wudangspirit
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Posts posted by wudangspirit
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Laozi statues can be found all over China. If you know someone who is going tell them to look for one while they are there. I'm sure they sell them at places like Luoguantai Temple or any other temple dedicated to Laozi.
I know this is a vague answer but just trying to offer up a liitle help.
Can anyone suggest a website where I can pourchase a statue of Lao Tzu for a table/desk?
Thanks,
Tom
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I know that most monastic Taoists are vegetarian but as previous replies have stated will partake in meat outside the temple if they are offered it as a guest. It's polite. I just got back from my temple at Wudang and the monastics are vegetarian. I would say vegan.
Is there such a thing as a Taoist Diet? The research I have done, seems to points to some kind of diet. A vegetarian diet perhaps?
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I think the big challenge would be language on the surface. The other challenge I see is the traditional teaching side of things. We may not be used to "not being giving credit", not being spoiled basically. I think as Westerners we are so used to being coddled by our teachers that when we meet as teacher such as this we meet a challenge thinking that this person may be brutal or even rude.
Not the case. Basically a cultural challenge.
Heya folks,
I am just finishing off the last section of my academic paper for the upcoming 1st International Summit on Laozi and Daoist Culture, November 5-7, Beijing, China. I am working through a section that would list some of the challenges involved in bring Western students into contact with authentic Daoist teachers and I need your input.
What would these challenges be and how could the be appropriately handled?
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Why do you have to pick a group? Your Tao (way) is your Tao! All of the naming and categorizing cannot define and explain who WE are as spirit or person. Only YOU can know who you are and once you love that person nothing else matters because that love will show and shine on the outside too. That is why the saying "the eyes are the windows of the spirit."
Give up the need to define yourself and just be yourself. This is primal virtue.
Tao Bless
I've come into a crisis. This wasn't even a crisis till I tried labeling things, however at times, I guess things do need a label.
I believe in a higher power, but I do not believe in a God of personification, I believe in a God that is everywhere, that is in the smile of others and in the curve of the horizon, a God that is in the water and trees. He may posess a physical form, but that form is beyond my realm of comprehension.
I believe that Jesus Christ was an amazing enlightened being, but I am not sure about him being a saviour, honestly, after 12 years of Christian schools I'm not really sure I get why he is our saviour, I mean, we are all "God's children".. right?
I am also unsure of a christian afterlife, I don't believe that a loving creator would let someone burn in hell for eternity because they are a bad person.
Average life span-100 years (i'm an optimist).
Time maybe spent in hell- ETERNITY
Doing the math wouldn't that make God an ass?
I know this isn't a Christian forum, but I just have been really into Eastern thought, and I give talks to a youth group and help with a local Christian church, and lately I feel out of place.. Though I think my talks on stillness and breaking concepts of what God could be are very helpful, I just don't think I am..well a Christian.
But what does that even mean? I think Jesus was a great guy.. I think he was a Buddha.. I just don't think I owe anything to a creator, and I get a lot of that vibe in Christianity.. I think we are our own Saviours in a sense.
But then there are these glimpses of simplicity and inner peace in Christianity that I do love.. The whole Gospel of Thomas, a gnostic gospel, speaks of inner peace and the kingdom of God being in each of us, and hell being in each of us too if we do not find the perfection in the Now.
I guess I am just stuck at
1) picking a group to associate myself with..
2) Being angry at myself for wanting to label my belief system.
Some of you had to have started out as Christians..
How do you do this? Do you still associate with Christianity and Taoism/Buddhism?
Do you go down both paths?
How did you conquer this, or approach this?
Thanks.
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I know that in my training my Master preferred the Jane English/ Gia Gu Feng translation. My wife is a professional translator from China and she said it was good. However, they both also said that although it's close there still isn't a perfect translation out there.
I'll go with close any day.
I personally like the one translated by Laozi. hahahaha just kidding.
The Best Tao Te Ching Translation? Links/Books?
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I do fasts once in a while to cleanse and to clean the spirit as well. It's all connected.
I just got back from my temple in Wudang where I met a lady who practiced bigu (long fast on nothing but water), for many, many years.
