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Built For Greatness
Self-Awareness: BFG Handbook Chapter 33 Igniting the New Evangelization (Know Thyself, Know God)
Discover the highlights of this chapter shaping the New Evangelization today: https://www.builtforgreatness.com/tao-te-ching-chapter-33-self-awareness/
Dive deep into Chapter 33 of the Built for God Movement Handbook, a fascinating Christian interpretation that echoes the wisdom of the Tao Te Ching while offering fresh spiritual insights on self-awareness.
The episode begins with a powerful declaration: "Knowing others is knowledge, but knowing yourself is true wisdom." This fundamental distinction sets the stage for exploring how true wisdom emerges from honest self-reflection guided by divine perspective. We unpack how mastering yourself represents authentic power, contentment equates to genuine wealth, and faithfulness demonstrates real willpower—all concepts that challenge conventional thinking about success and fulfillment.
The conversation examines how these principles manifest through what the handbook calls the MAP approach: Mindset shaped by God's love, Aim directed by trust in Jesus, and Practice guided by faith in the Holy Spirit. This Trinitarian framework provides a comprehensive path for spiritual growth that encompasses our thoughts, intentions, and daily actions.
What makes this exploration particularly rich is discovering how these Christian teachings on self-awareness share common ground with other spiritual traditions. Whether through Buddhism's mindfulness practices, Hinduism's concept of atman, or Islam's development of taqwa, we find universal human truths about the importance of knowing oneself authentically.
By the end, you'll be contemplating which aspect of self-awareness—wisdom, self-mastery, contentment, faithfulness, rootedness, or eternal perspective—resonates most deeply in your current season. What small step might you take today to explore that further in your own spiritual journey?
All right, welcome to another deep dive. Today we are diving into something you shared with us, some excerpts really intriguing from the Built for God Movement Handbook.
Speaker 2:The BFG Movement.
Speaker 1:Exactly BFG Movement.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:It's a Christian kind of take on the Tao Te Ching.
Speaker 2:Interesting.
Speaker 1:We're looking specifically at chapter 33. Okay, which is on self-awareness, all right, but what really caught our eye was this idea it's stated right at the beginning, presenting the gospel through a new expression of God's love to restore the truth.
Speaker 2:Hmm, restore the truth, I like that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so we want to kind of unpack what that means. What is this chapter trying to say about self-awareness? How does that connect to broader Christian thought, and are there any kind of universal themes we can pull out of this?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it seems like a very rich text to be able to pull from a lot of different traditions, even.
Speaker 1:Absolutely so. We're going to look at it first through the lens of this restore, and then we'll kind of trace how those ideas lead to renewal in terms of mindset, aim and practice, and then finally we'll look at how all of this responds to similar ideas and other traditions.
Speaker 2:Sounds like a plan.
Speaker 1:All right, so diving right into it. The chapter opens with these lines Knowing others is knowledge, but knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength, but mastering yourself is true power To be content. You are truly rich, to be faithful. You have willpower To be deeply rooted. You will endure.
Speaker 2:Wow, that's quite an opening. Right Packs a punch.
Speaker 1:It really sets the stage and I feel like it immediately draws us inward. It's about contrasting the external world with our inner lives.
Speaker 2:It is, and I think right away you see this emphasis on the idea that, yeah, knowing the world around us is important, there's value in knowledge, but it's that true wisdom that comes from understanding ourselves.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and it's interesting because in the Christian context, this isn't just about philosophical introspection. It's really about understanding ourselves in relationship to God.
Speaker 2:Exactly, it's almost like an echo of what you see in 2 Corinthians 13.5. That encouragement to examine ourselves, to really take stock.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and then you have Proverbs 2.6, talking about how wisdom comes from God.
Speaker 2:So it's not something we achieve in isolation, it's this connection to the divine that helps us to see ourselves more clearly, to gain that true self-knowledge.
Speaker 1:And then it goes on to tackle power, saying Mastering others is strength, but mastering yourself is true power, and that really flips the script, doesn't it?
Speaker 2:It does. It challenges our usual ideas about influence and authority. You know, normally we think of power as control over others, but this passage is saying that true power is self-mastery.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and that aligns really well with the Christian emphasis on self-control. You know, like the fruit of the Christian emphasis on self-control. Yeah, you know like the fruit of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It reminds me of Jesus's example in Matthew that true leadership isn't about lording over others, but about serving them, humbling yourself.
