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Built For Greatness
The Seed of God: BFG Handbook Chapter 38 (Inner Transformation)
Discover the highlights of this chapter shaping the New Evangelization today: https://www.builtforgreatness.com/tao-te-ching-chapter-38-the-seed-of-god/
What actually makes someone truly good? It's a question that challenges our assumptions about virtue, spirituality, and authenticity.
Diving into Chapter 38 of the BFG Handbook (the Christian edition of the Tao Te Ching), we uncover profound wisdom about the nature of goodness. The chapter makes a striking distinction right from the start: "Truly good people do not proclaim their goodness." True virtue doesn't need validation – it's like a lighthouse that guides without drawing attention to itself.
We explore several critical contrasts that reveal the path to genuine spiritual growth. There's a fundamental difference between actions inspired by the spirit (characterized by love, peace, and patience) versus those driven by self-interest. True kindness operates "regardless of merit" and without agenda, resembling a doctor who treats patients simply because they need help, not because they're wealthy or influential. Perhaps most provocatively, the text warns against empty rituals – spiritual practices that have lost their meaning and become mere performances, "whitewashed tombs" beautiful on the outside but hollow within.
The core message emerges with stunning clarity: authentic virtue comes from inner transformation, not outward appearances. "A truly great man dwells in the depths of God and not the surface." This wisdom resonates across diverse spiritual traditions, suggesting that regardless of our particular beliefs, true spiritual living universally values heart-level authenticity over performance. Take a moment to reflect – are your actions flowing from genuine connection or the need for recognition? The answer makes all the difference.
Ever wonder like what actually makes someone truly good.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's a question that can really make you think. Today we're taking a deep dive into, well, kind of a unique source to explore just that.
Speaker 1:So get this. We're looking at chapter 38 of the BFG handbook, the Christian edition of the Tao Te Ching.
Speaker 2:Right and the subtitle is the Seed of God Built for God, bfg Movement. It's all about, and I quote, restoring the truth through a new expression of God's love.
Speaker 1:So we're dealing with a chapter that's aiming to get to the heart of, I guess, what it means to live a truly spiritual life.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. It's about how to tell the difference between actions that are genuine and actions that are more about appearances, Like are you walking the walk or just talking the talk?
Speaker 1:This chapter lays it all out really thoughtfully. We've got the nature of unstated goodness acting with intention, true kindness, the problems with just going through the motions spiritually, and then, finally, the importance of inner transformation.
Speaker 2:It's all connected. It's like a roadmap for spiritual growth.
Speaker 1:Right. So our mission, if you will, is to dig into this chapter and pull out the key insights for you, the learner.
Speaker 2:We're going to get beneath the surface, past the outward show.
Speaker 1:Love it. So the chapter starts by contrasting true and superficial goodness like right out of the gate. Truly good people do not proclaim their goodness and are therefore truly good. Foolish people speak of their goodness and are therefore truly not good.
Speaker 2:Powerful stuff. Right there it's saying true goodness doesn't need a megaphone.
Speaker 1:Exactly, and this idea comes up again in the renewal section with the mindset principle embrace humility and quiet service. Basically saying real goodness comes from a genuine connection with something bigger than ourselves, not a need for attention.
Speaker 2:It's like goodness just is. It doesn't need validation.
Speaker 1:Right Now. The chapter ties this to Matthew 6.3, which talks about being discreet with our good deeds.
Speaker 2:So discreet that even your left hand doesn't know what your right hand is doing, so to speak.
Speaker 1:I get you. It's about focusing on the act itself, not the recognition it brings.
Speaker 2:Genuine virtue is its own reward. It doesn't need a pat on the back.
Speaker 1:Makes sense the aim principle, saying we should aim to be good without needing anyone to notice. The goal isn't to appear good, but to live good.
Speaker 2:It brings in Matthew 5.1. Let your light shine before others. Now, that might seem a bit contradictory.
Speaker 1:Yeah, at first glance it does, but if you think about it, letting your light shine isn't about bragging, it's about inspiring others.
Speaker 2:It's about being a beacon, like a lighthouse. It's not about the lighthouse showing off its brightness, but about guiding ships safely.
Speaker 1:I love that analogy. So it's all about the impact of our actions, which brings us to the practice principle Act in goodness quietly. Let your actions speak for themselves.