The first days are rough but you get through it. I don't recommend it however if you need to fully function in a work setting or do a lot of exercise. I think that kind of fast is best done while in seclusion. Trust me I've put it to the test.
However, the juice fast is good for cleansing and add some good herbs that will build your qi,
Tao Bless,
Wudangspirit
I am looking to go on a three day fast sometime soon. I'm wondering if anyone on this forum has much experience with fasting who can give me some advice. My reason for fasting is not spiritual; I simply want to flush out some of the extra toxins I've built up over the years.
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Well non-fortified all natural, non-distilled alcohol may kill you anyway. There is a reason for the process so it's drinkable. Don't know much about it though.
Actually moderation is best. If you want a drink have a drink but don't make it a habit. You're not living in a temple where you're performing purity rites everyday.
However, some levels of alcohol are healthy for digestion and metabolism. That being said. If you don't want to drink, don't drink. Whatever is your preheaven nature.
We had a story of the drunken immortal. Just had an affinity with alcohol. It is what it is.
Right now, i'm 19yrs old, I don't drink alcohol. I'm not sure if even the smallest amount would negatively impact the neural and neuro-muscular connections I'm developing in yichuan/taiji. I think Lao Tzu's nondual teachings would simply allow alcohol to be as it is, and is probably indifferent to drinking it. By the way, I am referring to natural alcohols... non-fortified, non-distilled, and non-genetically modified yeasts. What do you believe?
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Sorry for my dealy on this strand. I've been out of town.
We have a simple way of doing this through a number system. However, we do use the names like Chong Mai (Belt Channel) Governing and Conception Vessels (Du and Ren) etc.
The use of these is moving the energy through the right channels with the right movements. Such as Du and Ren (we will say 1 and 2) during the opening of Taiji. Also moving energy through Chong Mai during "Part the Wild horses mane". However it gets complicated when you have to utilize these simultaneously obviously as more than one channel is being activated during a posture. For instance utilizing Du and Ren (and the Yin and Yang Channels of the leg. This one is common because of the up and down motions.
Can you describe the usage of the 8 extraordinary channels? Sometimes I learn that what my teacher is teaching has a name to it.....
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In my sect at Wudang most of the priests are women (priestesses). They actually run all the ceremonies and daily temple administration at Purple Cloud temple. My grandmaster was also a lady held in high regard by those at Wudang.
So by this I guess women are total equals. I don't know in other sects.
Hi,
I would like to know how taoism views women, whether it is egalitarian or not, what role taoists think women should play and what rights women have in this tradition...
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I bought mine a while back as they are in physical publication. This series is sold as one. Very good to I may add. I would google him or look on ebay. For some reason when I looked it up I can no longer find it. I think I bought them at borders years back. I'll try and find them for you.
Link?
ralis
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Hope no one takes this personally I honestly want to know if it is a common practice among Taiji practitioners. In Qigong I can see it more commonly used especially in Medical Qigong. The applications are apparent in Traditional Chinese medical settings.
Thanks for the reply
I do not dance or taiji the 8 extraordinary, but train them in our medical qigong system after first having trained the 12 ordinary specifically.
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Louis Komjathy has a translation of this in his group of Taoist books for daily practice. Good translation.
Are there any translations?
ralis
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Sorry everyone. I don't know how it happened but my post was posted twice.
I actually closed the window when I posted because my server locked up so I'm actually surprised it was posted at all.
Can someone help me delete one of them?
Thanks,
Wudangspirit
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Just wondering if there are any Taiji practioners out there who utilize the 8 Extraordinary Channels during Taiji.
It has come to my attention lately that when I get with many people of different Taiji schools or practioners to discuss our practice, they never heard of it or didn't know how to utilize it in Taiji. A few people have heard of it but they said that their teacher doesn't teach it.
I found it odd because I was taught that this was a key element in practicing Taiji and doing it without utlizing the channels would be like dancing or peforming. Of course you have to learn to walk before you run so I realize that at the beginning levels we are not taught that. I wasn't either at the beginning.
I'm curious to know if this is a common practice or not.
Any comments? Feedback?
