Daoism

[gerard]

Are you a true daoist or just a try hard? Is it possible to combine material gains with a spiritual pursuit? Maybe there is Dao in all of us good and evil (Humanity), Heaven and Earth, Yin & Yang eternal play. Let me give you some examples of waht is being a Daoist:

http://www.apophaticmysticism.com/Qigong.html (Theory)

http://www.energyarts.com/hires/library/masters/liuhung.html (Practice)



Are you afraid of taking the step? Maybe thinking about it? Maybe when you are older?

What is your path? Is your karma to strong to overcome? Or is your astro-profile limiting your potential?


A lifetime's decision mayl have an effect in your eternal quest.


Think about it.

:)

[daftyman]

Are you a true daoist or just a try hard?
I'm a try every now and then.

I don't want to be a daoist sage, just a human being.

[ZillaBilla]

Will let you know when I figure it out, might not be this lifetime though.

[ap Oweyn]

I'm guessing the Internet isn't too big among true Daoists.

[ZillaBilla]

Actually Taoism is spilt in to two groups. Sort of like conservative and liberals. Basically one group segregates themselves and prefers seclusion, studying themselves and nature to know the Tao, whereas the other integrates with society and takes an active approach, believing that all manifestation is natural, and is an opportunity to study the Tao. So there could be Taoist just about anywhere, I would think.

[ap Oweyn]

Actually Taoism is spilt in to two groups. Sort of like conservative and liberals. Basically one group segregates themselves and prefers seclusion, studying themselves and nature to know the Tao, whereas the other integrates with society and takes an active approach, believing that all manifestation is natural, and is an opportunity to study the Tao. So there could be Taoist just about anywhere, I would think.

Granted. But if I were going to describe one or the other as "true" Daoists, I would probably be referring to the "conservative" ones (however more reasonable I'd consider the liberal ones).


Stuart

[ZillaBilla]

Indeed Stuart,

Before I started researching Taoism, I used to think that a Taoist was some old bearded man, in a white robe, wondering around misty mountain peaks. But nowadays I think you’re more likely to come across the liberal types. I've met a few, and they don’t really seem any different from everyday people, they have jobs, go to restaurants, in fact its kind of impossible to tell them apart, they just seem very kind and polite folk, with the ones that practice Taoist energy arts usually looking very naturally healthy, with bright eyes and graceful movements, and its generally a positive encounter meeting such people, in my experience in any case.

[serious harm]

A spiritual cultivator must not interfere with other's free will, or impose their selfish will in the universe. That is originally the purpose of a monastary. A saying older than history is, affirming to the universal spirit, " your will be done, not mine, in me and through me," but it goes on to say " show me what I must do this day, to be a channel of your blessings to all". An enlightend being( which is much, much more than just attaining the state of emptiness, and requires always thinking of others before yourself, enduring the hardship of hardships, and actually having a full death experience, not necessarily physically dying), can see the truth and knows universal will, so can work well in society, doing universal will.

[Sandus]

I believe in taoist principles but don't always adhere to them. What does that make me? I think there's a difference between being swept up in the spirituality of things and simply acknowledging their purposes. To me it isn't "Am I living the Taoist life?," it's more "What does Taoism teach that I can apply in my life?" I think the same thing goes with all types of religion/philosophy/etc. Maybe I'm rambling a bit but that's what I think.

[Adc]

I prefer to see Daoism as a socieo-cultural practise that requires one to have virtually being born into and have grown up around its principles.The label itself implies a belonging to a subset/organisation.Can you see the problem here :bang: !!(in reversionist Daoist thought Labels where unecessarily limiting)

Labeling oneself as a Daoist may bring about difficulities in relation to branches(religous or philosophical) and sects(numerous), as well as going against many background chinese philosophical thoughts and some Daoist thought. (see Xun Zi's The Rectification of Names)

Following the principles of Daoism (presumably through reading translations) may still mean taking a side ( between individual understanding of Lao Zi or Zhuang Zi collections of writing)and then putting your understanding into to practise(understandings that scholars still argue about).You may join a group in order to do this or you may simply practise this by yourself,does either way make you a Daoist?
Daoism and Chinese literature in general have cultural implications prevading each thought,dismissing or ignoring those implications or failing to at least try and understand them can change the intented meaning and thus the interpretation and end practise considerably.

