Built For Greatness
Built For Greatness isn’t just another platform—it’s a movement designed to inspire, equip, and empower you to step into your full potential. Whether you're seeking faith-driven motivation, personal development insights, or practical strategies for success, we bring you content that fuels your mind, strengthens your spirit, and challenges you to rise higher.
In a rapidly changing and increasingly divided world, the need for a renewed focus on faith, truth, and unity has never been greater. The BFG Podcast offers a compelling and transformative path for those who feel called to participate in the New Evangelization, a mission to spread the Gospel with a new ardor, expression, and method.
Our commitment is to restore the truth, not just as a historical or doctrinal concept, but as a living and active force that shapes how we live, serve, and interact with others. The BFG Handbook we offer at www.builtforgreatness.com presents the Gospel in a fresh way, making it relevant to today’s challenges while staying true to the eternal truths of Christ. This is not a new gospel but a renewed and vibrant expression of the Good News that invites all to encounter Jesus in profound and meaningful ways.
Built For Greatness
Achieving Greatness: BFG Handbook Chapter 63 (Finding Greatness in Stillness)
Discover the highlights of this chapter shaping the New Evangelization today: https://www.builtforgreatness.com/tao-te-ching-chapter-63-achieving-greatness/
Stillness in action. Effortless work. Finding greatness in small things. These paradoxical concepts form the foundation of an extraordinary spiritual framework explored in our latest episode examining the Built for God movement's handbook - specifically their Christian interpretation of the Tao Te Ching.
We journey through principles that challenge conventional thinking about achievement and success. From responding to hatred with kindness to approaching complex challenges with simplicity, these teachings offer practical wisdom for navigating our modern lives while remaining grounded in timeless truths. The episode unpacks the structured approach of mindset, aim, and practice that transforms abstract philosophical ideas into tangible life applications.
Most fascinating is the exploration of how these core principles transcend religious boundaries. We discover striking parallels across Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism - highlighting a common foundation of wisdom that unites our shared human experience. As St. Thomas Aquinas observed, "Truth cannot contradict truth."
Whether you're seeking to cultivate more inner peace, approach your work with renewed purpose, or find significance in everyday moments, this episode offers transformative insights. Consider which principle resonates most deeply with you and how incorporating it might shift your perspective on what truly matters. There's always more to discover when we delve a little deeper.
So today's deep dive takes us into some pretty fascinating and rather unique writing. I would say we're looking at excerpts from chapter 63, achieving Greatness.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:Within the Built for God BFG movement handbook. Now this movement describes their handbook as a Christian edition of the Tao Te Ching, as a Christian edition of the Tao Te Ching, and this chapter in particular is really aiming to kind of reframe the gospel through what they call like a new expression of God's love to restore the truth.
Speaker 2:Okay, a Christian lens on the Tao Te Ching. That's not something you see every day. For this deep dive, then, our goal is to really unpack these principles of achieving greatness as presented in this chapter. We want to get to the heart of their core ideas and then also see how they connect with these broader themes of faith. And then crucially, I think you know, how do these ideas translate into action in our lives?
Speaker 1:How do we actually live this out?
Speaker 2:Exactly. Are you ready?
Speaker 1:I'm ready, let's do it. So, right off the bat, the chapter opens with a pretty intriguing set of lines Act with stillness, work without effort, taste without engrossing. How do we put this into practice?
Speaker 2:Approaching life with a sense of inner peace and a trust in God's control.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And they point us to that familiar verse, psalm 46.10, be still and know that I am God. So when we consider that, that idea of acting with stillness, what different angles come to mind for you?
Speaker 1:Well, you know, what's so interesting is that this idea of stillness, you know it's really present in a lot of tradition. You know we live in such a fast paced world and this idea of cultivating an inner calm and really having that be the foundation of your actions, you know it's not something that's just unique to this text, it's something that we see again and again. I think it's about intentionality, like slowing down our reactions and maybe seeking, you know, a deeper sense of centeredness before we just like go, go, go. And I think that the handbook's emphasis on trusting in God's control, it, really provides a specific, like theological grounding for this stillness, you know, within a Christian context.
Speaker 2:Right, right, Because it does make you think. I mean, how often do we equate, you know, productivity with like constant?
Speaker 1:motion All the time yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and then they go on and they introduce this next idea of work without effort, which is really intriguing. But I really wonder about, like, how it's applied, like, what does this look like practically? And the way that the handbook explains this is you know, it's really about partnering with God. It's about allowing his power to work through us rather than just relying on our own. And they give us a couple of references here John 14, point 10, matthew 11, point 2, 8, and those passages are, you know, about Jesus saying you know, the works that I do are not mine but the fathers. And you know that whole idea of like, come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Speaker 1:Beautiful image.
Speaker 2:So how might this idea, then, of effortless work look in our day-to-day lives?
Speaker 1:You know, if we take a step back I think, this idea of effortless work, it really touches on the larger concept of grace within the Christian faith. You know we're not meant to carry the whole burden on our own and you know the handbook focuses on surrendering to God's will and it offers, I think, a really specific way of understanding that concept. And I think it's really important to say here it's not about a lack of action, it's about, maybe, a shift in the motivation.
