- Select Chapter
- Chapter 1: Mystery of God
- Chapter 2: Embracing Divine Balance
- Chapter 3: Spirit of Renewal
- Chapter 4: Nature of God
- Chapter 5: The Impartial Way
- Chapter 6: The Living Spirit
- Chapter 7: Unity in Sacrifice
- Chapter 8: Way of the Master Servant
- Chapter 9: Overcoming Excessiveness
- Chapter 10: The Spirit of God
- Chapter 11: Body and Spirit
- Chapter 12: Living in the Spirit
- Chapter 13: Misfortune of Ego
- Chapter 14: Presence of God
- Chapter 15: Power in Stillness
- Chapter 16: Restoration
- Chapter 17: Leading Without Praise
- Chapter 18: The Self
- Chapter 19: Living The Way of Truth
Chapter 10: The Spirit of God
To be filled by the Spirit of God and embrace Oneness a
Can you be still without temptation?
To quiet your soul and attain suppleness b
Can you be like a child?
To be free of worldly views c
Can you take the plank out of your own eye?
To love all people and rule the country d
Can you be without cleverness?
To enter the opening and closing gate of Heaven e
Can you live according to the Word of God?
To understand the Word as taught by the Spirit f
Can you hold back your own words?
He created us g
He nurtures us
He gives life without possessing h
He achieves without taking credit i
He leads without dominating j
This is the mystic virtue of the Spirit k
a 1 Corinthians 6:17-20; Matthew 26:41; Psalm 46:10; John 17:20-24; b Psalm 131:1-2; c Matthew 7:4-5; d Matthew 23:1-7; e John 1:1-2; 1 John 2:5; Luke 11:28; Genesis 28:17; f 1 Corinthians 2:13-14; g Genesis 1:24-2; 1 Peter 1:23-25; John 4:10-14; h 2 Corinthians 6:10; i John 8:54; Hebrews 5:5; j Psalm 9:8; k John 3:5-6; Romans 5:15.
Trinitarian M.A.P.
Mindset, Aim, and Practice are the three pillars of a spiritually guided path rooted in Love, Trust, and Faith, empowering us to fulfill our God-given mission. Understanding the Love of the Father will shape our MINDSET, opening our hearts to Trust in the teachings of the Son to direct our AIM, and empowers us to deepen our Faith in the Holy Spirit to guide our daily PRACTICE.
Mindset:
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Stillness and Spiritual Centering
Aim to develop a quiet, undistracted heart that remains anchored in God despite the fast pace of modern life. This means actively resisting the pull of constant distractions or digital overstimulation. Make room in your life for silent prayer and meditation to stay grounded in God’s presence and centered in His purpose. -
Childlike Simplicity
Approach life with an open-hearted curiosity and innocence. Jesus emphasized the importance of childlike faith, which is free from arrogance and full of trust. In practical terms, seek to simplify your desires and find joy in small acts of kindness, humility, and a genuine spirit in relationships. This helps you remain receptive to God’s guidance. -
Self-Examination and Authenticity
Before evaluating others, regularly examine your own life, motives, and actions. Jesus’s teaching about removing the plank from one’s own eye before pointing out the speck in another’s (Matthew 7:3-5) resonates here. In a world that often encourages judgment and criticism, choose instead to cultivate an authentic spirit by working on your personal growth, humility, and alignment with God’s ways. -
Selflessness in Service and Leadership
This mindset calls for leadership that serves rather than controls, reflecting Jesus’ example. If you are in a position of influence, remember that true authority is about empowering others, not asserting power over them. Lead by example, and allow your actions to speak to God’s grace and love. -
Wisdom Through Listening
The principle of restraint in speech is crucial, especially in an age where opinions are shared instantly. Choose your words carefully and listen actively to others, seeking to understand rather than to be understood first. This quiet receptivity helps you discern what aligns with God’s wisdom and allows space for the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts. -
Trust in God’s Provision and Unseen Work
Live with the awareness that God nurtures, provides, and leads without seeking recognition. The practice of giving freely, doing good without expecting acknowledgment, and having faith in God’s unseen hand fosters humility and aligns you with divine virtue.
By fostering stillness, humility, love, and receptivity, you create the right foundation to discern God’s Will. Each step helps cultivate a life that embodies the purpose of God, manifesting His love and wisdom in all you do.