- Wudangspirit
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Just wondering if there are any Taiji practioners out there who utilize the 8 Extraordinary Channels during Taiji.
It has come to my attention lately that when I get with many people of different Taiji schools or practioners to discuss our practice, they never heard of it or didn't know how to utilize it in Taiji. A few people have heard of it but they said that their teacher doesn't teach it.
I found it odd because I was taught that this was a key element in practicing Taiji and doing it without utlizing the channels would be like dancing or peforming. Of course you have to learn to walk before you run so I realize that at the beginning levels we are not taught that. I wasn't either at the beginning.
I'm curious to know if this is a common practice or not.
Any comments? Feedback?
- Wudangspirit
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Lin,
I'd have to agree with you on the virtue and moral part of a majority of practicing longevity arts and calling it Taoism. However, for those truly practicing Taoism can't help but to try and practice virtue. It is one of the main core practices of Taoism and we learn this from day one.
The Tao Te Ching is written on Tao and Virtue. Thanks for bringing this up for a much needed attention grabber.
Amituofu and Tao Bless
Buddhism's Jing Qi Shen is simple:
Precepts, Samadhi and Wisdom.
Precepts cultivate the Jing, store the yuan qi from wasting( wasting through day-dreaming,false thinking basically sexual indulgence to extremes, and controlling desires through understanding their origin.).
Samadhi transforms such jing to Qi, through concentration and cultivation of the mind and body; By the not wasting of one's essence, they will hav the strength and will to uphold the states through concentration. This will naturally transform one's mind: Jing, Qi.
Wisdom is the outcome of purifying the heart and mind through seeing that all desires, emotions and views are actually false (it would be seen as an outcome of attaining true wisdom), thus leading to a vibrant body, resulting in a long life, as well as attaining true spiritual wisdom, unaltered wisdom.
Peace and Blessings,
Lin
P.S.- Daoism, seen as different doesn't make you more Immortal, or having more abilities. In views of separation, ego arises, views of ego, a self, living beings, and a life span...thus leading to arrogance, anger, greed and ignorance.
Buddhism cultivates the Buddha in the Heart, which results in attaining Buddhahood, which is complete in wisdom, and spiritual abilities. And is definetly not what most people ASSUME it is.
Daoism cultivates the Dan Tian; to attain immortality and eventually attain enlightenment. The problem is, there is less focus on virtue and moral practice in "Modern" Daoism, and more focus on spiritual abilities and longevity, which doesn't lead one to enlightenment right away../actually it slows one down.
The fact is, if the mind is pure, everything is pure. Attaching to views only caises more afflictions. THat is not true cultivation of the Way.
All of the Qigong and Neigong and Spiritual abilities will do no good if one still has ignorance as their friend, greed as the father and anger as the mother. One will only remain ignorant, and stuck in their own conditions.
Basically, upholding the view of differences only causes more arguing in the long run, views of arrogance, and self, ego. Its not worth it. It doesn't make one a better cultivator.
Instead, look at the similarities, and how they actually speak very similar teachings to an extent. This way, more people will want to learn about them, and begin a proper foundation of Educational Cultivation.
If all people see is bickering about which is better, then they will only remain confused, and become arrogant fools.
If one can not tell, through wisdom mind, the differences of expedients as expedients, then they should not comment frivolously about expedients. It only creates more karma of the mouth and mind... not fun.
As such, living beings will only understand as much as they have the capacity for.
Peace,
Lin
*** I had added one word to the 3rd paragraph after the "P.S." I put it in quotations: "Modern"
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en garde
Point taken and i'll make my point more clearly next time. I will however start posting most Taoist topics when I get a chance. However, I think in my starting this thread I already proved on of the Taoist concepts...
One becomes two...two becomes ....three and three becomes 10,000...... hahahahahahahah!!!! Put out a discussion and get 10,000 directions and more concepts.....
Gotta love it
Tao Bless all of us!
OK, granted you werent whining per se.
But the fact you are stating is a commentary on too much buddhism, not enough Taoism.
My reply was, bring on the Tao yourself rather than talk about the oppressive presence of Buddhism.
