August 10, 2025 • 13 mins
Discover the highlights of this chapter shaping the New Evangelization today: https://www.builtforgreatness.com/tao-te-ching-chapter-81-true-servants-of-god/
What happens when ancient Chinese wisdom meets Christian spirituality? Chapter 81 from the BFG Handbook offers a groundbreaking answer – a Christian interpretation of the Tao Te Ching that reveals timeless truths transcending cultural boundaries.
We explore five profound principles that appear across spiritual traditions worldwide, starting with the challenging notion that "truthful words may not be beautiful; beautiful words may not be truthful." This call for authenticity resonates deeply in our era of carefully curated public personas, encouraging us to value substance over style and integrity over impression.
The wisdom continues with insights about peace over argument, the paradox of how intellectual humility leads to greater wisdom, and the counterintuitive path to abundance through giving rather than accumulating. These principles culminate in understanding how to fulfill our purpose without contention, aligning with a benevolent cosmic order that benefits all.
What makes this exploration particularly valuable is the practical application. Through the Trinitarian MAP framework – where mindset, aim, and practice converge – we demonstrate how these ancient teachings transform daily decisions and relationships. Whether you're navigating conflict, questioning materialistic definitions of success, or seeking deeper purpose, these universal truths provide a compass.
Most remarkably, we trace how these core ideas echo across Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and beyond, revealing a shared spiritual heritage that could foster greater understanding in our divided times. The ancient wisdom isn't just philosophically interesting – it offers practical guidance for living with purpose and harmony today.
How might embracing these universal principles transform your perspective and relationships? Listen, reflect, and discover bridges between Eastern and Western spiritual traditions that could enrich your life and strengthen your community.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
And today we're diving into something well,
truly unique Chapter 81 from theBFG Handbook.
It's a modern spiritualcommentary, and this chapter is
described as get this aChristian edition of the Tao Te
Ching, now ancient Chinese textsfoundational to Taoism, all
about living in harmony with theway.
So what we've got here is thisremarkable blend Ancient wisdom,
christian teachings, alldesigned to give you a fresh
(00:22):
perspective on living apurposeful life.
Our mission today extract thoseuniversal truths, wisdom,
service, peace, things thatresonate across time, across
cultures, giving you thatshortcut to being genuinely
well-informed.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Exactly, and what's really fascinating here is how
this chapter frames thesetimeless ideas.
It presents them as anexpression of profound love, and
the aim is to restore thesefundamental truths that can
guide us.
We're going to explore fivecore principles from this
chapter.
See how they stack up againstthese well universal teachings.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Okay, let's do it.
Let's unpack this first keyidea from chapter 81.
Truthful words may not bebeautiful.
Beautiful words may not betruthful.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
This one really makes you stop and think, doesn't it?
It challenges us to look pastthe surface.
You know the eloquence, theoutward show.
It suggests that how thingslook or sound can often mask
well the true condition of theheart or the reality of a
situation.
You see echoes of thiseverywhere, really.
In Christian scripture Jesusoften spoke against that kind of
outward piety, the showinesswithout real inner righteousness
(01:24):
.
Remember the whitewashed tombsbeautiful outside but full of
decay inside.
So it's about authenticity,seeking what's real, even if the
truth isn't pretty or easy tohear.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
That makes total sense.
Powerful call for integrity.
Okay, so how does that leadinto the second principle?
This one's interesting.
The righteous do not have theneed to argue, those who have
the need to argue are theunrighteous.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Yeah, this highlights a really stark contrast and
approach and how people engage.
See, when someone is genuinelygrounded in what's right, their
actions, their way of being, itspeaks for itself.
They don't feel that compulsionto constantly defend, justify,
get into endless debates, butthose who are consumed with
arguing, often it stems frominsecurity, right, or a need to
(02:05):
control the narrative, maybemasking some deeper imbalance.
Think about Jesus before Pilatehis silence.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Powerful example.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Right.
He didn't get drawn into anargument.
His purpose wasn't winning adebate.
It was fulfilling somethingmuch bigger.
