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Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

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Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

Philosophy/religion

Are there any Taoists or Buddhists around?

48 replies

startouchedtrinity · 02/08/2007 08:02

I've just become interested in Taoism, and I know Buddhism has some similarities. I wondered if there are Taoist or Buddhist mums around as it's all pretty new to me and I don't really know where to start. TIA!

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startouchedtrinity · 06/08/2007 10:43

bump

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startouchedtrinity · 08/08/2007 10:16

Another bump?

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TnOgu · 08/08/2007 10:21

I'm a practising Catholic, but also have an interest in the principles of Buddhism.

I guess books are a good start - maybe something by the Dalai Lama, The Power of Compassion, perhaps?

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startouchedtrinity · 08/08/2007 10:48

Thank you! I'm reading the Tao Te Ching atm and have a few more on my bookshelf waiting. It is a good way to get a feel for things but I really need to talk to other people about it. As a Catholic you know the importance of going to church and being a part of something. I used to be an Anglican and although I don't miss the 'fellowship' or the dogma I do miss sharing ideas and experiences with others.

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whiskeyandbeer · 08/08/2007 14:06

i'm a catholic but studied both at college. a good and practical book for taoism is "the tao of pooh" it explains it using winnie the pooh stories and spreads the message through these fables (best way i can think of describing them).

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fransmom · 08/08/2007 20:29

there is also "the te of piglet" - a companion book to the tao of pooh but i haven't read either and both have been sitting on my shelf for nearly two years now - so thanks for the big nudge w&b!!!

stt, hows you?

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startouchedtrinity · 08/08/2007 21:14

thanks, whiskey, I'd seen that but dismissed it!

Fransmom, am well. I tracked down some Feng Shui books but am on Mnet instead of clutter clearing . And our boiler has packed up so we have no hot water which is probably extremely bad Feng Shui.

And you?

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yama · 09/08/2007 10:16

Hi Startouchedtrinity - I don't know how to do links but buddhanet.net is a great website.

Also, there are Buddhist groups which meet to discuss the teachings. I would imagine they exist in every part of the country. There might be meditation classes at your nearest college. This might be a way of meeting practtising Buddhists in your area.

Good luck.

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Peachy · 09/08/2007 10:18

Hiya trinity

have some interest in this (doinga world religions degreee, buddhism is my specialty)
Also have an intro to taoism book you're welcome to, Gratis 9and a buddhism one) as I have no further use- only small but really quite good

feel free to CAt and I will send on, along with one I was give by the Dalia lama

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Peachy · 09/08/2007 10:21

There's also a place in Raglan- Abuddhist community- that is very approachable and friendly. A lot of these palces run retreats / short stay visits.

ould say buddhism is probably more accessible then tao in this country, certainly tere is a lot of crossover- Buddhism, being non theistic (in its origins) tends to easily soak up the indigenous religions of where it is- look at Shinto and Bon as well, and how they are reflected in the Buddhism practised there. Even new Land Buddhism has a different flavour- except thsi time its more like christinaity.

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yama · 09/08/2007 10:29

Sorry - 'practising'.

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startouchedtrinity · 09/08/2007 20:49

Thank you Yama and Peachy. I'm in rural Essex so the chances of meeting a Taoist anywhere around here did seem remote, hence me trying here! I did also think Buddhists woudl be easier to meet IRL and on here, only because I already know some whereas I don't think I've ever knowingly met a Taoist! I am a theist which is partly why Taoism appeals.

Peachy, I think we've chatted before about your course and stuff, I used to be Nearlythree. Thank you so much for the offer of the books - did you say given to you by the Dalai Lama??? They might not be much use to you but I have loads of Christian theology books I'm clearing out if you'd like anything. I have to set up my CAT registration again, once I do I will CAT you.

I think the idea of finding a meditation group is a good one, and I'd love to go on retreat one day.

Thank you both again!

