Open to Interpretation
#Tao
Game on...on the radio...Padres at Dodgers...is the Dude, The Big Lewboski, a Taoist?
✨️Dodgers...is the Dude, The Big Lewboski, a Taoist?
🧐https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudeism
hmmph...feed dropped a scene:
🧐He was an official in the imperial archives, and wrote a book in two parts before departing to the West; at the request of the keeper of the Han-ku Pass, Yinxi, Laozi composed the Tao Te Ching
✨️Han-ku Pass, Yinxi
+11Han-gu Pass (Hanguguan) is a historic and fortified gateway in Henan Province. According to legend, it is the sacred site where the philosopher Laozi wrote the Tao Te Ching before his journey westward. Yinxi was the astrologer, scholar, and guardian of this pass who insisted Laozi record his wisdom. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The Legendary Encounter
• The Guardian: Yinxi served as the gatekeeper of Han-gu Pass. According to Taoist lore, he perceived an auspicious purple mist drifting from the east, signifying the approach of a great sage (Laozi). [1, 2, 3]The Text: Recognizing Laozi, Yinxi requested that the master document his teachings before passing through. Laozi stayed at the pass to write the 5,000-character Tao Te Ching before becoming a hermit and departing westward. [1, 2, 3]
Historical and Cultural Significance
• Military Choke Point: Built initially by the State of Qin in 361 BC, it was a vital geographical bottleneck separating the Guanzhong plain (the Qin homeland) from the rival eastern states.Silk Road Portal: The pass served as a crucial portal for the ancient Silk Roads, controlling trade and travel. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Visiting the Site Today
• Attractions: The area features more than 30 spots, including the original watchtower, ancient paths, and the Taichu Palace (where Laozi wrote his work).Location: Situated in Lingbao, Sanmenxia City.
✨️Han-gu Pass, a gate to the afterlife?
You are likely thinking of the Ghost Gate Pass (Guīmén Guān 鬼門關) in Chinese mythology, rather than the historical Hangu Pass. [1, 2]
Here is the breakdown of the two very different portals:
1. Ghost Gate Pass (Guimen Guan) – The Gateway to the Underworld
In Chinese folklore and religion, this is the heavily fortified, mythological threshold that the newly deceased must cross to enter the Underworld (Diyu). [1, 2]
• The Concept: It acts as the ultimate border between the land of the living and the realm of the dead.Fengdu Ghost City: You can explore a physical, tourist-accessible representation of this mythical gate at the Fengdu Ghost City in Chongqing, China, which features temples and dioramas depicting the afterlife. [1, 2]
2. Hangu Pass (Hanguguan) – The Historical Border
If you were thinking of Hangu Pass, it is a famous military fortress and chokepoint in Henan, China, rather than an afterlife gate. [1]
• Historical Significance: Built by the State of Qin in 330 BC, it was used to block armies from invading the Qin heartland.The Legend: It is also famous as the spot where the philosopher Laozi supposedly wrote the Tao Te Ching before vanishing into the west. You can read more about it on Wikipedia's Hangu Pass page. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• Not "Doing Nothing": The Taoist concept of wu wei translates to "effortless action" or "action without over-action". It is about working in harmony with the natural flow of life, much like water flowing around a rock rather than smashing into it. [1, 2, 3]The "Hard Work" Paradox: Practitioners agree that it takes incredible discipline and effort to unlearn uptight, stressful habits, master your craft, and figure out how to work efficiently. [1, 2]
The Dudeist View: "Takin' er easy"
• Inspired by The Big Lebowski: Dudeism, the modern philosophy inspired by Jeff Bridges' character in The Big Lebowski, adapts ancient Taoist teachings. [1]Prioritizing Peace: Dudeists advocate for taking life as it comes and avoiding neurotic over-achievement or aggression. It encourages abandoning the "rat race" in favor of simple pleasures, mindfulness, and just abiding. [1, 2, 3, 4]
While neither philosophy values working yourself to the bone for status or money, both recognize that taking care of your responsibilities—and cultivating a peaceful mind—actually requires dedicated, mindful effort. [1, 2]
