Chapter 11: Body and Spirit

 

We assemble spokes to make a wheel
But the usefulness is the emptiness of the hole that allows rotation

We shape clay to make a pot a
But the usefulness is the emptiness that holds the water

We hammer wood together to make a house b
But the usefulness is the emptiness that provides the livable space

Therefore, what profit is the body c
Without the emptiness indwelt by the Holy Spirit?

 

a Isaiah 64:8; Jeremiah 18:1-11; b 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Habakkuk 2:14; c Romans 5:3-8; 1 Corinthians 3:16.



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:

  1. Embrace the Power of Emptiness

    • Just as the usefulness of a wheel, pot, or house lies in the emptiness within, your life’s true purpose is fulfilled when you make space for God’s Spirit. In today’s world, where distractions and the pursuit of material success dominate, we must make space in our hearts for the Holy Spirit. This means living with humility, silence, and surrender, allowing God to fill you with His purpose and guidance.
    • Scripture Reference: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
    • Real-World Application: In a society focused on accumulating possessions and achievements, practicing spiritual emptiness requires a focus on inner peace, listening to God’s voice, and letting go of worldly distractions.

  2. True Fulfillment Comes from Within

    • The wheel, pot, and house are useful because of the voids within them. Similarly, your true fulfillment is not derived from external achievements or possessions, but from the divine presence within.
    • Scripture Reference: “The Kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)
    • Real-World Application: In a time where success is often measured by visible accomplishments, aim to focus inwardly and find purpose through your relationship with God, rather than through external validation or material gain.

  3. Make Space for God’s Guidance and Action

    • Just as an empty vessel is essential for it to function, your life requires openness to God’s guidance. Your mind and heart must be receptive, actively clearing space for His will to be fulfilled in your life.
    • Scripture Reference: “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
    • Real-World Application: In modern life, filled with constant noise and distractions, learning to be still and hear God’s voice becomes crucial. This involves making time for prayer, meditation, and moments of reflection.

  4. Understand the Spiritual Nature of Your Being

    • The physical body is just the vessel, but it is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that gives life purpose and direction. In our modern world, it’s easy to prioritize physical health, career, and status over spiritual growth. However, the ultimate calling is to live in alignment with God’s will, recognizing that the body is only a temporary vessel for the eternal spirit within.
    • Scripture Reference: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
    • Real-World Application: Rather than focusing on outward achievements or appearances, prioritize nurturing your spiritual health. Seek to be spiritually filled, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your actions and decisions.

  5. Live with Purpose and Focus on the Eternal

    • The emptiness in a pot is what holds the water, and in the same way, you must live with purpose, focusing not just on worldly achievements but on fulfilling your God-given purpose.
    • Scripture Reference: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
    • Real-World Application: Redirect your focus from fleeting goals to eternal purposes. Understand that your true value is in fulfilling God’s plan, and let that understanding guide your daily actions and choices.

In summary, aligning with the Will of God today means embracing spiritual emptiness, creating space for God’s Spirit, and living with an eternal perspective, focusing on what truly matters—our relationship with God and fulfilling His divine purpose for our lives.

 

AIM:

  1. A Mindset of Humility and Openness to the Spirit

    • We should aim to cultivate an open heart and mind, recognizing that true usefulness and fulfillment come not from external achievements but from allowing God’s Spirit to fill the emptiness of our lives. This means focusing less on worldly pursuits and more on spiritual growth, opening ourselves to divine guidance.
    • Scripture Reference: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

  2. Embracing Spiritual Emptiness as a Vessel for God’s Presence

    • Life should be approached with the understanding that emptiness, or space within, is essential for God to dwell in us. Our goal should be to purify ourselves, clearing away distractions and worldly desires, so that we can be filled with God’s love and purpose.
    • Scripture Reference: “The Kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)
    • Real-World Application: In today’s busy and materialistic world, aim to create space in your life for prayer, quiet reflection, and seeking God’s will.