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Peachy · 09/08/2007 21:44

Actually theology is the theme next year...

and of course it wasnt the dalai lama
pmsl

my email is [email protected]

and you never know with these lama types, mate bumped into one in a local garden centre lol- and i git blessed by a hindu saddhu in cheddar LOL!

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startouchedtrinity · 10/08/2007 08:31

Lol Peachy - but you never know! I will e-mail you asap - I will appear to be a bloke called Steve as I use an old addy of dh's but I really am not a hairy trucker!

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fransmom · 10/08/2007 21:10

i too thought you had seen the dalai lama

is that the same cheddar as in sw england?

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fransmom · 10/08/2007 21:11

sorry stt! i am fine thankyou dd actually ate something i cooked (been worried about her not eating a lot) and actually ate at least half of what was on her plate!!!

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startouchedtrinity · 10/08/2007 22:02

That's great, Fransmom, my dd2 is an erratic eater - makes you feel so good when they eat well!

And our boiler is fixed.

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fransmom · 10/08/2007 22:09

yeah... does that mean you got hot water now then?

it gets me so stressed whe n she hardly eats tho. spoe it then rubs off on her then

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startouchedtrinity · 10/08/2007 22:15

Yep, tons of lovely hot water. Although our shower was working so it wasn't too bad. seeing how people had to cope with the floods put this well into perspective.

You can't help getting stressed about it. I'm probably too laid back - I let dd2 stop eating whereas dh will coax her into eating quite a bit more. She loves fruit and veg, it's carbs and protein - the latter in particular - that I struggle to get down her. If it's not cheese she's not all that interested.

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fransmom · 10/08/2007 22:17

could you do cheesy something bake and sneak some protein in soemwhere?

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startouchedtrinity · 10/08/2007 22:53

Thanks for the idea. The trouble is she won't eat anything mushed or that she can't get a grip on. So chips and roast potatoes are fine, mash and jackets are out. Thank goodness she'll eat pasta sauce - I do one with lentils - but she can spot fish a mile off. We don't eat meat but she won't even eat fish finger or veggie sausage. She did try a bit of veggie burger today though. TBH I think she finds the whole sitting down to eat thing a waste of valuable playing time, she'd be much happier with bowls of snacks she can eat on the go all day.

What about your dd?

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startouchedtrinity · 12/08/2007 15:21

Peachy, have e-mailed you. I have a box of theology books that I've sorted, let me know if you'd like them.

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fransmom · 12/08/2007 21:22

sorry i didn't get on mn all weekend! well, til tonight obv she getting there.we did have to invent stories about her peas being grown especially for her by dora (of the explorer fame) and her carrots grown by tico the squirrel. oh and yes, a running commentary (football or racing stylee) by me or her dad or both about her managing to get peas into the goal! and it's another one for dd united, ooh that was a close miss (kind of thing. she loves it!

hows things with you?

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startouchedtrinity · 13/08/2007 08:18

Sounds like she's doing well! I used to do the football commentary thing to get dd1 to put on her pjs! Never worked with dd2 though.

I'm okay, trying to clear and clean the house ready for Space Clearing - we've been here 18 mo and all the time we've been here we've been very unhappy and the walls seems to have soaked it up. I'm trying to clear out as much stuff that reminds me of bad times, as well as stuff we don't need any more, but I think the energy that it's accumulated is dragging me down. I was very sceptical about the whole energy thing until I was attuned to Reiki.

Did you have a good weekend?

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minnowpea · 14/08/2007 18:25

I'm a practising Buddhist belonging to the Soka Gakkai International, a worldwide lay Buddhist organisation based in Japan. There are many districts throughout the UK, so there should be one close to you. www.sgi-uk.org/ will give you further information if you're interested. One of the things I most appreciate about the practice is that children are really appreciated - there's lots of guidance about parenthood and the importance of raising confident capable children. If you're in England there are dedicated childrens groups also. It's a very dynamic practice based on creating change on both a personal and community level through culture, education and dialogue. There's also a short film about the organisation on www.sgi.org/media/sgi-dvd.html