It's about you know wisdom,knowing when to speak and, just
as importantly, when silence isthe right response.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
That's really insightful, especially about
conflict.
Okay, moving to the thirdprinciple, this one hits the ego
pretty directly.
Those who think they know muchare not wise.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Those who think they are wise do not know much oh
yeah, this is a classicuniversal warning against
intellectual pride, isn't it?
True wisdom and so manytraditions?
It isn't just about piling upfacts or being clever.
It's more about recognizing thelimits of your own
understanding, staying open,acknowledging that maybe
ultimate wisdom comes fromsomewhere beyond just right
(02:55):
humility exactly humility.
That's why so many spiritualpaths emphasize it as like a
prerequisite for deeper insight.
Paul in the new testament hewarned about it said that
sometimes real wisdom meansbeing willing to look like a
prerequisite for deeper insight.
Paul in the New Testament hewarned about it said that
sometimes real wisdom meansbeing willing to look like a
fool to the world because you'reopen to a different kind of
knowing.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
And humility can be hard to come by sometimes.
Okay, number four this onereally flips conventional ideas
about, you know, wealth andsuccess.
The wise master does not storeup treasures on earth.
The more he serves, the moreblessings he receives.
The more he gives, the moreabundant he becomes.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
This completely turns that narrative of accumulation,
of hoarding, on its head.
It paints this picture of awise master in Taoism, maybe
someone aligned with the Tao,the flow In a Christian sense,
maybe someone embodying thatselfless, Christ-like service,
this master.
They operate from generosity,not scarcity.
The core idea is that realabundance isn't measured by what
(03:49):
you keep but by what you giveaway freely.
And this resonates so deeplywith teachings like it is more
blessed to give than to receive.
Blessings the abundance back.
It might not be material stuff,it's often spiritual
fulfillment, richerrelationships, a deep sense of
purpose.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
That's a beautiful way to think about abundance.
Okay, finally, the fifthprinciple.
It feels like this one bringsit all together.
The way of heaven benefits alland does not harm.
The way of the wise is tofulfill their duty without
contending.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Yeah, it does.
It sort of encapsulates thisfundamental trust in a
benevolent order, whether youcall it heaven, the Tao or God's
will, and it describes how thewise person aligns with that.
Just like nature, you know,works for the good of the whole,
without all this striving andcompeting.
The wise person fulfills theirresponsibilities quietly,
diligently, without needingpraise or getting into conflict.
(04:37):
It's a call to serve thegreater good.
Do your part with integrity,with humility, trusting that
your actions ripple out andcontribute to harmony.
It's about flowing with the way, not fighting it.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Okay, so we've explored these five really deep
principles.
Now the big question what doesthis mean for you, the listener?
How do you apply this day today?
The BFG Handbook talks about amethod for renewal.
It calls it the Trinitarian MAP, where God's love shapes your
mindset, trust in the Sondirects your aim and faith in
the Holy Spirit guides yourpractice.
This is the how-to.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Let's dig into each of these, see how these
principles can really transformyour mindset, aim and practice
Absolutely.
Let's start right back at thebeginning.
Principle one truthful wordsmay not be beautiful.
Beautiful words may not betruthful.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Right.
So how does that shape ourmindset, aim and practice?
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Okay for your mindset .
It's about cultivating thisdeep commitment to integrity.
You start valuing authenticityover just appearances.
In a world, let's face it,where truth gets twisted easily,
this mindset says no.
I'm prioritizing honestcommunication.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Then your aim becomes seeking truth even when it's
uncomfortable, stripping awaythe superficial, getting to
what's real.
It's an active striving forauthenticity.
Got it and then practice.
How does it look?
It means actually choosingtruth over convenience, day in,
day out, even when it's tough.
Speaking honestly inrelationships at work, work
online, avoiding flattery, notsugarcoating things.
(06:04):
You know that idea of let youryes be yes.
That practice builds genuinetrust.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
That clarity is so important.
Okay, what about principle two?
The righteous do not have theneed to argue.
Those who have the need toargue are the unrighteous.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
How do we live that one out?
