TAO: The Way to Biblical Wisdom
by
Stephen Lau
by
Stephen Lau
Stephen Lau's
book about happiness wisdom
book about happiness wisdom
TAO The Way to Biblical Wisdom
by
Stephen Lau
Biblical wisdom is often difficult to understand. So, it may require the profound ancient Chinese wisdom of Lao Tzu, known as TAO, to help you attain and assimilate the spiritual wisdom in the Bible.
The book contains the entire text of Lao Tzu’s immortal classic “Tao Te Ching” with references to Biblical quotes to enhance spiritual understanding of the Bible.
To get your digital copy, click here; to get your paperback copy, click here.
by
Stephen Lau
Biblical wisdom is often difficult to understand. So, it may require the profound ancient Chinese wisdom of Lao Tzu, known as TAO, to help you attain and assimilate the spiritual wisdom in the Bible.
The book contains the entire text of Lao Tzu’s immortal classic “Tao Te Ching” with references to Biblical quotes to enhance spiritual understanding of the Bible.
To get your digital copy, click here; to get your paperback copy, click here.
All About . . . .
This 188-page book is about Tao, the 2600-year-old Chinese wisdom advocated by Lao Tzu, the author of the world-famous classic Tao Te Ching, which is one of the most translated books in world literature.
The interpretations of Tao Te Ching are as many as its translations. Each author is, in fact, looking at Lao Tzu's immortal classic from his or her own perspective, and this is also one of the many reasons why Tao Te Ching is eye-opening and thought-provocking. The Bible and Tao Te Ching are among the most translated and extensively read books of all time, and for a good reason: one is about God's wisdom, and the other is about the profound human wisdom.
This book is based on the author's belief that Lao Tzu's masterpiece is about the Creator of the universe, and that with true human wisdom man sees not only the manifestations but also the mysteries of His creation.
This book is about true human wisdom without the "conditioned" mindset of contemporary wisdom. Without the "reverse" mindset of Lao Tzu, man may indeed have difficulties in understanding the wisdom of God expressed in the Bible.
Tao wisdom holds the key to human understanding of Biblical wisdom and the nature of things.
The Book Outline . . . .
INTRODUCTION
PART ONE: The Whys
Why wisdom?
Why the Bible?
Why Tao?
Why less for more?
Why human wisdom?
Why Lao Tzu?
PART TWO: TAO TE CHING
The author's own translations of the 81 chapters of Lao Tzu's immortal classic
Tao Te Ching, with each chapter followed by some selected Bible verses for further reflection.
PART THREE: UNDERSTANDING THE WAY
The essentials of Tao
Humility and ego-self
No expectation, no pain
No over-doing, no stress
Living in the present
Letting go
The practice of Tao
Total awareness
Intense presence
Simplicity in life
Focusing on others
PART FOUR: THE WAY TO BIBLICAL WISDOM
The role of the human mind
The beginning of spirituality
Believe to understand
Seeking God
The Way to Biblical wisdom
Intent to seek
Seeking Biblical knowledge
Growing in the knowledge
Awakening awareness
Deepening the relationship
The above is what this book is all about.
If this book is right for you, you can get it from AMAZON. Click here for the digital copy and here for the paperback edition.
The Complete TAO TE CHING in Plain English
by Stephen Lau
This book contains the 81 chapters of the translated text of the ancient Chinese classic on human wisdom, written by the Chinese sage Lao Tzu. It also explains in plain English the essentials of Tao wisdom, which is the wisdom of TAO TE CHING.
For more information, click here.
by Stephen Lau
This book contains the 81 chapters of the translated text of the ancient Chinese classic on human wisdom, written by the Chinese sage Lao Tzu. It also explains in plain English the essentials of Tao wisdom, which is the wisdom of TAO TE CHING.
For more information, click here.
The following is an excerpt from the book:
BELIEVE IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND
According to St. Augustine, the Bishop of Hippo (354-430 A.D.), in life there are certain things we do not believe unless we understand them, and there are other things that we do not understand unless we believe them. To St. Augustine, faith is not opposed to understanding, nor is it independent of understanding. His famous “faith seeking understanding” is an act of believing first, without which unbelief closes the door to further understanding.
St. Anselm of Canterbury, a well-known Christian philosopher and theologian of the eleventh century, echoed St. Augustine’s statement in his famous motto “I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand.”