Speaker 2:And again it points back to Matthew 5.16, saying the proof is in the pudding, so to speak. The evidence of true goodness will show.
Speaker 1:Now the learner. Think about this. Have you ever seen this difference play out, you know, between people whose goodness seems effortless and those who make sure everyone knows they're doing good.
Speaker 2:It's something we all encounter. Right. It really makes you think about your own motivations. Why do we do the things we do? Because it feels right. Exactly Now the chapter moves on to another distinction Actions inspired by the spirit versus those driven by the flesh, it says. Truly good people remain still according to the spirit and act with no agenda. Foolish people take action according to the flesh and act with agenda this is about what's driving our actions.
Speaker 1:The mindset principle for this is live by the spirit, not by the flesh. Spirit-led actions are characterized by things like love, peace, patience.
Speaker 2:Actions of the flesh, well, those are more about self-interest the chapter even references romans 8, for those who are led by the spirit of god or the children of God.
Speaker 1:Okay, so think of the flesh as those basic me first desires, Like I want what I want and I want it now. The spirit, on the other hand, that's like our higher self.
Speaker 2:It's the part of us that gets empathy, patience and wants what's best for everyone in the long run.
Speaker 1:I like that. So, acting by the spirit, it's about being open to something bigger than ourselves, letting go of our own plans.
Speaker 2:It's like a sailboat adjusting to the wind instead of trying to force its own way.
Speaker 1:Beautiful imagery. So the aim here is to act according to that inner guidance, with pure intentions. The chapter even quotes Galatians 5.22.23, which lists the fruits of the spirit love, joy, peace, and all that as the kind of motivations we should have.
Speaker 2:And then the practice reinforces this. Seek that inner guidance before you act.
Speaker 1:It's like a reminder to hit pause, check in with ourselves before we just jump into action.
Speaker 2:Ask yourself is this coming from a place of calm clarity, or is it coming from anxiety or ego?
Speaker 1:Who's calling the shots here? My ego or something deeper? I love that. Now how about the chapter's take on kindness? It says kind people act regardless of merit and act without agenda. Self-righteous people act to gain merit and act with agenda.
Speaker 2:Gets right to the heart of it, doesn't it?
Speaker 1:It does. The mindset here is act with generosity without the expectation of return. The chapter even points to Luke 6.35, which tells us to love our enemies and do good without expecting anything back.
Speaker 2:That's some serious kindness, like no strings attached.
Speaker 1:No strings attached. Exactly what I find interesting is the phrase regardless of merit. True kindness isn't about whether someone deserves it or what you'll get in return.
Speaker 2:It's just pure generosity and empathy, like a doctor treating a patient simply because they need help, not because they're rich or famous.
Speaker 1:You got it. The aim here is to practice that kind of pure kindness, the kind that flows from love, not a desire for reward. It brings in Luke 6.31, the golden rule do to others as you would have them do to you.
Speaker 2:It's like kindness should be a two-way street, but without the expectation of immediate payback.
Speaker 1:And the practice follows that up Offer kindness without expecting anything back, especially to those who can't repay you. It's like make kindness a part of who you are, not a transaction.
Speaker 2:Make it your default setting.
Speaker 1:Love it Now. Buckle up because the chapter takes a turn. It goes into the dangers of empty rituals. Buckle up because the chapter takes a turn. It goes into the dangers of empty rituals. This part really got to me, quote highly ritual people act to gain merit and when people do not respond, they pull up their sleeves and enforce order. Contrived ritual is the shell of faith and truth and the beginning of chaos.
Speaker 2:Wow, that's a pretty strong statement. It's calling out spiritual practices that have lost their meaning. It's like going through the motions without the heart Right. Like's a pretty strong statement it's calling out spiritual practices that have lost their meaning.
Speaker 1:It's like going through the motions without the heart Right like performing a dance but not feeling the music.
Speaker 2:And the chapter is saying the kind of empty ritual can lead to disharmony and confusion.
Speaker 1:Big time. The mindset for this is seek true worship with sincerity, not for outward recognition. There's a quote from Matthew 15.8. These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Speaker 2:It's a reminder to check our intentions. Are we really present in our spiritual practices or are we just going through the motions?