This one fosters a mindset of Idid say peace and humility,
instead of needing to win everysingle discussion.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Right that constant battle.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Exactly.
You shift your focus tounderstanding others, promoting
harmony.
Your aim then becomes activelyavoiding unnecessary conflict,
cultivating peace wherever youare.
It's about striving fordialogue, not just discord.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
And the practice.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
In practice, it looks like restraint.
When disagreements pop up,instead of jumping in to
escalate, you consciously chooseto listen more.
Focus on finding calming ground.
Use language that buildsbridges, not walls.
Remember that wisdom A softanswer turns away wrath.
It's so needed today.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Definitely challenging, but really powerful
.
Okay, principle three those whothink they know much are not
wise.
Those who think they are wisedo not know much.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
This one encourages a mindset of well, openness,
teachability, recognizing thattrue wisdom isn't about having
all the answers, it's thisknowing you don't.
So your aim shifts to embracinghumility in your learning
journey, avoiding thatintellectual arrogance.
You actively want to be alifelong learner and in practice
it means genuinely being opento new perspectives, even ones
(07:27):
that challenge you.
Seeking wisdom from others,approaching learning with
curiosity, admitting when youdon't know.
It guards against that pridethe proverb warns about.
Pride goes before destruction.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
Wisdom flows from a humble heart a A great reminder
to stay curious.
Okay, principle four, about notstoring treasures.
The wise master does not storeup treasures on earth.
The more he serves, the moreblessings he receives.
The more he gives, the moreabundant he becomes.
How does that guide us?
Speaker 2 (07:55):
This cultivates a mindset of generosity,
selflessness.
It actively moves you away fromthat purely materialistic focus
on just getting more stuff.
Your aim becomes prioritizing,service, prioritizing giving
understanding, that truefulfillment, that deep spiritual
abundance.
It comes from these selflessacts and the practice.
It's about actively looking foropportunities to give your time
(08:16):
, your skills, your resources.
Maybe it's volunteering,helping a neighbor, supporting a
cause, Making kindness aregular habit, really living out
that idea that it's moreblessed to give than to receive
fundamentally changes how youview wealth.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Yeah, it really shifts the focus from receiving
to giving.
Beautiful Last one, principlefive the way of heaven benefits
all and does not harm.
The way of the wise is tofulfill their duty without
contending.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
This fosters a mindset of peaceful duty
fulfillment, approaching yourresponsibilities with humility,
seeing how your actions fit intothe bigger picture,
contributing to the practice.
Responsibilities withexcellence, but also with a
spirit of service, letting youractions speak, focusing on the
(09:10):
collective well-being, not justpersonal gain.
That idea of working heartilyas for the Lord and not for men.
It brings this quiet, deepcontentment.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
So this whole process of renewal, this MAP, it
empowers us to respond, doesn'tit?
To live more purposefully,engage differently and really
embrace these truths that seemto cut across different lines,
which brings us to the universalnature of these principles.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Exactly, and this is where it gets really compelling.
These aren't just, you know,specific to one tradition.
You see these core ideas echoedacross major world religions,
major philosophies.
It shows how much common groundthere really is.
Let's take a look.
Think about the universal truthof truthfulness and integrity.
That first principle truthfulwords may not be beautiful.
Well, look across the board.
Christianity you shall not bearfalse witness.
(09:57):
Islam do not mix truth withfalsehood.
Hinduism points out thatspeaking truth leads to
spiritual progress.
Buddhism values right speech.
Truthfulness is key.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
It's everywhere.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
It really is.
The uniting factor is clear.
Truth builds trust.
It allows for real connection.
It's seen as vital for bothpeople and society Living in
alignment with what's real.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
Okay, and what about the universal truth of peace
over conflict From the righteous?
Do not need to argue.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
Again the desire for peace, for for harmony.
It's central almost everywhere.
Christianity blessed are thepeacemakers.
Islam if they incline to peace,then incline to it.
Hinduism praises the one freefrom anger who does not quarrel.
Buddhism warns against harshspeech because it just provokes
the same back.
This shared principle showsthat true strength often lies in
(10:44):
de-escalation, in understanding, not just winning arguments.
