tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10694316.post8020539190312772119..comments2024-03-18T11:19:54.433-07:00Comments on The Rambling Taoist: The Best of...The Rambling Taoisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04730292897416827840noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10694316.post-79183942903503169182009-08-01T08:40:18.857-07:002009-08-01T08:40:18.857-07:00Hey jjmdarkeagle,
Thanks for commenting! Your las...Hey jjmdarkeagle,<br />Thanks for commenting! Your last paragraph really resonates with me!The Rambling Taoisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04730292897416827840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10694316.post-61475472994869177662009-07-31T07:46:00.984-07:002009-07-31T07:46:00.984-07:00How refreshing! I make soup the same way. Some c...How refreshing! I make soup the same way. Some common ingredients typically go in, but the spices and other flavorings vary by the batch. I have fond memories of especially tasty creations from years ago, never re-created, never needing to be.<br /><br />I've found the same to be true in human relationships - the "recipe" that creates success and happiness in one won't necessarily do so in another.<br /><br />Iktomi makes a good point. Lists make a good jumping-off point. As a student of kung fu, I have learned a "list" of techniques that have very specific applications. However, when we get into sparring, those techniques almost always have to be modified to suit the specific situation. Often it's hard to know which technique will be "most effective" and I just throw the best thing that comes to mind or, if nothing does, the best I can improvise. As I continue, I notice that the motions I have practiced most thoroughly start naturally creeping into the way I move. I don't think "hey, he threw x, I need to throw y," it just seems like y would be the most appropriate response.<br /><br />All of which is a very long-winded way to say that yes, the most effective thing to do at the moment is decided by the moment. We study and practice so that when the moment comes, we have good options to choose from. The "best" option is usually only visible in retrospect.jjmdarkeaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15180672463250435884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10694316.post-89131073999440443872009-07-29T15:46:15.088-07:002009-07-29T15:46:15.088-07:00You make a good point -- one that I had planned to...You make a good point -- one that I had planned to make, but, because I didn't make a list, I forgot about. :D)<br /><br />I much prefer random lists. When I write about the various blogs I link to -- like yours! -- I don't order them from best to worst or this to that. The only order I use is alphabetical.The Rambling Taoisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04730292897416827840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10694316.post-44402744155787469892009-07-29T15:37:41.640-07:002009-07-29T15:37:41.640-07:00lists have their place as jumping off points. mos...lists have their place as jumping off points. most of the time i read those lists that you describe and just skim them because there's nothing i didn't already know or else i'm just not all that interested. but every once in a while i stumble upon an idea that i didn't think of and would maybe like to try. and then later i'll try it and formulate my own opinion about it.<br /><br />like many other things, i think those lists are just made to share ideas. it's like taking advice from other people- it may be good advice or bad, you can take it or leave it as you will, or take with a grain of salt... either way it'll probably be useful to *someone* in some way...Iktomihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06764173102454691516noreply@blogger.com