Echoes of Wisdom: Jesus and Lao Tzu's Timeless Teachings

In this podcast episode, the host explores the intriguing parallels between the teachings of Jesus and Lao Tzu, highlighting their shared emphasis on virtues such as humility, gentleness, and integrity. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, both figures critiqued materialism and advocated for social justice, showing a remarkable similarity in their messages. By examining the spiritual and social philosophies of these two sages, the episode delves into how their teachings can inspire individuals and societies to live with kindness and wisdom.

Transcript

Flip the Coin

SPEAKER_00 0:07

Hello, and welcome to Flip the Coin onto its edge. I'm your host, Michael Papa Newton. We work, we raise families, we may engage in marriage. We must have times of having our own fun and excitement. All these pull at us psychologically like four strong horses of responsibility tethered to our limbs and pulling in four different directions. No wonder we don't have the opportunities to study the classics of philosophy, spirituality, religion, and the holy books of other religions not dominant in our culture and regions. Fortunately, since college, I find these topics, plus science and mythology, fun and entertaining for my mind. For over 20 years, I have studied these topics and the various holy books of major religions to make myself a better person, not a better Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, or Taoist. Today we continue our thoughtful exploration of Jesus and Lao Tzu. We'll delve into some of the legends and stories that have grown up around them. As we reflect on how different their lives were, we'll also consider why their messages resonate so similarly. We'll think about how they served as social guides, inspiring individuals and societies to act with kindness and wisdom. Just