Speaker 1:It's that internal strength, not about dominating others, but about mastering yourself, conquering your own inner battles.
Speaker 2:Which can be a lot tougher than any external conflict, to be honest.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. Yeah, it's those daily struggles that no one sees that really shape us.
Speaker 2:And then the chapter connects contentment with true wealth, which immediately calls to mind Philippians 4, where Paul talks about being content in any and all circumstances.
Speaker 1:Right. So how does that change how we think about what it means to be rich?
Speaker 2:Well, I think in our world we tend to equate riches with possessions and material wealth. I hear the chapter saying true richness is an internal state, that contentment Paul describes in Philippians. It goes beyond circumstances. You can have very little and still have that deep sense of contentment.
Speaker 1:And it comes from that trust that God will provide what we need. That's where the true security lies.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's about recognizing that our deepest needs, those can't be met with money or possessions. They're met through our relationship with God.
Speaker 1:So true wealth is about that inner peace and satisfaction in Christ.
Speaker 2:I think that's a really good way to put it, yeah.
Speaker 1:All right. So we're seeing this consistent theme of turning inward, looking at the inner landscape, and then it says to be faithful, you have willpower and that links up with Hebrews 11, that chapter on faith as endurance Right.
Speaker 2:It's reminding us that faith is not just a passive feeling, it's active.
Speaker 1:It's active, it requires effort willpower, and Hebrews 11 is all about those who acted on their faith even in the face of huge challenges.
Speaker 2:Those who persevered, who endured.
Speaker 1:And that's what real faithfulness is. It's a choice.
Speaker 2:Like Jesus himself, he demonstrated unwavering faithfulness to God's will.
Speaker 1:So we have to make that same choice every day to stay committed even when it's hard.
Speaker 2:It's a journey and it requires that inner strength.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, and then we get to be deeply rooted. You will endure, and that immediately brings to mind that image of the vine and the branches from John 15.
Speaker 2:Such a powerful metaphor for resilience.
Speaker 1:It is. It's about being connected to the source of life, the Christ.
Speaker 2:Drawing strength and nourishment from him.
Speaker 1:And that's what allows us to weather those storms, those inevitable challenges that come our way.
Speaker 2:It's about having that deep foundational connection that anchors us.
Speaker 1:Exactly and finally the last line of this section to die but not perish is to live eternally.
Speaker 2:And that ties into 1 Peter and Romans. It's the ultimate hope at the heart of the christian faith that physical death isn't the end right.
Speaker 1:It's a transition to eternal life with god and that's the context for all these other qualities we've been talking about the wisdom, power, contentment, faithfulness, rootedness.
Speaker 2:It all leads to this it's a beautiful picture of how it all ties together the journey here on earth and the promise of what lies beyond.
Speaker 1:All right. So that's the restore section. Now the chapter shifts to renewal, which is broken down into this Trinitarian method, or what they call MAP, and the idea is that God's love shapes our mindset, trust in the Son directs our aim and faith in the Holy Spirit guides our practice. So let's start with mindset, and we'll revisit those same lines from the beginning of the chapter. First up, knowing others is knowledge, but knowing yourself is true wisdom. What's the mindset being encouraged here, especially when we consider the love of God as the foundation?
Speaker 2:Well, I think the core mindset is one of self-awareness, really deep, honest self-awareness, and that comes from a place of humility it's acknowledging that we don't have all the answers right. It's about seeing ourselves clearly, both the good and the bad, and that can only happen when we understand how much god loves us, even with all our flaws it's like anchoring our self-perception in that love exactly.
Speaker 2:It's like james 1.5 says if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God. So it starts with prayer, asking God to help us see ourselves as he sees us. So, a practical outworking of this mindset would be taking time for honest self-reflection, yeah, and bringing that to God in prayer, seeking his guidance before making decisions.
Speaker 1:All right, then we have mastering others is strength, but mastering yourself is true power. How does God's love shape that mindset of inner strength and self-control?
Speaker 2:Well, I think, when you really grasp the depth of God's love for you, despite your imperfections, it gives you a new kind of strength. It motivates you to become a better version of yourself.
Speaker 1:It's not just about willpower. It's about wanting to live a life that honors that love.