It champions dialogue, respect,foundations for any healthy
community.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
A powerful common thread indeed.
How about the universal truthof humility and wisdom From
those who think they know muchare not wise?
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Humility is universally praised as essential
for wisdom.
Christianity God, opposes theproud but shows favor to the
humble.
Islam teaches that true honorcomes from righteousness, from
inner character.
Hinduism calls humility thehighest form of knowledge.
Buddhism says the wise one ishumble and free from ego.
The common ground, real wisdom,isn't arrogance.
(11:21):
It's recognizing limits, beingopen, acknowledging something
bigger.
It keeps us learning, avoidsthat trap of closed-mindedness.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
Makes sense, and the universal truth of generosity
and service, that idea of themore he gives, the more abundant
he becomes.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
This is fundamental across faiths.
Christianity it is more blessedto give than to receive.
Islam uses that beautifulmetaphor of a seed growing seven
years for those who give.
Hinduism values giving withoutexpecting return.
Buddhism encourages giving evenif you only have a little.
Wow, this deep agreement showsthat giving isn't just charity.
It's a path, a pathway togenuine spiritual and personal
(11:58):
richness.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
It totally redefines wealth away from just
accumulation finally, theuniversal truth of fulfilling
duty with integrity.
The way of the wise is tofulfill their duty without
contending.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
This idea of doing your part, fulfilling
responsibilities with integrity,quietly.
It's deeply ingrainedeverywhere.
Christianity whatever you do,work heartily.
Islam commands rendering trustproperly.
Hinduism talks about actingaccording to your dharma, your
duty.
Buddhism stresses intentionfulfill duties selflessly.
(12:28):
The unifying message is ouractions count.
Fulfilling duties faithfully,without needing applause or
getting into rivalries, itcontributes to the well-being of
everyone.
Purposeful action for the whole.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
You know this deep dive into chapter 81, it's
really shown a light on howthese principles truth, peace,
humility, generosity they aren'tjust Christian ideas or Taoist
ideas.
They're like these universalthreads woven through our shared
human spiritual fabric.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Exactly.
These aren't just dusty oldtexts.
They offer real, timelessguidance for navigating life
today, for living with purpose,and they can actually bridge
gaps between different cultures,different traditions.
It's practical wisdom thatworks.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
And for you, these insights.
They're really powerful tools.
They can genuinely transformhow you interact with people,
how you navigate thecomplexities we all face, giving
you a clear, actionableframework.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
You know, as St Thomas Aquinas said, truth
cannot contradict truth.
Finds from different placesoften point in the same
direction.
So maybe we can leave you withthis thought In what ways could
embracing these universal truthshelp you foster more
understanding?
In what ways could embracingthese universal truths help you
foster more understanding, moreunity and, ultimately, more
genuine fulfillment in your ownlife and in the communities
you're part of?
And today we're diving into something well,
truly unique Chapter 81 from theBFG Handbook.
It's a modern spiritualcommentary, and this chapter is
described as get this aChristian edition of the Tao Te
Ching, now ancient Chinese textsfoundational to Taoism, all
about living in harmony with theway.
So what we've got here is thisremarkable blend Ancient wisdom,
christian teachings, alldesigned to give you a fresh
(00:22):
perspective on living apurposeful life.
Our mission today extract thoseuniversal truths, wisdom,
service, peace, things thatresonate across time, across
cultures, giving you thatshortcut to being genuinely
well-informed.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Exactly, and what's really fascinating here is how
this chapter frames thesetimeless ideas.
It presents them as anexpression of profound love, and
the aim is to restore thesefundamental truths that can
guide us.
We're going to explore fivecore principles from this
chapter.
See how they stack up againstthese well universal teachings.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Okay, let's do it.
Let's unpack this first keyidea from chapter 81.
Truthful words may not bebeautiful.
Beautiful words may not betruthful.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
This one really makes you stop and think, doesn't it?
It challenges us to look pastthe surface.
You know the eloquence, theoutward show.
