Discover the highlights of this chapter shaping the New Evangelization today: https://www.builtforgreatness.com/tao-te-ching-chapter-76-a-gentle-approach/
Softness versus hardness—it's more than just a physical contrast. This fascinating exploration begins with simple, tangible examples—a tender green sprout versus brittle wood, a baby's gentle grip versus a clenched fist—before revealing profound spiritual truths that have resonated across cultures and faith traditions for millennia.
Drawing from Chapter 76 of the BFG Handbook (described as a Christian edition of the Tao Te Ching), we unpack a counterintuitive wisdom: true strength and vitality come not through rigidity and domination but through flexibility and yielding. "The hard and inflexible are followers of the dead, while the soft and yielding are followers of the living." This principle connects directly to Jesus's teaching that "the meek shall inherit the earth" while finding remarkable parallels in Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu wisdom.
The episode offers more than philosophical musings—it presents a practical framework (the MAP method) for cultivating spiritual flexibility in everyday life. Through mindset shifts that embrace openness, aims that prioritize humility, and practices that embody gentle strength, listeners discover how to resist the natural hardening process that can calcify our spirits over time. We examine how clinging to control paradoxically leads to collapse, while surrender opens us to deeper power.
What part of your life might benefit from releasing rigid control? Where might gentleness prove more effective than force? Join us as we explore this ancient wisdom that speaks directly to modern struggles, offering a path to spiritual vitality found not in domination but in the surprising power of yielding.
Episode Transcript
Just imagine the difference, you know, between
something brand new and soft,like a tiny green sprout pushing
up.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Or even a baby's hand , how it just grips your fingers
so gently.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Exactly.
And then contrast that with,say, old, dry wood, brittle
Snaps easily.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Or like a clenched fist Hard, rigid, unyielding.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Yeah, that feeling, that huge difference, that's
really our starting point today.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
It's such a basic contrast, isn't it?
We see it all over nature, butas we'll explore, it holds some
surprisingly deep meaning, muchdeeper than just the physical
stuff.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Absolutely, and today we're taking a deep dive into a
really fascinating source thatuses this exact contrast to talk
about something much bigger, awhole way of being.
We're looking at chapter 76 ofsomething called the BFG
Handbook.
Just for context, the sourceitself describes this handbook
as a kind of Christian editionof the Tal T'Cheng.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Which is fascinating in itself, right Bringing
together those different wisdomstreams.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Definitely.
And the core idea in thischapter right away is that this
softness versus hardness thingit's not just physical, it's
about life, growth, spiritualtruth versus, well, the opposite
, rigidity, stagnation.
So our mission here is toreally unpack what chapter 76 is
saying.
You want to explore thespiritual meaning specifically
(01:15):
through that Christian lens.
The source provides.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
And then look at how to actually apply it.
There's a framework mentioned,the MAP method.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Right Mindset, aim, practice, and then and this is
really interesting see how theseideas actually pop up in other
world religions too.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Yeah, the resonance is quite striking.
So, basically, we're aiming topull out the key insights, the
nuggets of wisdom from thisunique source for you.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
We'll start with the images the chapter uses.
Those contrasts then dive intothe spiritual side for the
Christian angle.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Explore how you might put it into practice using that
MAT idea.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
And finish up by looking at that surprising
common ground with other faiths.
Let's unpack this.
So the chapter just jumps rightin presenting this core
contrast soft and yieldingversus hard and rigid.
It uses these really simple,relatable examples.
It says people begin life softand tender.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
At death.
They end up hard and rigid.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
And it mirrors that in nature, trees and grass begin
life soft and supple, leadingto this pretty blunt conclusion.
Hence, the hard and inflexibleare followers of the dead.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
And the soft and yielding are followers of the
living.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
And it even uses this metaphor, this image of an army
.
Thus, the inflexible andunyielding army will fall by
their own weight.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
Just as hardwood will be cut down.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
And finally, it connects this whole way of being
to well.
