The Seekers of Illumination

[Sinister]

I agree with you about challenging the "aforementioned". We're not exactly up to par yet, but I think that we have just as good a chance as anyone. We have a roster of some excellent writers and if we start work right away with RPB and RPing then it could very possibly be a future outcome.

As for my challenge, it's not something that we have to commit to, more voluntary-like. It's merely a distracting enlightenment.

As far as length, I should think that would be totally up to the person. They can provide anything from a half a paragraph to a half a page, all depending on their zeal.

As far as when...I would prefer that we stagger them. That way we wouldn't have to read like seven reports in a single sitting and also so we have something to look forward to.

But that's my idea.

-Sin

[Furore]

I agree with you about challenging the "aforementioned". We're not exactly up to par yet, but I think that we have just as good a chance as anyone. We have a roster of some excellent writers and if we start work right away with RPB and RPing then it could very possibly be a future outcome.

As for my challenge, it's not something that we have to commit to, more voluntary-like. It's merely a distracting enlightenment.

As far as length, I should think that would be totally up to the person. They can provide anything from a half a paragraph to a half a page, all depending on their zeal.

As far as when...I would prefer that we stagger them. That way we wouldn't have to read like seven reports in a single sitting and also so we have something to look forward to.

But that's my idea.

-Sin

Yeah make this one voluntary. I love looking up things like this, but not experiencing what they do fully, I'd feel anything I wrote up on it would be disrespectful.

Just that they have ideas and I have mine, and the slightest misunderstanding on my behalf could piss off anyone from whichever religion I'd be making the report on. I'd prefer to do the research and try to just gain a fuller understanding myself, yet not type anything out due to possible offense.
Later.

[T.G. Oskar]

How about if, more than voluntary, it becomes a pro-con type of essay? Discussion cannot flow and grow if not challenged, even though at times those differences actually stall the growth of knowledge (when they become all-inclusive, exclusive to change theories). Discussing about a religion, or why the religion's points (and contradictions), in a degree of respect and understanding, may actually help to clear some questions, and gain a greater degree of respect upon the beliefs of others. That means, if you consider what you speak of, Celtic, as offensive, it is because you fear to expose your opinion. There is no opinion so offensive or vulgar. There is conflict of point of view, and at times, having your point of view challenged causes a bit of conflict. It is when you overcome that initial disgust, and you engage in discussion, when you gain another degree of respect for that person.

Still, if you consider that the best way to respect your fellows is to refrain from redacting the essay, then by all means I'll accept that. That is another choice that's equally valuable: placing camaraderie over offenses. Still, I consider that if someone just wants to have an objective essay, a subjective essay either going pro or con, or even a semi-objective essay, then feel free to do so. Bashing and attacking people, however, is utterly forbidden.

An admirable job you seek to do, Celtic. Be if for bashing (hopefully not) or for understanding, to be capable of reinforcing your statement with opinion, is admirable. That means I gotta be also doing my research...

One final point, and something I want to bring to hand:
With this new vision of the club, I want to prevent as much as I can the events that led to the division of the first and original club (not the SoI, but the very very first one) Please, this is something I ask of heart: do not let your beliefs (either side or the other) to cause a dividing conflict that ends in the secession of the club. I would not like to have another "Bringers of Light" incident. If, as Celtic did, you wish to refrain from an activity for you consider it may be a bit offensive, then by all means do so. I believe we all want a united club, a united faction, not two divided brothers, right?

[Furore]

That means, if you consider what you speak of, Celtic, as offensive, it is because you fear to expose your opinion. There is no opinion so offensive or vulgar. There is conflict of point of view, and at times, having your point of view challenged causes a bit of conflict. It is when you overcome that initial disgust, and you engage in discussion, when you gain another degree of respect for that person.

Ah, it's just I have a habit of being blunt and sometimes misinterpreting things. I don't mean to, it just happens. The main thing is that anyone can read what I write here as it's completely public. One mistake could mean grave offense to someone. Private discussion? I'm all for that, but not everyone will be able to discern my intentions well enough as it is.

