The sixteenth century Calvinists argued that the finite cannot contain the infinite. Their context was Holy Communion and the nature of Jesus Christ. Without recourse to special revelation from the heavens, Lao Tzu reflects on how going close up to reality we find that there’s an infinite depth to even the smallest of things.
Read MoreLao Tzu wasn’t experiencing persecution from those in the system; they just couldn’t understand him. Therefore, freedom from shallow and expensive events is liberating, not something to lament. In other words, the sage isn’t worried about getting to a better party, the sage is the epicenter of the true cosmic party. You can be too.
Read MoreA discussion of the concept of minimalism as understood by Lao Tzu, especially in chapters 59, 44, 48, and 80.
Read MoreLay down virtue signaling and legalism so everyone can recover genuine compassion and begin to really care for one another.
Losing the Tao, family relations and national stability break down, leading to chaos. Lao Tzu wasn’t a prophet predicting the future. Rather, he observed a perennial pattern we do well to heed today.
Read MoreLao Tzu had a different take on leadership than Machiavelli. This is a timely reflection for frightening times that could use a little more love.
Read MoreMicah Bournes is a poet, hip hop artist & singer. He discusses his experiences in Long Beach public schools and later a conservative Bible college, laments some of the important elements that were lacking, and offers provocative but timely reflections on ways to reimagine education and other systems of society.
Read MoreThis is one of our favorite chapters, since it offers a beautiful and vivid picture of what it looks like to surf the Tao. This isn’t about mere appearances, façades, or false egos. It’s about the way in which a person of integrity acts as if he or she is being witnessed. And it doesn’t mean that they care what haters think! Rather, the way we treat a delicate flower, and helpless baby bird who’s fallen out of a nest, or our neighbor’s lawn when we walk our dog says something about our alignment with goodness, truth and beauty. It says something to ourselves, even when no one else can know.
Read MoreThis chapter is an epitome of how to surf the Tao. Indeed, the final line states that understanding the ways in which the sensible goes out from the original source of all things and then returns back to the One is the “Tao Axiom.” As simple as that sounds, this chapter also points to the elusive character of ultimate reality. We might rightly connect this Tao to the Logos of Greek and New Testament thought. To do so would not be syncretism (the merging of two religious traditions) so much as philosophical translation.
Read MoreThe ancient Taosurfers were cool cats. They had poise. They demonstrated balance. They exuded integrity and compassion. But today, Taosurfers seem like bums to some. They seem not to be players. But maybe they’re playing a different game altogether. We discuss chapters 15, 20, and 67 of the Tao Te Ching. Jeff discusses how some racists in his world led him to lose his cool; Stacie applies Lao Tzu to the situation in order to explore more effective ways of being an antidote to a toxic situation instead of internalizing the poison of hate.
Read MoreWhat does it mean that praise and shame invite anxiety and fear? Praise puffs you up; shame tears you down. Trying to stay on top brings fear that you will fall. Fear of failure keeps you from rising up.
Read MoreFocusing on flashy things blinds eyes to beauty. Listening to a cacophony of voices makes it hard to hear the truth. Too many spices will dull your taste buds. Lust for luxury will drive you mad. Riches entice men to evil deeds.
Read Morehis show is dedicated listener question about what to do when you detect that a future pastor is a wolf pup, that is, a potentially dangerous clergy person in the making. How do we nip in the bud potentially abusive behavior without being too intrusive or outrageously in people’s business?
Read MoreThirty spokes meet at a hub. The empty space at the center is what lets the wheel go ‘round.
Read MoreCan you balance your mind and body and grasp the unity of everything? Can you soften your breath and become like a sleeping baby? Can you rinse from your eyes whatever is clouding your vision?
Read MoreThis episode is dedicated to a question from a listener who works in Christian education. They ask: How do I help change the culture of a church so that it's life giving & not authoritarian? In other words, how does one practically apply some of the themes we care about at Protect Your Noggin for the wellbeing of our kids? After minute 30, we give our actual interpretation of the Tower of Babel, & we discuss why non-Christians should want the Bible taught in public schools as an important historical document that has had a profound influence on global culture.
Read MoreFor this episode, Jeff asks Stacie (a death doula, AKA, end of life doula) to take over the episode and offer comfort and wisdom to our whole society the way should would work with an individual who was facing his or her mortality. This comes from our realization that, while we want to promote hope in our times, we also don't want cheap hope, or the sort of shallow positivity that covers over injustice without remedying it.
Read MoreOverfill your cup: it will spill. Over-sharpen your sword: it might shatter, when it really matters. Amass wealth: you can’t protect it. Excessive pride in riches and prestige will only leave you in disgrace.
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