Speaker 2:Exactly Disciplining your body. Just about willpower. It's about wanting to live a life that honors that love. Exactly disciplining your body. This is about partnering with god's spirit to overcome those selfish desires that hold us back so it's less about obligation and more about a response to that love right and, practically speaking, that might look like praying for self-control in a specific situation, or maybe even choosing to serve others as a way to move beyond your own needs.
Speaker 1:All right. Next is to be content. You are truly rich. How does God's love impact our ability to cultivate that mindset of gratitude and contentment?
Speaker 2:Well, when you understand that you are already infinitely loved by God, your worth isn't tied to what you own or what you achieve.
Speaker 1:It's like those external things have less power over you.
Speaker 2:Right and you can focus on the good things you do have, like paul talks about in philippians 4.1, and it's about learning to be content so that this mindset is about choosing to focus on god's provision and all the blessings that are already present in our lives exactly. It's about shifting your perspective from lack to abundance, because in god's love, we already have everything we truly need.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, Then we have to be faithful. You have willpower. How does God's love fuel that inner resolve, Especially when it comes to those spiritual commitments?
Speaker 2:Well, God is the ultimate example of faithfulness, isn't he? His love never fails, never wavers.
Speaker 1:And knowing that it strengthens our own resolve to be faithful.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's like Romans 12.1 talks about offering ourselves as living sacrifices. It's a mindset of total surrender to God's will.
Speaker 1:So this kind of faithfulness, it's powered by love.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's not about gritting your teeth and just trying harder. It's about recognizing that we are loved and wanting to reciprocate that love through our commitment and obedience.
Speaker 1:It's like that love becomes the anchor that holds us steady in those difficult seasons.
Speaker 2:Absolutely All right. Next up is to be deeply rooted. You will endure. How does God's love encourage us to strengthen our spiritual roots? Well, colossians 2.7 puts it beautifully. It says, therefore, as you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. It's that sense of security that comes from knowing how much God loves us, that allows us to put down deep roots. And those roots, they draw nourishment from our relationship with God, from prayer, from studying the scriptures, from being part of a community of believers.
Speaker 1:So we're able to withstand the trials because we're grounded in something much bigger than ourselves.
Speaker 2:All right. And the final line is to die, but not perish is to live eternally. How does God's love shape that mindset of embracing an eternal perspective?
Speaker 1:Well, you know John 11.25, it just hits you right in the heart. Jesus says I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die yet, shall he live. It's that promise of eternal life that changes everything, doesn't it?
Speaker 2:It does? It reframes our whole understanding of life and death.
Speaker 1:Right, and God's love is the essence of that eternal life. It's a love that transcends time and space.
Speaker 2:So we can live with a sense of hope and purpose, knowing that this life is just a small part of a much bigger story.
Speaker 1:And we make choices accordingly, investing in things that have eternal value.
Speaker 2:All right. So that's a powerful look at how God's love impacts our mindset. Now let's move to aim where trust in the Son directs our intentions, and we'll go through the same lines again. So with knowing others is knowledge, but knowing yourself is true wisdom. How does trusting in Jesus guide us toward that deeper self-awareness? And we'll reference Psalm 139.2324 here, which talks about asking God to search our hearts, trusting that he knows us better than we know ourselves and that he loves us unconditionally.
Speaker 1:So we don't have to be afraid to look inward.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's not about condemnation. It's about seeking truth and wanting to align our lives with God's will.
Speaker 1:And Psalm 139.2324 really encourages that honest self-examination, because we know that God sees everything anyway.
Speaker 2:Right. We can approach that self-reflection with a sense of peace, knowing that Jesus is both our judge and our advocate.
Speaker 1:All right, next up Mastering others is strength, but mastering yourself is true power. How does trusting in Jesus shape our aim toward inner strength and self-control?
Speaker 2:I think trusting in Jesus means recognizing that we can't do it on our own. We need his strength.
Speaker 1:Like when we face those temptations.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and you know he overcame temptation, he understands our struggles and he gives us the Holy Spirit to help us.
Speaker 1:That's where that power comes from. Like Galatians, 5.2, 2.23 talks about the fruit of the Spirit, and self-control is one of them.
Speaker 2:So we're not striving for some kind of stoic self-discipline. It's about surrendering to God's power working in us.