An admirable job you seek to do, Celtic. Be if for bashing (hopefully not) or for understanding, to be capable of reinforcing your statement with opinion, is admirable. That means I gotta be also doing my research...

One final point, and something I want to bring to hand:
With this new vision of the club, I want to prevent as much as I can the events that led to the division of the first and original club (not the SoI, but the very very first one) Please, this is something I ask of heart: do not let your beliefs (either side or the other) to cause a dividing conflict that ends in the secession of the club. I would not like to have another "Bringers of Light" incident. If, as Celtic did, you wish to refrain from an activity for you consider it may be a bit offensive, then by all means do so. I believe we all want a united club, a united faction, not two divided brothers, right?

Firstly, thanks for the first paragraph, I try.
And as for the second, that's why I like this club I believe. The freedoms given. You guys will probably all be seen as almost family by myself soon enough, and all families can show a few dysfunctions. Who knows, any conflict could serve to make us all stronger as a group.

United we stand my friends.

[Sinister]

I suppose I could go first, if need be, or if you wish to, Oskar.

Hmm...Religion or Philosophy? Obscure or...Established?

So many fascinating possibilities. A veritable realm of esoterica and detailed thought...

The easiest would be a mainstream religion...but pretty much everyone here knows those and if I go too esoteric and obscure, I risk envolving myself in cults...

Philosophies...Hrm... I could rock and roll this club with Transcendental Idealism...I've already ponied up with Solipsism in that one thread with Jintatsu... He was sold on it. Zen might be cool, but everyone might've heard of it already...><

I think I go on about Taoism so much that everyone is tired of hearing about it. I could go on Jainism or Sihkism. Jainism is a favorite I love the Svetambara and their Sky-clad Ahimsa. Very Altruistic to a fault...unto death, matter of fact. Not many of them left around, sadly...

I need to get it together...*sigh* So much to do...

It'll be a relief to write an essay that has nothing to do with plants ><,

-Sin

[T.G. Oskar]

*pops into thread*

Well, I haven't had a nice weekend as I thought I would have. I thought I would rest up a bit and take advantage of cable wireless modem, but I had a bit of a rough-in with Grandma. She almost gets Mum into trouble because she insists in living alone and far from home.

Fortunately, that's relatively solved. Thus, on to what's on schedule.

@Sinis: be my guest. You can make the first essay. It can give an example of how the essay should be constructed, how much of trust-able sources you should use, and the pro's and con's.

@Celtic: while it is natural that even families can have their differences, some differences grow into large rifts. And we are just growing into a family, or hopefully we are. Thing is, we've got a precedent we need to fix, circumvent, or prevent. Perhaps one person, by allowing too much freedoms, may feel uncomfortable, even alluded. So far, we are restricted by terms of mutual respect, which I believe is a way to prevent troubles. I do expect everyone in here to respect that, but eventually someone will have troubles with another, and neither will show respect for the other. I do wish that we can get over that nasty precedent that caused the disbanding of the former group, and that we may remain together.

But, after all, it is good to know that you eventually may consider us as a family. Anything we may do to help is more than encouraged. Anyone that may need help is encouraged to do so. That's what families are for, right? Regardless of the distance.

[Sinister]

Seeing I’m to be the first, I’ve decided to default on Taoism. I’ve decided to break up Taoism into “pillars” or fundamental concepts by which every Taoist lives and functions. I’m keeping it cut and dry since you have to walk before you can fly on dragon-back. So no theory is allowed and no philosophical bull. Just the religious views.

First off, Taoism is pronounced(Dow ism) and is unique in that it can be a Religion(Dàojiāo 道教) or just a Philosophy(Dàojiā 道家). It’s reliant on what your prediliction is. What you believe and what you can’t. There are three marked religious tomes of Taoism.

The primary text is the Tao Te Ching by the mysterious sage named Lao Tzu. This dates as the oldest of all of them, all the way back to 6th century BCE or BC if you prefer. The name translates simply as “Way, Virtue, Classic”.
Keep in mind that it was by no means Lao Tzu’s plan to write all of this down, even though what he did write down was cryptic and short. He was forced by a soldier to pen his teachings. Beware! Those who buy a copy of the Tao Te Ching will not understand it the majority of it unless you are initiated. It’s writted the way it’s written because Taoism cannot be summed up well, if at all.(which is not good news for me) Each passage is actually a sermon in-of-itself. So unless you already know the key terms, it will be of little use to you. Next are the Zhuangzi(named for it‘s author) and Daozang(or Tao Treasury).


