shontonga

I've been reading a chapter or two of the Hua Hu Ching in my daily practice and find Walker's translation quite good (is there another translation available?). I find some translations, such as certain versions of the Tao Te Ching to be impenetrable.

 

Anyone want to share a favourite chapter of the Hua Hu Ching?

 

I enjoyed this one this morning:

 

50

"What good is it to spend your life accumulating material things? It isn't in keeping with the Tao. What benefit in conforming your behavior to someone's conventions? It violates your nature and dissipates your energy. Why separate your spiritual life and your practical life? To an integral being, there is no such distinction. Live simply and virtuously, true to your nature, drawing no line between what is spiritual and what is not. Ignore time. Relinquish ideas and concepts. Embrace the Oneness. This is the Integral Way."

Uh huh.

 

Like that. Thanks.

 

This one hit home pretty well these days!

 

Nice to meet you Paul the feeder!

Have fun with the bums!

... they can eat alot???

 

Oh, sorry here it is !

 

"Eighty

 

The world is full of half-enlightened masters. Overly clever, too "sensitive" to live in the real world, they surround themselves with selfish pleasures and bestow their grandiose teachings upon the unwary. Prematurely publicizing themselves, intent upon reaching some spiritual climax, they constantly sacrifice the truth and deviate from the Tao. What they really offer the world is their own confusion. The true master understands that enlightenment is not the end, but the means. Realizing that virtue is her goal, she accepts the long and often arduous cultivation that is necessary to attain it. She doesn't scheme to become a leader, but quietly shoulders whatever responsibilities fall to her. Unattached to her accomplishments, taking credit for nothing at all, she guides the whole world by guiding the individuals who come to her. She shares her divine energy with her students, encouraging them, creating trials to strengthen them, scolding them to awaken them, directing the streams of their lives toward the infinite ocean of the Tao. If you aspire to this sort of mastery, then root yourself in the Tao. Relinquish your negative habits and attitudes. Strengthen your sincerity. Live in the real world, and extend your virtue to it without discrimination in the daily round. Be the truest father or mother, the truest brother or sister, the truest friend, and the truest disciple. Humbly respect and serve your teacher, and dedicate your entire being unwaveringly to self-cultivation. Then you will surely achieve self-mastery and he able to help others in doing the same. "

 

LOL , Yeah ... i have issues

Live in a crazy sorta world

and This one just really hit home!!!

Some goodish, some baddish,

but so, so much halfa_sedness!

Been making me crazy.

So I share it with all of you!

Your so lucky! LOL

 

Hmm?

To long for a bumper sticker you think?

 

 

Stay well,

Shon

oh where do I fall

floating through some hall of sleep

to pillow release

 

To pillow release

That pigeon down makes me sneeze!

Ah AH AHH Choo WOoo!

 

I like the bag of dirt garden idea

appeals to my lazy (no time) side!

 

What would be some cheap ways to make raised gardens

for those of us who are flat broke bums?

... with out tools?

 

Truck tires would work well

but would they be ok for the soil?

 

Thanks!

 

Shon

 

Like this topic.

can't wait for warmer weather!

Will plnt some peas on St. Patricks Day!

Good to turn the garden then

before the last frost ... kills all the nasties.

(No offense to the cut worms!(yuck ))

 

Stay well!

I take your last line

spinning it thru some wild curves

it's back no harm done

 

it's back, no harm done?

Now that we've all come undone!

Must be the brain worms?!?

emptiness contains,

substance bears uncertainty,

reality is.

 

(Hey, My Main Man!

Um? Nice to meet you!

So to show, I take your last line!)

 

Reality is,

A questionable at best,

Break in poetry!

 

(Have fun Man!)

Soap... to wash the mouth

shower gel for all the rest

clean inside and out.

 

 

clean inside and out.

All the knowledge of the world

on emerald slabs glow

Sorry where did my article go?

 

 

 

 

 

Was it written as a many layered sigil on the fine end of an emerald crystal

or was it a huge tablet like you see Moses carrying down from the mountains in the moves???

Hope you can find it .. would like to check it out!

Will let you know if i find it !

KITTYYYYY!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry ... couldn't resist!

I Love your avatar!!!

 

LOL

Hi there,

 

I would like to know if there is/are anyone moderating the Taoist discussion forum. I believe we need that kind of work in there because there are some individuals that are trolling some of the threads and that behaviour should stop.

 

Those people are better off looking for forums in which big egos, high levels of testosterone, ignorance and delusion are prevalent. If you belong to this sort, I will suggest you doing a Google search which will easily lead you to this kind of environment.

 

In addition, I would like to offer my services as a forum moderator.

 

Thanks,

 

DC.

 

This question seems to come up every so often

 

So this isn't directed at you durkhrod chogori

but just in general ...

 

Personally ...

I kinda like the egos here?

Make things interesting.

Might be part of why i've stuck around even, lol?

(there is an ignore button too.)

Pains in the tuckus at times when ones trying to have a real conversation

but they(very) often make me think.

Most folks talk around them.

Just don't get caught in conversations/debates over nonsense.