  3. Living with Purpose and Intentionality

    • We should aim to align our actions with a higher purpose, recognizing that everything we do is an opportunity to fulfill God’s plan for us. This requires intentionality in all aspects of life—our work, relationships, and personal choices—ensuring that they reflect our commitment to God’s will.
    • Scripture Reference: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

  4. Focus on Spiritual Fulfillment Over Worldly Gain

    • While worldly success is not inherently wrong, we should aim to prioritize spiritual fulfillment over material wealth and status. True prosperity is found in our relationship with God and the fulfillment of His purpose in our lives, not in accumulating possessions.
    • Scripture Reference: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” (Matthew 6:19-20)

  5. Seek Balance in Action and Rest

    • We should aim to live with balance—acting in faith and service, but also knowing when to pause, reflect, and rest. Just as a vessel’s usefulness comes from the emptiness that holds it, our lives should be in balance between action and contemplation.
    • Scripture Reference: “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

In summary, before putting these principles into practice, we should aim for a mindset of humility, openness to the Spirit, and balance. We must prioritize spiritual fulfillment over material gain, seek to live with purpose and intentionality, and allow space for God’s presence to fill our lives. These foundational aims will guide us as we begin to align our actions with God’s will.

 

Practice:

  1. Prioritize Spiritual Emptiness to Make Room for God

    • In today’s busy world, the emptiness or space mentioned in the chapter is symbolic of creating space for God’s presence in our lives. This means practicing silence, prayer, and reflection to clear away distractions. Spend time each day in stillness to invite God to fill that space with His Spirit.
    • Scripture Reference: “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
    • Real-World Application: Set aside moments throughout your day for solitude and quiet reflection, creating intentional space to listen to God’s voice.

  2. Pursue a Life of Humility and Service

    • The chapter teaches us that true usefulness comes not from external accomplishments but from what we allow to dwell within. Practicing humility and offering selfless service aligns us with God’s will. Focus on being a vessel for God’s work through love, kindness, and humility.
    • Scripture Reference: “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26)
    • Real-World Application: Look for opportunities to serve others in your community—whether through acts of kindness, volunteering, or offering support to those in need. Serve not to gain recognition but because it fulfills God’s purpose for you.

  3. Live with Purpose and Divine Intentionality

    • Recognize that your daily actions are part of a larger purpose that God has planned for you. Align your decisions, whether personal, professional, or relational, with the Will of God by considering how they fulfill His plan and bring about His Kingdom.
    • Scripture Reference: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
    • Real-World Application: In every choice, big or small, ask yourself: “Does this action bring me closer to God’s purpose for me?” Seek God’s guidance through prayer and scripture when making decisions.

  4. Cultivate a Heart of Contentment and Gratitude

    • The principle of emptiness and usefulness can be applied by focusing on contentment rather than pursuing material wealth or success. Understanding that the greatest fulfillment comes from spiritual richness, practice gratitude daily and rely on God’s provision rather than the pursuit of worldly success.
    • Scripture Reference: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (Matthew 6:19-20)
    • Real-World Application: Practice gratitude by acknowledging God’s blessings in your life. Cultivate contentment by focusing on spiritual growth rather than chasing material success.

  5. Balance Action and Rest

    • As the chapter suggests, the usefulness of a pot or vessel comes from its empty space. Similarly, our lives need balance—action and rest, doing the work God has called us to do, while also resting in His presence.
    • Scripture Reference: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
    • Real-World Application: Find balance in your life by recognizing when to work hard and when to rest. Take time to recharge spiritually and physically, allowing God to fill your “empty spaces” with peace and rest.

  6. Focus on God’s Will Above Personal Gain

    • True profit and success come from living in alignment with God’s will, not from personal ambition. Practice aligning your heart and actions with His plans, rather than seeking personal gain or glory.
    • Scripture Reference: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
    • Real-World Application: In your daily life, prioritize God’s Kingdom in your goals and pursuits. Ask yourself how your actions reflect your commitment to His will.

By practicing these principles—humility, service, intentionality, contentment, balance, and seeking God’s will—you align your life with His purpose and fulfill His plan for you. Make room for God’s presence, live with purpose, and serve others selflessly, and you will see His will unfolding in your life.

 



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.

