What does the day in the life of a Taoist look like? Is there any daily or regular practice that is common to Taoists? Dauer
There are absolutely no practices common to Taoists? It's just a philosophy that suggests no action as a means of manifesting the philosophy in life besides a particular mentality in all actions? What about the forms of Taoism in which the Tao is deified? Is there any common practice there? Dauer
officially there are hours that are considered of especial importants to meditate, and there are traditions involved the method of meditation, such as meditating for one incense stick, then slowly getting up pacing around deaply for the length of another incense stick. It is quite a relaxing method. The thing is though when it comes down to it, the most important thing is that these are by no means required practices of a devout taoist. The only thing a taoist need do is meditate, beleive and study in the ways of the tao. I say meditation is most important for it is the only true way to tame the mind. Or else the monkey and the horse will have oppurtunity to have there way with it.
The horse in a sence represents your pride, one of the hardest things to prevent from manifesting in your mind. The monkey represents mischeivious intellegence, in a sence that which is the compelling force to overthink. It is the monkey that may chant through your mind with useless things while sit cross legged trying to clear it.
Very good explanation, erowid I would call myself Taoist, since I believe in and try to follow the philosophy. The thing about Taoism is that it's really up to the individual. I meditate occasionally and read what I can find on the subject. Alan Watts has some very good lectures, for example. The Tao Te Ching is really the truest source of literature on Taoism there is, though. Sometimes if I'm feeling insecure or unsure of myself I simply try to calm my mind and read the Tao Te Ching, which always makes me feel a lot better.
Tai-Chi & Chi Gung are inner martial arts practised by alot of Taoists. You should check them out. I do a weekly class in Tai-Chi and practise daily.
Just go about your life and accept what comes your way. Relax and enjoy the ride down the river of life.
There is a difference between Taoism the philosophy and the folk taoism that was practised in china, which involved a lot of rituals and alchemy. Folk taoist practices have mostly died out since they were made illegal under the communist regime.
has anyone here looked into the sexual practices of taoists? or about theories of immortality? pretty... well, i cant even label it. "interesting," i guess. to give a quick summation, there´s a belief that the sperm (for males) is kinda like your life-energy, and when you´re having sex and about to orgasm, if you stop right before you´re going to and harness that energy, it´s like you´re putting it back into your body and storing it up. so the idea is to have as much sex as you possibly can with the most partners WITHOUT having an orgasm. oh, and the other person shouldnt know that you´re a taoist because they might try to counteract your doings in some way and steal your energy. guys: ever feel tired after having an orgasm? well, that´s because you lost a little bit of your life-energy (i´m talking from the perspective of this belief). now imagine all the times that you already have had an orgasm and all the times that you will... imagine saving all that energy. there´s lots of other stuff, but this is just to wet your appetite. if anyone is interested, i have the names of some books and stuff of where i got this, but it´s packed away somewhere and i dont want to look for it now. i will later, though...
Have you tried it yet? Seems pretty interesting but I just wanted to know someone's personal experiences on how this energy is helpful. Just curious...
heh, have i tried those sexual practices? no! i had a class on theories of immortality and that was one of the topics we discussed. so, i´ve only read a little bit on it and discussed it with some people.
i've kinda dabbled in them with my boyfriend... He never really feels too tired afterwards either ejaculating or not. Its nice cos it helps you to control your ejaculation which can mean longer sex!! go for it?!!!