Speaker 1:Right. The aim is all about sincerity. It's the intention of the heart that matters, and then the practice is to engage in spiritual practices with real connection, not just out of habit.
Speaker 2:So we got to ask ourselves are we truly connected to what we're doing?
Speaker 1:Exactly Okay. Now the chapter gets even more thought provoking. It talks about the slippery slope from true virtue to superficiality. It lays it out like this Therefore, when the way of God is lost, superficial goodness appears. When goodness is lost, superficial kindness appears. When kindness is lost, self-righteousness appears. When self-righteousness is lost, contrived ritual appears.
Speaker 2:It's like one thing leads to another and before you know it, you're miles away from where you started.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's a domino effect Losing touch with our core values can lead to increasingly shallow expressions of them. The mindset for this remain grounded in God's truth, avoiding superficial standards and seeking deeper understanding. It even references Matthew 23.27, which compares hypocrites to whitewashed tombs Beautiful on the outside but empty inside.
Speaker 2:That's a powerful image. It's all about what's on the inside that counts.
Speaker 1:Right. The aim is to cultivate true virtue that's rooted in truth, not just actions that look good to others. It brings in 1 Samuel 16.7. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. The Lord looks at the heart.
Speaker 2:That verse hits home, doesn't it? It's about the inner substance, not the outward show.
Speaker 1:So true, and the practice is to pursue genuine virtue through humility, honesty, integrity. All those things are shaped by inner transformation.
Speaker 2:It's about becoming the best version of yourself from the inside out.
Speaker 1:Now, all of this leads up to the core message of the chapter the importance of inner transformation. It says, therefore, a truly great man dwells in the depths of God and not the surface. He seeks the seed of the fruit and not the flower. Truly, he prefers what is within and discards the outer.
Speaker 2:It's about prioritizing what's lasting over what's fleeting.
Speaker 1:It's not about the flashy exterior. It's about what's going on beneath the surface.
Speaker 2:Exactly the mindset here seek depth and inner transformation, focusing on a heart reflecting God's love. Back to 1 Samuel 16.7, keeping our focus on our inner being.
Speaker 1:I'm saying a theme here. The aim principle is to prioritize inner growth over external validation. Let that inner transformation guide your actions. There's a reference to 2 Chronicles 16.9. For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. It's about a deep inner commitment.
Speaker 2:And the final practice is to focus on deep spiritual maturity. Prioritize your relationship with God over temporary things. This brings us back to the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, all those good things, those are the signs of true growth.
Speaker 1:Okay, I'm getting the message loud and clear. The real work, the stuff that truly matters, happens inside us. It's about the depths of our hearts and our connection to something greater.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. Now the response section takes a broader look. It explores how some of these ideas connect with other faiths.
Speaker 1:Right, it's pretty cool. It looks at similar teachings in Christianity, islam, buddhism and Hinduism, focusing on humility, genuine goodness, acting with intention, true kindness and the problems with empty rituals it finds a common thread across these different traditions, highlighting the importance of inner authenticity and selfless action it's like, regardless of your specific beliefs, true spiritual living seems to emphasize those things exactly.
Speaker 2:There's even quote from st Thomas Aquinas truth cannot contradict truth. It's saying that these basic principles, even though they're expressed differently in various faiths, all point towards the same understanding of how to live a good life.
Speaker 1:So, as we wrap up our deep dive into chapter 38 of the BFG Handbook, what are the key takeaways for you, the learner?
Speaker 2:Well, the biggest one for me is the importance of genuine inner transformation. It's not enough to just look good on the outside or go through the motions of religion. True spiritual growth is about cultivating a heart full of humility and love.
Speaker 1:It's about constantly checking our motivations, making sure our actions come from a genuine place.
Speaker 2:Right, it's about being the change you want to see in the world.
Speaker 1:It's about digging deeper. Now here's a final thought for you, the learner no-transcript.
Speaker 2:Those are questions worth considering.
Speaker 1:Definitely food for thought. We encourage you to keep exploring these themes and see how they connect with your own understanding of a meaningful life, maybe even look beyond this handbook and see how these ideas show up in other wisdom traditions.
Speaker 2:There's a whole world of wisdom out there.
Speaker 1:That's right. Thanks for joining us on this deep dive.
Speaker 2:It.