Here is the breakdown of the two very different portals:
1. Ghost Gate Pass (Guimen Guan) – The Gateway to the Underworld
In Chinese folklore and religion, this is the heavily fortified, mythological threshold that the newly deceased must cross to enter the Underworld (Diyu). [1, 2]
• The Concept: It acts as the ultimate border between the land of the living and the realm of the dead.Fengdu Ghost City: You can explore a physical, tourist-accessible representation of this mythical gate at the Fengdu Ghost City in Chongqing, China, which features temples and dioramas depicting the afterlife. [1, 2]
2. Hangu Pass (Hanguguan) – The Historical Border
If you were thinking of Hangu Pass, it is a famous military fortress and chokepoint in Henan, China, rather than an afterlife gate. [1]
• Historical Significance: Built by the State of Qin in 330 BC, it was used to block armies from invading the Qin heartland.The Legend: It is also famous as the spot where the philosopher Laozi supposedly wrote the Tao Te Ching before vanishing into the west. You can read more about it on Wikipedia's Hangu Pass page. [1, 2, 3, 4]
🎶a miss, not a afterlife gate...the Ghost Gate for sometime!...China does have a gate, a hark to Egypt's...bottom of third...🥲Alphonso grounds out...Ohtani up...fly out...aaand, searched up
✨️Tao N1 hypnopompic
The hypnopompic state is the semi-conscious, dream-like phase when waking up, while Stage N1 is the initial, lightest phase of sleep. In Taoism, transitioning consciously through these boundaries is used in practices like Zuowang (sitting in stillness) to capture deep intuitive insights and bridge your waking consciousness with the void. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Cultivating the Taoist Transition
To intentionally navigate the N1 and hypnopompic states:
• Lower the Breath: Focus on Dan Tian breathing (deep into your lower abdomen). As your physical breath becomes light and almost imperceptible, your brain activity slows, mimicking Stage N1. [1, 2]Witness Without Attachment: In "Emptiness Meditation," you allow sensations and images to arise and fall naturally without following them. Observing these fleeting hypnagogic shapes behind closed eyes builds parasympathetic awareness. [1, 2, 3, 4]Anchor to the Middle: By maintaining a focus on the center of your body, you prevent the mind from drifting completely into delta (deep) sleep, keeping yourself balanced in the liminal, creative theta-wave state. [1, 2]
🎶"Sitting in stillness"...sleep, reading, writing, movie watching, doom scrolling...just being laid back...comes natural...my cats Taoists...but it's not stillness, I guess, being entertained...anyway, Tao, Dudeism, avoids hard work
✨️Both Taoism and Dudeism celebrate relaxation, but neither is an excuse for total laziness or avoiding responsibility. Instead of dodging hard work, they teach the art of efficient, non-striving action—focusing your energy on what truly matters rather than fighting the current. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The Taoist View: "Wu Wei"• Not "Doing Nothing": The Taoist concept of wu wei translates to "effortless action" or "action without over-action". It is about working in harmony with the natural flow of life, much like water flowing around a rock rather than smashing into it. [1, 2, 3]The "Hard Work" Paradox: Practitioners agree that it takes incredible discipline and effort to unlearn uptight, stressful habits, master your craft, and figure out how to work efficiently. [1, 2]
The Dudeist View: "Takin' er easy"
• Inspired by The Big Lebowski: Dudeism, the modern philosophy inspired by Jeff Bridges' character in The Big Lebowski, adapts ancient Taoist teachings. [1]Prioritizing Peace: Dudeists advocate for taking life as it comes and avoiding neurotic over-achievement or aggression. It encourages abandoning the "rat race" in favor of simple pleasures, mindfulness, and just abiding. [1, 2, 3, 4]
While neither philosophy values working yourself to the bone for status or money, both recognize that taking care of your responsibilities—and cultivating a peaceful mind—actually requires dedicated, mindful effort. [1, 2]
🎶that "the Dude abides"...is lifted...
