TAO THE WAY TO BIBLICAL WISDOM

TAO THE WAY TO BIBLICAL WISDOM

A description of the book:

The interpretations of "Tao Te Ching" are as many as its translations. Each author is looking at Lao Tzu's immortal classic from his or her own perspective, and this is also one of the many reasons why "Tao Te Ching" is eye-opening and thought-provoking. 

The Bible and "Tao Te Ching" are among the most translated and extensively read books of all time, and for a good reason: one is about God's wisdom, and the other is about human wisdom. The author's own translation of "Tao Te Ching" is based on his belief that Lao Tzu's masterpiece is about the Creator of the universe, and that with true human wisdom man sees not only the manifestations but also the mysteries of His creations. 

The book is about true human wisdom without the "conditioned" thinking of contemporary wisdom. Without the "reverse" mindset of Lao Tzu, man may have difficulties in understanding the wisdom of God expressed in the Bible. 

The book is divided into four parts. Part One is about the author’s reasons for writing the book, and also why "Tao Te Ching" is a "must read" for anyone who seeks real human wisdom. Part Two is the author’s own translation of the 81 chapters of "Tao Te Ching" with references to the Bible; each chapter is followed by some selected Bible verses for further reflection on what Lao Tzu has said. Part Three is about the essentials of TAO wisdom with detailed explanation in simple language and with everyday life examples to help the reader understand the profound wisdom of Lao Tzu. Part Four is an explanation of how TAO wisdom may help the reader understand God's wisdom in the Bible. TAO is the Way to Biblical wisdom.

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A sample from the book:

Understanding human wisdom is the first step in the journey of a thousand miles towards understanding God’s wisdom. Without human wisdom, God’s wisdom is even more unfathomable and forever unintelligible to many.

Many of us often overwhelm ourselves in our pursuit of God’s wisdom in the Bible with its many books such that after a while we may end up giving up reading it—and that is the result of more for less.

Lao Tzu, on the other hand, shows us the importance of taking the first step, a small step, and one step at a time, along the Way, and human wisdom will slowly and subtly unfold itself to each and every one of us. So, beginning with less, we may get more in the long run.

“Accordingly, we do not rush into things.

We neither strain nor stress.

We let go of success and failure.

We patiently take the next necessary step,

a small step and one step at a time.”

(Chapter 64, Tao Te Ching)

The Role of Human Wisdom

To understand any wisdom, we need to understand ourselves first, and that requires human wisdom:

 

“Knowing others is intelligence.

Knowing ourselves is true wisdom.

Overcoming others is strength.

Overcoming ourselves is true power.”

(Chapter 33, Tao Te Ching)

Without human wisdom, the Word of God alone would be unintelligible to many, just as those seeds falling on the wayside and becoming unfruitful in Jesus’ parable of sowing seeds.

 

“When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.  The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.  The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.”

(Matthew 13: 19-22)

 Despite the exposure to Biblical wisdom, many would, indeed, fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah:

 

“In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’”

(Matthew 13: 14-15)

 

In addition, man has developed the conditioned thinking of resistance to change: most of us prefer to remain in our comfort zones. As a result, many not only are biased against, but also have strong resistance to, reading the Bible, thinking that the Bible would make them drastically change their lifestyles, requiring them to relinquish the things they cling to dearly in their lives. Due to this pre-conditioned thinking and inherent resistance to change, they walk away from the pathway to spiritual wisdom.

According to Lao Tzu, we never need consciously to change ourselves, let alone others.

“So, follow the Way.

Stop striving to change ourselves: we are naturally changing;”

(Chapter 57, Tao Te Ching)

Instead, we harmonize with everyone and everything around us. We never convince others that we are right and they are wrong; instead, we embrace the right and the wrong, and we learn from them. We do not follow our conditioned minds; instead, we keep an open mind, following the nature of things.

            

 TAO THE WAY TO BIBLICAL WISDOM