The ultimate outcome the hardand inflexible will occupy the
earth below.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
While the soft and yielding will inherit.
The earth above it paints avery clear picture, doesn't it?
Speaker 1 (02:36):
It really does Very vivid.
Now let's shift to how thesource interprets this through
that Christian lens.
What does soft versus hard meanspiritually?
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Well, the source connects being soft and tender
with having a heart that's open,responsive to God's guidance,
to grace.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Which sounds a lot like core Christian ideas.
You know humility, gentleness.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Yeah, exactly, the source explicitly points to
scripture here, like Matthew 5.5, blessed are the meek, for they
shall inherit the earth.
And how Jesus describes himselfin Matthew 11.29 as gentle and
lowly in heart.
So the softness, it's not aboutbeing weak, it's about being
receptive, able to be shaped.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Okay, so the flip side, the hardness.
What does that represent?
Speaker 2 (03:18):
That represents spiritual stubbornness,
resistance to God's will.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
And the source suggests that leads towards
spiritual death.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Yeah, he who pursues evil goes to his death.
Basically, a hardened heart isclosed off.
It can't receive life from God.
It becomes brittle.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
That image of the unyielding army falling under
its own weight.
That's powerful.
It speaks to relying only onyour own strength, refusing to
bend.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Precisely Refusing to yield, maybe even to God's will
.
The source brings in Proverbs16.1.
Eat here.
Pride goes before destruction.
Trying to just force your waythrough life, being totally
self-reliant in that rigid way.
Paradoxically, it can lead toyour own collapse, like that
brittle wood just snapping.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
So it's a warning against pride, really against
thinking you don't need God.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Yes, absolutely.
And then the promise that thesoft and yielding will inherit
the earth above the sourceconnects that peace.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
The kind that comes from humbling yourself before
God.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Exactly it references 1 Peter 5.6.
Humble yourselves, therefore,under God's mighty hand, that he
may lift you up so truestrength in this view it's found
in surrender, in humility, notin that rigid control.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Okay.
So, summing up this part, thecore Christian takeaway from
chapter 76, as presented here,is that real spiritual strength,
real life, comes fromgentleness, humility, yielding
to God's Spirit.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Yeah, and not from clinging to your own rigid way
or pride.
It kind of flips our usualideas about strength on their
head.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Which leads us nicely into the next section of the
source, called Renewal.
This offers a practical way tolive this out.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Right Mindset, aim and practice.
Now the source calls it theTrinitarian MAP method, hinting
at a connection between thesethree and the Father, son and
Holy Spirit.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
Okay, but the key is it gives us concrete steps.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Yes, how to actually approach this idea of softness
and yielding in our daily lives.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
Well, let's break that down.
First up mindset how shouldthis chapter change, how we
think?
Speaker 2 (05:11):
Well, the fundamental mindset shift is towards
embracing flexibility, humility,openness.
You know, remember the firstimage we start soft, we end up
hard.
So the mindset is aboutconsciously working against that
natural hardening process.
It means approaching things,challenges, changes, even people
with a learning spirit, stayingopen instead of immediately
resisting.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Becoming like little children, as the source mentions
from Matthew receptive Exactlythat receptive source mentions
from Matthew Receptive.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Exactly that Receptive open, teachable.
And it also means a mindsetthat acknowledges the downside
of being inflexible.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Recognizing that rigidity cuts us off, hinders
growth, can even lead to, likethat, army falling.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
So it's a mindset of being willing to yield, to
listen, to trust.
James 4.6 is highlighted.
God opposes the proud but givesgrace to the humble.
Humility opens the door tograce to life.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
So it's a conscious choice in how we frame things
Interesting.
Okay, moving from thinking tointending Aim.
What should our goals be?
Speaker 2 (06:04):
based on this, the main aim is to actively
cultivate that humble, flexiblespirit we just talked about.
It's about setting an intention.
