Clear'Waters

Don't worry, I scanned it for viruses. "The teachings and practices of early quanzhen taoist masters" https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/c8f9b28a-97a8-423b-aca7-225cd821d0b0

Too much water will kill you, but without enough water you die. Too much sun can kill you, but without the sun life on earth wouldn't exist. Too much medicine creates more ailments, but not enough treatments would leave the problem unsolved. (I wanted to start a thread with this type of format continuing)

Many times when we strive for celibacy, we encounter temptation and other obstacles that hinders us. In my case, I have went through periods of depression where I thought things weren't going to change, especially since we live in a sexually oriented society, and you can't turn a corner or bat an eye without seeing some form of this. Many times I asked myself why? I considered it karma from the past.... When one desires, the desire is completely formulated and inseparable from ones emotion and opinion. If you aren't in a good mood, certain comedy will not make you laugh. As well visa-versa, when someone is happy, certain unfortunate things will not bring them down. Desire and emotion all are both dependent. If a situation happens, these two things are easy changed without much thought. One can consider these two as a thought themselves. Without intention, they are simply motionless in a sense. But the moment one acts out out of these desires and emotions, they gain meaning in a more physical aspect. To 'combat' these things, you must pay attention to the root. Asking yourself meta-cognitive questions like: What significance does this thought have? What does it mean to me? Do I consider this negative or positive? If negative, why would I think about it in the first place? If positive, how would this affect my life? Positively or negatively? How is my heart rate affected? What about my breathing? If it is emotion your feeling, does it sprout desire? If it is desire, does it sprout emotion? Are they positive or negative? Where does this thought root from? Does it come from incidences in the past? Where in the past? Who was I compared to who I am now? If I was different, why does it still affect me now? etc.. etc.. If emotion does arise from thinking these things, don't consider it. What i mean it to allow it to go. Don't consider it's coming. Let it be distant from you if you want it to be. Lastly, when you do let go, ensure that you let go of letting go. This is a good technique because once you let go and there is nothing left, but yet you are still trying to let go, this intention will create something more. That is why many times abstinence can be disrupted. When one is too concerned on the cause, it concerns the mind, and makes it a bigger situation. Thinking about it, before I intentionally went abstinent, I could have just wen abstinent... if that makes sense. Please comment on what you think. Add more meta-cognitive questions, give advice, etc... Thank you to all those who have read this, and good luck! :-)

Look up Yi and Nian.. I think this would help clarify...

What is the relationship between the Buddhist meaning of emptiness and the Daoist meaning? Are they inherently the same? Do both of the teachings have a concept of the dao?

I have recently become intrested in Tai Chi... I wanted to know where to start... Any suggestions? I heard yang style is good. Im trying to supplement my practice i am already doing...

Houston

Sorry, I had to re-read this.. I would also like to thank you for posting it

When practice and normal domestic life clashes, what is one suppose to do? I have been trying to evade this situation, but it seems like it countinues to be unresolved as a result. Any advice?

Thank you.. I guess it is like my inhaling/ exhaling in 'practice'.. The more I consider it boundries between them, the more rough and seperated they are

Yeah i can agree with that aspect

Do you set an alarm, or what?

Yeah, maybe its because im making a distinction between the two

That makes sense, thank you

Thank you

Its ok.. I understand. I was only giving a minor method that works for me when I am in public.. I see your point of view though...

In many daoist texts, they refer to the 'shen' as mind or spirit, which in turn is followed by qi. So really, if ones qi is turbid one should first calm the mind and the qi will follow its calmness.

I have read a lot of text from Taoist to Buddhist explaining how ones achievements cannot be fully 'achieved' unless one has merits... What is your interpretation? What of virtue?

immaculate

I'm not too expert-y on meditation, just beginning not to long ago myself but i know that when my mind is clouded in mediation, i automatically follow the thoughts subconsciously and such things only allow more thoughts to accumulate. Instead i try to acknowledge the thought, that it is there, but instead of necessarily thinking of it, i let it flow. Also focusing too much on letting go is a distraction, after a while, maybe hours, days, weeks, months, etc.. i guess its different for everybody, there will be a desire for clarity. Follow this naturally without obstruction... I hope this helps...

I can agree with you to a certain extent. i understand your point of view behind this statement. You wouldn't buy a knife for someone who claims they need defense if they are already holding a gun.

I agree. It is like the Midas touch, where King Midas gains the ability to turn things into gold, and ends up turning everything into gold and being able to enjoy his 'riches'. Without a sensor or what is considered morally right or wrong, power will inevitably corrupt.

I have heard this in a book. It talks about the level of virtue i guess. It says how if a practitioner moves to a mountain to cultivate, it would generally take them longer to reach a higher state of immortality (not saying that they wont reach heavenly immortality themselves). Also it says how a person who sacrifices (im guessing with true instantaneous compassion) or heals/helps people would transcend into the greater ranks.

I completely agree with your interpretation. Maybe lots of time me misinterpret the true essence of things from general backwardness. Maybe because we make it what we want it to be, than what it is intended to be?

Do you consider following the Dao is like living in the present tense? What i mean is although we can perceive our lives as a cycle and it might be as well, that we understand the concept of the present is like water. Regardless of obstruction that we individually experience in life, the present keeps on flowing, and in such manner the beginning and end as well would be like water?