✨️"One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever."
[1, 2]
[1, 2]
🎶aand, they work to survive...sorta...hard work a religion too...oh...that's how Dudeism hooks up to Epicurus...
✨️epicurians noted for hard work?
Historically, Epicureans were not specifically noted for arduous work; they were actually famous for their philosophy of withdrawal from public life and the pursuit of tranquility/simple living.
Epicurean refers to a devotion to refined sensual enjoyment, particularly an appreciation of fine food and drink. It can also describe someone who follows the philosophical teachings of the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus, who advocated for the pursuit of peace, simple living, and long-term pleasure.
🎶doom scrolling abides...some survival skills watching tales of the perils of pauline, cliff hangers...?...I dunno...marine biology taught everything, everyone, living in the tide pools, was in its umwalt, its place to be...critters like it there...Epicurians are fug heads...
✨️
An epicurean nihilist is an oxymoron, blending the ancient Greek pursuit of peace of mind (ataraxia) with the belief that life has no inherent meaning. While traditional Epicureans seek pleasure via the absence of pain, this hybridized worldview embraces existential meaninglessness while still choosing to maximize immediate, sensory joy. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Instead of dwelling on the despair of a meaningless universe, these individuals often argue that the lack of cosmic purpose liberates humanity. The core intersection of these two philosophies creates a highly distinct worldview: [1, 2, 3]
• Materialism: Both philosophies traditionally agree the universe is made entirely of atoms and voids, and there is no afterlife. When the body dies, the consciousness ceases to exist. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]The "No Fear" Stance: Epicurean nihilists use the lack of an afterlife to eradicate the fear of death, reasoning that "death is nothing to us" because we won't be around to experience it. [1, 2, 3]Rejection of Objective Morality: Because there is no higher power or inherent purpose, they discard moral absolutism and societal expectations. [1, 2, 3]The Pursuit of Joy: While classic nihilism is frequently associated with despair, the addition of Epicureanism redirects this energy into a form of active hedonism. They view the enjoyment of good food, art, and community as the ultimate ways to occupy time until the universe ends.
Instead of dwelling on the despair of a meaningless universe, these individuals often argue that the lack of cosmic purpose liberates humanity. The core intersection of these two philosophies creates a highly distinct worldview: [1, 2, 3]
• Materialism: Both philosophies traditionally agree the universe is made entirely of atoms and voids, and there is no afterlife. When the body dies, the consciousness ceases to exist. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]The "No Fear" Stance: Epicurean nihilists use the lack of an afterlife to eradicate the fear of death, reasoning that "death is nothing to us" because we won't be around to experience it. [1, 2, 3]Rejection of Objective Morality: Because there is no higher power or inherent purpose, they discard moral absolutism and societal expectations. [1, 2, 3]The Pursuit of Joy: While classic nihilism is frequently associated with despair, the addition of Epicureanism redirects this energy into a form of active hedonism. They view the enjoyment of good food, art, and community as the ultimate ways to occupy time until the universe ends.
🎶bottom of fifth...Padres 1-Dodgers 0...the bad guys in The Big Lewboski, said to be Nihlists...film drops philosophies...I didn't follow that from the youtube clips...movie kinda pretentious...no surprise the mock religion Dudeism...Rocky Horror picture show fans a mock religion too...cult films...actually, Disney films...after a few hundred years, it may pan out, our time a nursery of new religions from films!
🎶Rojas gets first Dodger hit...Baseball has been there and done that...Slap Shot movie does it for Hockey...