In the fine lines of some of the "egos" posts are jewls of wisdom

hidden but freely shared.

Also ...

Remember some folks don't get out much.

Some are homebound.

Some are just never listened to and writing on a forum like this might be

the first time they were ever free to speak their mind.

When folks are unused to dealing with other people they often come on a little "strong"

or are over opinionated. Other times that's just perfectly natural for their nature.

It's kinda cool to see how others live their lives.

Why force more control on them.

We've all got enough chains cutting into our flesh.

Seems like when individuals here try and "moderate"

they make themselves judge jury and hangman.

Those folks tend to have pretty heavy egos also.

They fight fire with fire and everything ends up crispy and burnt.

Becomes the typical mob mentality.

 

Sean is the moderator.

The decisions I've witnessed have been just and fair.

Warnings given.

 

Good luck, just take a step back and watch it all,

see it for what it is without getting "trapped" by it all.

Good to practice witnessing.

For all of us.

 

Actually i

Like seeing views that would not come from my own self.

 

Stay well.

 

Shon

all bums need to bathe

that's the nature of the beast

keeping the way clean

 

 

 

keeping the way clean

dispose of trash ethically!

Soap... to wash the mouth ???

 

(AhhhFLASHBackS!!!Yuck!...Lava soap sucks )

a thin place between

where cheese and tomato dwell

there lies the mustard

 

 

There lies the Mustard!!!

EWWWw! Look. You stepped in it !

Squishy between toes?

LOL? What???

 

Thought this was going to be examples of "true Goat Skills"

... like cliff climbing and head butting, tip toe precision jumping...

"iron gut" sorta stuff?!?

 

 

God most likely intended borax to be a humble bug killer but I just can't shake the feeling that Borax may have a multipurpose destiny.

 

If I hold a box of it, it has an instant effect on me. And if I hold the box up to my head I can *really* feel it.

 

I realize that not many households have borax around anymore, but if anyone does if they could give their 20 mule team box a big hug and let me know how it went, Muppetlabs would be most appreciative!!

 

Good for drying hides. All the old taxidermists used it!

Very good. Absorbs moisture. Kinda like salt maybe???

It's a mineral so sure it could?... I like boron ... It's in borax.

will have to check it out and get back to u!

Have fun!

I supose i should also say generally i am into medical chikung, magic, talking to spirits and the like and many other things. I dont want to give the impression of being some all knowing guy, which i am not. I try to stay away from trollers and flamers, mind my own business and make a few friends.

 

Hahaa?

I like rhyming rabbits?

 

Hi!

Nice to meet you,

hope you have a great time here!

 

Shon

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=lose...;q=loose+change

 

 

 

It's still hurts so badly.

and with such things the truth is seldom known.

We know what we get told.

We know what we want to believe.

But the story is written in languages we can not decipher.

Anything from any angle comes down to "spin".

 

Could just shrug ones shoulders and say "great mystery".

 

Wouldn't change or justify the lives lost.

Then or scince.

The bodies who's dust still blows in the winds there.

Yes. They still find bone fragments and wonder.

Or the people who are still sick with all that crazy shit from breathing it all in.

I don't know anyone around me who didn't know someone in that area that day.

Everybody knows where they were and what they wee doing when they heard.

People were fighting to get into the city just as folks were fighting to get out.

my own brother's car had a flat, he wanted to go, I wouldn't let him, had to actually fight him.

An ex-marine ... leave no man behind... no way to justify not going ... they had stopped all trains.

Was freaky that day... am not one to stay put... feel safer moving. Watching.

People just were drifting in shock gathering like tumble weeds in small groups around radios.

Got very scary watching some in the next few weeks. There are always many

hot headed assholes that always have a gun in their cars/trucks

and i have many loved ones in my life who could easily and wrongly have been targeted.

There was much trouble besides what happened in NY.

all the churches left there doors open ... i even wandered into one. Very erie.

If i go into my own memories it's easy to start shaking, the tears come very readily.

We were told that day there was 13 planes hijacked, unaccounted for.

Since that time it seems a depression has been underlaying the country.

Obama being voted in is the first time i've seen people start to come out of it.

Which is odd to me who has No faith in him per se?

but it is nice to see people daring to smile a little more openly.

I also don't think we'll ever know the truth of what happened.

Who could tell us. Who would believe them?

 

That was a lot of lives at once.

Still very fresh.

Famous Sifu Ben Bey From NY is coming down for an all day training on Feb 21, 2009. Pre-Register is $100. Or else $125 at the door. Pre-reg end on Feb 14.

 

Call 602.367.4487 or 602.391.8124 to register

 

This workshop is real world, street fighting, hardcore stuff. Very little form and more application usage. It will be a martial art bootcamp like no other. It will be held in Mesa, AZ.

 

Sifu Bey trained privately with the late Sifu Kenny Gong.

 

Thanks,

 

Here is his video if you are not familiar with him.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfWP_olEOP4

 

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea...friendID=194813

70

 

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5490703132590958731

 

That sounds like Such Fun!

 

Have a good time!

tulips never tell

us any flower secrets -

root, stem, petal, leaf.

