Marblehead

Wow! Desert Eagle,

You just put me to shame.

Be well!

Hi Scotty,

I've not seen you coming off as arrogant. But I think we all will on occasion because every now and then we think we know something and want to share it. Sharing is good. Talking is good. Listening is good. Understanding is even better. Giving feedback is friendly behavior and this is good. Honestly trying to help someone else is even better.

I personally love feedback from things I have said - it helps me sort through those concepts I still question.

Be well!

maybe we should replace the meaning of these words with "self programming" and "projecting the intention towards a goal"

Hi Steam,

Yes, I agree. Now, I'm not knocking anyone who holds to 'faith' and 'prayer' because that is what they belive in and have been taught throughout their life.

The power of suggestion is stronger than most understand it to be so 'self-programming', I think, could be an excellent alternative to prayer (when it is directed toward self rather than others).

And I also hold to the idea that we each should understand as thoroughly as possible our own capabilities and capacities. If we understand what is within our abilities then we can have 'faith' in our ability and thereby 'project our intention toward a goal'.

But to pray and have faith in some supernatural power hoping for intervention while we sit in our easy chair sucking on a can of beer and watching some useless crap on TV is just asking for a little too much, I think.

Be well!

Personally, I think faith is naive, and comes from insecurity.

 

I don't think it's necessary. Following the Tao works; just like that. At some points I guess faith is important, but the principles of the Tao work, which is why people continue to employ them 4,000 years later!

 

My 2 cents, not trying to offend anyone

Hi DaoChild,

From a personal perspective, I agree with you. But let us be fair and heed to the saying 'different strokes for different folks'.

Yes, insecurity is at the root of many supernatural beliefs. Fear is another of those roots.

And I will agree that once a person gets beyond the concepts of insecurity and fear life become much easier and I will even suggest, more enjoyable.

Be well!

If he is not clean, then offer him a shower?

Hehehe. I was going to mention that but forgot.

Be well!

Hi Awake,

Well, the first thing I would suggest is that you make sure you are seeing reality and not just seeing the man in the image of something you are looking for.

Okay. That's said.

If he is a clean person you could invite him to some place for breakfast or lunch. Most guys become talkative after they have had a bite to eat and are sipping on a cup of coffee.

Just a general conversation would do for starters, not asking many questions but making generalized statements about the weather, traffic on the roads in the area, etc. Find out what he likes to talk about then interlace your curiosity in with what he likes to talk about and see where he goes with it.

There still are some of those homeless people out there who are true nomads, wise, but want no entanglements. He may be one. Or, he may be a figment of your imagination.

Be well! (And be careful.)

The Faces (with Rod Stewart) "Ooh La La"

Hi Stigweard,

Good post. And pretty accurate, I think.

Be well!

Hi Taocultivator

If I start wishing, expecting, etc, I am setting myself up for disappointment and am definitely not cultivating the Tao.

I think it is important that we understand this and remind ourself of it periodically; especially for those who hold to a religion that preaches "prayer" and "faith".

Be well!

If you don't know what it means, then how can you know that you are not enlightened?

 

Just curious.

Hehehe. For an enlightened person it really wouldn't matter, would it?

What would one do? Walk around proclaiming "I am enlightened! I am enlightened!"? I doubt it.

Be well!

 

What shocks me is when people think they aren't enlightened.

Gee! Thanks a lot Josh. I'm still trying to figure out what that word means.

Be well!

You guys are far too heavy for my little pea brain. I think I will just stick with Taoist philosophy.

Be well!

Hi Josh,

Just for the record, I agree with your last post (even though there were a lot of rhetorical questions in there - Hehehe).

Be well!

Hi Li,

I oftentimes think I know a lot of things. Of course, these are nothing more than my understandings, opinions and beliefs. They could all be wrong but they are the only things I have to work with.

Be well!

Hi Findley,

I think you are right; Tao doesn't give a darn one way or the other. (After all, what is, is.)

But, understanding Nature and understanding Tao the little I do has helped me greatly in being able to accept the outcome of my actions (or inactions) and even of those things I had no control over.

Be well!

Hi Jumiem,

Welcome!

Best Wishes to you with your journey!

Be well!

Desire and attachment are states of mind.

 

They bring suffering because of the dependence they entail.

This even applies to the desire to cease desire.

 

The role self plays has to do with the root of desire.

Hi Josh,

I agree with what you said but I will suggest that there are times when we will bear the suffering in order to acquire one of our desires. (It's just too hard to get rid of all our desires.)

Be well!

Hi sai shen long,

Welcome!

May you enjoy your time here.

I would love to go to mainland China but I don't see where the opportunity will ever present itself. Oh well.

Be well!

Hi Enouch,

Agree. Observation is key to learning - without learning there is little wisdom.

I think that if we understand the processes in Nature and apply what we learn from these observations to our daily activities we will be doing ourself a great favor and chances are we will avoid most of our stupid mistakes.

Be well!

Hi Lucky,

Marble, I think what you're saying is much easily said than done, especially when living within society.

Just for the record and to put things into perspective:

I am an old man and I have already done everything I have wanted to do 'for the thrill of it'. I am retired and I have 'enough'. I am divorsed so my world is my world - I need not explain myself to anyone.

And I agree, repression is not good. It brings on anxiety. To place priorities is a better way, I think. (Like, do I need a new car just because my neighbor got one even though the one I currently have is running fine and getting respectable gas milage?)

No, we cannot remove all of our artificial desires, but we can reduce, or lessen the number we have.

Be Well!

Hi Lucky,

Yes, Chuang Tzu speaks often regarding desires. And more often than not he says 'lessen your desires' instead of eliminate your desires.

I think that if we were to try to eliminate all our desires we would be somewhat less than human. And for sure we would not be true to our individual nature.

The point is, I think, is that we should get rid of all the artifical desires society has and is currently placing on us. To be true to our oun nature is key. We will have desires. Most are instinctual, part of being human.

But I agree that we should not over-burden ourselves with our desires. If we carry them around with us all day we will probably forget to live.

Peace & Love!

Well, in the event you need a little moral support, I totally agree with this:

I have nothing against teachers and I myself want to learn from wise masters. But I don't think I need a teacher to tell me I have no value than the dust of the floor I walk on. I can just go strolling in the graveyard for that. And if I had to choose, I'd rather meditate among the tombstones than have some guy tell me that life is impermanent.

Be well!

Hi Obelison,

Welcome!

May you enjoy your time here.

Be Well!

A collection of various artists of Rockabilly music from the 1950's.