Since the show is "finished" (for now), the Patreon site is no longer active. However, there are still hosting costs, and I still have expenses! If you would like to show gratitude with a small donation in a very easy way, you can do so at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crttc. No account creation required! Support the show ..read more

After two and a half years, we've reached the very last episode of the Tao te Ching! I'm not sure what's next for me, but at least for now, I'll stop regular posting here as I focus on some other pressing things in life and brainstorm possible future ideas.  This chapter is a nice summary of three of the key themes of the Tao te Ching that we've focused on in these last few years: 1. Wisdom over learning 2. Using too many words 3. The selfless ideal See more and contact me at www.coreyfarr.com Support the show ..read more

Chapter 80 presents Lao Tzu's vision of the ideal society, the "Taoist utopia". Although it is not a "realistic" picture at first glance, writing it off would be a big mistake. The chapter not only praises minimalism and simple living, but also contains a thinly veiled but cutting cultural critique that is just as relevant today as it was 2600 years ago. 1. The simple life - minimalism and Christian activist Shane Claiborne's "Irresistible Revolution" 2. The cultural critique - overpopulation, overdevelopment, industrialization, and insatiable desires 3. A clarification - is this chapter reall ..read more

We're skipping chapter 78 since we looked at it all the way back in episode 6! Chapter 79 is focused on the complex repercussions of human conflict. This is a shorter episode, and I'll split it into just two pieces: 1. "Just let it go" - conflict resolution the Taoist way 2. Peace is worth the risk - Christ as the ultimate example See more at www.coreyfarr.com Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/crttc ..read more

Chapter 77 describes the Tao as being like the drawing of a bow, where the top is brought down and the bottom is brought up. It is a cultural critique about how the way of man tends to upset the natural balance of things. The episode will have three general thematic movements: 1. Equilibrium and balance in the universe and in our lives 2. The "Robin Hood effect" - taking from the rich and giving to the poor 3. Lao Tzu's static equilibrium versus Christ's redemptive restoration Here's the blog entry I quote from: https://www.coreyfarr.com/post/extreme-makeover-eden-edition Support the show (htt ..read more

Chapter 76 takes us back to the familiar territory of "weakness" that is actually strength. Living things are soft, supple, flexible, and "weak". Dead things are hard, brittle, rigid, and "strong". I'll start this episode by sharing about one of the most influential - and meek - men I've ever known. Then we'll break it up into two basic sections: 1. Meekness and humility as true strength 2. Adaptability as the key to life Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/crttc ..read more

In this episode, we look at chapter 75, which critiques the greedy leadership of Lao Tzu's China or any government in general. I'll start with reading from Jesus's parable of the foolish rich man as well as his famous words on "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." The rest of the episode is pretty simply divided into two parts: 1. Greed in leadership 2. Greed in in general terms in our daily lives and the dangers of greed creeping up on us as we start to accumulate even a little bit of extra money See more at www.coreyfarr.com Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/crttc ..read more

Episode 36 looks at chapter 51, in which the abstract Tao, the origin and sustainer of all things, points to the more concrete virtue of Te, the selfless and ever-giving behavior of those in touch with the Tao as they emulate it. For Lao Tzu, we can only understand Te/virtue by first observing Tao/the order of all things. For Christians, we should arrive at Christian virtue by first observing God/Christ, rather than using Christian "values" and behaviors to arrive at proper theology. The episode is divided into two main parts: "Natural revelation" - The Tao/God as origin and sustainer of all ..read more

Doruk Cansev is a life coach and author of the book Balanced: Unleashing the Power of your Personality, which I used as the inspiration for the structure of episode 59. I also covered my notes on his book much more in-depth on the most recent Patreon members exclusive episode. Today we discuss Taoism a bit, but we dive deep into his books and discuss finding balance in all areas of your life. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/crttc ..read more

In this episode, we look at chapter 74, which is a bit different in tone and content than other chapters around it. The central focus is the fear of death, and the central metaphor is the "Master Executioner" - whose job we should not try to take. We'll look at a literal interpretation first, followed by a more spiritualized/metaphorical one. 1. The death penalty - Lao Tzu and Shane Claiborne 2. Fear and judgment in religion 3. Do not judge others See more at www.coreyfarr.com Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/crttc ..read more