Speaker 2:Where it's coming from.
Speaker 1:And reliance, yeah. So imagine, you know, approaching a difficult project not with that sense of like frantic energy.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:But with a sense of purpose that's aligned with your belief, and trusting that you're not alone in it.
Speaker 2:Right, you're not doing it all on your own.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 2:It's not all on your shoulders. That makes a lot of sense. So it's almost like working from a place of faith, not for it.
Speaker 1:That's a really beautiful way of putting it.
Speaker 2:Then they go on and they introduce this third piece, which is taste without engrossing, which it kind of brings in this whole idea of balance and attachment. And the example the handbook uses is, you know, enjoying those blessings that we've received, but without becoming addicted to them. And they give us a few scriptures here Luke 18.22, 1 Corinthians 7.2931, and 1 John 2.15. You know, it's about appreciating what we have, but without letting it, you know, rule us control us.
Speaker 1:It's not becoming our master.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think Tate's, without Engrossing, it speaks to like a mindful engagement with the world and I think it raises a really important question for you listening when might there be areas in your life where enjoyment has maybe tipped over into something that consumes you? Could a bit of detachment actually bring a renewed sense of appreciation for the things that you enjoy?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it makes you think. The handbook then organizes these principles under this renewal framework that they have with mindset, aim and practice sections. So, for act with stillness, the aim is aim for inner stillness and the practice is practice stillness in action. You know, highlighting that whole idea of this is something that you cultivate. You know it's an ongoing habit.
Speaker 1:It's a practice, exactly Okay.
Speaker 2:And then, similarly with work without effort, the aim is aim for effortless action, which again is emphasizing that shift in reliance Right, and then the practice focuses on developing that trust in God's strength. So it's a very structured way of looking at how to take these abstract ideas and really apply them in our lives.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think that structure is key to the BFG movement's approach. You know, it's a pathway for internalizing these concepts, translating them into tangible changes in our behavior and perspective. And the emphasis on practice, you know, I think that's particularly important it really highlights that these aren't just ideas to think about, but principles to actively integrate into your life, live out. And then the chapter shifts to another, I think, core theme, with the lines make great in what is small, make abundant in what is few, reward hatred with kindness, achieve greatness in small things. And I think here there's a real emphasis on the significance of the seemingly insignificant, the little things.
Speaker 2:The small things, the everyday things. Yeah, I think that idea of making great in the small, it has deep roots in a variety of faith traditions and the handbook connects it to God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12.1-2. And you know, that story illustrates how something small really blossoms into something huge through faith. Right, and they also referenced James 2.5, highlighting that, you know, god often chooses the humble, the lowly, the ones who aren't necessarily seen, as you know, important in the world's eyes. What comes to mind for you when you consider this idea that such profound significance can be found in the ordinary Well, I think the very encouraging perspective.
Speaker 1:It reminds us that we don't always need grand gestures to really make a difference.
Speaker 2:It's really the intention and the care that we bring to even those, you know, everyday tasks and those little interactions, and then that line reward hatred with kindness. I mean, that is such a direct reflection of Jesus's teaching in Matthew 5.43-48. It's a challenging principle, though, to live by Respond to negativity with positivity. It's a tall principle, though, to live by Respond to negativity with positivity.
Speaker 1:It's a tall order. It is, you know, and the handbook's mindset section. It really explains that it's about reflecting a different kind of power. It's the power of love and forgiveness. And you know that real world application of choosing compassion when you're faced with animosity, you can have a ripple effect that is way bigger than you can imagine.
Speaker 2:And they break this down again with, you know, mindset, aim and practice. So for make great and what is small? The mindset is really about recognizing the value that God places on humble acts, with the practical application being, you know, being dedicated to every task, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. The aim is aim for humility in small things. And then the practice is to, you know, practice, humility in all things. So, again, very consistent in terms of like, really calling us to live this out.
Speaker 1:It's a way of being and for that principle of reward hatred with kindness, the mindset is explicitly about reflecting God's love. You know, the application then becomes responding to that negativity with compassion. The aim is aim for kindness in response to hatred and the practice is actively choosing kindness in the face of hatred. It's such a direct and action oriented approach to what is a core ethical teaching.
Speaker 2:Yeah, then the next set of lines introduces these themes of simplicity, trustworthiness and wisdom. See simplicity in difficult tasks. Achieve greatness in small things. Difficult tasks of the world are handled through the simple tasks. Large tasks of the world are handled through the small tasks. Therefore, the wise do not need to handle large tasks, yet they still achieve greatness. People who make promises lightly are not trustworthy. People who take everything too lightly encounter more difficulties. Therefore, the wise identify the task as difficult, so they do not encounter difficulties.
Speaker 1:There's a lot there about how we approach challenges and commitments.
Speaker 2:A lot to unpack and you know this idea of seeing simplicity in difficult tasks. It really resonates with the teaching on faith. You know, I think of Jesus's analogy of the mustard seed in Matthew 17.20,. You know, in the Hamlick's mindset section it interprets this as breaking down those overwhelming tasks into smaller steps, more manageable steps.