It suggests that how thingslook or sound can often mask
well the true condition of theheart or the reality of a
situation.
You see echoes of thiseverywhere, really.
In Christian scripture Jesusoften spoke against that kind of
outward piety, the showinesswithout real inner righteousness
(01:24):
.
Remember the whitewashed tombsbeautiful outside but full of
decay inside.
So it's about authenticity,seeking what's real, even if the
truth isn't pretty or easy tohear.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
That makes total sense.
Powerful call for integrity.
Okay, so how does that leadinto the second principle?
This one's interesting.
The righteous do not have theneed to argue, those who have
the need to argue are theunrighteous.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Yeah, this highlights a really stark contrast and
approach and how people engage.
See, when someone is genuinelygrounded in what's right, their
actions, their way of being, itspeaks for itself.
They don't feel that compulsionto constantly defend, justify,
get into endless debates, butthose who are consumed with
arguing, often it stems frominsecurity, right, or a need to
(02:05):
control the narrative, maybemasking some deeper imbalance.
Think about Jesus before Pilatehis silence.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Powerful example.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Right.
He didn't get drawn into anargument.
His purpose wasn't winning adebate.
It was fulfilling somethingmuch bigger.
It's about you know wisdom,knowing when to speak and, just
as importantly, when silence isthe right response.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
That's really insightful, especially about
conflict.
Okay, moving to the thirdprinciple, this one hits the ego
pretty directly.
Those who think they know muchare not wise.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Those who think they are wise do not know much oh
yeah, this is a classicuniversal warning against
intellectual pride, isn't it?
True wisdom and so manytraditions?
It isn't just about piling upfacts or being clever.
It's more about recognizing thelimits of your own
understanding, staying open,acknowledging that maybe
ultimate wisdom comes fromsomewhere beyond just right
(02:55):
humility exactly humility.
That's why so many spiritualpaths emphasize it as like a
prerequisite for deeper insight.
Paul in the new testament hewarned about it said that
sometimes real wisdom meansbeing willing to look like a
prerequisite for deeper insight.
Paul in the New Testament hewarned about it said that
sometimes real wisdom meansbeing willing to look like a
fool to the world because you'reopen to a different kind of
knowing.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
And humility can be hard to come by sometimes.
Okay, number four this onereally flips conventional ideas
about, you know, wealth andsuccess.
The wise master does not storeup treasures on earth.
The more he serves, the moreblessings he receives.
The more he gives, the moreabundant he becomes.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
This completely turns that narrative of accumulation,
of hoarding, on its head.
It paints this picture of awise master in Taoism, maybe
someone aligned with the Tao,the flow In a Christian sense,
maybe someone embodying thatselfless, Christ-like service,
this master.
They operate from generosity,not scarcity.
The core idea is that realabundance isn't measured by what
(03:49):
you keep but by what you giveaway freely.
And this resonates so deeplywith teachings like it is more
blessed to give than to receive.
Blessings the abundance back.
It might not be material stuff,it's often spiritual
fulfillment, richerrelationships, a deep sense of
purpose.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
That's a beautiful way to think about abundance.
Okay, finally, the fifthprinciple.
It feels like this one bringsit all together.
The way of heaven benefits alland does not harm.
The way of the wise is tofulfill their duty without
contending.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Yeah, it does.
It sort of encapsulates thisfundamental trust in a
benevolent order, whether youcall it heaven, the Tao or God's
will, and it describes how thewise person aligns with that.
Just like nature, you know,works for the good of the whole,
without all this striving andcompeting.
The wise person fulfills theirresponsibilities quietly,
diligently, without needingpraise or getting into conflict.
(04:37):
It's a call to serve thegreater good.
Do your part with integrity,with humility, trusting that
your actions ripple out andcontribute to harmony.
It's about flowing with the way, not fighting it.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Okay, so we've explored these five really deep
principles.
Now the big question what doesthis mean for you, the listener?
How do you apply this day today?
The BFG Handbook talks about amethod for renewal.
It calls it the Trinitarian MAP, where God's love shapes your
mindset, trust in the Sondirects your aim and faith in
the Holy Spirit guides yourpractice.
