Marblehead

I am unfeathered.

I'm not even sure there is a goal let alone defining it as enlightenment. For me, reincarnation is not an aspect of Daoism. But living a good life is.

Would have sounded better if the audience would have shut up.

Hi niko. Welcome. You already have members willing to help. Ain't life great?

Yeah, I know. I like to be an optimist but I remain a realist.

When Confucius was besieged in the area between Ch'en and Ts'ai, he went without cooked food for seven days. The old gentleman Jen went to console him, asking, "Were you close to death?" "Yes." "Do you dislike death?" "Yes." "Let me try to explain the Way to avoid death," said Jen. "In the Eastern Sea there is a bird named the lazybird. It flip-flops along as if it had no power. The lazybird will only fly when there are others to lead it on and will only roost when there are others that press close to its sides. When it goes forward it dares not take the lead; when it retreats it does not take the rear; when it eats it dares not take the first bite, always preferring to take the leftovers. Therefore, their ranks are seldom broken and outsiders rarely can harm them, hence they escape calamity. The straight tree is the first to be felled; The well with sweet water is the first to be exhausted. You seem intent on ornamenting your knowledge to amaze those who are ignorant and on cultivating your person to highlight those who are vile. You are as ostentatious as if you were walking along holding the sun and moon above you. Hence you do not escape calamity. In the past, I heard a man of great accomplishment say, 'Who is self-assertive has no merit; Merit that is complete will collapse; Fame that is complete will decline.' Who can get rid of merit and fame, and return to be with the masses of men? He flows with the Way but does not rest in brilliance; Walks with integrity but does not dwell in fame. He is so plain and ordinary That he may be compared to an imbecile. He erases his traces and renounces his influence, doing nothing for merit or fame. For this reason he does not blame others, nor is he blamed by others. The ultimate man does not seek renown. Why, sir, do you like it so much?" "Excellent!" said Confucius, whereupon he bid adieu to his associates, sent his disciples away, and retired to a great marsh. He dressed in skins and haircloth, and ate acorns and chestnuts. He went among animals without disturbing their herds, went among birds without disturbing their flocks. If even birds and animals were not afraid of him, how much less were men!

Hi Marcus. Welcome. Lots of discussions here speaking to your interests. May some of them be helpful.

Sure. But then, I have been aware of many lives that I just can't imagine to have been good.

Yeah, I still can't accept the concept of primordial good.

Yeah, but they cut down a lot of Oak trees.

I'm a Viktor Orbán and didn't even know who he is.

WoW! Caused me to wonder: Does the speed of light slow down as the batteries in a flashlight grow weak?

Hi Shaggy. Welcome. I'm sure your input will be of value to many.

Intentions are normally established by people who think they have more power over the flow of the universe than we really have. But then, we should make plans for our future just in case we wake up tomorrow. However, they should be realistic.

Wow! Whatever comes to my mind while I type I surely hope it offers positive feelings. The concept of reincarnation, as in Buddhism, is not part of Taoist Philosophy. It may be in Taoist Religion. Philosophical Taoism concentrates on transmutation. That is, from destruction comes new creation. But this is not a personal, individuality change. It is just a natural process of the universe. Your wife's grandmother lived her life within the conditions presented to her. She will pass as do all living things. What she was will return to potential for new creations. Tao does not care what we want for this potential to become. But then, we can hope for the best, whatever that might be. Whatever might happen in the future will depend greatly on how we interact with our reality. It is perfectly valid to remember the grandmother in any future offspring you and your wife might have, whether male or female.

Don't feel too badly about that. I dropped out a couple days ago.

You know, I love the Zoroastrian concept of the creation of (wo)man and that we are born with free will. Of course, along with that free will we are charged with the responsibility for all our thoughts, words and deeds. It doesn't say anything about being responsible for any future effects other than the ones we have caused.

Hi Remake. Welcome. I'm sure you will get more advice. Consider all but be judgmental. As always, buyer beware.

Sounds good. And yes, the solar system would be better for use in your quiet place. No noise at all.

There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.

To hold it upright and fill it is not so good as stopping in time; when you pound it out and give it a point it won’t be preserved very long.

"We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office." - Aesop