I want to stay soft and tendertowards God's leading and
towards others.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
So aiming to avoid the trap of rigidity and pride,
the chapter warns aboutprecisely the kind of rigidity
that just stifles life andconnection.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
So you might aim to stay open to feedback, maybe aim
to be more teachable inconflicts.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
You could aim for understanding, for collaboration
, not just for winning orforcing your view like that
proverbs verse about trusting inthe Lord, not just your own
understanding that trust.
F Exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
That trust itself becomes an aim, and it's also
about aiming for strengththrough gentleness.
Realizing true power isn'tdomination.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
So maybe aiming to respond with patience and
challenges, or aiming to empowerothers rather than control them
?
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Yes, those are great practical aims.
Learning jesus's example inmatthew 11.29, aiming for that
gentleness and humility heembodies, that's the path to
real rest and strength.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
According to the text okay, which brings us logically
to the third part, practice.
How do we actually do this?
How do we act?
Speaker 2 (07:07):
right.
This is where it gets reallypractical.
The practice involves wellpracticing humility and
flexibility daily in ourinteraction, Trusting God's way
of peace instead of just forcingour own solution or control.
No-transcript.
It is and it's also aboutpracticing what you might call
gentle strength, meaning havingthe inner strength to stay
(07:27):
composed, to be kind, even whenyou're facing opposition.
Trusting God is working throughyou.
It's being firm in your beliefs, maybe, but expressing them
with kindness, with compassion,not just brute force.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Using that Matthew 11.29 verse again as a model.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Yes, learning from Jesus's gentleness.
And finally, it's the practiceof consciously choosing meekness
over pride.
In what you do, acknowledgingGod's will is better than yours
Serving others humbly, puttingtheir needs first.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Like Matthew, 5.5 suggests the meek inheriting the
earth, it's an active practice.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Very much so.
So this MAP framework mindsetaim practice gives us a
structured way to take theseideas of softness yielding
humility from chapter 76 andactually try to live them out.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Which then leads us into the respond section of the
source material, and this bit isreally fascinating, you
mentioned, because it broadensthe scope.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Yeah, this is where it highlights that these
principles, they aren't justexclusive to one tradition, they
echo across different beliefsystems.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Okay, this is where it gets really interesting
Seeing the universal threads.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Yes, let's look at some of the key principles the
source pulls out and theparallels it finds.
First, this whole idea ofhumility and yielding over force
.
Remember the line the hard andinflexible are followers of the
dead and the soft and yieldingare followers of the living.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Right, and the source says this isn't just Christian.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
No, obviously there's Matthew 5.5, blessed are the
meek.
But then it points to Islam,like Quran 16.125, talking about
inviting people to God's waywith wisdom and gentle,
instruction, not force.
Buddhism it mentions the imageof a lion calm, steady, not just
relying on brute strength, andHinduism teaching that true
service comes from humility,being free from pride.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
So what's the uniting factor here?
Speaker 2 (09:12):
It seems to be the shared value across diverse
traditions, placing importanceon humility, on yielding to
something greater, guard, divinelaw, the path, rather than just
relying on your own force orego.
It's seen as essential forspiritual growth, letting go of
the need to dominate.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
So yielding isn't weakness.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Exactly Alignment with deeper principles.
Humble yourselves before theLord and he will lift you up.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
Okay, what's another universal principle highlighted?
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Strength through gentleness.
That image of the unyieldingarmy collapsing under its own
weight really hits this home.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
And again, the source sees this elsewhere.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yes, Beyond Matthew 11.29, gentle and humble.
It points to Islam's Quran41.34, which advises repelling
evil with something better.
Suggesting a gentle, positiveresponse is actually stronger.
Buddhism emphasizes calmnessand adversity, compassion as
strength.
Hinduism talks about strengththrough dharma, righteous action
(10:11):
, which is often gentle action.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
So real strength isn't about being the loudest or
the most aggressive.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
Not in the spiritual context.
No, Across these faiths, trueresilient strength seems to be
portrayed as calm, composed,compassionate, not rigid or
forceful.
