Beginner looking for some advice on the path

[RyanO]

Hi thanks for the reply. I've been reading the inner smile online book for a couple of hours now thanks for that, it's quite interesting learning a lot from it.

 

You're welcome!

 

Also, just to give another take and show the universality of the practice, here is a great article about the Inner Smile from a Buddhist perspective: http://mettarefuge.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/the-power-of-the-smile-in-our-meditation-and-live/. The Buddhist practice of metta (loving-kindness) shares many similarites with the Inner Smile. I like the language of smiling because it gives it more 'substance' and is more of an action.

 

I really could go on and on about the benefits of the Inner Smile as a foundational practice. One of the most important is psychic self protection and freedom from fear. Dealing with negative emotions is inevitable in spiritual development and the Inner Smile is a great way to harmonize frozen and painful energies.

 

So wherever your path leads, wishing you many smiles!

[DalTheJigsaw123]

Great information given. The only thing I would add, that works for me is: Zazen. Check out http://www.zenguide.com for a good introduction to it.

[Harmonious Emptiness]

I think a lot of people are a bit too limited in their idea of what it means to follow Tao. Following Tao doesn't mean practicing qi gong, or meditating every day, or knowing lots of stuff about Taoism, or not knowing lots of stuff about Taoism.

 

Applying the wisdom of Taoism in your life, your relationships, your struggles, your successes, your health, your learning, as well as in meditation, and qi gong. All of this is part of following Tao.

 

Reading books, vs. meditation, vs. qi gong, any one of these is complementary to the other in following Tao. And following Tao isn't just something you practice or read about, it's something you do. It's about putting aside your desirous and frustrated emotions so that that you can benefit from the wisdom of nature. Doing this on the highway is as important (if not more important) than doing so during your "practice session." And contrary to the popular majority of the advice here, you can also get better at this by following the advice written by Taoist sages.

 

Just don't bite off any more than you can chew when your reading though. Read as much as you think you can remember and put into practice until the next time you open the same book. If you haven't found something you can put into practice, keep reading, once you've found that balance "walk with it." As with any spiritual discipline, you should be practicing that discipline in every and any situation. The meditation, or qi gong, or reading session just gets you going.

 

Sure, you can lean a lot of what's written on your own through meditation and qi gong, but the writings can be fast tracks to tell you what to practice. Don't qualify your every thought according to what you read. Learn for yourself by life experience, surely that's our #1 teacher. But these writings are there for our benefit. The paper might not see into our subconscious, but serendipity will often make it seem like they do come from a personal mentor. Words can have powerful effects. Just be aware that like any power, they can damage us too if we forget ourselves and become totally reliant on them.

[lifeforce]

I think a lot of people are a bit too limited in their idea of what it means to follow Tao. Following Tao doesn't mean practicing qi gong, or meditating every day, or knowing lots of stuff about Taoism, or not knowing lots of stuff about Taoism.

 

Applying the wisdom of Taoism in your life, your relationships, your struggles, your successes, your health, your learning, as well as in meditation, and qi gong. All of this is part of following Tao.

 

Reading books, vs. meditation, vs. qi gong, any one of these is complementary to the other in following Tao. And following Tao isn't just something you practice or read about, it's something you do. It's about putting aside your desirous and frustrated emotions so that that you can benefit from the wisdom of nature. Doing this on the highway is as important (if not more important) than doing so during your "practice session." And contrary to the popular majority of the advice here, you can also get better at this by following the advice written by Taoist sages.

 

Just don't bite off any more than you can chew when your reading though. Read as much as you think you can remember and put into practice until the next time you open the same book. If you haven't found something you can put into practice, keep reading, once you've found that balance "walk with it." As with any spiritual discipline, you should be practicing that discipline in every and any situation. The meditation, or qi gong, or reading session just gets you going.

 

Sure, you can lean a lot of what's written on your own through meditation and qi gong, but the writings can be fast tracks to tell you what to practice. Don't qualify your every thought according to what you read. Learn for yourself by life experience, surely that's our #1 teacher. But these writings are there for our benefit. The paper might not see into our subconscious, but serendipity will often make it seem like they do come from a personal mentor. Words can have powerful effects. Just be aware that like any power, they can damage us too if we forget ourselves and become totally reliant on them.

 

Marvelous post !