far from the core of taoism. I mean, that shows in this thread alone, not to mention many others.

Look at ways to be virtuous, a superior person, read the TTC and the HHC. Then visit this site.

I'm not saying its a bad thing these people try to be what they aren't and this obviously doesn't apply to everyone.

But you can tell this is a extremely hypocritical forum and I can see why people come and go.

You have god like scholars, hypocrites, liars, I'll practitioners and more and I haven't even met the majority of the user base. I applaud people for trying but honestly don't just call yourself a taoist and then never act like one.

Sounds like Christians. Sheesh.

Peace to those that are trying to improve and don't throw around the word taoist in the same insane vein that Christians do.