Re: The Unbearable Automaticity of Being

Posted on Jun 9th, 2009 by Nickeson in Integral Post-metaphysical Spirituality

A few thoughts: 1. I believe that it will save this thread a lot of space if only a couple of the plethora of terms dropped in here this early on are defined. According the... More »

Re: Life & Death

Posted on May 21st, 2009 by debyemm in One Light Many Windows

Taoism [1] The Tao is infinite, eternal. Why is it eternal? It was never born; thus it can never die. Why is it infinite? It has no desires for itself; thus it is present for... More »

Re: Verse 61 - The Tao of Emerson

Posted on May 20th, 2009 by debyemm in Living Metaphysics

From The Tao of Emerson by Richard Grossman From James Legge - The Texts of Taoism , 1891 What makes a great state is its being like a low-lying,           down-flowing stream... More »

Re: Verse 59 - The Tao of Emerson

Posted on Apr 27th, 2009 by debyemm in Living Metaphysics

The Tao of Emerson by Richard Grossman James Legge - The Texts of Taoism , 1891 For regulating the human and rendering service to the heavenly,           there is nothing like moderation.... More »

Zen

Posted on Apr 23rd, 2009 by Tharlam in Three Turns Buddhism Forum

Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism, referred to in Chinese as Chán. Chán is itself derived from the Sanskrit Dhyāna, which means "meditation" (see etymology below). Zen emphasizes experiential Prajñā—particularly as realized in the... More »

Re: Finally Instant "Enlightenment" Can Be Yours! (for $597)

Posted on Apr 22nd, 2009 by Alan in Fully Engaged

Yes guys,  unfortunately I do spend a lot of time and energy on avoidable issues of survival.  It's too bad.  Indeed, "non-spiritual" activities, such as trying to hustle up money, take up a good portion... More »

Re: What did Jesus look like?

Posted on Apr 19th, 2009 by Nicole in God Pod or Life, the Universe and Everything

J, those heart-notes are super, thanks. How can anyone not love kids? They are real and alive and shining. Mr do you know about the  Jesus Sutras ?  The  Jesus Sutras,  or the  Lost Sutras... More »

Books of Peace

Posted on Apr 2nd, 2009 by Meenakshi in The GLOBAL PEACE POD.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008 Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart: The Taoist Path through Stress and Spirituality An ancient Chinese proverb states that to bring peace into the world, one must first bring peace into one's heart.... More »

Re: Verse 57 - The Tao of Emerson

Posted on Apr 2nd, 2009 by debyemm in Living Metaphysics

From The Tao of Emerson by Richard Grossman From James Legge - The Texts of Taoism , 1891 A state may be ruled by measures of correction; Weapons of war may be used with crafty... More »

Re: After death

Posted on Mar 30th, 2009 by debyemm in One Light Many Windows

Taoism [1]  To be heavenly is to be one with the Tao; to be one with the Tao is to abide forever.  This one is safe even after the body dissolves. - Tao Te Ching... More »

Yin Yang Jung

Posted on May 19th, 2009 by poeticinterconnections

http://poeticinterconnections.org/2009/05/19/yin-yang-jung/

My Turn

Posted on Apr 20th, 2009 by TeresaSilverthorn

In the midst of extraordinary circumstances, and after realizing that my experiences fit in with no organized religion whatsoever, I gave up and went my own way.  I did try. I tried Christianity for most... More »

How do you describe yourself?

Posted on Mar 20th, 2009 by Nuit

colour: yellow with the shades of purple and red shape: spiral touch: surface of a stone energy manifestation: movement element: water word: soham smell: blue moon rose scent sound: viola with percussion instruments in the... More »

The Great Scroll

Posted on Mar 15th, 2009 by John

   In snooping around the internet for an image for a blog this morning, I came across the following words. There are more than enough links to keep you busy for a long time. Full credit and... More »

A way

Posted on Mar 3rd, 2009 by Bodhi

Over the years I have explored many spiritual traditions and have taken from each what I felt to be truths, I have never been able to label myself as a believer of any one tradition fully...I... More »

lucky

Posted on Feb 2nd, 2009 by ia86

     " lucky " Pet Shop Frontline Tick Frontline Cat ,Right with the fierce look. " apt to be on the diction": " lucky, the profit all without exception " . " the week book... More »

Just a normal person

Posted on Jan 24th, 2009 by Bright Garlick

I just thought that before I started sharing my experiences, I'd let you know that I'm just a normal person. I was born in the late 60's in New South Wales, Australia. My father was... More »

When were you last completely dependent on someone?

Posted on Jan 23rd, 2009 by DiamondLil

Actually, I think this has been a big problem for me. I've become waaaaay to independent. It was source of pride with me. Independent woman. Reflecting on it now, I think it contributed heavily to... More »

How do you deal with fear?