Speaker 1:You know a really practical strategy for overcoming that sense of being overwhelmed or stuck. What are your thoughts on this connection between simplicity and tackling those really big challenges?
Speaker 2:I think it's about mental reframing, Instead of getting paralyzed by how big a problem is, if you can focus on those immediate actionable steps that can give you momentum and make the seemingly impossible feel doable. And I love the warning about making promises lightly.
Speaker 1:Proverbs 20.25, Jeremiah 9.49, underscoring that importance of integrity in our word.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:You know, in commitments it's about being trustworthy.
Speaker 2:And being a person of your word, absolutely.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I think the emphasis on trustworthiness is fundamental to strong relationships. And just, and you know, it advocates for a wise approach to identifying, like how difficult a task might be, you know beforehand, to avoid complications, thoughtful engagement.
Speaker 2:Yeah, don't just say yes to everything Exactly. Yeah, see, simplicity in difficult tasks. The aim is aim for simplicity and complexity and the practice is practice simplicity in complex tasks. So, again, it's that same idea of cultivate the mindset and then apply it in the real world. And I think, similarly, you know the principles around trustworthiness. I think they're really aimed at cultivating wisdom and foresight in how we approach our responsibilities.
Speaker 1:Exactly, you know. It's about developing a habit of careful consideration, realistic assessment and that ultimately contributes to a more grounded and trustworthy way of being in the world.
Speaker 2:Now the chapter kind of takes this really interesting turn with a section that they titled Respond, and this is where the focus shifts to really highlighting those shared truths that can be found across different cultures and religious boundaries. Yeah, and they take some of these core principles that we've been discussing, like you know, make great in what is small and reward hatred with kindness, and they actually point to parallel teachings in Christianity, islam, hinduism and Buddhism.
Speaker 1:Look these fundamental principles.
Speaker 2:they're popping up all over in these different spiritual traditions no-transcript principle of reward hatred with kindness also kind of demonstrates this. You know, we see that in matthew 5.44, romans 12.21. In christianity, similar guidance in the quran, the bhagavad-gita and the dhammapada, and they all underscore that transformative power of love and forgiveness, even when you're faced with someone who's against you, who's an enemy, and it really does make you reflect on that kind of universality of some of these ethical teachings.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. And the handbook draws these parallels for C, simplicity and difficult tasks as well, linking it to passages in Matthew 19.14 and James 3.17 in Christianity, and Sir Al-Bukhara 2.286 of the Quran, the Bhagavad Gita, 12.11, and the Dhammapada verse 1, all emphasizing the importance of a focused and uncluttered mind. And then that idea of you know making promises and keeping your word that resonates across traditions as well, From Matthew 5.37 and Luke 16 from Christianity to very similar ideas in the Quran, the Bhagavad Gita, 17.15 and the Dhammapada verse 76, highlighting that importance of integrity in our word.
Speaker 2:And even this whole idea of work without effort.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:I mean it seems to find resonance across all these different faiths, with connections drawn to Matthew 11.28 and Philippians 4.7 in Christianity, the Bhagavad Gita and a variety of Buddhist teachings on, you know, finding inner peace and acting without attachment, and I think it's so interesting how all these different spiritual paths kind of touch on these very similar aspects of inner cultivation.
Speaker 1:It seems like they're trying to say that these are really fundamental truths that go beyond any specific religious doctrine, you know, and it's promoting a message of unity and peace and love. And they even include a quote from St Thomas Aquinas that says you know, truth cannot contradict truth, which I think sums up this perspective beautifully, this idea of an underlying harmony across different expressions of faith.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's a good point. So, as we start to wrap up this deep dive, I think it's helpful to recap some of those key insights from chapter 63 of the BFG handbook. So we've explored, you know, the importance of acting with that inner stillness and a sense of effortless action, that profound impact of finding greatness in those small acts and choosing to respond to, you know, negativity with kindness. And we've also examined the wisdom in approaching challenges with simplicity, how crucial it is to be trustworthy in those commitments that we make, and the value in really cultivating inner peace.
Speaker 1:And I think, perhaps most significantly, we've seen how these principles, while they are framed within a Christian context by the BFG movement, they really do seem to echo across a whole bunch of different faith traditions. It suggests that there's a common ground in our shared human experience and a universality to certain ethical and spiritual truths.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's a really great point. And so, as we leave you, the listener, with a final thought to consider, how might you intentionally incorporate just one of these principles? Maybe it's consciously practicing stillness before you react to something, or making a very deliberate effort to find the significance, you know, in a seemingly small or insignificant task? How might doing that begin to kind of change your perspective on what truly matters in your life? Think about how these inner shifts and these seemingly small choices, they can have a ripple effect.
Speaker 1:You know, think about which of these ideas sparked the most interest for you. Maybe it was effortless action, maybe it was the surprising parallels across different faiths. Take that initial spark, explore it further in your own way. There's always more to discover when we just delve a little deeper.
Speaker 2:Well, thanks for joining me for another deep dive.
Speaker 1:Always a pleasure.
Speaker 2:Until next time.