S3E10: Emancipation from Mental Slavery (How to Surf the Tao Lesson 2)
This episode looks at Tao Te Ching chapters 3 and 12. These deal with the importance of being present, getting our values aligned, and the legitimacy of our daily need for nourishment. Religious and cultural forces sometimes try and trick us into distractions that are spiritual and emotional empty calories. The title is from a line we render in our text but is of course an allusion to Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song.”
We discuss the the history of Western Christianity's move (through thinkers like St. Augustine) toward the idea that we can't do much about injustice so we should just focus on the life to come. At hour 1 or so we share the meaning of life. We end with some cooking tips from Lao Tzu.
Other topics and sources mentioned:
Stoic Logos Spermatikos, from wikipedia: “λόγος σπερματικός: the generative principle of the Universe which creates and takes back all things.”
Capon, Genesis the Movie
Link to the book from the dude in NY
If you don’t have time to listen to our episode at least click on this below. Goosebumpification awaits. A first I thought this must have been recorded this year.
Finally, if you think we are starting to sound too hippie, check out this delightful video then come back to us. You should know we would love to hang with folks like this and painted faces, it’s just that we aren’t cool enough for that. Don’t tell us you don’t find their Bohemian flow puts at least a little smile on your face no how grumpy you might have been this week from your labors….