  1. Emptiness as a Vessel for Divine Presence

    • Christianity: In Christianity, the concept of being filled with the Holy Spirit resonates with the idea of spiritual emptiness that allows God’s presence to dwell within. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) highlights the need for inner stillness, echoing the idea that emptiness is not absence, but the presence of God.
    • Buddhism: In Buddhism, emptiness (Shunyata) is a central concept, referring to the absence of inherent existence. This is not a nihilistic emptiness but a space for wisdom and compassion to manifest. The practice of meditation and mindfulness helps to empty the mind and allow enlightenment to arise, akin to how the pot’s usefulness comes from its emptiness.
    • Hinduism: The idea of self-emptying to allow divine presence is also seen in Hinduism, especially in the practice of Bhakti (devotion), where the self is surrendered to God. “Abandon all attachment to the results of action and surrender to Me” (Bhagavad Gita 18:66) reflects this concept of emptiness for divine will.
    • Islam: In Islam, the concept of surrendering one’s will to Allah (Islam means “surrender”) and being open to divine guidance parallels the emptiness that allows God’s will to take shape. “And He is with you wherever you may be” (Quran 57:4) shows how divine presence fills the hearts of those who make space for it.

  2. Humility and Service to Others

    • Christianity: Jesus’ teachings on humility and service—“Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26)—align with the idea that success and fulfillment are found in serving others, not seeking self-glory. This mirrors the Taoist value of non-action and the idea that usefulness comes from emptiness, not fullness.
    • Judaism: In Judaism, humility is a key virtue, as emphasized in the Talmud and in the book of Proverbs. “The Lord supports the humble” (Proverbs 3:34). The importance of selflessness and service to others is a core element of Jewish life.
    • Buddhism: In Buddhism, the path to enlightenment is through compassion and service, often referred to as the Bodhisattva path, which involves renouncing personal gain to benefit others. The concept of selflessness mirrors the Christian and Taoist emphasis on serving others humbly.
    • Sikhism: In Sikhism, humility and selfless service (Seva) are central. The Guru Granth Sahib teaches that serving others is a way to serve God. The principle of “Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bhala” reflects this—through humility and service, the will of God is fulfilled.

  3. Living with Purpose, Spiritual Balance, and Alignment with Divine Will

    • Christianity: The idea of living in alignment with God’s will is captured in the Lord’s Prayer: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). This reflects the concept of living with intentionality and balancing action with spiritual rest, knowing that divine guidance fills the empty spaces in life.
    • Hinduism: The Bhagavad Gita also speaks to aligning one’s actions with divine will. Arjuna is taught to surrender all his actions to Krishna, acting without attachment to results, similar to Taoist non-action. “You have the right to perform your duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions” (Bhagavad Gita 2:47).
    • Buddhism: Buddhism’s emphasis on the Middle Way teaches balance in all things. Enlightenment arises when one lives in harmony with the natural order, avoiding extremes, much like the Taoist balance of fullness and emptiness.
    • Islam: In Islam, the concept of submission to Allah’s will—“We belong to Allah, and to Him is our return” (Quran 2:156)—reflects the call to align all actions with divine purpose. The idea of living without attachment to worldly desires, and being in alignment with Allah’s plan, mirrors the Taoist principle of emptiness leading to divine action.

  4. Living Without Arrogance, Fame, and Material Wealth

    • Christianity: “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). Jesus taught that seeking wealth, fame, or power can lead to spiritual ruin. The chapter’s principle of not allowing wealth or fame to dictate one’s life aligns with the Christian call for humility and service.
    • Buddhism: Buddhism teaches that attachment to wealth and fame creates suffering. The Dhammapada says, “You cannot travel the path until you have become the path itself.” True peace and liberation come from detaching from material things and focusing on spiritual development.
    • Islam: In Islam, the pursuit of material wealth is seen as a potential distraction from God. “Wealth is not in abundance of wealth, but wealth is in self-contentment” (Hadith). The focus is on contentment and humility, similar to Taoist ideas of not overvaluing external success.
    • Judaism: The Torah warns against the pursuit of wealth for its own sake. In Ecclesiastes, it is said, “The love of money is the root of all evil” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). The Jewish faith teaches that humility, charity, and service to others should take precedence over personal gain.

The principles in Chapter 11 of the Christian Tao Te Ching—humility, emptiness as a vessel for divine presence, service to others, and detachment from material wealth—are universal truths reflected in the core teachings of all major religions. They encourage a life of selflessness, alignment with divine will, and spiritual contentment, transcending cultural and religious boundaries to guide humanity toward greater fulfillment, peace, and purpose.

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