Personally it's all conversation to be joined or ignored.
My joining here was probably less constructive and more noise about the too much Buddhism.
ha ha - thrust - parry - riposte
Daffy
PS - why are people coming to you in PM's or whatever. they too should post some good Taoishness.
PPS- I have nothing to say about the Tao now.
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I like that. That is good
Inspired = action with usual parameters out of the way
Wu wei = action with all parameters out of the way
Similar, but not the same, imo.
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p.s to freeform
Yep.
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If you read the topic clearly I wasn't whining at all. I was merely stating a fact that some people have come to me with the same confusion that it seems that a majority of topics ore replies to the topics are buddhist in nature. I also stated that it didn't care whether or not it was buddhist in nature.
I don't whine I usually just draw my sword. hahahahah
OMG
Stop whining and post something about the Dao yourself.
arrrgghh.
Craig
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I know I'm bringing up a subject that has been discussed recently in some way. But I think we should rename the forum The Buddha Bums. It seems there isn't much Taoist talk here at all except for a few listed topics and those turn into buddhist discussions.
I don't care but we should call it what it is. It causes some confusion among those newbies who come here looking for Taoist discussions. Many of which have asked me personally why it is called "The Tao Bums".
I have to admit it actually does get a little confusing at times.
Wudangspirit
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The key is here that by naming "inspiration" means that it is not eternal. Naming conjures up emotion and attachment and that was my point. Defining will lead to more post heaven intelligence.
I think what we're trying to say here is original nature leads to what we define as inspiration. Inspiration itself is just manifestation. So we must name it. Just like Tao.
Yup I hear you
I initially felt the same way, until I looked closer at the meaning of 'inspiration':Inspiration has at it's roots "in" + spirare (same root as 'spirit') "to breathe". And here we see the Taoist implications because Qi 氣 is also designated to mean breath / spirit.
So I believe that inspiration is pointing to a more refined and subtle energy than just coarse emotions and the only word left to possibly describe it is a 'feeling'.
For example when I play with Wuji Taiji my movements are not created by attachments or desires. My mind is empty, Wu, and my intent is unified with my breath ... the movements, or Wei, merely 'happen'. What causes me to move in certain way? I could only say that it 'felt right' to do so, and it is that pure feeling that I am calling 'inspiration' and thus is my connection with Wu Wei.
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ChangYuan,
Well I just returned from my temple at Wudang where we learned chants for ceremony. I don't know much about Tibetan buddhism but I feel that they are probably different as our are done with instrumental ceremonial orchestra and sang during the ceremony.
Tao Bless,
Wudangspirit
Does anybody know of any in taoism, in the same vein as the ones in Tibetan buddhism?
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I may have to disagree a bit. I think the word "inspiration" conjures up feeling and emotion. Wu wei would non-attachment to any post heaven intelligence or desires.
To add to the excellent posts above, Wu Wei 無爲 (Effortless Action) is to do nothing outside of one's true nature ... one's De/Teh 德 (virtue). When one's consciousness is 'lined up' with the Tao in any given moment all of one's actions will be natural and spontaneous; they will be empty of contrivance and artifice. With one's actions imbued with inner 'inspiration' one's actions will be Wu Wei.
I have explored the link between De/Teh 德 and inspiration over here: http://www.thetaobums.com/index.php?s=&...st&p=129003
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NEED ADVICE!
in General Discussion
Posted
This girl obviously has some issues with past boyfriends and is probably checking you out before she goes for it. However telling lies isn't good. Usually this kind of person wants attention. I wouldn't worry about the identity theft thing until it happens. Chances are she's just running the checks because of her past relationships.
Don't give the situation any attention and just let it die down. I wouldn't talk to her and if you have to keep it very dry with lots of "yes" and "no" answers. Nothing to keep it going. She'll get bored with you and move on to the next prey. Key is don't pay her any attention.
You cannot worry about what's going to happen or what others think if you just go about your own business. The others things will go away.
Laozi actualy mentions this about virtue. If you are right with yourself you'll have no fear and not even a sword can pierce you, the dangerous of creatures will not harm you.