AIM:
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Inner Stillness and Dependence on God
Aim to cultivate a life that prioritizes quietness in God’s presence, allowing Him to fill your heart and mind. Before practicing actions that align with God’s will, develop a discipline of stillness to let the Spirit guide you. This strengthens your ability to hear God’s voice over the constant noise of modern life. -
Humility and Openness
Cultivate a mindset of childlike humility, setting aside pride and personal ambition. In practical terms, this means releasing ego and embracing a spirit that is willing to learn and serve. Aiming to become “like a child” (Matthew 18:3) prepares your heart to trust and depend on God fully, opening up your life for His grace. -
Simplicity and Self-Examination
Begin by focusing on simplicity in your desires and ambitions, aiming to understand and address your own shortcomings. Regular self-reflection keeps you aligned with God’s truth and wisdom. Before trying to help or change others, remove your own obstacles to better practice genuine love and humility toward everyone you meet. -
Selfless Service and Leadership
Aspire to serve and lead as Jesus did, without the need for credit or control. This begins with having a vision of leadership as service rather than domination. In your relationships and responsibilities, aim to support and lift others, practicing selflessness and grace so that you can truly lead with God’s love. -
Practice of Restraint and Discernment
Develop the discipline of restraint and discernment in both words and actions. Restraint, especially in conversation and judgments, allows you to observe and learn. This cultivates a deeper understanding and prepares you to offer words of life and encouragement rather than criticism or haste. -
Faith and Trust in God’s Purpose
Lastly, aim to live with unwavering trust in God’s provision, recognizing that He is at work even when unseen. Building faith in His timing and His quiet, nurturing presence strengthens your ability to give freely and act without attachment to the results, knowing He is the ultimate provider.
These aims set a strong spiritual foundation, allowing each action and thought to become a reflection of God’s character. Through inner stillness, humility, selfless service, and trust, we create a heart ready to embrace His purpose fully.
Practice:
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Practice Stillness and Inner Peace
Develop a daily habit of quiet reflection or prayer, creating a space for God’s presence to fill and guide you. This aligns with the teaching that calls for being still, open, and free from distraction to receive the Spirit’s peace and guidance. Setting aside time for meditation or prayer, focusing only on God, allows you to discern His voice and purpose more clearly. -
Cultivate Childlike Humility
Approach God, others, and life with humility and openness, akin to the simplicity of a child. This means laying down pride and embracing a willingness to learn, grow, and trust in God’s wisdom over your own. In practice, this might look like actively listening to others, accepting constructive feedback, or even seeking guidance in areas where you may lack understanding. -
Regular Self-Reflection and Repentance
As the principle of “removing the plank from your own eye” teaches, regularly examine your own motives, habits, and thoughts. Instead of focusing on others’ flaws, turn inward to correct your own. This could involve journaling, prayerful self-examination, or reflecting on your actions and attitudes, seeking areas where you can grow in alignment with God’s Word. -
Love and Serve Selflessly
Put into practice the love and compassion that Jesus demonstrated. Take every opportunity to serve without expecting anything in return, whether through acts of kindness, generosity, or simply by offering encouragement. This selfless approach allows you to embody the love of God, benefiting others while shaping your character in Christ’s image. -
Embrace God’s Word with Restraint and Discernment
Discipline yourself to speak and act only when necessary and in a manner that reflects the wisdom of God’s teachings. Restraint allows for thoughtful, Spirit-led words and actions that avoid impulsive reactions. By choosing words carefully and aligning them with God’s truth, you fulfill a purpose that upholds peace and justice. -
Give Freely and Lead Humbly
Like God, who gives life without taking possession and leads without control, practice generosity and leadership marked by humility. In your relationships, give your time, talents, and support freely. When leading, whether in work, family, or community, aim to uplift and encourage others, fostering an environment where people feel valued and supported rather than controlled. -
Trust in God’s Sustenance and Timing
Embrace a mindset of trust and patience, recognizing that all fulfillment and provision come from God’s hand. Practicing patience and faith in God’s timing builds resilience and peace, helping you to let go of anxiety or the desire for immediate results. Trusting in His timing means surrendering control, focusing on faithful actions without fixating on outcomes.
By integrating these practices—stillness, humility, self-reflection, selflessness, discernment, generosity, and trust—you align your actions with God’s will, setting a foundation for a life that fulfills His purpose. Each practice transforms your heart, making it a vessel through which His love and wisdom can flow naturally, fulfilling the purpose He has designed for you.
Universal Language of Truth
The New Evangelization aims to unite all people and nations through a universal language of truth that speaks to diverse cultures, histories, and faiths. This chapter highlights our commonalities rather than our differences. Through this, we become the "Light" of the Holy Spirit for others to follow in the Body of Christ, illuminating His presence in the world.
Christianity
- Humility and Inner Stillness
Jesus emphasizes humility as essential for spiritual growth: “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4). - Childlike Simplicity
Christianity teaches the need for childlike faith and simplicity to receive the Kingdom of God (Mark 10:15). - Self-Reflection and Repentance
The concept of self-examination and repentance is central to Christian life (1 John 1:9). - Selfless Love and Service
Christ’s teachings focus on loving others selflessly, including loving enemies (Matthew 5:44), as well as sacrificial service to others (John 15:13). - Unity with Divine Purpose
Christians believe in aligning their will with God’s purpose, as Jesus did during His earthly ministry (Luke 22:42). - Acting Without Self-Interest
Jesus warns against doing good for public recognition (Matthew 6:1-4) and teaches that the greatest act of love is serving others (Matthew 23:11).