Jesus and Lao Tzu

SPEAKER_00 1:50

a reminder, tap the button to follow this podcast. Now, into our show. Most scholars who maintain that the words and messages, in large part at least, have coherence and tone of single extraordinary figures, another is that great mythologies arose about the two figures in the religious traditions that grew around them. In Jesus' case, the doctrines of his preexistence, his virgin birth, and the Trinity. In Lao Tzu's case, amazing stories that he was conceived of a shooting star and carried by his mother for eighty-two years until he was born a wise old man with white hair were quite popular. Such mythologies, if nothing else, attest to the power of the two sages over their followers, the uniqueness of their characters, and the depth of their teachings. Since their life experiences were so divergent, we are left with the question of how their messages could be so similar. Jesus grew up in the relative, if restless, calm of the Pax Romana, while Lao Tzu lived through the debilitating period of contending states in which China was torn almost continuously by war and social chaos. Yet both deplored violence and the use of force, opposite experiences, same conclusion. The key, I believe, is that despite differing life stories and distinct cultural traditions, both were dedicated seekers of truth, missionary mystics, and social critics whose deep understanding of people, society, and reality itself led them to express universal truths about being human in the world. Separated by hundreds of years and belonging to totally independent cultural traditions, the teachings of Jesus and Lao Tzu show a remarkable kinship. Their sentiments echo one another with a resonance that vibrates through the ages. Sometimes they even use striking similar images. Often their words stand as subtle commentaries to one another. Both sages held a vision of an unnamable ultimate source that dwells in the innermost depth of the individual, as well as ruling the heavens, and that vision inspired the way they felt people should conduct their lives. Both extored the core virtues of humility, gentleness, and integrity, while condemning materialism, wealth, injustice, social privilege, hypocrisy, and violence. Jesus and Lao Tzu were essentially teachers, enlightened sages, trying to convey their vision of humanity. Like the parables of Jesus, much of the Tao De Xing is spiritual instruction, seeking to show people how they should live and act in accordance with the will of ultimate reality. That being done, it would reform and transform society. While the source of their teachings may have been mystical and remote, the subject was often closer to home. Both Lao Tzu and Jesus were social commentators. Jesus comes across as more socially engaged and confrontational than the reclusive Lao Tzu, but their critiques were quite similar. Jesus, heir of the prophetic Hebrew tradition, was often more emotional than the mild tempered Lao Tzu, but they both gave much political and social advice without compromising spiritual orientation. Though Jesus provoked the authorities by his quest for a social kingdom, the third aspect of the Taoist hierarchy is the Tao of Man, or the way humanity's social order ought to be organized. This is the Taoist way applied to human society, a society in accord with the ways of nature, not hostile to it. The Tao Deijing and the writings of La Tzu's great disciple, Cheng Zhu, give innumerable examples of how human society has gone awry by being out of touch with Tao and how to restore the original balance, putting an end to corruption and depravity. In this respect, many of the teachings of Latsu call to mind those of Jesus, often in almost identical language, challenging the structure and practices of an unjust social and economic system that made a mockery of its ancient spiritual ideals. The Tao of Man, as conceived by Lao Tzu, corresponds to the Son of the Christian Trinity, the incarnation of the cosmic spirit into human life. Jesus and Lao Tzu were essentially teachers, enlightened sages, trying to convey their visions to humanity. Materialism. Lao Tzu and Jesus were unfailing opponents of the passion for wealth and the preoccupation with material things. They saw clearly the negative, stunting effects of materialism on human lives and repudiated it as a source of disease. It was the relentless obsession with materialism that drained the soul and resulted in spiritual bankruptcy. Both saw the pursuit of wealth, the delusion it is, and condemned it vociferously. But they both also knew what real treasure is, the treasure of a good heart. Jesus said Take care, be on your guard against all kinds of greed, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Luke chapter twelve fifteen. Lao Tzu There is no greater curse than discontentment, no greater sin than the desire for possession. The Tao De Xing Chapter forty six. Seeking gratification by accumulating dead objects indicates a dead soul. Absorption in material things and the status attendant upon them is degrading to the dignity of the soul. Jesus said, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven at Matthew six, verse twenty. Lao Tzu said, I have three treasures, guard them, keep them safe. The first is love, the second is moderation, the third is daring not to be ahead of others. Tao De Xing chapter sixty seven. In both these declarations, the treasures of character speak for themselves. They carry a merit in through and beyond the natural world. Jesus for where your treasures there your heart will be also Matthew six twenty one Lao Tzu The sage wears rough clothing and holds the jewel in his heart Dao De Xing chapter seventy The jewel, the treasure is the quality of one's heart. Keep it innocent, gentle, simple, and wise. What dense metal, heavy fabric, or lifeless stone can compare with that? On humility, you see, humility is a prime virtue for both Lao Tzu and Jesus. One could almost call it the mother virtue from which all the others spring. A humbled heart, purged of conceit and selfishness, is the mark of a gentle and admirable character. Lao Tzu continually warned against the dangers of striving for rank and position and repeatedly admonished that the stage does not pride himself and is therefore chief among men. Jesus similarly maintained that the first will be the last and the last first. He loved and encouraged the poor and humble of station, and embodied the virtue of humility in many aspects of his life, particularly in his healing work. Jesus All who exalt themselves will be humble, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew twenty three twelve Lao Tzu The sage puts himself last and finds himself in the foremost place Tao De Jing Chapter seven. Bravado and self promotion don't endure. People lose patience with them. Stripped of pretension, arrogance, artifice, and illusion, a simple and unassuming character is the stamp of a noble nature. The unaffected will eventually rise in esteem in the eyes of both men and God. Jesus, blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth Matthew five five. La Tzu Heaven arms with gentleness those it would not see destroyed Gaudijin chapter sixty seven. Gentleness is the key to eternity, as it is the crown of justice. Inherent in the structure of nature is the reality that all things will be set right, that all promise will be fulfilled, that all goodness will be redeemed, and gentleness is the greatest goodness. Jesus, many that are first will be last, and the last will be first. Lao Tzu Softness and gentleness are the companions of life. The hard and strong will fall, the soft and weak will overcome. Tao De Jing Chapter seventy six. Water, the most flexible substance, can nevertheless cut a channel through hard rock. Like water, natural justice seeks its own level. All perversity will be level. The energies of the universe are luminous and will overcome the darker energies of the earth. The cosmic forces turn and reinstate equilibrium in the grand scheme because justice is intrinsic to Jesus. Those who speak on their own seek their own glory, but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is nothing false in him. Lao Tzu Those who know do not talk. Those who talk do not know. Jesus spoke a fair amount, but only as much as necessary. Lao Tzu was similarly sparing his words with his words, and wrote them out only as a favor to a border god. Thus we know his wisdom. But people who set themselves up as authorities to satisfy their own sense of self-importance are benefiting no one. Even if their motives are in part benevolent, their message is usually muddled. That's

The Connections of Jesus and Muhammad

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all we have time for today, my friend. I appreciate you tuning in to this week's episode. Today we delved into a fascinating on how two spiritual men, separated by centuries and vastly different life stories, can share a remarkably similar vision and express profound ideas for humankind. Next week, we'll explore the intriguing ways Jesus and Muhammad connected through their visions and philosophies. Remember, I advise you not to accept everything you hear in this podcast without testing it yourself. It has to resonate with you personally. Believing often carries doubt. The real secret to success is to know the laws of life, not just believe in them. When you take the time to test these laws and principles, you'll truly come to understand. For your own good, keep an open mind for new ideas. This will help you better understand and evaluate what you're learning. Don't forget, if you found value here, click the button to follow this podcast. Remember, God woke you up this morning for a reason. Now go out and find out why.