Study (Buddhism, experience, pastors, Buddhism, Zen)

[Scarlett Wampus]

x3. Awesome quote. I'll have to remember that for my students.

[cfer]

Originally Posted by Scarlett Wampus

Have other people had mentors? What was the relationship with them like? Do you ever get lonely if you are interested in Taoism and no one close to you can relate to that?

I guess I'm just full of questions, but not until I get really indepth and focus on a subject. The problem is, I wonder if I'm confusing the need for a mentor/leader for wanting to be told how to actually live and what to believe.

I am very interested in Taoism, but no one around where I live is or knows about it. Same thing with Zen and other forms of Buddhism. The forums here are very good, but I miss a good, one-to-one conversation. Oftentimes I think the threads get a little too far off topic, or the responses go round and round without getting to what I'm looking for, I guess.

The other thing is, even though I consider myself an intelligent person, a lot of religious and spiritual writings are very philosophical and metaphorical, and I often have trouble with stuff like that. I even have trouble thinking for myself, at times, I feel. No one wants to be told how to live or what to believe, but without some kind of direction to look into, I feel like I'm just vaguely wandering around and lost.

All this could be because I was told what to believe for 18+ years of my life and never questioned it until I first got on my own in college, too. I just don't know.

But when it comes to concepts like what to focus on when I meditate, how to quiet my mind, what it's supposed to be like when it happens, what's right, what's wrong....For the majority of my life it was based on religion. To have that foundation become unstable and sort of crumble beneath you creates a lot of confusion in a person. And when that happens, I usually like to talk things out with someone instead of read about something I have only the vaguest notion of.

Does that make any sense?

I'm sorry. It appears as if I've rambled and strung together topics that could be in about 3 or 4 different threads.

[Master Vigil]

Originally Posted by cfer

Does that make any sense?

It makes perfect sense. And I know exactly how you feel. I wish so much that there was a Taoist temple near me. The closest thing I have to it is a Soto Zen center about an hour away from me. And I don't have the money to drive that far often, nor the money (or time) to move out that way. This was a big problem for me, and was for like 5 years. And the weird part is, I can't even tell you how I got over it, or even if I did get over it. I can tell you one thing though, my students are my best teachers. Other than the spirits of course.

[munchkin]

cfer,

if you wish to talk more one to one, or more topic specific, with Taoists, on a Taoists forum, try here.

http://www.taoism.net/enter.htm

there are a few teachers of Taoist practises and philosophy on here, al of whom appraoch things slighrtly differently to the others whcih makes for interesting discussion.

the rules are very similar to here, respect for fellow members before all else, and respctfull posting. most other rules are flexible except for these.

mods are lovely (i'm one) members are lovely, and helpful. all are welcome whatver place along their path they are at. and specific questions tend to get answerred as much as another is able to do so.

all here are welcome, as the posts are so loving and kind hearted

what i tend to do is read aa few taoist forums, (although i only post here and at the Tea House) and get a few different perspectives that way


good luck

love becca

[Scarlett Wampus]

Originally Posted by munchkin

cfer,

if you wish to talk more one to one, or more topic specific, with Taoists, on a Taoists forum, try here.

http://www.taoism.net/enter.htm

I thought that place was good. Friendly people there. I've heard some harsh criticisms too but that's to be expected

Personally I find this place is best for me. I've looked at many Taoist & Buddhist groups online and I find its healthier for me to have as wide an aperture as possible.

[munchkin]

Originally Posted by Scarlett Wampus

I thought that place was good. Friendly people there. I've heard some harsh criticisms too but that's to be expected

Personally I find this place is best for me. I've looked at many Taoist & Buddhist groups online and I find its healthier for me to have as wide an aperture as possible.

hi,

yes this is a nice place i like it as its one of the view other places on the internet for spirituality that has respect for others as its main rule. which leads to a nice friendly atmosphere

love becca

[cfer]

Thanks for the link! I didn't have much time to look at it, yet, but I'm looking forward to checking it out in more depth this weekend.

[ChrisP]

T'is a good site. Frubals to the Munchkin most forms of the Tao covered.

[mingmty]

I think Taoism is intentionally confusing at first. Isn't to play with your mind but to make you see the relativity of your learned truths, the most common example is the paradox of what's good and what's evil, but another beautiful one is Chuang Tzu butterfly dream which challenge what's real.

I'm sure that once you are free from the social truths you can discover the origin of these and all opposites underneath the most complex paradoxes.