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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While organized religion seems to be on the decline, at least in terms of official membership, those who see their congregations and adherents dissipating wring their hands and try to figure out how to lure folks back into their communities.

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n a world that is clawing for “winner” status and climbing over the “losers” without compassion, Lao Tzu teaches about three treasures he holds dear: compassion, minimalism, and the way of non-domination. Here, there is a sort of anarchy (listen to hear the precise definition of this term in both Taoist and Christian context), and definitely a rejection of the idea cruel power and domination as the key to life and good government.

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The winding shape of a river is a natural occurrence caused by a natural flow. Observing its course, we see that it never attempts to smash straight through a rock or hill, but rather dances around obstacles and goes on its way. Nonetheless, only fools underestimate its power, which can undermine the mightiest of fortresses.

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Discover what makes others tick
and you’ll be people smart.
Understand your true self
and you’ll be enlightened.
To confront others is gutsy.
To confront your true self is heroic.

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Lao Tzu speaks of a profound and perhaps dreadful power that one could wield through deciphering the power in, with and under a single atom. Perhaps he even knew that one day humans could channel this power in the form of nuclear fission and weapons capable of leveling entire cities.

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Take things one step at a time. This lesson draws from Tao Te Ching chapters 63 and 64.

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Lao Tzu says that we ought not only use weapons as a last resort, he teaches that it is unhealthy to fetishize weapons, glorify violence, or take delight in the death of an enemy. This is eminently sound.

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This chapter resonates with Jesus’ teaching: “Live by the sword, die by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52). It is also one of several places where we see a sort of healthy “selfishness” at play. We’re referring here to the possible influence of the school of Yang Chu, who taught a kind of ethical egoism. This isn’t the self-destructive selfishness of narcissists and gluttons, but rather an emphasis on personal health as foundational for one’s ability to care for others. As they say on commercial flights: In the case of an emergency cabin decompression first put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others.

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Lao Tzu emphasizes value of carving out empty space in one's life for centering, creativity, and preparation for action. We discuss this, and the concept of Sabbath in the Jewish and Christian traditions. The chapters discussed are 11, 73 and 12.

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The concept of wu wei is practically and clearly stated in this chapter. Again, this principle of acting by not acting isn’t about disregarding one’s duties, nor is it about being a pushover. It’s about letting the natural forces of the world flow as they flow without arrogantly assuming we can step in and control the flow through force.

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Lao Tzu clearly favors the feminine principle, the negative space, and the faith of a child. This last preference is especially resonant with the teachings of Jesus about being childlike. Over and over, we’ve been pointing to teachings from Jesus but not to create a syncretistic new way of thinking. Instead we are showing how Jesus and Lao Tzu often were teaching similar things. This has little to do with what is known as doctrine in Christian theological circles, however.

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Your ego always exists for something or someone else. With ego, you're giving away your power & become a slave to them or that thing, since you don’t have your own agency at that point. So let your ego sit this one out so you can rediscover your true self & nurture it.

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Some falsely assume that the Taosurfer is free from all material attachments. While it is true that Lao Tzu’s philosophy embraces the value of minimalism and is uninterested in accumulating excessive stuff, it remains aware of bodily needs and the essential tools necessary for life in this world.

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So, the Tao is sublime.
Heaven, earth, and humanity
are also sublime.
See how there are four sublime realities
in the universe, and humanity
is included?

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The sage learns that seeking goodness in the world isn't so much a matter of willpower as much as it the proper tuning of the senses to taste and see that good is good.

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