Living as a taoist

[ellenjanuary]

THE YIN FU CHING. (Clue to the Unseen) <--- This is older than the Tao de Jing.

Thanks for the link.

 

[angrymoose]

I was emphasizing the path to obtaining wu-wei whereas you are emphazing the experience after its been obtained. We were, as far as I can tell, discussing the same thing from different angles. In my opinion, that is something to ponder, whenever discussing the Tao.

Just to go to an even simpler example than your (rather good) lady planning things without thinking and without remembering, consider an adult walking.

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YouTube - Baby Learning to Walk- BEST EVER!!!! <--- Baby ponders every step

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YouTube - Soldiers Marching <-- Soldiers marching in synch without seeming to exert effort, without conscious thought.

In your example, the person's planning ability encapsulates some intutive knowledge, she developed over a long period of time.

Perhaps you've seen this picture before:

 

[angrymoose]

Have heard that Lao Tsu is the father of Taoism and that TTC is the bible, rest are by the followers of what was written and taught by Lao Tsu which evolved into some practices.

I wouldn't refer to the Tao de Jing as a bible. Heck, Lao-Tzu mentions in the first paragraph that its impossible to have one.

Second the idea of all those traditions being classified as "Taoism" apparently happened long after most of the authors had died.

Curiously, I think some Taoist traditions allude to Fu Xi.

Here is an interesting work, older than the TTC.

THE YIN FU CHING. (Clue to the Unseen)

 

[Twilight Hue]

First of all, it isn't inactive in the least. It's fully active. I can see why you would see it appears to be inactive, but it IS flowing with the Tao, and flowing is movement, which is active.

More towards your point, though, it is actually the easiest thing in the world. It is so infinitely simple that it does, often, seem difficult. But it is simplicity in a manner so simple as to be inexpressible. Ego, judgment, value, arrogance, self-consciousness, these are all learned actions. They are illusions that we have to choose to prop up. But we have a lot of practice propping them up, and very little practice NOT doing so. So we've forgotten how to release these illusions. Trying to release them is a mistake. It is impossible to succeed when you try. The reason I say it is the easiest thing in the world is that it is only possible when there is no effort, no will, no ATTEMPT to do it. It can only be done effortlessly.

Right. A natural equilibrium.

 

[zenzero]

Friend angrymoose,

Thank you for the info. and the link to what is older than TTC.
However little that glanced through find similarities with TTC and also there appears no practice as such as it says:

It is the easiest thing in the world is that it is only possible when there is no effort, no will, no ATTEMPT to do it. It can only be done effortlessly.

The point of our earlier discussion was about practices in Taoism which would now qualify to that *Any thing one does in daily life is in itself a practice provided it comes effortlessly* and in normal parlance practice is making some effort.
Yes other things help and so Taoism and buddhism merged to evolve to Zen to be mindfull effortlessly at all times or being HERE-NOW!
Yes the martial arts in china read: The Origins of Shaolin Kung Fu.
and origin of Tai-Chi: Origin of Tai Chi

Love & rgds

 

[angrymoose]

I have read the Tao te Ching, while it is a bit confusing in some parts, it is mostly easy to understand, but moving throughout life smoothly, that is something I need some advice on, maybe a few examples?

My advice to you, would be to, look for people around you, who move smootly, in the circles you do.

Some basic principles? Not as easy to provide as one might think.
- ask questions
- experiment
- Improvement takes time.
- Do AND observe. Avoid over assuming.
- Avoid saying too much sometimes and avoid sometimes over acting.
- Intuition is knowledge and it comes with practice.