✨️In Taoism, "cultivating laziness" is frequently misunderstood as doing nothing. Instead, it is the practice of Wu Wei (effortless action). It isn't about being unproductive, but rather stopping the forced struggle, eliminating actions that cause mental resistance, and aligning your efforts with your natural rhythm. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The Taoist approach to transforming your relationship with effort involves a few specific principles:• Wu Wei (Effortless Action): This is the art of "doing without doing." It means acting in harmony with the flow of life so that you stop feeling like you are swimming upstream. It's about finding the path of least resistance rather than forcing results. [1, 2, 3, 4]Identify Misalignment: Often, what society labels as "laziness" is actually a symptom of being misaligned with your true nature or being completely burnt out. If you are forcing yourself into a schedule or work that conflicts with your fundamental energy, your body and mind will naturally resist it. [1, 2, 3]Strategic Energy Conservation: The Tao teaches us not to waste our energy on things that don't serve our core wellbeing. Similar to water, which flows around obstacles rather than constantly fighting them, true wisdom is knowing when to be still and when to move. [1, 2, 3]Honor Your Natural Rhythm: Taoism heavily emphasizes following nature's lead. If your body is screaming for rest, resting is the most "Taoist" thing you can do—it restores the balance to your spirit. [1, 2]
🎶have in mind a snack...top of sixth...oh, the Tao Gate...that was a riff back in the blog...Torii Gates!...Ohtani up...miss-remembered...seen in Japan...part of Shinto...W...
✨️Omamori, Ofuda, and Kanashiba
+18
Omamori and ofuda are traditional Japanese talismans obtained at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, while kanashibari is the Japanese cultural term for sleep paralysis, historically attributed to supernatural entities. [1, 2]
1. Omamori (お守り)
• What it is: Portable, personal amulets kept in small, brocade pouches.Purpose: Carried on backpacks, purses, or keychains to provide protection, good fortune, or specific blessings.Common Types: Include kotsu-anzen (traffic safety), en-musubi (love), gakugyo-joju (success in studies), and kenko (good health).Usage: Kept closed and typically replaced or returned to the shrine annually so the blessing doesn't diminish. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
2. Ofuda (お札)
• What it is: Stationary, larger talismans made of paper, wood, or metal. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]Purpose: Meant to be enshrined in a specific space, such as a kamidana (household altar), at the entrance, or near the kitchen. They bless an entire home, room, or business rather than an individual. [1, 2]Usage: Usually posted above eye level and treated with deep respect. Like omamori, they are often swapped out for a new one at the start of the year. [1, 2, 3, 4]
3. Kanashibari (金縛り)
• What it is: The Japanese term for sleep paralysis. [1]What it feels like: The phenomenon occurs when REM sleep overlaps with waking consciousness. The sleeper's mind is awake but the body is entirely paralyzed, often accompanied by frightening hallucinations. [1, 2]Cultural Context: Historically, kanashibari was attributed to spirit possession by yokai (monsters, such as kitsune or tanuki), sorcery, or the wrath of a ghost. [1]
1. Kanashibari (金縛り) – Sleep Paralysis
• The Phenomenon: Kanashibari translates literally to "bound in metal". It represents the literal intersection of the hypnopompic or hypnagogic states with waking consciousness, where your body is paralyzed but your mind is awake. [1, 2, 3]The Folklore: Historically, this terrifying state was not seen as a medical issue but as a supernatural assault. It was attributed to invisible spirits, ghosts (yūrei), or animal possession (tsukimono) by entities like fox spirits (kitsune) or raccoon dogs (tanuki) pinning the sleeper down. [1, 2]
2. Makuragaeshi (枕返し) – The Pillow-Mover
• The Phenomenon: A yōkai that specifically targets individuals in the liminal phase of sleeping or waking up.The Folklore: This spirit waits until a person is unconscious or semi-conscious to flip or move their pillow from their head to their feet. In ancient Japan, it was believed that the soul leaves the body during dreams; if the pillow was moved before waking up, the soul could become trapped, making the act of waking up disorienting or dangerous. [1, 2]
3. Yume no Seirei (夢の精霊) – The Nightmare Spirit