“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” (Hebrews 11: 3)
Accordingly, to begin the spiritual journey of seeking God’s wisdom, we must, first and foremost, have faith seeking knowledge to understand God.
How Tao Wisdom May Help
According to Lao Tzu, the mysteries of the universe are indefinable and inexpressible. The human mind is meant to see only the manifestations of the things created, but not the mysteries of God’s creations.
“As one, it is unbroken thread with neither a beginning nor an end.
It returns to nothingness: invisible, inaudible, and intangible.
It is the indefinable, the intangible, and the unimaginable.
Stand before it, and there is no beginning.
Follow it, and there is no end.
Only by its grace can we discover how things have been and will be.
This is the essence of the Creator: invisible, inaudible, and intangible.”
(Chapter 14, Tao Te Ching)
To Lao Tzu, seeing is not believing, but believing is the beginning of seeing.
“The more we look, the less we see.
The more we hear, the less we listen.
The more we crave, the crazier we become.”
(Chapter 12, Tao Te Ching)
“When a wise man hears of the Creator,
he immediately begins to do some soul-searching.
When an average man hears of the Creator,
he half believes him, and half doubts him.
When a foolish man hears of the Creator,
he laughs out loud.
If he did not laugh,
there would be no Creator.”
(Chapter 41, Tao Te Ching)
What is materialistic is separate from what is spiritualistic. Therefore, we should always look for the invisible and the intangible within.
“The spokes and the hub are the visible parts of a wheel.
Clay is the visible material of a pot, which is useful because it contains.
Walls, doors, and windows are visible parts of a house.”
(Chapter 11, Tao Te Ching)
Tao wisdom is to focus on the Creator, instead of the things created or how they were created.
“Life lives itself in us, when we focus on the Creator.
From that focal point, around which all of life revolves.
We watch everything come and go,
with no judgment, no preference.
Everything that is, was, or ever will be,
will return to its origin: the Creator.”
(Chapter 16, Tao Te Ching)
To Lao Tzu, human focus should be on the Creator, instead of on the search for an explanation of all the unfathomed truths.
“Look, it is invisible.
Listen, it is inaudible.
Grab, it is intangible.
These three characteristics are indefinable:
Therefore, they are joined as one, just like the Holy Trinity.”
(Chapter 14, Tao Te Ching)
Seeking God
With faith, we begin to seek God, which means looking for His presence. God is omnipresent; He is present in everything and everyone.
“and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” (Matthew 28: 20)
However, there are times, due to human frailty and neglect, God’s presence seems not only distant but also elusive. Even Pope Benedict XVI, in his emotional farewell speech in February 2013 to tens of thousands of faithful in St Peter’s Square, said there were times during his eight-year papacy “when it seemed that the Lord was sleeping.” For that reason, we should earnestly set our minds and hearts on seeking God, lest His presence become unreal and unmanifested.
“Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God.” (1 Chronicles 22: 19)
“Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.” (Isaiah 55: 6)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3: 1-2)
Given that God Himself has put within us the human desire to know Him, we will find Him in His Word -- the Bible.
BELIEVE IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND
According to St. Augustine, the Bishop of Hippo (354-430 A.D.), in life there are certain things we do not believe unless we understand them, and there are other things that we do not understand unless we believe them. To St. Augustine, faith is not opposed to understanding, nor is it independent of understanding. His famous “faith seeking understanding” is an act of believing first, without which unbelief closes the door to further understanding.
St. Anselm of Canterbury, a well-known Christian philosopher and theologian of the eleventh century, echoed St. Augustine’s statement in his famous motto “I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand.”
“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” (Hebrews 11: 3)
Accordingly, to begin the spiritual journey of seeking God’s wisdom, we must, first and foremost, have faith seeking knowledge to understand God.
How Tao Wisdom May Help
According to Lao Tzu, the mysteries of the universe are indefinable and inexpressible. The human mind is meant to see only the manifestations of the things created, but not the mysteries of God’s creations.
“As one, it is unbroken thread with neither a beginning nor an end.
It returns to nothingness: invisible, inaudible, and intangible.
It is the indefinable, the intangible, and the unimaginable.
Stand before it, and there is no beginning.
Follow it, and there is no end.
Only by its grace can we discover how things have been and will be.
This is the essence of the Creator: invisible, inaudible, and intangible.”
(Chapter 14, Tao Te Ching)
To Lao Tzu, seeing is not believing, but believing is the beginning of seeing.
“The more we look, the less we see.
