woodcarver

...by Sun Tzu of course! I don't know how this text is accepted in the community so feel free to delete this topic if it's too despicable. I've always thought it was a text concerning life and death and was about avoiding conflict because it's a waste of resources. It's pretty despicable, though. Right now I'm reading Penguin's John Minford version with all the awesome notes and commentary. Here is an online version without commentary: http://classics.mit.edu/Tzu/artwar.html It has been agreed that the Giles translation is fine for discussion from multiple perspectives. It is still encouraged to combine resources. Links to chapters.... Chapter 1: This page! Chapter 2: http://thedaobums.com/topic/39040-the-art-of-war/page-5#entry640155 Shall I start the conversation by noting the importance of chapter 1 in both AOW and TTC?

In Daoism, something like total obliteration or extremes in general is something to be avoided and almost never done. Americans are not Confucianists and I'm finding it difficult to find the right balance in a place where people don't eat meals at a table. Has anyone else experienced these same feelings?

I actually wanted to clear that up, thank you. I mean America may be a special environment where extremes are more necessary. Let me give you an examples so we can relate... You should be banned.

#LOL Thanks for the link. I'm really trying to be careful with being reactive but the minds of others thing is a real drag. What the fuck is this shit

Sage

What

I try to stay home, too. I may be picking up reactive tendencies from the people around me naturally but I also find myself second guessing my behavior to the point where it no longer benefits me. Looking at the situation ultimately has brought up some questions. I am happy you are feeling your emotions.

Anybody else feel this way? Can it ever be accurate when not concentrating on something right now?

I think its good to listen to everybody.

Yes. Aesop tells a few stories of it backfiring, too. Tao philosophy even more so.

Aww yis

I second "true virtue is not virtuous" aka Buddha nature #notbuddhist

I'm converting to the cult of eurodance

C'mon, Taoists. Let's bring this back... we have the technology.

No quality control these days. I laughed when you said you stopped at the 80s.

Thanks for the artist names. I think the 90s energy is refreshing but also can totally understand not liking it. I had to practice for sure.

I may have to look at your posts on here to catch up on my Cajun music, then.

3rd wave disco. Zydeco is beer music and I'm drinking wine right now My family is from Louisiana but I didn't grow up on Zydeco unfortunately. I did grow up eating the food though.

Trigger warning: get ready for some action

I think the real point is that being in the state of absolute nothing, it doesn't matter if you come back again... and that's better than knowing. Mystery solved

We all go to bed expecting to wake up the next day but when we're asleep we don't exist and all of that is gone. We don't have any anchor to hold on to. I've slept just about every day and it hasn't been so bad. In ultimate reality we close our eyes and open them again only to find all the clocks showing a different time and some of the things in different places.

I've never died before to my knowledge but I imagine it's a lot like sleeping.

Time to live up to my username, at last. You can do sleep paralysis stuff but it leaves you super maladjusted and creates problems. Same with sensory deprivation tanks. This is why they do walking meditation in Zen and still you have to adjust to living naturally after that. All of these situations are not natural for your body. Sleep is only effective when your brain is asleep, anyways. What's wrong with regular sleep?