Anyone learn or understand Taoist Magic??
Garry
Anyone learn or understand Taoist Magic??
Garry
To date I have not met anyone who called themselves a Taoist who wasn't either FOS or managed to side talk me out of some money or time or had so much krap flowing from their mouths that it made my head spin.
The only true Taoist "I" know of in the states is Sher K. Lew and he's no BS but highly doubtful that he would introduce you to "taoist magic" although I did hear a story that his teacher could make himself appear in two different places at the same time. However, that's a "story" so take it for what it's worth.
I think this topic is a slippery slope and likens to Japanese Ninja arts and David Carridine walking up walls. I suggest you hold tightly onto your wallet while investigating or they may teach a little Watch the Money Disappear trick.
Just my humble opinion (from experience).
Great Post Woliveri; you took the words right out of my mouth.
Just like Kung Fu, Chi Gung is hard work that pays off only after time and effort. Those that would seek fancy tricks usually don't have what it takes to incorporate Taoist Chi Gung into their lives. Seek the healthier life style that these practices bring and you'll go far.
Always learning
Greetings..
Here's the thing.. what is a "Taoist"?
Some people will tell you that you must belong to a "Taoist Religious Sect", study the rituals and deities and chant like a lunatic.. others will tell you that is is a fondness for the general philosophy.. personally, i find the philosophy consistent with my understanding of Life (Tao).. of course, i am partial to the Bohemian lifestyle and its relationship to Taoist philosophy, so.. add me to the BS category..
In many ways, Taoism is a sanctuary for those that don't quite fit other descriptions.. hence, my new school T-shirts will have a line on the back which says, "and sanctuary for wayward Taoists".. which is appropriate since, to the degree we each deviate from the cycles of nature, we are wayward Taoists..
Taoism is most often a catch-all word for the general public's trend toward non-conformity.. while philosophical Taoism and stories of the immortals support this notion, there is too little mentioned regarding the path to arrive at this state of being..
Be well..
TaiChiBob.. "the teacher that is not also a student is neither"
A few times when asked what religion I consider myself to practice I responded "Taoist" and so I guess you could add me to the BS list as well. I've also said Yoga, pre-Hindu, eclectic, Kristain (with a K) and catholic (with a small c). Hell, I might even make up my own. My point is this; folks who place an emphasis on titles and abilities often have a some what hollow practice. Find a teacher that will start you on the basics and recommend that you practice every day.
Always learning
The reason i asked the question is because i am reading a book called Master Chuang, that is about Taoist Magic etc and thought if anyone learnt anything such as this in his book.
Garry
BS meaning no substantial information flowing from their mouths and so just saying lovely Taoist key words to soucnd cool... This is more what I mean with the BS statement.
I consider myself someone who "seeks" to follow the Tao but I do not consider myself a Taoist.
#### Once something like this is "Named" it ceases to exist. ####
Know what I mean????
But the Tao cannot be named!!!!
The Tao that can be named/defined/labeled is not the external/complete/actual/real Tao.
When we give something a name/label it implies a fixed definition. A definition is a box or boundary we put around something for the purpose of allowing us to discuss it. If a phenomenon cannot be defined it is difficult to discuss. So what the statement means is that Tao does not have a fixed definition. We may discuss Tao because we call/label/define it “TAO”, however those of experience and study understand the label “TAO” to identify an amorphous indefinable phenomena without fixed limits. So we may discuss it while also understanding it is beyond discussion; we may define it while understanding it is beyond definition.
Greetings..
Tao.. the "way" things are.. not to be understood, it is to be experienced.. understanding in evident in "living" it.. To use Scott's phrase, Tao is a "useful expedient", a word that elicits images, memories and processes related to the exploration of the "Way" things are.. I do not understand everything i "know", i know Tao, i experience it.. seeking to understand it is a trivialization.. experienced and known, it is in its fullness.. understood, it is distant..
Like Bill, i intend to find my "way", but.. i am not a "wayist".. Pressed to use a one word description of my beliefs, i would likely state that i "AM".. or, Taoist, depending on the inquirer's intentions..
Once named, it's not so much that something ceases to exist, but it ceases to Live.. confined by preconceptions.. Conversely, an honest evaluation of our attachment to whole notion of names and the ritualistic behavior of "seeking not to seek that which cannot be sought", results in a decent amount of humor..
Be well..
TaiChiBob.. "the teacher that is not also a student is neither"
The subject can be put into two general groups.
The rituals performed for the "masses". Services, blessing, exorcisms, talismans etc. to satisfy the religious/superstitious needs of the average Chinese in the old days/now?
And the practices of true Taoist magic, internal alchemy.
It's really simple. One thing for general consumption. The other, for internal spiritual development. As far as the comments on "Taoist BS", I generally agree. Most speak without knowing. But, Taoists can be hard to spot. They could be lurking around, keeping their mouths shut. And you might never know that they were there.
P.S. Some of the "rituals" are used for martial purposes and have been adopted into those schools.
And some of the "BS", actually may work.
And as always: "The Tao that can be named, is not the Tao"
Last edited by Bak Sing; 09-15-2006 at 03:36 PM. Reason: add
For some "light" reading on the topic, this book is actually quite useful:
http://www.amazon.com/Tao-Magic-Lang.../dp/0500270627
My teacher, for the last 4 years, has been the representative "Taoist" for the annual Interfaith Prayer Service (as he was told, they couldn't find anyone else; also, we did a Sacred Taoist Great Bear Ritual at the Interfaith center a few years back) for the opening of the UN General Assembly held at St. Bart's in NYC (he gets up in front of the Secretary General and all these religious bigwigs with their funny hats, waves around his sword and recites some sort of Taoist invocation); he has also attended the annual Tao gathering in Oakland CA hosted by Alex Fung (this year they are showing his short film, TaiJi: Chaotic Harmony, that he just released, with original music by Phillip Glass) - the first year he went, the San Fran Chronilce even wrote an
article about him
http://members.verizon.net/~vze4yzkt/taoconference.html
so, he represents Taoism at an official UN function; a newspaper article refers to him as a Taoist; he says he's a Taoist (actually, he says that he's a Buddhist moonlighting as a Taoist, but that's another story...); so I guess he must be a Taoist...
Last edited by cjurakpt; 09-16-2006 at 10:57 AM.
I was ordained as a Taoist back in 92 and belong to the Ching Chung gwoon (sect), i try to live by the Tao.
I must read more about your sifu, Cjurapkt!
Thankyou
Garry
I was on the metro earlier, deep in meditation, when a ruffian came over and started causing trouble. He started pushing me with his bag, steadily increasing the force until it became very annoying. When I turned to him, before I could ask him to stop, he immediately started hurling abuse like a scoundrel. I performed a basic chin na - carotid artery strike combination and sent him to sleep. The rest of my journey was very peaceful, and passersby hailed me as a hero - Warrior Man