The more we hear, the less we listen.
The more we crave, the crazier we become.”
(Chapter 12, Tao Te Ching)
“When a wise man hears of the Creator,
he immediately begins to do some soul-searching.
When an average man hears of the Creator,
he half believes him, and half doubts him.
When a foolish man hears of the Creator,
he laughs out loud.
If he did not laugh,
there would be no Creator.”
(Chapter 41, Tao Te Ching)
What is materialistic is separate from what is spiritualistic. Therefore, we should always look for the invisible and the intangible within.
“The spokes and the hub are the visible parts of a wheel.
Clay is the visible material of a pot, which is useful because it contains.
Walls, doors, and windows are visible parts of a house.”
(Chapter 11, Tao Te Ching)
Tao wisdom is to focus on the Creator, instead of the things created or how they were created.
“Life lives itself in us, when we focus on the Creator.
From that focal point, around which all of life revolves.
We watch everything come and go,
with no judgment, no preference.
Everything that is, was, or ever will be,
will return to its origin: the Creator.”
(Chapter 16, Tao Te Ching)
To Lao Tzu, human focus should be on the Creator, instead of on the search for an explanation of all the unfathomed truths.
“Look, it is invisible.
Listen, it is inaudible.
Grab, it is intangible.
These three characteristics are indefinable:
Therefore, they are joined as one, just like the Holy Trinity.”
(Chapter 14, Tao Te Ching)
Seeking God
With faith, we begin to seek God, which means looking for His presence. God is omnipresent; He is present in everything and everyone.
“and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” (Matthew 28: 20)
However, there are times, due to human frailty and neglect, God’s presence seems not only distant but also elusive. Even Pope Benedict XVI, in his emotional farewell speech in February 2013 to tens of thousands of faithful in St Peter’s Square, said there were times during his eight-year papacy “when it seemed that the Lord was sleeping.” For that reason, we should earnestly set our minds and hearts on seeking God, lest His presence become unreal and unmanifested.
“Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God.” (1 Chronicles 22: 19)
“Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.” (Isaiah 55: 6)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3: 1-2)
Given that God Himself has put within us the human desire to know Him, we will find Him in His Word -- the Bible.
The following is another excerpt from the book:
THE WAY TO BIBLICAL WISDOM
God’s omnipresence is a manifestation of His creations. Seeking God means we see His presence in everything around us, both visible and invisible. God’s mystery, on the other hand, is manifested only in His wisdom, expressed in the Bible.
In the Bible, Jesus is the personification of God’s wisdom. Only through Jesus can man come to know God’s wisdom.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14: 6)
The Bible is the Word of God, and therefore a source of God’s wisdom through reading its verses. Reading the Bible can provide spiritual wisdom to many, which is necessary for their spiritual growth in order to understand and appreciate God’s wisdom.
Intent to Seek
First and foremost, the human mind must demonstrate its intent to seek God’s wisdom through specific knowledge of the Bible. In other words, the mind must be in a seeking-and-learning mode to grow in the knowledge of God.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29: 13)
How Tao Wisdom May Help
Lao Tzu believes the desire to seek the wisdom of the Creator begins with self-discovery: understanding true human nature.
“The ancient prophets follow the Way to the Creator,
the Way to re-discover our true nature,
which is being one with the Creator.”
(Chapter 21, Tao Te Ching)
“Living is but an expression of the life given by the Creator.
Our true nature is a reflection of that expression.
Those who are with the Creator, the Creator is also with them.”
(Chapter 23, Tao Te Ching)
Knowing the origin and the nature of things, we may begin to perceive the purpose-driven life God has created for each and every one of us.
“Seemingly intangible, and seemingly elusive,
the Way leads to the origin of all things,
both visible and invisible.
Since the beginning of the beginning, this has been the Way
to the life force of all things,
both past and present.”
(Chapter 21, Tao Te Ching)
Therefore, Lao Tzu urges us to remain faithful to our true nature.
“So, whatever we do, we do not abandon our true nature.
The world around us is riddled with worries and distractions.
We remain stable, steady, and steadfast.
We do not let ourselves be blown to and fro.
Otherwise, we lose touch with who we really are;
or worse, who the Creator is.”
(Chapter 26, Tao Te Ching)
Seeking Biblical Knowledge
God’s wisdom is freely available to all through the Bible. Seeking Biblical knowledge will reveal God’s wisdom to man because the Holy Spirit is within all of us to reveal it to us.
