News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on As religious faith has declined, ideological intensity has risen. Parent comment

Re:As religious faith has declined, ideological intensity ha... by mistermann on Sunday June 13, 2021 @02:40PM (#27495091)
Perhaps they have priests with costumes, and I am not aware of any alchemy, but are these "shortcomings" in any sort of fundamental, materially important way?
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:As religious faith has declined, ideological intensity ha... by dorchadas on Sunday June 13, 2021 @04:47PM (#27496301)
It's 'internal alchemy' [0]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neidan

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:As religious faith has declined, ideological intensity ha... by mistermann on Sunday June 13, 2021 @05:25PM (#27496651)
Ah, thanks for that. These seem fairly harmless to me but I'm not so knowledgeable, what do you think?
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:As religious faith has declined, ideological intensity ha... by dorchadas on Tuesday June 15, 2021 @07:19PM (#27522884)
I think they're things best practiced with a guide, and not something to go attempt yourself. Whether there's any actual effect from it or not, who knows. But it's always better safe than sorry.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:As religious faith has declined, ideological intensity ha... by teddyh on Sunday June 13, 2021 @04:10PM (#27495921)
I mean, alchemy is not a really an advantage for a religion to include these days. Most religions have dropped their medical claims long ago.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:As religious faith has declined, ideological intensity ha... by dorchadas on Sunday June 13, 2021 @04:49PM (#27496312)
It's worth noting that modern Daoist alchemy is internal alchemy [0]

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neidan

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:As religious faith has declined, ideological intensity ha... by mistermann on Sunday June 13, 2021 @04:18PM (#27495996)
Sure, but I am more interested in this idea of whether alchemy is a fundamental and substantial part of Taoism, and then also the question of whatever negatives may come with that (if it is actually true), is Taoism in the aggregate net beneficial to humanity, or not. I'm curious if you have any thoughts on the matter.
[ Parent | on HN ]