seththewhite

I want to meet so many of you so very much.

Let's begin a Taoism gathering in Austin, TX!!

(you see, im poor and vehicle-less )

I'm not easily offended...

Try harder

Lol. It's okay Paul.

You seem like you dont want to talk your self into non-existence...

I completely understand

Gold-

Ever since reading this topic, I have been constantly evaluating what "offends" me.

It is such an exhausting task!!

One may have all the resolve necessary for ascension over offense...

but actually becoming offended is like a flash of your memory.

Although I would imagine that that flash of memory is just the result

of a mind-state not well-composed.

This is such a great method for learning about yourself...

"How am I not myself?"

Anyway, I'm going to keep at it.

Thanks for bringing it up man!

to experience them?

 

what are they? people, or tourism opportunities?

Life is a tour that many people miss out on because they are afraid of negative connotations

and the labels associated with them.

We are all beautifully and intricately intertwined compositions of experiences.

Are we people?- Yes

Are we tourism opportunities?- Yes

Can we as individuals be explored by other individuals both internally and externally?- Yes

Notice the affirmative pattern... or rather, the positive side of life.

I used the word experience with intention, and it had no devious implication until you gave it one.

Your response was laced with hostility...

Forgive me, I did not mean to offend.

The title of 'girlfriend' is a tool used for many reasons.

What is your reason for its use?

Would this female not provide the same spiritual and mental satisfaction for you

if you were unable to claim her as your own?

And if she is only able to provide said satisfaction under said circumstance,

does it feel natural to put long-term faith in such a relationship?

You may look towards meditation to pacify, calm, and reorder your frustrated energies,

but you must realize the possibility of that being an avenue for your escape.

You are encountering resistance by attempting to quell your sexual hunger.

The Taoist approach is to flow like water.

Understand that everything is how it should be naturally,

and realize that resistance in flow is simply an obstruction of nature.

"Everything will be alright in the end.

If everything's not alright, it isn't the end."

Personally, I'd encourage you to experience as many of those beautiful girls as possible.

Because, as aforementioned, you only get one ticket for the rollercoaster called Life.

But that's coming from a 23 year-old, single, sexually-active male.

The purpose is to Enjoy, my friend

True, BUT AT THE SAME TIME; Nature intended 'us' to not like the sour taste of vinegar, so that we would not drink it, agreed?

I understand your point, but I wouldn't say that I agree...

I don't think Nature intended things that are perceived as "sour" or "ugly" or "bad" to be left out.

We have found many uses for vinegar, and we've even developed a taste for it.

You couldn't fully appreciate the sweet without the sour...

It seems to me that more emphasis is placed on the sweet aspects of life because

it is eazy for people to enjoy them.

Struggle, pain, and boredom are much harder to understand for the typically particular person.

Wouldn't you agree?

One last thing, who here believes that a true master would see himself as above his student?

To place the title of master on an individual would be to pull him away from the center.

He has now taken the roll of teacher so that he may spill some of his overflown cup into his student's

empty vessel... or rather, to carve the student's block.

A better question would be, who here believes that a 'truth' master would see himself as a master?

Also, it is much better to have ideas than beliefs

Setting aside the fact that I'm actually 23 years old...

 

I have used this handle for close to ten years now. The number 23 pertains to the day after my birthday, which is on March 22nd.

What is the significance of the day after your birthday?

An influential teacher of mine once told our class:

"If you dislike something about someone else,

it's because you've found something unpleasant within yourself."

My challenge to everyone is to search for anything you don't like about this world,

and when you come to your conclusions,

reference this:

Lao-Tzu smiled at tasting the vinegar.

He realized that nature intended it to taste that way, and so he found peace with it.

He summed up this entire topic for me in the 1st chapter of the Tao Te Ching.

"Darkness within darkness.

The gateway to all understanding."

So, instead of trying to erase the feeling of being offended, accept its existence.

 

Is there a reason 23 is in your name glooper?

That number has started affecting me this year... and it just so happens I'm 23.

Can someone tell me simply what Taoism is all about and what I can do to become apart of it?

I don't think we can become part of the Tao.

The word Tao loosely translates to 'the Way.'

I am a Taoist, and I recognize this underlying framework of nature.

Take a look at the link in my signature for Lao Tzu's ideas.

Tao Te Ching Chp. 21

"The Master keeps her mind

always at one with the Tao;

that is what gives her her radiance.

The Tao is ungraspable.

How can her mind be at one with it?

Because she doesn't cling to ideas.

The Tao is dark and unfathomable.

How can it make her radiant?

Because she lets it.

Since before time and space were,

the Tao is.

It is beyond is and is not.

How do I know this is true?

I look inside myself and see."

Tim Ingold -- anthropologist -- documented that stress causes hallucinations as an adaptive strategy:

 

Holy hallucinogen. Thank you for that link!