 

root, stem, petal, leaf.

Birds and bee's seem to know though?

Natures so confused!

Intense fires throughout south eastern Australia have killed people and wiped out towns over the past couple of days.

If anyone wants to dedicate any prayer of any sort to the alleviation of sufering associated with the fires, that'd be nice.

 

Buddhist, Taoist, Hindu, Christian, any tradition. Well intentioned dedcations are what is most important.

 

yes.

of course.

Thank you for mentioning this, Mat

am sorry hadn't heard about it all?

Why are there fires? Is it from drought ?

will sit with it tonight, thank you.

Hi, my name is Mike and I'm a new member to these forums. I've occasionally prowl the websites looking for topics of interest, but never really found a reason to join until recently. I've done meditation since i was a little kid (due to being in various martial arts), and have had my fair share of knowledge and experiences when dealing with it. I hope that I can learn many new things from all of you guys here at the forums, and exchange perspectives on spiritual practices.

 

Hello!

Nice to meet you Mike!

hope you have fun here!

It's an interesting place,

bunch of Bum's but most of us are good hearted!

Do you practice any martial arts now,

or have a favorite out of the things you've tried?

 

Stay well, enjoy yourself!

Shon

Hello all, I am new here. I've had a few set backs and but looking to open my heart and mind. I have been practicing Taiji here in CA for the last year with a wonderful teacher and group. I have been attending classes in Mandaran for the last three years, a very humbling experience. Nice to be here, have a good day.

 

Hello Dantian!

... been trying to pay attention to you all day

... to three of you???

and now, here, I find you on the computer!!! LOL

Great!

 

Do you practice a certain kind of taiji?

 

It is nice to meet you here

 

Stay well,

Shon

Thank You

 

Ah, Yes, but!

Argentium is less apt to tarnish!!!

(Why they add it(actually germanium) to silver when making sterling.)

an old stone of Neptune when an alchemist plays, an interesting stone of choice.

Might be good to be a tarnish resistant crow!

???

... or a bunch of silver, longer shining, stars maybe ...

Either way,lol

 

I am Shonton Ga.

Hope you enjoy your time here

 

Stay well,

Shon

Every time before i eat, while I eat & Chew, while I digest, & while I defecate. Cause even your "crap" becomes food/nectar for many beings in many realms and is nourishment for them and towards their "enlightenment". So it needs to be blessed and offered and energized.

 

: )

 

This is what is taught in Bon po, Tantra & in Sufism. to keep constant prayer, awareness & Transmutation .

 

Santiago

 

 

Lol, um? Lot of native stuff too

 

American and other indigenousness peoples

 

a key there is There is a humility to that too LOL

 

Shoot, not many talk of that aspect openly you know!

 

 

Peace kids

Cool

But do you think that possibly we, as vibrant energy beings, should take responsibility for doing the actual act of blessing instead of asking the Lord to do it for us?

 

 

Hmm?

Or is the Lord doing it through us so it's the same either way?

 

that might depend on each persons

personal relationship with the Lord (or the "divine"Name of choice)?

 

Some would argue.

Some would laugh.

and some smile and just continue on.

 

Chicken and the egg sorta thing

 

... Both should be blessed and thanked before being eaten!

 

Scrambled ... fried ...

.

 

There is an aspect of taoism where you relax smile and let the crazy world go on around you.

Michael

 

 

Like that.

 

...ummm, uhohhh?

i get kinda "pemesie" ... and stuck in my head ... especially after a hard day at work ... and forget to read the whole thread??? and then the next day i realize i said what i said not the way it was meant to be said ... and end up wishing i hadn't said it ... at least not the way i said it!!! ... i also forget that folks have No idea of where i am coming from sometimes or this crazy life that's been being lived? like Someone said we're all coming from different places and experiences no matter what perceived level folks are at those levels are tainted by each of our own lives ... i'm rambling hmm?

Ok, what i'm saying is ...

 

I like my Ego ... but damn? I'm an Ass (... capitol A)

 

all i can say is

Don't forget the "human-factor" that comes into play

 

Sometimes folks are happy other times bitchy, goofy and playful or confused and weepy ...

We all have good thinking and self destructive moments in life

It's worth watching and listening to each other

or ourselves

Some fun stuff to be learned i think?

 

So don't mind my big Ego ... i (just) named it Sal

 

and enjoy!

 

Stay well,

Shon

Was wondering how many of you bless their food before eating? And I don't equate blessing food as the same thing as the "giving thanks" as it is not. I'm referring to the true energetic cleaning and transmutation of the food before ingesting.

I ask because in the latest "meat thread" this was only brought up by a couple of people.

I think, with the unclean stuff they call food in the grocery stores that this technique should be utilized by everyone. Of course it is very difficult to do without an energetic base practice. Easy to do with proper energetics.

 

 

 

Have gone through tough stuff with this body of mine at times

and that's just one of those things that makes a big difference.

 

Give thanks also but this is more like syncing things up somehow?

With the food and the body.

 

... seem to have to?

 

works well, don't think of weather to do it or not, just part of life.