Islam
- Humility and Inner Stillness
In Islam, humility before Allah is emphasized, and the Quran teaches that the truly honorable in the eyes of Allah are those who are humble (Quran 49:13). - Childlike Simplicity
Islam encourages purity of heart and simplicity in following Allah’s guidance, much like the childlike surrender to divine will. - Self-Reflection and Repentance
Islam encourages regular self-reflection through the act of repentance (Tawbah). The Quran says, “And He it is who accepts repentance from His servants” (Quran 42:25). - Selfless Love and Service
The concept of charity (Zakat) is central, and selflessness is demonstrated by acts of kindness to others (Quran 2:177). - Unity with Divine Purpose
Muslims strive to submit to the will of Allah, with submission (Islam) being central to their faith (Quran 3:19). - Acting Without Self-Interest
The Quran encourages doing good without expecting anything in return: “If you loan Allah a goodly loan, He will multiply it for you” (Quran 64:17).
Hinduism
- Humility and Inner Stillness
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna teaches that humility is essential for spiritual progress (Bhagavad Gita 13:8). - Childlike Simplicity
In Hinduism, a childlike approach to the divine is encouraged, with simple devotion being highly valued. Krishna praises the devotion of childlike hearts (Bhagavad Gita 9:22). - Self-Reflection and Repentance
The path of karma yoga in Hinduism emphasizes acting selflessly and reflecting on one’s actions without attachment to their results. - Selfless Love and Service
Seva, or selfless service, is a key practice in Hinduism. It involves serving others as a form of devotion to God (Bhagavad Gita 3:16). - Unity with Divine Purpose
The goal of aligning with dharma (cosmic law) reflects a purpose aligned with the divine will. Hindus believe that when one’s actions are in harmony with dharma, they are in alignment with divine purpose. - Acting Without Self-Interest
Krishna advises performing actions without attachment to the fruits of one’s labor in the Bhagavad Gita (Bhagavad Gita 2:47).
Buddhism
- Humility and Inner Stillness
The Buddha teaches that humility and stillness lead to enlightenment, urging followers to release ego and attachments (Dhammapada 223). - Childlike Simplicity
Buddhists value the simplicity of a mind free from complex desires, likening it to the simplicity of a child’s innocent state. - Self-Reflection and Repentance
Buddhist teachings encourage self-awareness through mindfulness, with regular reflection leading to greater understanding and personal growth. - Selfless Love and Service
Compassion (karuna) and loving-kindness (metta) are central to Buddhist practice, emphasizing service to others without attachment (Sakyamuni Sutra). - Unity with Divine Purpose
Although Buddhism does not emphasize a personal God, it teaches alignment with the natural law of Dharma, which governs all of existence. - Acting Without Self-Interest
Buddhism’s Noble Eightfold Path encourages right action, right speech, and right intention, with the understanding that actions should not be done for personal gain (Dhammapada 223).
Judaism
- Humility and Inner Stillness
Humility is a core value in Judaism, with King David being praised for his humility before God (Psalm 51). - Childlike Simplicity
Jewish teachings emphasize a childlike faith and dependence on God, as shown in Psalm 131, where the psalmist compares his soul to a weaned child. - Self-Reflection and Repentance
The practice of Teshuvah (return or repentance) is a key element in Jewish tradition, especially during Yom Kippur. - Selfless Love and Service
Judaism encourages acts of loving-kindness (chesed), as demonstrated in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). - Unity with Divine Purpose
Jews strive to live according to God’s commandments, seeking to fulfill mitzvot (divine commandments) and align with God’s purpose for humanity. - Acting Without Self-Interest
Judaism teaches that actions should be performed for the glory of God, not for personal recognition (Micah 6:8).
Sikhism
- Humility and Inner Stillness
Sikhism emphasizes humility before God, with the idea that true spirituality comes through humility, as expressed in the Guru Granth Sahib (Ang 1299). - Childlike Simplicity
Sikhism encourages simplicity and devotion to God, with seva (selfless service) and devotion reflecting the innocence of childlike love. - Self-Reflection and Repentance
Sikhs believe in constant self-reflection through meditation on God’s name (Naam Simran), leading to spiritual growth. - Selfless Love and Service
Seva (selfless service) is central in Sikhism, where actions for others are considered acts of devotion to God. - Unity with Divine Purpose
Sikhs believe in living a life in alignment with God’s will, expressing this through the practices of righteousness (dharma) and service to others. - Acting Without Self-Interest
The Sikh concept of kirat karni (earning an honest living) emphasizes acting selflessly for the welfare of others, without selfish motives.
Across these faiths, the common thread of humility, selflessness, service, and alignment with divine will highlights how the principles in Chapter 10 of your Christian version of the Tao Te Ching align with universal truths shared by all major religions. These teachings transcend individual traditions, offering a pathway to peace, love, and harmony with the divine and humanity.