Protect Your Noggin

Drawing from Tao Te Ching chapter 69, we discuss the history and philosophy of restraint. Jeff provides three historical examples when not acting led to catastrophe and three where it just might have saved the world from nuclear annihilation. How does all this relate to the ways in which we deal with verbally abusive relatives at family gatherings?

Inspired by Tao Te Ching chapter 68, and drawing from our work with sport stadium security, elementary students, comedy show door work, and event lead roles with concerts, we discuss the idea that the best warrior is not warlike. Even if you don't usually vibe with this, consider listening to this show to learn a bit about the art of de-escalation. We also discuss an interesting candidate for "Tao Surfer Ranch 2.0" that we checked out in the desert windy roads of historic Route 66.

We explore the ways in which New Age spiritualities and gurus might lead to disengagement from issues that matter in the world. Using chapter 67 of the Tao Te Ching, we contrast this with an engaged spirituality based on minimalism, compassion, and the way of non-domination. We also mention the potential problems with karmic thinking in Ram Dass and the value of a non-dogmatic inspiration from Jesus and his brother James on the importance of concern for the poor and downtrodden.

We attempt to weave together the history of Route 66 (The Mother Road) and Tao Te Ching chapter 66 in order to answer a listener question. Whether we pull it off or not, we at least address a few key ways in which the Tao Te Ching can shed light on global issues of our day, especially the ways in which economic injustice globally can bring insecurity and chaos to our local communities. There's a discussion also of whether a libertarian socialist society is even possible in our age.

We aren't sure what this chapter is saying. We think we might disagree with what it's saying. This week, we discuss how we read the Tao Te Ching differently than we read the Bible during our youth in Evangelical youth groups and why indoctrination of even something we think is true is not helpful in the long run. Come experience the interpretive discomfort with us and consider the ways in which education plays into the emancipation of all minds, yet sometimes confuses minds.

We discuss Tao Te Ching 63, which encourages us to tackle major projects by focusing on one component part at a time. Applied to our lives and community building projects, instead of focusing on grand ideological constructs, it might be best for us to ask whether each small action we take serves our overall plan. We cross reference a similar teaching from Jesus in Luke 14, where he encourages us to count the cost before setting off on a spiritual or material quest.

Alongside our discussion of Tao Te Ching Chapter 62, we contrast New Age interpretations of the yin-yang symbol that is so familiar today. It turns out to be more about the ebbs and flows of existence and less about fining symmetry, balance, or moderation. Surfing the Tao also provides a perspective from which we can view our own failures compassionately and in a way that helps bring healing and freedom.

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A discussion of Tao Te Ching 61 and the ways in which larger countries, or leaders of large groups can benefit from a way of yin-like humility and the feminine principle.

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Buy our rendition of the Tao Te Ching online today.

Friend of the pod, poet and rapper Micah Bournes is back at it with another powerful protest album. On it, he challenges us to consider seeking the freedom of even those who've committed crimes against humanity. This is a challenging but timely conversation, given our recent discussions of parts of the Tao Te Ching that encourage us to draw former enemies into the virtuous community (this of course, for Micah is inspired by Jesus' teachings on reconciliation, repentance and restoration).

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Instead of going on to a new Tao Te Ching chapter, we address a superb comment from a listener about feeding a zeitgeist of resistance. We conclude by discussing the unique character of proto-Taoist shamanism.