• The Phenomenon: An Edo-period spirit that acts as a personification of deep sleep paralysis and terrifying hypnopompic/hypnagogic hallucinations. [1]The Folklore: Depicted in traditional scrolls as a thin, emaciated old man, this spirit creeps into the liminal space of human sleep to manifest nightmares and induce a feeling of physical vulnerability. [1, 2]
+18
Omamori and ofuda are traditional Japanese talismans obtained at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, while kanashibari is the Japanese cultural term for sleep paralysis, historically attributed to supernatural entities. [1, 2]
1. Omamori (お守り)
• What it is: Portable, personal amulets kept in small, brocade pouches.Purpose: Carried on backpacks, purses, or keychains to provide protection, good fortune, or specific blessings.Common Types: Include kotsu-anzen (traffic safety), en-musubi (love), gakugyo-joju (success in studies), and kenko (good health).Usage: Kept closed and typically replaced or returned to the shrine annually so the blessing doesn't diminish. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
2. Ofuda (お札)
• What it is: Stationary, larger talismans made of paper, wood, or metal. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]Purpose: Meant to be enshrined in a specific space, such as a kamidana (household altar), at the entrance, or near the kitchen. They bless an entire home, room, or business rather than an individual. [1, 2]Usage: Usually posted above eye level and treated with deep respect. Like omamori, they are often swapped out for a new one at the start of the year. [1, 2, 3, 4]
3. Kanashibari (金縛り)
• What it is: The Japanese term for sleep paralysis. [1]What it feels like: The phenomenon occurs when REM sleep overlaps with waking consciousness. The sleeper's mind is awake but the body is entirely paralyzed, often accompanied by frightening hallucinations. [1, 2]Cultural Context: Historically, kanashibari was attributed to spirit possession by yokai (monsters, such as kitsune or tanuki), sorcery, or the wrath of a ghost. [1]
🎶pitching change...two outs...Betts up...runners first and second...1-1...2-2...3-2...fly out...end of sixth...the Torii Gates are for Kami to go thru...
✨️In Japanese culture and Shinto belief, the "hypnopompic state" (the liminal state of consciousness when waking up) is traditionally tied to specific entities and supernatural phenomena rather than major kami (gods/divinities). While the term kami means spirit, sleep-related spiritual experiences are usually classified under yōkai (supernatural creatures or apparitions) or specialized spirits. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The core concepts that directly match your query include:1. Kanashibari (金縛り) – Sleep Paralysis
• The Phenomenon: Kanashibari translates literally to "bound in metal". It represents the literal intersection of the hypnopompic or hypnagogic states with waking consciousness, where your body is paralyzed but your mind is awake. [1, 2, 3]The Folklore: Historically, this terrifying state was not seen as a medical issue but as a supernatural assault. It was attributed to invisible spirits, ghosts (yūrei), or animal possession (tsukimono) by entities like fox spirits (kitsune) or raccoon dogs (tanuki) pinning the sleeper down. [1, 2]
2. Makuragaeshi (枕返し) – The Pillow-Mover
• The Phenomenon: A yōkai that specifically targets individuals in the liminal phase of sleeping or waking up.The Folklore: This spirit waits until a person is unconscious or semi-conscious to flip or move their pillow from their head to their feet. In ancient Japan, it was believed that the soul leaves the body during dreams; if the pillow was moved before waking up, the soul could become trapped, making the act of waking up disorienting or dangerous. [1, 2]
3. Yume no Seirei (夢の精霊) – The Nightmare Spirit
• The Phenomenon: An Edo-period spirit that acts as a personification of deep sleep paralysis and terrifying hypnopompic/hypnagogic hallucinations. [1]The Folklore: Depicted in traditional scrolls as a thin, emaciated old man, this spirit creeps into the liminal space of human sleep to manifest nightmares and induce a feeling of physical vulnerability. [1, 2]
🧐https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kami
🎶the pillow part I've been to, seen, before...drenched in Hollywood dreams...Padres 5-Dodgers...older cultures delineated their dreaming...late comer my ownself to that...but have to my credit Hollywood...?...bbk...bk...Red Sox 5-Angels 3...top of fifth...Padres 5-Dodgers 2...sun going down...and more fireworks going off...counted the cats...all in attendance for dinner time...
:)
DavidDavid
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