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Originally Posted by dcaldwell  One thing I love about the Taoist canon is its practical application. Its authors wrote very succinctly, almost to the point of providing instruction manuals; however, you must understand the original meanings behind the terminology to use it correctly. Obviously you require a master once you get to a certain point. We can talk about the wonderful philosophy of Taoism and the paradoxes in the mainstream works until we're blue in the face, but you must begin to practice that philosophy consciously and apply the "exercises" to your daily schedule. Wu-Wei is just as much about non-action as it is diligent long-term practice that makes something "appear" effortless to the layman. |
Your points are definitely more apropos Taoism as religious practice than as spiritual philosophy, which is more where myself and a few others are speaking from in terms of our experience with Taoist teachings. You have differentiated your approach from ours as the practitioner from the dilettante, which -- as you said -- is neither good nor bad, simply not the same. But you haven't told us much about your own practice, or what it means in terms of the religious experience.
So please tell us more. Do you practice Sundo or another form of Taoist physical practice? Do you seek physical immortality as the literal goal of your practice as Taoist tradition holds in parallel to the spiritual liberation of Buddhism and Hinduism? Have you found sex alchemy to be a transformative practice or just another early form of sex-psychology? Many masters have said they didn't study I Ching until late in life because they were not ready to understand it until then; have you found it to have practical insight for the novice? Care to share any examples of the type of experience to which the religious practice of Taoism is conducive?
Thanks,
Andy