Tao Bible - Matthew 13:10-11

And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
~ King James version ~

In speech, be true.
~ from Verse 8 from the Tao Te Ching ~

While I suppose it can be argued that the parables of the Gospels are "true," their messages often were unintelligible to the listeners. In many ways, Jesus reminds me a bit of The Riddler from the Batman series.

If you want to teach someone, why not be straightforward? Understanding the words is only the beginning of the process anyway. Once the words are understood, they must be embraced by the heart.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 13:3-9

And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
~ King James version ~

If I have even just a little sense,
I will walk on the main road and my only fear
will be of straying from it.
Keeping to the main road is easy,
But people love to be sidetracked.
~ from Verse 53 of the Tao Te Ching ~

The sidetracking that Lao Tzu mentions is not that much different from the seeds that did not take root in good soil. Most of us readily can see which paths in life will lead us toward serenity and peace, but our unmitigated desires cloud our vision. So, we go off on wild goose chases and then wonder how we became lost!

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 12:47-49

Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
~ King James version ~

Does one scent appeal more than another? Do you prefer this flavor, or that feeling? Is your practice sacred and your work profane? Then your mind is separated: from itself, from oneness, from the Tao. Keep your mind free of divisions and distinctions. When your mind is detached, simple, quiet, then all things can exist in harmony, and you can begin to perceive the subtle truth.
~ Verse 11 of the Hua Hu Ching ~

For me, both snippets above speak to the issue of duality. If our minds are separated, we see separation. If our minds are unified, we understand the unity of all things.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 12:38-39

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.
~ King James version ~

The Way has its reality and its signs but is without action or form. You can hand it down but you cannot receive it; you can get it but you cannot see it. It is its own source, its own root. Before Heaven and earth existed it was there, firm from ancient times. It gave spirituality to the spirits and to God; it gave birth to Heaven and to earth. It exists beyond the highest point, and yet you cannot call it lofty; it exists beneath the limit of the six directions, and yet you cannot call it deep. It was born before Heaven and earth, and yet you cannot say it has been there for long; it is earlier than the earliest time, and yet you cannot call it old.
~ from Chapter 6 of the Zhuangzi ~

It's ironic that so many people want to be impressed by miracles when, if you think about it, all that we know and see is a miracle! How else can a person really define existence and life?

We don't know what caused life to come into existence and we have no genuine idea what death entails. All we do know (we think) is that we are here right now. We are inflated with a life we neither caused nor asked for.

That's miraculous in and of itself!

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 12:37

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
~ King James version ~

Good men do not argue.
Those who argue are not good.
~ from Verse 81 of the Tao Te Ching ~

It is not uncommon at all for each of us to get ourselves in trouble by speaking or writing without thinking! It is not that no thought is present, but we don't think through the ramifications of what we are trying to communicate. The wise among us tend to say little (compared to most people) and what they do say is well thought out.

It is because they don't spend an inordinate amount of time chattering that, when they do speak, people tend to sit up and listen intently.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 12:35

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
~ King James version ~

Tao is source of the ten thousand things.
It is the treasure of the good man, and the refuge of the bad.
~ from Verse 62 of the Tao Te Ching ~

There is no such thing as an absolutely good or bad person. We are each a mixture of both. At times, we keep to the middle path and, at other times, we lose our way.

Tao (or God) is present in either case. All we have to do is to look for it. Tao (or God) can serve as the beacon to lead us to resume our journey on the path of virtue.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 12:30

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
~ King James version ~

To lack calmness, to lack contentment is to go against Virtue, and there has never been anyone in the world who could go against Virtue and survive for long.
~ from Chapter 11 of the Zhuangzi ~

We each must follow are own paths in life, but this doesn't mean that all such paths mirror Tao (or God). Those paths that run counter to the great Way will lead us down roads that will bring us nothing but disharmony and stress.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 12:10-12

And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
~ King James version ~

To the ordinary person, the body of humanity seems vast. In truth, it is neither bigger nor smaller than anything else.
~ from Verse 19 of the Hua Hu Ching ~

Beginning in the Book of Genesis and carried on throughout the Bible, we see this declaration that humankind is THE top being, that which was created in the image of the creator.

Taoism sees it differently. The sheep is of no greater nor lesser value than a human. All being comes from one source and so each form is but one manifestation of the formless Tao.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 12:1-8

At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were a hungered, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was a hungered, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
~ King James version ~

The wise therefore rule by emptying hearts and stuffing bellies, by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones.
~ from Verse 3 of the Tao Te Ching ~

People need to eat! It's difficult to concentrate on much of anything else when we truly are malnourished or starving. It is that much harder to be just and virtuous.

The wise understand that, before any of us can become focused on philosophical or spiritual needs, we must satisfy our most basic physical needs first!

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 11:28-30

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
~ King James version ~

Therefore the sage takes care of all men
And abandons no one.
He takes care of all things
And abandons nothing.

This is called "following the light."
~ from Verse 27 of the Tao Te Ching ~

The sage (or Jesus) is welcoming. The sage turns no one away. All that is asked of us is to accept the sage for who and what she is: a teacher, a friend, and a role model.