How Tao Wisdom May Help
According to Lao Tzu, the wisdom of the Creator is available to all just for the asking.
“Heavenly grace is like a well of water,
free to all, just for the asking.
It is inexhaustible: the bounty of eternal life. . . . .
It is hidden, but forever present.
It is inconceivable and intangible.
It comes from the Creator, the origin of all things.”
(Chapter 4, Tao Te Ching)
“Separating from our true nature,
we struggle with forms and functions
Returning to our true nature,
we find ourselves being one with the Creator.”
(Chapter 28, Tao Te Ching)
THE WAY TO BIBLICAL WISDOM
God’s omnipresence is a manifestation of His creations. Seeking God means we see His presence in everything around us, both visible and invisible. God’s mystery, on the other hand, is manifested only in His wisdom, expressed in the Bible.
In the Bible, Jesus is the personification of God’s wisdom. Only through Jesus can man come to know God’s wisdom.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14: 6)
The Bible is the Word of God, and therefore a source of God’s wisdom through reading its verses. Reading the Bible can provide spiritual wisdom to many, which is necessary for their spiritual growth in order to understand and appreciate God’s wisdom.
Intent to Seek
First and foremost, the human mind must demonstrate its intent to seek God’s wisdom through specific knowledge of the Bible. In other words, the mind must be in a seeking-and-learning mode to grow in the knowledge of God.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29: 13)
How Tao Wisdom May Help
Lao Tzu believes the desire to seek the wisdom of the Creator begins with self-discovery: understanding true human nature.
“The ancient prophets follow the Way to the Creator,
the Way to re-discover our true nature,
which is being one with the Creator.”
(Chapter 21, Tao Te Ching)
“Living is but an expression of the life given by the Creator.
Our true nature is a reflection of that expression.
Those who are with the Creator, the Creator is also with them.”
(Chapter 23, Tao Te Ching)
Knowing the origin and the nature of things, we may begin to perceive the purpose-driven life God has created for each and every one of us.
“Seemingly intangible, and seemingly elusive,
the Way leads to the origin of all things,
both visible and invisible.
Since the beginning of the beginning, this has been the Way
to the life force of all things,
both past and present.”
(Chapter 21, Tao Te Ching)
Therefore, Lao Tzu urges us to remain faithful to our true nature.
“So, whatever we do, we do not abandon our true nature.
The world around us is riddled with worries and distractions.
We remain stable, steady, and steadfast.
We do not let ourselves be blown to and fro.
Otherwise, we lose touch with who we really are;
or worse, who the Creator is.”
(Chapter 26, Tao Te Ching)
Seeking Biblical Knowledge
God’s wisdom is freely available to all through the Bible. Seeking Biblical knowledge will reveal God’s wisdom to man because the Holy Spirit is within all of us to reveal it to us.
How Tao Wisdom May Help
According to Lao Tzu, the wisdom of the Creator is available to all just for the asking.
“Heavenly grace is like a well of water,
free to all, just for the asking.
It is inexhaustible: the bounty of eternal life. . . . .
It is hidden, but forever present.
It is inconceivable and intangible.
It comes from the Creator, the origin of all things.”
(Chapter 4, Tao Te Ching)
“Separating from our true nature,
we struggle with forms and functions
Returning to our true nature,
we find ourselves being one with the Creator.”
(Chapter 28, Tao Te Ching)
Many are unhappy not because of what they have experienced throughout their life journeys, but because they don't have the human wisdom to perceive and process what they've experienced.
Happiness is a state of mind, due to the the perceptions of the human mind. Change your perceptions to change your so-called realities. Empower your mind with human wisdom -- ancient wisdom from the East and the West, conventional wisdom, and spiritual wisdom -- to think differently to have totally different perspectives of what may have made you happy or unhappy.
Looking at many examples of real people from all over the world may enlighten you, and help you live as if everything is a miracle.
To get your copy, click here.
To find out more about "happiness Wisdom", click here.
Happiness is a state of mind, due to the the perceptions of the human mind. Change your perceptions to change your so-called realities. Empower your mind with human wisdom -- ancient wisdom from the East and the West, conventional wisdom, and spiritual wisdom -- to think differently to have totally different perspectives of what may have made you happy or unhappy.
Looking at many examples of real people from all over the world may enlighten you, and help you live as if everything is a miracle.
To get your copy, click here.
To find out more about "happiness Wisdom", click here.