Posted on Jan 19th, 2009 by George

In immediate danger I rely on my fight or flight instinct. For nagging fears I try to remember to live in the moment and enjoy it. To comfort others I offer the following well-known story... More »

If you had to pick another religion to practice, what would it be

Posted on Jan 12th, 2009 by Phil

Even though I do my best to be as serious a Christian as I can, I find that Taoism's principle of just being is really important and could be applied to any situation. The idea... More »

"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?" "What's for breakfast?" said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?" "I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet . Pooh nodded thoughtfully. "It's the same thing," he said. "What's that?" the Unbeliever asked. "Wisdom from the Western Taoist,"I said. "It sounds like something from Winnie-the-Pooh ," he said. "It is," I said. "That's not about Taoism," he said. "Oh, yes it is," I said."

What is essential to practice the Tao is to get rid of cravings and vexations. If these afflictions are not removed, it is impossible to attain stability. This is like the case of the fertile field, which cannot produce good crops as long as the weeds are not cleared away. Cravings and ruminations are the weeds of the mind; if you do not clear them away, concentration and wisdom do not develop.

To regard the fundamental as the essence, to regard things as coarse, to regard accumulation as deficiency, and to dwell quietly alone with the spiritual and the intelligent - herein lie the techniques of Tao of the ancients.

When there is no more separation between 'this' and 'that,' it is called the still-point of the Tao. At the still point in the center of the circle one can see the infinite in all things.

Only the intelligent knows how to identify all things as one. . . . When one is at ease with himself, one is near Tao. This is to let Nature take its own course.

If a man is crossing a river and an empty boat collides with his own skiff, even though he be a bad-tempered man he will not become very angry. But if he sees a man in the boat, he will shout at him to steer clear. If the shout is not heard, he will shout again, and yet again, and begin cursing. And all because there is somebody in the boat. Yet if the boat were empty, he would not be shouting, and not angry. If you can empty your own boat crossing the river of the world, no one will oppose you, no one will seek to harm you.... Who can free himself from achievement, and from fame, descend and be lost amid the masses of men? He will flow like Tao, unseen, he will go about like Life itself with no name and no home. Simple is he, without distinction. To all appearances he is a fool. His steps leave no trace. He has no power. He achieves nothing, has no reputation. Since he judges no one, no one judges him. Such is the perfect man: His boat is empty.

All that is limited by form, semblance, sound, color is called object. Among them all, man alone is more than an object. Though, like objects, he has form and semblance, He is not limited to form. He is more. He can attain to formlessness. When he is beyond form and semblance, beyond "this" and "that," where is the comparison with another object? Where is the conflict? What can stand in his way? He will rest in his eternal place which is no-place. He will be hidden in his own unfathomable secret. His nature sinks to its root in the One. His vitality, his power hide in secret Tao.

The man in whom Tao acts without impediment harms no other being by his actions yet he does not know himself to be "kind", to be "gentle". . . . (He) does not bother with his own interests and does not despise others who do. He does not struggle to make money and does not make a virtue of poverty. He goes his way without relying on others and does not pride himself on walking alone. While he does not follow the crowd he won't complain of those who do. Rank and reward make no appeal to him; disgrace and shame do not deter him. He is not always looking for right and wrong, always deciding "Yes" or "No." The ancients said, therefore: The man of Tao remains unknown. Perfect virtue produces nothing. "No-Self" is "True-Self". And the greatest man is Nobody.

The true men of old were not afraid when they stood alone in their views. No great exploits. No plans. If they failed, no sorrow. No self-congratulation in success. . . . The true men of old knew no lust for life, no dread of death. Their entrance was without gladness, their exit, yonder, without resistance. Easy come, easy go. They did not forget where from, nor ask where to, nor drive grimly forward fighting their way through life. They took life as it came, gladly; took death as it came, without care; and went away, yonder. Yonder! They had no mind to fight Tao. They did not try by their own contriving, to help Tao along. These are the ones we call true men. Minds free, thoughts gone. Brows clear, faces serene.

Tao is obscured when men understand only one pair of opposites, or concentrate only on a partial aspect of being. Then clear expression also becomes muddled by mere wordplay, affirming this one aspect and denying all the rest. The pivot of Tao passes through the center where all affirmations and denials converge. He who grasps the pivot is at the still-point from which all movements and oppositions can be seen in their right relationship... Abandoning all thought of imposing a limit or taking sides, he rests in direct intuition.

The Taoist Temple

Ever have the feeling that, way down deep inside, you're a Taoist? Do you go with the... More »

Followers of Tao

A group of people that are interested in Taoism and it's beliefs, ideas, etc.

Taoist classics

All that ever stays the same is change. And I dream, I wonder… Taoism is not a... More »

The Global Daoism Pod on Gaia Community

     The idea behind this pod on Gaia Community:  Together we share thoughts about philosophical Daoism, in... More »