Speaker 1:It's about becoming more like Christ demonstrated perfect self-mastery, absolutely Okay. Moving on to to be content, you are truly rich. How does trusting in Jesus direct our aim toward finding contentment in him rather than in material possessions?
Speaker 2:Well, think about Jesus himself. He didn't have wealth or possessions. He had that deep connection with the Father.
Speaker 1:And 1 Timothy 6.68 talks about godliness, with contentment being great gain. It's a reminder that true wealth isn't found in bank accounts.
Speaker 2:Exactly so. When we trust in Jesus, our aim shifts. We're not chasing after material things. We're seeking those spiritual riches that come from a relationship with him.
Speaker 1:All right. Next, we have to be faithful. You have willpower. How does trusting in Jesus inform our aim of developing unwavering faith?
Speaker 2:Well, Jesus is the ultimate example of faithfulness. He was faithful even to the point of death.
Speaker 1:And Matthew 25.21 talks about this good and faithful servant. It's that commendation we all long to hear from our Lord.
Speaker 2:So our aim should be to live a life that reflects that same kind of faithfulness, to be completely devoted to God, no matter what.
Speaker 1:And we can trust that Jesus will give us the strength to do that. All right four to be deeply rooted, you will endure. How does trusting in Jesus direct our aim toward rooting ourselves in God's word and truth?
Speaker 2:Well, Jeremiah 17.7-8 uses this beautiful image of a tree planted by water. It flourishes because its roots go deep.
Speaker 1:And those roots are like our faith in God's word.
Speaker 2:Exactly when we trust in Jesus, who is the living word. Our aim is to ground ourselves in the scriptures, to study them, meditate on them. Let them shape our lives.
Speaker 1:So we can stand firm when the storms come, because we're built on a solid foundation. Okay, finally, to die, but not perish is to live eternally.
Speaker 2:It's the heart of the gospel message, isn't it? For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Speaker 1:It's the promise that changes everything.
Speaker 2:Right and when we trust in Jesus, our ultimate aim is to live in light of that promise.
Speaker 1:So everything we do, every choice we make, should be shaped by that eternal perspective.
Speaker 2:Exactly. We're investing in things that have lasting value, sharing the hope we have in Christ.
Speaker 1:All right. So we've seen how trust in the Son directs our aim. Now let's move to practice, which is guided by faith in the Holy Spirit. So, going back to knowing others is knowledge, but knowing yourself is true wisdom. How does faith in the Spirit shape our daily actions?
Speaker 2:Well, I think it starts with recognizing that the Holy Spirit is the one who guides us into all truth. He reveals the things we need to see about ourselves.
Speaker 1:So it's not just about our own efforts at self-reflection.
Speaker 2:Right. It's about inviting the Spirit into that process, asking Him to show us where we need to grow.
Speaker 1:Like Psalm 139.2324, it's about asking God to search our hearts.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and trusting that he will and that he will illuminate those areas we might be blind to.
Speaker 1:So it becomes a daily practice of prayer and surrender, asking the Spirit to lead us into that deeper self-knowledge.
Speaker 2:Right, All right. Now let's look at. Mastering others is strength, but mastering yourself is true power. How does faith in the Holy Spirit influence our practice of developing self-control? Galatians 5.22.23 makes it clear Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. It's not something we can just muster up on our own.
Speaker 1:We need His power.
Speaker 2:We do, and that's where faith comes in. We have to believe that the Spirit can give us the strength to overcome those temptations and those bad habits that hold us back.
Speaker 1:So, practically speaking, it's about praying for the Spirit's help, especially in those moments when we're struggling.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, and remembering that we're not fighting this battle alone.
Speaker 1:Okay, moving on to to be content, you are truly rich. How does faith in the Holy Spirit shape our practice of cultivating gratitude and contentment?
Speaker 2:Well. Philippians 4.1112,. Paul talks about learning to be content in any and every situation, and I think the Holy Spirit plays a huge role in that.
Speaker 1:He helps us to shift our focus.
Speaker 2:Exactly. He opens our eyes to the blessings we already have and he helps us to find true satisfaction in Christ, not in our circumstances. So it's a practice of intentionally giving thanks focusing on the good even when things are tough.
Speaker 1:Right and remembering that our ultimate source of joy and peace is found in God. All right. Next up is to be faithful. You have willpower. How does faith in the Holy Spirit empower us to be faithful in our daily lives?