Could it be that Harmony is the unseen infrastructure of every path ever taken

(major example is Mathematics, visually expressed in fractals)

And to live in harmony, does 1 realize this pre-existence of paths

and perfect whichever example he happens to be on?

...As for the paraplegia...

do the only thing you can do

and try to get some sleep.

It's funny... the next day at work, my friend told me that on his way home that night

he realized that that there was nothing he could disprove in what I was saying,

and that was the source of his frustration...

He felt that he was really just arguing with himself.

He also apologized for the way he acted towards the end.

The reason he could not disprove anything I said

is because One cannot prove or disprove Existence.

It is all-encompassing, and to prove it false is to prove your non-existence.

As for that statement^, I'm sure someone could argue that point...

and actually, I would love to be privy to that conversation.

I, however, have no home in argument.

One man's truth is another man's bullshit... dualism is a cornerstone of the world.

Many people give dualism as a pejorative, but I take it as a compliment.

Through this website, I've found another website on nonduality...

which is new to me and extremely interesting!

As for why my friend brought me to tears:

It was not that his arguments were hitting too close to home...

that would require an existence-shattering, and I pray for that everyday.

Instead, I was saddened because I've struggled with the concept of 'friendship'

my entire life and whether or not it exists.

I went to the coffee house to have a conversation with a friend...

as in, at the very least, two people giving each other the benefit of the doubt

that both parties are competent thinkers who are not speaking to hear themselves speak.

Rather, they have come together to share and attempt to understand each others' ideas.

In his refutation of all of my statements (ex. "Goodbye Adam" - "Badbye"),

he was showing me in a minimalistic and egotistic way that he did not deem my

thoughts worthy of his time. Simply put-

he reduced me to nonsense by insinuating that my thoughts are bullshit.

That brought back all kinds of memories on why I couldn't trust 'friends,'

and it also hurt my ego... which Is something I must work on for me.

Luckily I spoke to a guide, and she told me to wait it out and have faith

Please take this into account:

It takes 2 fools to argue.

Hydro... I advise you to listen to your own instincts.

Only you will know when and if its right for you.

Try not to pay attention to any of these very serious comments

on what could happen to you...

Everyday you wake up, something life-changing can happen.

Dont live your life in fear.

I tripped on LSD my 1st time about 1 month ago.

I had also been nervous about it... but one day, I knew it was time.

It was an amazing time.

The only way I can describe it:

I saw Everything as beautiful artistic contributions to history.

No matter what anyone says, they can't change that feeling for me.

Also, it will help you to have an experienced LSD user with you.

If there are none handy, trust yourself.

You'll always know whats best for You.

Good luck my friend!!

the art of peace and the dhammapada are both very good reads.

I would suggest them to anyone.

Is there a Tao Bums festival that I can attend?

I would Love to meet all of you.

I would also like to have conversations with all of you after eating mushrooms lol.

I walk away and cry for humanity...

Then I get angry at humanity...

Finally, I smile and realize that I am humanity.

I'm not sure why I'd want a bridge Or debating skills...

but how much will they cost me??... Because I'm poor.

Reality is perceived.

Perception is a system of concepts (ex. Logic).

Communication is our means of conveying concepts to reassure reality.

Our system of concepts is consciousness.

Consciousness is our existence.

Existence is real Life.

In conclusion:

Everything is a concept, and Nothing is a concept.

Everything is Nothing...

at the very least, based upon commonality of concept- which is Something.

Something is considered true because others are considered false.

Therefore, true and false arise from each other.

This is Dualism, and That is all we know.

...but what do I know...

(I had a 5 hour philosophy conversation at a coffee shop with a friend of mine last week,

and these are some of the thoughts discussed put into form. I actually left that coffee shop

in tears because my friend was reduced to saying the opposite of whatever I said, because

he claimed that I was nonsensical... which not only left me feeling completely alone, Again,

but it also felt like a complete degradation of my ego... executed by a 'friend.'

Please comment if you have insight. Thanks!!)

Hey, I am a christian fundamentalist, so dont go imposing your dark belief system on me. I already pay $49.99/month for good christian teaching.

Man... I dont even have enough money to wash clothes right now...

You could paypal me $50/mo and I'll give you plenty information to suit your lifestyle

Hello.

I'm 23 year-old Taoist from Lafayette, LA.

I found your website by googling "Im looking for a Taoist master."

I feel very lonely in the Taoist aspect of my life because I don't know many

people who have accepted their Way and can bounce ideas on it back and forth with me.

I also feel that I have fundamentally-profound thoughts, and I'd very much enjoy sharing

them with anyone who would like to do the same with me.

Please feel free contact me, and if you live in or near Austin, let's have coffee sometime.

Lately, the quote "Darkness within darkness, the gateway to all understanding,"

has been a recurring thought on my mind.

My favorite translation of the Tao Te Ching is Stephen Mitchell's.

Thanks to all you bums for giving me a medium to express my thoughts.

I'm sure you'll be reading more from me.

I hope your lives are feeling balanced

-Seth