Any taoist here?

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I have studied the Tao Te Ching, I Ching and other writtings for some time now. Would like to hear some opinions from others that have read or consider themselves Toaist...

Yes, I'm very familiar with the Tao Te Ching, and also the four Gospels and the Bhagavad Gita. What would you like to know?

Can you share with me your views on taoisms applicability in your daily life? Is it necessary to have a "teacher" or can one achieve development alone?

I like the Tao Te Ching because I feel it can be summed up, "Take your example from nature." Sometimes I'm like a cat. I eat a little, sleep a little, lay out in the sun, chase a butterfly. Sometimes I'm like a bird, making music because I like it. Sometimes I'm like a dog, loyal, protective, happy to see members of my pack, and is that a b***h in heat I smell? I store up in the good times so I'm prepared for the bad times. I work diligently for the collective. I've spent hours watching an ant colony and it reminds me of the human colony infesting this planet. I yield like water and slowly wear down boulders. I fill voids and seek my own level. I am a drop in the ocean and I am the ocean. Bend in the wind.

Ram Dass and others have said that if you need a teacher, one will appear. Ramana Maharshi said, "Guru, God, and Self are One."

I consider myself a taoist. I do tai chi, it's taoism in practise.

I train every day, try to follow nature ie. not resist or argue or hate but follow. Sometimes it helps a lot.

Raja Yoga is what most people commonly think of as meditation, isn't it? I've not read that book, but I have worked extensively with mindfulness. I had an unusual experience and decided to give it up til I had a teacher.

New moon just passed, strong yang is born. Usually a difficult time for people in terms of controlling energy.

Bloefield is excellent, also Thomas Cleary has translated many Taoist texts although his introductions are way over my head...

Not to forget the german Wilhelm, I've got a copy of his Secret of the Golden Flower, in english, but I'd like to get it in german too.

Yeah, Cleary are very good, only read one, planning to get others. He is very productive.

I wish I could read chinese.

I consider myself a taoist, and I have not had any kind of teacher.
It has always come naturally to me.
Reading the Tao te ching, it was as if someone had just written down my thoughts.
So I don't have any problems following the ideas in my everyday life.
They are lingering in the back of my head all the time.

I can't really give you any opinions. I'm sure sharper minds than mine have already spoken.
I think it's good, I guess. I live my life after it. It explains how everything works and how you should work with everything.
Since it's so intertwined with my personality, it's kind of hard to give an opinion.

Incidentally, I can read chinese, but I have not had the opportunity of doing so with Tao te ching.
I'm also interested in TCM, Taijiquan, meditation, etc.

For your reading pleasure and further discussions....

http://www.chinapage.com/gnl.html

I find it intriguing. I like to read about it but often can't grasp the massage unless I'm calm at the time. That doesn't happen as often as I'd like.

I know what you mean, we have to be still while the "mud" settles. I memorized chapter 16. repeating it is a great way for me to return to the stillness of my natural self.

I've heard it said that the Tao Te Ching has a self selecting audience....Look it cannot be seen, grasp it cannot be held. Understanding the Tao is accomplished throuh the intuitive right brain function. If we "try" to understand we cannot. If we open our mids in quiet stillness, it is found in its entirety....I think