Speaker 2:You know, Matthew 25.21 is such a powerful image.
Speaker 1:The master commends the faithful servant and that's the kind of faithfulness we should be striving for, that consistent, unwavering commitment to god and the holy spirit gives us the power to do that.
Speaker 2:He strengthens our resolve so, practically speaking, it's about making those daily choices to walk in obedience yeah, whether it's serving others, staying true to our commitments or just resisting those temptations that try to pull us away from God.
Speaker 1:Okay, for to be deeply rooted, you will endure. How does faith in the Holy Spirit guide our practice of strengthening our relationship with God?
Speaker 2:I think the Holy Spirit is the one who really makes our relationship with God come alive. He illuminates the scriptures for us, he guides our prayers, he connects us with other believers.
Speaker 1:It's like he's tending to those roots, making sure they're watered and fed.
Speaker 2:Right. We flourish when we're deeply rooted in God's love.
Speaker 1:So it's a practice of being intentional about spending time in prayer, in the word, in community.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's all about staying connected to the source of our strength.
Speaker 1:All right. Finally, to die but not perish is to live eternally. How does faith in the Holy Spirit inform our practice of living with that eternal perspective?
Speaker 2:Well, you know, the Holy Spirit gives us a taste of that eternal life here and now. It's that peace and joy that surpasses all understanding.
Speaker 1:And it motivates us to live differently.
Speaker 2:It does. We start making choices that align with God's kingdom. We invest in things that have eternal significance.
Speaker 1:And that all flows from our faith in the Holy Spirit's guidance. All right, so that's a really helpful look at the practice section. Now, finally, the chapter ends with respond, and it explores how these ideas about self-awareness resonate with other religious teachings.
Speaker 2:Okay, so we're going global here.
Speaker 1:We are so going back to that first line knowing others is knowledge, but knowing yourself is true wisdom. What are some common threads across different faiths?
Speaker 2:Well, it's striking how much emphasis is placed on self-knowledge in pretty much every major spiritual tradition.
Speaker 1:It's almost a universal principle.
Speaker 2:It is. Whether it's Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, they all recognize that the journey inward is essential for spiritual growth.
Speaker 1:Like in Christianity, James 1.5 tells us to ask God for wisdom.
Speaker 2:Right Practice of mindfulness is all about cultivating a deeper awareness of your own thoughts, feelings and sensations.
Speaker 1:And in Hinduism there's the concept of admin, which is the true self, and the goal of moksha is liberation from the cycle of rebirth, which can only be achieved through self-realization.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and in Islam, self-awareness is essential for developing taqwa, which is that sense of God consciousness that guides every aspect of your life.
Speaker 1:So, despite the differences in language and practice, there's this shared understanding that true wisdom begins with knowing yourself.
Speaker 2:It's a fundamental human quest.
Speaker 1:Absolutely Okay now for mastering others is strength, but mastering yourself is true power. What parallels do you see?
Speaker 2:Well, I think the common thread here is that true power comes from controlling your inner world, not from trying to dominate others.
Speaker 1:It's that internal battle for self-mastery.
Speaker 2:Right and it's emphasized in so many traditions In Christianity. Galatians 5.2223 talks about self-control as a fruit of the spirit.
Speaker 1:And in Buddhism, self-control is seen as essential for overcoming those desires that keep us trapped in the cycle of suffering.
Speaker 2:And in Hinduism, the various yogas are all about discipline and self-mastery.
Speaker 1:And in Islam there's the concept of sabr, which is patience and perseverance, and it's also about controlling the nafs, which is the lower self or ego.
Speaker 2:So it's clear that across these traditions there's this understanding that real strength comes from within, from conquering your own impulses and desires.
Speaker 1:It's about achieving that inner sovereignty rather than outward dominion. All right, how about to be content? You are truly rich.
Speaker 2:Well, I think the commonality here is the recognition that contentment is the key to true happiness.
Speaker 1:It's not about how much you have.
Speaker 2:Right. It's about finding peace within yourself, regardless of your circumstances, and that's something that's emphasized in Christianity, buddhism, hinduism, islam.
Speaker 1:In Christianity. Philippians 4.112 is all about learning to be content in every situation.
Speaker 2:Right and in Buddhism, the idea is that happiness comes from detachment, from letting go of those cravings and desires that cause us so much suffering.