It's the inner fortitude thatallows for gentleness which can
actually handle conflict andhardship better, Like 2
Corinthians 10.1, appealing withthe gentleness and kindness of
Christ.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
That connects really well to the next idea.
The source brings up meeknessand letting go of control.
There's a great quote mentionedhere.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
The treasures of life are gained by those who let go
and missed by those who hold onthis idea of non-attachment or
surrender.
It's a really profound sharedthread.
Christianity talks about losingyour life to find it right,
Islam emphasizes trustingAllah's decree, Buddhism
famously identifies attachmentas the root of all suffering and
(11:02):
Hinduism teaches renouncing thefruits of your actions,
surrendering the outcome to God.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
So it's a universal call to release that tight grip.
Clinging to outcomes, todesires, to control, seems to be
seen everywhere as a source ofsuffering.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Letting go, surrendering to a higher power
or a natural flow that'spresented as the path to freedom
, to peace, to finding the realtreasures, it might look like
trusting God's plans when theydiffer from yours, releasing
that need to control everylittle detail, finding peace by
surrendering your ambitions oranxieties about outcomes.
Philippians 4.6-7 speaks tothis.
(11:36):
Don't be anxious, pray, and thepeace of God guards your heart.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
Okay, and there's one more major principle the source
highlights across faiths.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Yes, trust in divine justice over human judgment.
The chapter says let thesovereign God be the judge
according to our sins.
To take the place of God islike trying to cut for the
master carpenter.
You just can't do it properly.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Right, don't try to be the judge yourself.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
Romans 12,.
Vengeance is mine.
I will repay, says the Lord.
It belongs to God.
Islam's Quran foreshows thatAllah doesn't commit injustice.
Buddhism has the concept ofkarma and advises against
passing judgment.
Hinduism also relies on karmafor ultimate justice, stressing
trust in that divine order.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
So the common thread is recognizing a higher judge,
not taking it into our own hands.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Exactly Across these traditions there's a clear
teaching Don't seek revenge.
Don't impose your own limitedjudgment.
Trusting in a divine or cosmicjustice allows for patience,
humility and avoids the mess wemake when we try to play God.
Psalm 9.8 says God judges theworld with equity.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
That response section really is something, isn't it?
It takes these ideas fromchapter 76 and shows how they
echo Humility, yielding gentlestrength, letting go, trusting
divine justice.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
They're not just confined to one box.
They seem to be pieces ofshared wisdom pointing towards
some fundamental truths abouthow to live, how to grow
spiritually, found acrossdifferent paths.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
It really highlights a kind of convergence on
essential truths.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Yeah, it really does.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
So, as we start to wrap up this deep dive, we've
journeyed through thisfascinating chapter 76 of the
BFG handbook.
We saw how its simple contrast,hard versus soft, opens up
these deep spiritual lessons.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
We explored the Christian interpretation
presented in the source, lookedat that practical MAP framework
for maybe bringing these ideasinto your own life.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
And then we saw how surprisingly universal these
core themes are resonatingacross different faiths.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
We've really seen the chapter make a powerful case.
That true spiritual strength,real vitality is found in that
yielding that softness, not inrigidity and resistance.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
And the point isn't just to think about this stuff
right, it's presented as a callto action, to actually embrace
flexibility, humility yieldingin your everyday life.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
Yeah, it's offered as a practical path towards
finding peace, finding genuinestrength, whether that's in your
relationships, at work or justnavigating life's challenges.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
So maybe the question for you listening right now is
what does all this mean for youtoday?
Speaker 2 (14:00):
If that inheritance, that earth, above that true
spiritual life and strength,comes from being soft and
yielding, where might you stillbe holding on?
You know, hard and inflexible,maybe thinking that rigidity is
strength or protection.
Speaker 1 (14:14):
What would it actually look like right now in
your life to maybe surrendersome of that rigidity, to
embrace the surprising, maybeeven counterintuitive, power of
gentleness and yielding?
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