When we are in the presence of a sage, we feel better about ourselves and the world around us -- not because of a sense of prestige or status, but because the sage encourages each of us to embrace sagacity and virtue on our own terms.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 11:25

At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
~ King James version ~

Can you be as a newborn babe?
Washing and cleansing the primal vision,
~ from Verse 10 of the Tao Te Ching ~

Both the biblical writers and the Taoist sages make use of the innocence of infants to make a point. In our arrogance and pomposity, we too often lose sight of the interconnection of all things. We are born to the truth and we lose it as we "mature."

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 11:11

Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
~ King James version ~

The sage stays behind, thus he is ahead.
He is detached, thus at one with all.
~ from Verse 7 of the Tao Te Ching ~

True leaders are not those at the head of the procession. The person who craves to be out in front is trying to serve their own desires, not others. The best leaders are those who put others first.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 11:2-6

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
~ King James version ~

The sage does not attempt anything very big,
And thus achieved greatness.
~ from Verse 63 of the Tao Te Ching ~

In the New Testament, the biblical writers went out of their way to show how Jesus was a miracle worker -- God incarnate -- someone who had gifts and abilities far and above that of mere humans. Not only did Jesus possess these sorts of capabilities, but he knew it!

The sage, in Lao Tzu's view, is a virtuous human being. He or she is someone who has realized their true nature and yet, for all their abilities, does not refer to themselves as a sage out of genuine humility.

In my view, none of us ever could become Jesus, but any of us could one day be a sage (though we would never know it).

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 10:34-37

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
~ King James version ~

Weapons are instruments of fear; they are not a wise man's tools.
He uses them only when he has no choice.
Peace and quiet are dear to his heart,
And victory no cause for rejoicing.
~ from Verse 31 of the Tao Te Ching ~

There are a lot of places in the New Testament that Jesus sounds like a peacenik, but this isn't one of them! While the Taoist sage utilizes violence only when forced into it, Jesus seems to be saying that it is a first choice for him.

I realize that there are different ways that different churches interpret this line, but it can't be denied that, even as a metaphor, it utilizes violent imagery to get its point across.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 10:31

Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
~ King James version ~

To embrace all things means also that one rids oneself of any concept of separation; male and female, self and other, life and death. Division is contrary to the nature of the Tao. Foregoing antagonism and separation, one enters in the harmonious oneness of all things.
~ from Verse 3 of the Hua Hu Ching ~

As mentioned in last night's entry, one of the hallmark traits of Christianity is hierarchy. Not only does this hierarchy dictate the rules for relationships between God and man or males and females, but it also decrees that human beings have been created in the image of the Heavenly Father and are thus superior to all other life forms.

From the Taoist perspective, no life form is greater than any other. As each life form is but one manifestation of Tao, we are each one in the same in the cosmic order.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 10:28

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
~ King James version ~

After abolishing the past and present, he was able to enter there where life and death are no more, where killing does not take away life, nor does giving birth add to it. He was ever in accord with the exigencies of his environment, accepting all and welcoming all, regarding everything as destroyed, and everything as in completion.
~ from Chapter 6 of the Zhuangzi ~

In realizing that all things are manifestation of Tao (or the One), life and death can be understood to be two sides of the same coin. The energy that produces life cannot be dissipated; it only is transformed into new life. It flows in this realm just like the seasons -- from one to the next.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 10:24

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
~ King James version ~

If the sage would guide the people, he must serve with humility.
If he would lead them, he must follow behind.
~ from Verse 66 of the Tao Te Ching ~

Christianity is a belief system based on hierarchy; everyone needs to know their proper place!

Taoism, on the other hand, is based on seeming contradictions. For a person to lead, he must follow behind. The sage seeks the low position like waters that pool in a valley. By accepting low, the sage is high. By being humble, the sage exhibits virtue.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 10:16-22

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
~ King James version ~

He who knows how to live can walk abroad
Without fear of rhinoceros or tiger.
He will not be wounded in battle.
For in him rhinoceroses can find no place to thrust their horn,
Tigers no place to use their claws,
And weapons no place to pierce.
Why is this so?
Because he has no place for death to enter.
~ from Verse 50 of the Tao Te Ching ~

Both passages have a bit of a mystical air, don't they? What I think that each states in its own way is that the selfless individual who acts for the benefit of all and who recognizes the connection of all things is not afraid of death. He understands that life and death are sides of the same coin and so death can in no way steer him away from virtuous acts.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 10:14

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
~ King James version ~

He takes care of all things
And abandons nothing.
~ from Verse 27 of the Tao Te Ching ~

Here we find divergent approaches. Jesus instructs his disciples to spread the word, but if people in certain areas aren't open to receiving it, he tells his followers to "shake off the dust from their feet" as a rebuke.

From Lao Tzu's perspective, the sage embodies virtue in everything he says and does. Whether others learn from this model is up to them. How others react or respond makes no difference to how the sage chooses to comport himself.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

Tao Bible - Matthew 10:5-10

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
~ King James version ~

Therefore the sage, traveling all day,
Does not lose sight of his baggage.
~ from Verse 26 of the Tao Te Ching ~

A sagacious person has no need to weigh themselves down. Too many belongings -- both tangible and mental -- steers a person away from virtue and shifts the focus toward protecting what they have accumulated.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.