BigSkyDiamond

a gripping book to read. be sure to get the revised 2024 edition, because they just keep adding on more and more deaths as they occur. If you have ever been to the Grand Canyon, you will recognize the places named

and if "forced" by the team why allow that? what is the motivation or reward for it? what are they holding over you? what gives "the team" power over you?

= a choice made by you

A. incarnation is never forced. It is always a choice (though not at the "personality" level). and if someone no longer believes in reincarnation, then it is a non-issue. B. if an adult feels they are "forced" into anything then that is something to look at. who or what is forcing you to do that? is it duty, obligation, responsibility, to maintain an image, to gain attention, to prove something, to earn something. and if a person feels forced, and they don't do it......then what happens? "if i don't do __________, then this will happen ____________ " who or what has the adult given their authority over to, and why? those are the questions that arise when hearing an adult say that they are "forced" into doing something. C. and if someone holds beliefs in a system of "karma" or feels bound by soul "contracts" then that belief system may also be something to look at, evaluate, and decide whether it is worth keeping and dragging along and being bound by. At any time you are free to nullify, break, and dissolve any and all old contracts from any lifetime. You are not bound by them. D. a powerful intention to set things in motion is "I release that which no longer serves me." Belief systems may feel great and serve us well.....until they don't anymore. When we recognize they imprison us (rather than freeing us), then it's time to jettison them. Like an old pair of shoes that now binds and pinches, we discard them.

regarding bold above, the Dao is unchanging.

I added first four lines of Chapter 42 and two referenced footnotes, as part of ongoing conversation in the forum for that set of lines.

PDF sent just now

From the proton file, here is first four lines of Chapter 42: 道⽣⼀, The way gives birth to 1 ⼀⽣⼆, 1 gives birth to 2, ⼆⽣三, 2 gives birth to 3, 三⽣萬物. 3 gives birth to everything. and here is footnote from Chapter 42 line 1: 1. See footnote Chapter 40 For more on 1,2,3 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taijitu Specifically 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wuji_(philosophy) and here is footnote from Chapter 40, which is referenced in the Chapter 42 footnote 1. The way (道) is void; total absence; nothing; emptiness (無)… before any thing or concept existed… a pure animalistic state; a totally unconscious, instinctual state, before language. This void is the beginning (元), is One (⼀), is the beginning of our own vital energy, spiritedness, breath, and personality (⽓), is the pinnacle of goodness (元), and is limitless; void’s ultimate (無極) [I can try mailing you the PDF file from the Proton link]

i just donated my hardcover copy (yes the 1968 edition) to the library two days ago. I am seeing copies available on Amazon, both used ($45) and new ($89). I paid $70 for my used copy two years ago.

which is pretty funny considering that i am the one that started this thread (on" form is emptiness, emptiness is form"), invited the discussion, and participated in the conversation myself to a large extent. certainly i appreciate reading all the contributions and discussion and responses. People are sharing generously of their time and knowledge and subject matter expertise, and offering encouragement and recommendations. Thank you everyone for this. However it occurs to me (in observing myself), that if i am spending an inordinate amount of time trading out terms that don't fit for me for whatever reason, and substituting terms that do fit; and trying to"translate" in my head what is being talked about to a framework that i understand. Then that may not be an optimal approach. or a best fit. I will still continue to sit and practice (stillness silence spaciousness). But set aside for now the explanations. This gives me a sense of relief, room to breathe. yes, spaciousness.

Here are two of my favorite comments seen on Dao Bums: "I find that the more I sit in practice, the less I want to read about Buddhism." and "I usually don't understand Buddhists." [Now that i have my own PPD section, i will start collecting these for myself.]

it comes and goes. no biggie. no rhyme or reason or pattern that i have seen. people on this thread in general have noted the overall arc is that over time this decreases and goes away. in my experience bending the bows generates the "strongest" flow. To the point where i have had to limit how often i do it, and for how long, and during what part of the day. It at times has felt like "too much" for me (not from the shaking, just from the "power" that bending the bows generates internally) so i just scaled it back and that has worked. It is still my favorite part of Flying Phoenix Qi Gong

yes i agree. they pay me a lot at work for being systematic.

put a bit of salt in each corner of your room. put a line of salt across the threshold of your door.

if you believe that you can destroy and do harm, then believe also that you can repair and flourish. you can tell whatever it is to be gone. "get thee hence" "be gone, NOW" "be thou dissolved" say this forcefully whenever you feel that sort of stuff around you. you have the authority to send it away. if alone, say it out loud. If with other people, ,then say it silently in your head. this works even if awakened in the middle of the night with night paralysis unable to move and "something" in the room. just shout it silently in your head. in my experience this works wonders. no need to dwell on it, or worry about it, or have fear around it. just send it away forcefully.