This is the how-to.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Let's dig into each of these, see how these
principles can really transformyour mindset, aim and practice
Absolutely.
Let's start right back at thebeginning.
Principle one truthful wordsmay not be beautiful.
Beautiful words may not betruthful.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Right.
So how does that shape ourmindset, aim and practice?
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Okay for your mindset .
It's about cultivating thisdeep commitment to integrity.
You start valuing authenticityover just appearances.
In a world, let's face it,where truth gets twisted easily,
this mindset says no.
I'm prioritizing honestcommunication.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Then your aim becomes seeking truth even when it's
uncomfortable, stripping awaythe superficial, getting to
what's real.
It's an active striving forauthenticity.
Got it and then practice.
How does it look?
It means actually choosingtruth over convenience, day in,
day out, even when it's tough.
Speaking honestly inrelationships at work, work
online, avoiding flattery, notsugarcoating things.
(06:04):
You know that idea of let youryes be yes.
That practice builds genuinetrust.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
That clarity is so important.
Okay, what about principle two?
The righteous do not have theneed to argue.
Those who have the need toargue are the unrighteous.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
How do we live that one out?
This one fosters a mindset of Idid say peace and humility,
instead of needing to win everysingle discussion.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Right that constant battle.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Exactly.
You shift your focus tounderstanding others, promoting
harmony.
Your aim then becomes activelyavoiding unnecessary conflict,
cultivating peace wherever youare.
It's about striving fordialogue, not just discord.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
And the practice.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
In practice, it looks like restraint.
When disagreements pop up,instead of jumping in to
escalate, you consciously chooseto listen more.
Focus on finding calming ground.
Use language that buildsbridges, not walls.
Remember that wisdom A softanswer turns away wrath.
It's so needed today.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Definitely challenging, but really powerful
.
Okay, principle three those whothink they know much are not
wise.
Those who think they are wisedo not know much.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
This one encourages a mindset of well, openness,
teachability, recognizing thattrue wisdom isn't about having
all the answers, it's thisknowing you don't.
So your aim shifts to embracinghumility in your learning
journey, avoiding thatintellectual arrogance.
You actively want to be alifelong learner and in practice
it means genuinely being opento new perspectives, even ones
(07:27):
that challenge you.
Seeking wisdom from others,approaching learning with
curiosity, admitting when youdon't know.
It guards against that pridethe proverb warns about.
Pride goes before destruction.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
Wisdom flows from a humble heart a A great reminder
to stay curious.
Okay, principle four, about notstoring treasures.
The wise master does not storeup treasures on earth.
The more he serves, the moreblessings he receives.
The more he gives, the moreabundant he becomes.
How does that guide us?
Speaker 2 (07:55):
This cultivates a mindset of generosity,
selflessness.
It actively moves you away fromthat purely materialistic focus
on just getting more stuff.
Your aim becomes prioritizing,service, prioritizing giving
understanding, that truefulfillment, that deep spiritual
abundance.
It comes from these selflessacts and the practice.
It's about actively looking foropportunities to give your time
(08:16):
, your skills, your resources.
Maybe it's volunteering,helping a neighbor, supporting a
cause, Making kindness aregular habit, really living out
that idea that it's moreblessed to give than to receive
fundamentally changes how youview wealth.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Yeah, it really shifts the focus from receiving
to giving.
Beautiful Last one, principlefive the way of heaven benefits
all and does not harm.
The way of the wise is tofulfill their duty without
contending.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
This fosters a mindset of peaceful duty
fulfillment, approaching yourresponsibilities with humility,
seeing how your actions fit intothe bigger picture,
contributing to the practice.
Responsibilities withexcellence, but also with a
spirit of service, letting youractions speak, focusing on the
(09:10):
collective well-being, not justpersonal gain.
That idea of working heartilyas for the Lord and not for men.
It brings this quiet, deepcontentment.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
So this whole process of renewal, this MAP, it
empowers us to respond, doesn'tit?
To live more purposefully,engage differently and really
embrace these truths that seemto cut across different lines,
which brings us to the universalnature of these principles.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Exactly, and this is where it gets really compelling.