So I suppose I should explain the Key Terms.

Tao (literally, Way) Is an amalgamation of several concepts. So many in fact, that it is impossible to tell you what the Tao isn’t. Tao means way and can mean nature, but it’s much more than that. You can’t say Tao is the universe because you exclude what isn’t the universe. You can’t say Tao is everything…because you exclude everything that everything isn‘t. Confusing? Nah. Not that bad.

Yin and Yang Tao can be described by two separate forces. Yin and Yang(Heaven and Earth). And they are quite literally that. Or more specifically, Matter and Energy. These are the forces that this particular existence operates. They intermingle and mix like clouds. Supposedly their intercourse can be predicted to some point. I personally find that difficult to believe, aside from the obvious.

Chi, Jian and Bugan wei tianxia Xian(or the three jewels of the Tao) These are the basic virues of Taoism. Compassion, Frugality and Humility. It is through these that people are able to begin cultivation of the Tao.

Te Inner strength and virtue is the degree to which you possess the above characteristics and how they are displayed in you.

Wu Wei Is a major tenet of Taoism that also helps in Cultivations. Wu Wei can be translated as “Without Action”. But that is not what it means. Lost in translation, poor term. It means to act without contemplation. Now you may remember your mother penalizing you for acting without thinking. Well guess what? It’s a virtue. But here’s the hang nail… You act without contemplating or scheming, but, unless you want to murder your cultivation of the Tao you act with Te. In otherwords they are saying that Virtue should be second nature to you now… Or wait…no…It should be your nature. You shouldn’t even have to think about it. You should just have to act.

Pu Is the uncarved block. The potential. The greatest power of all. The more you hone your strengths and your knowledge the more you detract from your potential. The less potential you have the weaker you will always be. The more limited your cultivation of the Tao will be. The more limited you will end up being. Eventually if you rack up enough limitations…you’ll just fade away into nothing…

Finally I’ll speak about the purpose of the religion. Immortality. There I said it. That is the goal. Few, if any, people reach it. Now they didn’t mean immortality as in longevity. Good Tao no. The way the Taoists look at it. People have two lives. One of Yang(matter) and one of Heaven(energy). In order to increase your material lifespan you can take vitamins, work out, eat healthy and so on. In order to increase your Yin lifespan you can cultivate the Tao.

That’s my essay. I only had to refer to my Tao Te Ching once. Yay!


Discuss!

[Furore]

@Celtic: while it is natural that even families can have their differences, some differences grow into large rifts. And we are just growing into a family, or hopefully we are. Thing is, we've got a precedent we need to fix, circumvent, or prevent. Perhaps one person, by allowing too much freedoms, may feel uncomfortable, even alluded. So far, we are restricted by terms of mutual respect, which I believe is a way to prevent troubles. I do expect everyone in here to respect that, but eventually someone will have troubles with another, and neither will show respect for the other. I do wish that we can get over that nasty precedent that caused the disbanding of the former group, and that we may remain together.

But, after all, it is good to know that you eventually may consider us as a family. Anything we may do to help is more than encouraged. Anyone that may need help is encouraged to do so. That's what families are for, right? Regardless of the distance.

What about an unspoken rule then maybe? Even if someone does dislike someone in the club for whatever reason they still show respect. We all will have different views on opinions on some subject or another, but that's what gives us something to discuss. When I mentioned 'freedoms' in my last post I was strictly speaking about the new way the club works. Everyone's welcome so long as they can explain why they see themselves as altruistic.

Differences do have the potential to create huge rifts, but from what I've seen we're all mature enough to respect each other.

@ Sinny. Nice post/essay on Taoism.
I must admit to not knowing much more than a few paragraphs from some text books so it was interesting to see some key terms I'd never come across before, mostly Pu. It warrants some further reading on my half.