Forestgreen Posted October 28 On 2025-10-25 at 7:34 PM, forestofclarity said: If it is permeates everywhere, it is right here and now. How does that inform one's approach? It's a lived experience. If it is outside of ones lived experience, for all practical purposes it is as if it doesn't exist. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forestgreen Posted October 28 On 2025-10-25 at 7:34 PM, forestofclarity said: The main goal of a the teachings, in my current opinion, is to awaken people's inner connection to the Dao. What if that is not true? What if, for example, methods based on other goals have been interwoven in the tradition for a millenia? Then this is just one possible goal, and perhaps not the goal ones teacher is aiming for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
forestofclarity Posted October 29 On 10/28/2025 at 11:01 AM, Forestgreen said: It's a lived experience. If it is outside of ones lived experience, for all practical purposes it is as if it doesn't exist. I might suggest that this is a bit more foundational. Maybe it is dangerous of me to say without textual support, but I'd say that without the Dao, or whatever, there'd be no structure, movement, or awareness. On 10/28/2025 at 11:08 AM, Forestgreen said: What if that is not true? What if, for example, methods based on other goals have been interwoven in the tradition for a millenia? Then this is just one possible goal, and perhaps not the goal ones teacher is aiming for. I'm cool if whatever concepts bubbling through my mind are shown to be wrong. From a certain point of view, they are all limited and don't really hold up. I'm curious though on what you mean though about "based on other goals interwoven in the tradition?" What would be an example? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChiDragon Posted October 30 3 hours ago, forestofclarity said: Maybe it is dangerous of me to say without textual support, Isn't textual support is somebody else's words without textual support to begin with? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forestgreen Posted October 31 On 2025-10-30 at 12:14 AM, forestofclarity said: I'm curious though on what you mean though about "based on other goals interwoven in the tradition?" What would be an example? Schools of neidan that mixes methods aimed at different leveks of xian, schools of neidan that mixes those methods with thunder rites. A certain buddhist tradition ( mine) that mixes alchemical methods with what was first schamanistic methods for affecting life but then devolved into methods of how to hurt people (poison hands). Stuff like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
forestofclarity Posted November 1 On 10/31/2025 at 5:51 AM, Forestgreen said: Schools of neidan that mixes methods aimed at different leveks of xian, schools of neidan that mixes those methods with thunder rites. A certain buddhist tradition ( mine) that mixes alchemical methods with what was first schamanistic methods for affecting life but then devolved into methods of how to hurt people (poison hands). Stuff like that. Your school sounds really awesome! This is not unlike Tantra. In Tantra, traditionally one starts with the highest methods, but there is a whole structure of other methods for different types of people depending on their particular circumstances and capacities. In other words, methods aimed at providing health and wealth are not there necessarily for hedonistic pleasure, but to bring one along to the ultimate way. It is difficult to practice if you're sick, hungry, or worried. And some of these also lead one to increase certain inner qualities by providing services to others. And to get one's health and magical practices to work, arguably one needs to begin to align with the ultimate in some way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kodoninja Posted 21 hours ago (edited) I practice Wu style Taiji from a Wu Tu Nan lineage as well as Yu Xian Pai Neidan and between that and Zhan Zhuang… some days it’s hard to do both. I have also noticed I have to space out the Taiji Qigong(from Wu Tu Nan) with some of the Neidan methods by several hours. And the Taiji I also have to watch out for certain hours of the day because it’s much more activating. So I would say it depends on the systems you are practicing. Some methods mesh well together and can get a boost from other methods. While some other methods would directly conflict with each other and could cause you to go out of balance(into deviation). You’re better off gaining the experience with one system so you can manage your own state and Yin/Yang balance before incorporating other systems/methods. Edited 21 hours ago by Kodoninja 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