BTW Serious Harm
Great Post

[gerard]

I prefer to see Daoism as a socieo-cultural practise

Tell me why? Isn't it better to approach it from a mystical/philosophical perspective where the adept is searching for a higher spiritual state that will help him to attain a superior level of existence after physical death. that requires one to have virtually being born into and have grown up around its principles.The label itself implies a belonging to a subset/organisation.Can you see the problem here :bang: !!(in reversionist Daoist thought Labels where unecessarily limiting)

Labeling oneself as a Daoist may bring about difficulities in relation to branches(religous or philosophical) and sects(numerous), as well as going against many background chinese philosophical thoughts and some Daoist thought. (see Xun Zi's The Rectification of Names)

I perceive labelling as onlyjust a token of pursuing a goal not to blow up my ego


Following the principles of Daoism (presumably through reading translations) may still mean taking a side ( between individual understanding of Lao Zi or Zhuang Zi collections of writing)and then putting your understanding into to practise(understandings that scholars still argue about).You may join a group in order to do this or you may simply practise this by yourself,does either way make you a Daoist?
Daoism and Chinese literature in general have cultural implications prevading each thought,dismissing or ignoring those implications or failing to at least try and understand them can change the intented meaning and thus the interpretation and end practise considerably.

I repeat again. I approach Dao from a purely point of view, which means that being with other people like me is unnecessary. If I am here is because I enjoy to chat about the topic not because I am looking for any advice or to attend parties, ceremonies, and so forth.


BTW Serious Harm
Great Post


:)

[Adc]

Gerard
You seem to have taken my post as a direct comment about you and your practises.This ofcause is not the case as I don't know you or what you beliefs practises are in relation to Daoism or Life in general.So there is truly no need to repeat anything.
Tell me why? Isn't it better to approach it from a mystical/philosophical perspective where the adept is searching for a higher spiritual state that will help him to attain a superior level of existence after physical death.
Its not about better or worse,and the way you approach anything is largely up to the individual.

Re: Why soiceo cultural?

Daoism Philosophical
Is still and will continue to be debated by scholars of all countries (including China)as to what exactly is the focus,use and design of Daoist writing(primarily the DDJ &ZZ).These debates range from Theories of moral or social policy,enviromental policy,government for and by,to self tranformation.
Given this dirversity,does the study of this make one a Daoist?
Daoism in Reality
Religous and Spiritual aspects best seen in Asia again create a truly different veiw from the above,including a large base of extra writings and social rituals.
Daoism First World
Removed from first hand experience with the second category and with only tranlated interpretation (this is in turn heavily influenced by the translaters understanding of Chinese cultural and society)we see again a highly different focus and understanding(ususally based around self improvement)
Which of these categories should be labeled practising Daoist?
I approach Dao from a purely point of view, which means that being with other people like me is unnecessary

You may join a group in order to do this or you may simply practise this by yourself,does either way make you a Daoist?

[gerard]

You seem to have taken my post as a direct comment about you and your practises.

It looked liked that to me. However I understand that is just your inner aggressiveness that you seem to keep under control, which is good


This ofcause is not the case as I don't know you or what you beliefs practises are in relation to Daoism or Life in general.So there is truly no need to repeat anything.


I don't know yet as I need to experience a dramatic change in my existence to get something out of it. I am planning a trip to Asia to find myself


You may join a group in order to do this or you may simply practise this by yourself,does either way make you a Daoist?


Alone you won't be influenced by negative karmic existences which are common in large groups. I prefer the "alone" or "master-to-apprentice" approaches

Salute :)

[Adc]

It looked liked that to me. However I understand that is just your inner aggressiveness that you seem to keep under control, which is good :eek:I'm guessing you don't consider that an assumption :rolleyes:
I think your understanding of things may be whats holding you back.Did you consider comtemplating any of the Questions within my posts?
Which of these categories should be labeled practising Daoist?
Does either way make you a Daoist?
Does the study of Daoism make one a Daoist?


As I am still comtemplating them all.
慢慢来
慢走

[gerard]

:eek:I'm guessing you don't consider that an assumption :rolleyes:

:D

Does the study of Daoism make one a Daoist?

Nope Karma does


慢慢来
慢走

快速来快速的模子



乾杯 (gan bei)/Cheers :Angel:

[Jimmy Wand-Yu]

Hello,

In Daoism there is also the way of the water and the way of the fire - which are quite different in the way of the practises.

Tai-Chi Chuan is a practice within the way of the water. Also Qi-Gong and maybe meditation in the spirit of Laozi and Zhuangzi.

The way of the fire includes sexual exercises, prayers, religious Daoism, working with talismans and prediction for good luck and protection.



Jimmy Wand-Yu