To be a Taoist means many things to many people. To be a practitioner of Contemporary Taoism simply means to have realised that we are all minute parts of an indescribably large Whole (the Tao), and to choose therefore to 'Flow Like Water' and live in a spontaneous, natural manner. This blog is about: Personal Growth / Spiritual Development as guided by the principles of Eastern Philosophy, particularly modern philosophical Taoism; Developing constructive habits and achieving success with minimal effort; Meditation - Taoist, Zen or otherwise. See 'What In Lao Tzu's Name is a Contemporary Taoist?'

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

Meditation

Meditation

A short essay on meditation by ... me! Also try my meditation website.

Meditation is extremely useful and easy to master. So are Taoist principles. Read about Contemporary Taoism, breathe, relax...

Flow Like Water

The Hermitage

The Hermitage

Sunday, December 19, 2004

Shen Dao

Shen Dao

Green Tea Benefits

Green Tea Benefits for health and reduction of cancer

mmm...think I'll go put the kettle on!

Early Daoism

Chapter Four: Early Daoism

The Dao Is Open website

The Dao Is Open website is devoted to the cultivation of Dao (Tao) and De (Te), as exemplified in the works of Laozi (Lao Tzu) and Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu).

New web site, also check out 'Tao Speaks!' (link in sidebar)

Saturday, December 18, 2004

Virtue

'To know that you do not know is highest'

Tao Te Ching

Defending the Motherline

Defending the Motherline

definitely easier to read about than to do.

Siu Lim Tao

Siu Lim Tao

video of super fast sil lim tao...

Sil Lim Tao Form

Wing Chun: Yipman's Lineage

get yourself the wobbly legs boy! It's good for ya!

Friday, December 17, 2004

The Cultivated Man: "Unknown source:
Turning inwardly (self-cultivation, of mind, body and spirit), the sage comes to know the outside as part of all the parts of being (the Tao). Striving outwardly (without regard for self-cultivation), the driven man lives beyond his needs, and with his desires perpetually unsatisfied. Coming to know a thing means coming to be part of the thing. Covetting a thing keeps it always beyond one's grasp. The mind needs a light touch. The body needs unbroken endurance, and the spirit needs to know the heart. "

wildman

Hui-k'o, the Second Patriarch of Zen passed on the bowl and robe to his successor, the Third Patriarch, Seng-ts'an, signifying the Transmission of the Dharma. Hui-k'o, who had received the seal of approval from Bodhidharma himself, then went everywhere drinking and carousing around like a wildman and partaking in the offerings of the brothel districts. When people asked how he could do such a thing, being a Patriarch of the Zen school and all, he would respond with: "What business is it of yours?"

Thursday, December 16, 2004

Zen in the Martial Arts

Zen in the Martial Arts/Introduction

When the Zen master Po-chang was asked about seeking for the Buddha nature, he answered, "It's much like riding an ox in search of the ox."

Intro to Contemporary Taoism

Intro to Contemporary Taoism

The Tao of Books

The Tao of Books Martial Arts

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

The Headless Man

Realization.org: An Interview with Douglas Harding

'you don’t have to do anything to see who you really are, you don’t have to stop thinking to see who you really, really are. It is obvious, there is nothing more obvious in the whole world.'

The Decision

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now".
—J. W. von Goethe

Spontaneous Accordance

Yesterday I made up my mind to do something. That evening two people suddenly appeared before me to help with this. This is Wu Wei - effortless action, spontaneous accordance with Tao!

Monday, December 13, 2004

GO-MOKU/RENJU/JAVA - Super five-stone-game

GO-MOKU/RENJU/JAVA - Super five-stone-game

Yin against Yang! Infuriating!

Mr Sage's Taoist Reflections

Mr Sage's Taoist Reflections

This dude has given Tao some thought. Excellent...

Absolute Japan - Photographs of rock zen gardens

Absolute Japan - Photographs of rock zen gardens

Lovely, Part Two

Zen Gardens

Zen Gardens

Lovely!

Saturday, December 11, 2004

Good general explanation of Taoism

TAO.org :: Center of Traditional Taoist Studies

although I personally do not concern myself with (a grand or mysterious) enlightenment, this is a good briefing otherwise.

Practice

Practiced Wing Chun; Sil Lim Tao form and footwork, punching, kicking, blocking combos. Practiced in garden, hot, flies testing my concentration. Dog-poo dodging skills becoming great, but I think it is time to do the shovel-round. Sergie next door popped his head over, interested. He is a brown belt in karate. When I am even half as good at Kung Fu as he is at karate, we can spar, which will be good for both of our skills.

Body has minor problems. No point regretting the past, but sometimes I wish dearly that I had discovered good health and longevity practices when I was eighteen instead of the rock n' roll lifestyle I so unwisely pursued for many years.

Oh well. Never too late to better yourself.

Duck Egg Meditation

Second Zen Reader

I like the sound of this meditation, I think I will give it a go. I already do one similar, whereby I lie down and feel energy flowing down my body through the chakras, around the micro- and macro-cosmic orbits, and then simply up and down through the body - it is extremely powerful. I got it from 'Creative Visualisation' by Shakti Gawain. Good book, check it out.

Friday, December 10, 2004

Hello!

A tiny seed has been planted, may it grow into a big and beautiful tree!

 
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