These aren't just, you know,specific to one tradition.
You see these core ideas echoedacross major world religions,
major philosophies.
It shows how much common groundthere really is.
Let's take a look.
Think about the universal truthof truthfulness and integrity.
That first principle truthfulwords may not be beautiful.
Well, look across the board.
Christianity you shall not bearfalse witness.
(09:57):
Islam do not mix truth withfalsehood.
Hinduism points out thatspeaking truth leads to
spiritual progress.
Buddhism values right speech.
Truthfulness is key.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
It's everywhere.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
It really is.
The uniting factor is clear.
Truth builds trust.
It allows for real connection.
It's seen as vital for bothpeople and society Living in
alignment with what's real.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
Okay, and what about the universal truth of peace
over conflict From the righteous?
Do not need to argue.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
Again the desire for peace, for for harmony.
It's central almost everywhere.
Christianity blessed are thepeacemakers.
Islam if they incline to peace,then incline to it.
Hinduism praises the one freefrom anger who does not quarrel.
Buddhism warns against harshspeech because it just provokes
the same back.
This shared principle showsthat true strength often lies in
(10:44):
de-escalation, in understanding, not just winning arguments.
It champions dialogue, respect,foundations for any healthy
community.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
A powerful common thread indeed.
How about the universal truthof humility and wisdom From
those who think they know muchare not wise?
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Humility is universally praised as essential
for wisdom.
Christianity God, opposes theproud but shows favor to the
humble.
Islam teaches that true honorcomes from righteousness, from
inner character.
Hinduism calls humility thehighest form of knowledge.
Buddhism says the wise one ishumble and free from ego.
The common ground, real wisdom,isn't arrogance.
(11:21):
It's recognizing limits, beingopen, acknowledging something
bigger.
It keeps us learning, avoidsthat trap of closed-mindedness.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
Makes sense, and the universal truth of generosity
and service, that idea of themore he gives, the more abundant
he becomes.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
This is fundamental across faiths.
Christianity it is more blessedto give than to receive.
Islam uses that beautifulmetaphor of a seed growing seven
years for those who give.
Hinduism values giving withoutexpecting return.
Buddhism encourages giving evenif you only have a little.
Wow, this deep agreement showsthat giving isn't just charity.
It's a path, a pathway togenuine spiritual and personal
(11:58):
richness.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
It totally redefines wealth away from just
accumulation finally, theuniversal truth of fulfilling
duty with integrity.
The way of the wise is tofulfill their duty without
contending.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
This idea of doing your part, fulfilling
responsibilities with integrity,quietly.
It's deeply ingrainedeverywhere.
Christianity whatever you do,work heartily.
Islam commands rendering trustproperly.
Hinduism talks about actingaccording to your dharma, your
duty.
Buddhism stresses intentionfulfill duties selflessly.
(12:28):
The unifying message is ouractions count.
Fulfilling duties faithfully,without needing applause or
getting into rivalries, itcontributes to the well-being of
everyone.
Purposeful action for the whole.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
You know this deep dive into chapter 81, it's
really shown a light on howthese principles truth, peace,
humility, generosity they aren'tjust Christian ideas or Taoist
ideas.
They're like these universalthreads woven through our shared
human spiritual fabric.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Exactly.
These aren't just dusty oldtexts.
They offer real, timelessguidance for navigating life
today, for living with purpose,and they can actually bridge
gaps between different cultures,different traditions.
It's practical wisdom thatworks.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
And for you, these insights.
They're really powerful tools.
They can genuinely transformhow you interact with people,
how you navigate thecomplexities we all face, giving
you a clear, actionableframework.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
You know, as St Thomas Aquinas said, truth
cannot contradict truth.
Finds from different placesoften point in the same
direction.
So maybe we can leave you withthis thought In what ways could
embracing these universal truthshelp you foster more
understanding?
In what ways could embracingthese universal truths help you
foster more understanding, moreunity and, ultimately, more
genuine fulfillment in your ownlife and in the communities
you're part of?
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