Speaker 1:And in Hinduism there's a concept of santosh, which is contentment or inner peace.
Speaker 2:And in Islam, rida is about accepting God's will and finding contentment in his plan for your life.
Speaker 1:So, even though the paths might look different, the goal is the same to find that inner peace that can't be shaken by external circumstances.
Speaker 2:I think that's a really beautiful point.
Speaker 1:Okay, now four to be faithful, you have willpower. What are some comparable teachings?
Speaker 2:Well, I think the key word here is commitment. All of these traditions place a huge emphasis on steadfastness and devotion.
Speaker 1:It's about staying true to your beliefs even when things get tough. Exactly, and that requires willpower, that inner strength to persevere and in christianity, matthew 25.21 talks about the faithful servant who is entrusted with more because they have proven themselves trustworthy right and in buddhism. Following the eightfold path requires commitment and discipline and in hinduism, bhakti, which is devotion to God, is seen as a path to liberation.
Speaker 2:And in Islam, iman, which is faith, is a core principle that guides every aspect of life.
Speaker 1:So, regardless of the specific beliefs or practices, that unwavering commitment is essential for spiritual growth and resilience.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:All right, how about to be deeply rooted? You will endure.
Speaker 2:Well, I think the common thread here is that image of being deeply rooted in something larger than yourself.
Speaker 1:Like a tree.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and it's a powerful metaphor for spiritual resilience. You know those deep roots. They allow the tree to withstand the strongest winds.
Speaker 1:And it's the same for us. When we're deeply connected to God or to our spiritual source, whatever that might be, we're able to weather those storms that life throws our way.
Speaker 2:Right and in Christianity. Jeremiah 17.7-8 uses that image of a tree planted by water to describe the blessed person who trusts in the Lord.
Speaker 1:And in Buddhism there's this emphasis on being rooted in mindfulness and wisdom as a way to overcome suffering.
Speaker 2:And in Hinduism that image of a deeply rooted tree is used to represent stability and strength.
Speaker 1:And in Islam, the belief in God's will provides that sense of grounding and endurance, that saber, that steadfastness that comes from knowing that you're not alone in your struggles.
Speaker 2:So, despite the different contexts, there's that shared understanding that spiritual depth is essential for navigating life's challenges.
Speaker 1:It's about finding that inner strength that comes from being connected to something bigger than yourself. Okay, and finally, to die but not perish is to live eternally. What common themes do you see regarding the afterlife?
Speaker 2:Well, I think it's fascinating how many traditions, despite their differences, point towards some form of existence beyond physical death it seems to be a universal human longing it does. Whether you call it heaven, nirvana, moksha or Jana, there's this shared belief in something that transcends this earthly life in Christianity. John 3.16 promises eternal life to those who believe in Jesus right and in Buddhism, the goal is to achieve nirvana, which is a state of perfect peace and liberation from suffering.
Speaker 1:And in Hinduism, moksha, is that liberation from the cycle of rebirth. It's emerging with the divine.
Speaker 2:And in Islam, jhana is paradise. It's a reward for those who have lived a righteous life.
Speaker 1:So, even though the details might vary, that hope for something beyond this life seems to be deeply embedded in the human psyche.
Speaker 2:Absolutely All right.
Speaker 1:Wow. So that was a really fascinating exploration of chapter 33.
Speaker 2:What are some of the key takeaways for you? You know, for me, what really stands out is the way this chapter connects the personal journey of self-awareness with a broader spiritual understanding.
Speaker 1:That's not just about looking inward, for the sake of it.
Speaker 2:Right. It's about understanding ourselves in relation to god and using that self-knowledge to grow in wisdom, strength, contentment and ultimately to draw closer to that eternal reality that awaits us and I love how it highlights the fact that these themes resonate with other traditions as well. It's not just a christian perspective exactly and speaks to something deeper, something that's woven into the fabric of human experience absolutely so, as you've been listening to this deep dive.
Speaker 1:Which of these facets of self-awareness the wisdom, the self-mastery, the contentment, the faithfulness, the importance of being rooted, the perspective of eternity which of those resonates most deeply with you right now?
Speaker 2:And what might be one small step you could take today to explore that further in your own life.
Speaker 1:Food for thought.
Speaker 2:Food for thought.