Jeff reads an abridged version of Isaac Frazee, Evolove: The Quest and Findings of an Efficiency Expert (1929). This book explores several themes related to the emphases of our podcast. Frazee’s biography and intellectual influence on Southern California culture is goin to take up a lot of his research agenda in at least the next year or so. His work is almost unknown today but reflects interesting challenges to industrialism, unquestioned capitalism, and religiosity that gets in the way of the way of Jesus. There is a bit of Christian anarchy and Christian socialism possibly behind this text. Eventually, Jeff will try to determine whether the themes in this book that resonate with the Tao Te Ching are accidental or are evidence of Lao Tzu’s influence on Frazee.

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Anyone who’s come this far with the Tao Te Ching will surely be familiar with the central concept of this chapter. Flowing subtly past obstacles, like water around a boulder, is a natural illustration of a greater principle. Water shows up as a classic example of one of the “softest things” since our ancestors all knew the power of water when it came to life and death. No water, no life. Too much water, we drown.

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A keynote lecture Jeff gave to the TriCampus Undergraduate Conference, a collaborative effort of Concordia U., Irvine, Fresno Pacific U., and Pepperdine U. It took place on Saturday, 2/27. Jeff explains how a college education, properly done, can be a helpful tool in pushing back against the crisis of truth and the global gaslighting the powers that be have been using against us all for ages.

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This chapter contains some of the most interesting theoretical and philosophical material of the Tao Te Ching. Everything emerges out of nothing, first as the cosmic unity, then as the differentiation between opposites—yin and yang, light and dark, positive and negative—and from this a third something is born. Some Westerners have observed a resonance with the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. On the one hand, it is important to avoid anachronism or Christianizing ancient Chinese concepts. On the other hand, there are discussions of the Trinity within Christian circles that have interesting parallels with this chapter.

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Following up on last' week’s interview with Steve Baughman, we use comments on Steve Baughman’s video about Ravi Zacharias’ scandalous behavior to illustrate ten informal fallacies. This is not a rehashing of the scandal itself but a closer look at the lack of critical thinking among religious supporters, which enables dangerous behaviors to go unchecked. We also read and discuss Kyle Howard’s tweets about abusive and toxic culture within American Evangelicalism.

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One thing we’ve learned during our attempts to surf the Tao is that it is easy to become crestfallen when we don’t have appropriate expectations about what surfing life’s waves looks like. Even for the “wise” and the “sages,” to expect that there are not “normal” times of embodied existence is mistaken. The most saintly men and women who’ve walked this earth have experienced moments of irritability, disappointment, anxiety, and doubt. What marks them out, however, is a life that habitually flows with the Tao rather than struggling against it. It involves mindfulness, even compassionate observation of our daily frustrations.

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Ravi Zacharias International Ministries Canada shut down this week, in the wake of startling public reports about the heinous deeds of their late founder Ravi Zacharias, world famous apologist (and owner of massage joints). We chat with immigration lawyer, and banjo master Steve Baughman who wrote Coverup in the Kingdom: Phone Sex, Lies, and God’s Great Apologist Ravi Zacharias. He's been on the trail of this religious wolf for quite some time.

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Whether you are an atheist or a believer, into Eastern or Western traditions, a physical practice is perhaps the best way to actually experience and realize what it is to surf the Tao. You don’t need to get into some spiritual zone or commune with celestial beings; rather, we’re inviting you time to wake up to reality, allow space for awareness & notice what you are thinking and feeling without judgment. This leads to clarity as we seek to find peace & outfox religious and ideological wolves.

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Our guest is a recent alumnus from Concordia University and joins the conversation from Nigeria to discuss his insights about the ways in which people try to oppose hate, racism and injustice in the United States. Sometimes, he suggests, we tend to focus on hating injustice but don’t emphasize loving justice. This may have an effect on our emotional, spiritual, and mental wellbeing.

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“The Tao’s flow involves reversals. Its methods are flexible. The living things in this world are born from something. That something was born from nothing.”

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Alyssa Sabo talks about her life, overcoming hardship, and laughing at her own earnest evangelical self growing up. She is a comedian, writer, actress, and liver transplant survivor.

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When any being in the natural world returns to the unity behind all things, or perhaps recognizes its interconnectedness with all things, that being discovers its ideal state of being. On the other hand, by trying to be separate, a being or thing ironically loses its defining identity. An easy-to-understand example is that of a ruler. By ignoring the interdependence of the people and the ruler, a ruler thinks he is distinct, loftier, and worthy of unique glory. Nevertheless, by becoming detached from the people, he loses touch with his rule. In practical terms, this typically leads to the overthrow or irrelevance of an arrogant and self-serving leader.

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Jeff and Stacie try out a relationship strategy for use especially in the immediate wake of a conflict-producing event in a romantic relationship, religious community, or workplace. In order to “Taosurf” relationships, they suggest that it can be helpful to separate out a) intentions, b) actions, c) reactions, and d) resolutions. This conversation might help you think through the reasons why you get into relationship conflicts and how to not let them ruin a relationship.

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Grab your favorite beverage and join us for a long form conversation with our new friends Lori and Cliff Lewis (veteran Christian radio DJ and hair metal guitarist respectively), to discuss their experiences with Contemporary Christian Music, Lutheranism, the idea of vocation, and Solomon’s wisdom. The music behind the opening is Lori singing and then a taste of Femme Fatale transitions us into the main conversation.

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In the end, when societies focus on etiquette and the husk of ethical relations, we are often dangerously close to having to turn to coercion and force instead of naturally harmonious interactions. This is where “flexing the muscles” comes in. When folks don’t follow the rules, the enforcers of societal stability have to remind everyone of their punitive power that is behind the rituals and protocols of politeness.

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An interview with Corey Farr, creator and host of the podcast A Christian Reads the Tao Te Ching. We discuss our favorite and least favorite chapters of the Tao Te Ching. We explore karma, providence, orphanages, and religious education. Farr is a seminary graduate, a Christian Anarchist, a writer, a poet and songwriter. He teaches at a residential school for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, and can be followed at coreyfarr.com. We were privileged to get a chance to talk with this wise student of Lao Tzu from a Christian vantage point.

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This show is just a little bit of letting down the hair with champagne after a long and emotionally exhausting 2020. Why do many set an “intention” at the start of a contemplative practice or yin yoga session? How does this relate to New Year’s resolutions? Without the normal opportunities for group festivities, Jeff and Stacie spend a quiet evening discussing the advantages and dangers of setting expectations and establishing goals. The discussion gets going after a bit of champagne, so forgive the meandering of this late-night chat. We’ll have more focused interviews and content-packed conversations in the episodes just around the corner. Happy New Year!

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This episode shares an international student perspective on American food, work & religion. We interview Jeff’s compelling student Malik, who is an international student who was stuck with us on an empty campus over the winter break. We invited candid observations from our guest, who obliged our questions but is by nature not one to offer unsolicited criticism.

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"The Tao does not coerce." --Lao Tzu. In this reflection, Stacie uses this chapter to help answer a question about rearing children through the way of non-domination.

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If you want to exhale, first take a deep breath. If you want to relax, first tense your muscles. If you want to clear your mind first notice your frantic thoughts. If you want to receive, first give. This is how to perceive the light that’s hidden amid the shadows.

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