a new book project on the Dao De Jing

I am working on a new book.

Dive into the timeless wisdom of the Dao De Jing with this insightful new translation and reflection by a renowned New Testament scholar with a rich Asian American perspective. This unique book offers fresh interpretations of the Dao De Jing's 81 chapters, blending ancient Eastern philosophies with contemporary Western theological insights. As both a scholar and a seeker of cross-cultural wisdom, the author bridges the past and present, delving into themes that resonate deeply with today's readers. With each chapter, discover thought-provoking reflections that challenge modern perceptions and offer guidance on personal development, ethical living, and global justice. This book serves as a beacon for those navigating the complexities of the contemporary world, providing a harmonious blend of ancient insights and modern scholarship. 

The tentative book title: Ancient Echoes: Contemporary Reflections on the Dao De Jing

Revolutionary books?

My work on two book projects is going well, and I am excited. I have an entire draft of a manuscript on Luke’s Gospel with a psychological reading. The other book, which I have been working on for a few years, is coming together. With a carefully crafted book proposal, I have written several chapters. I believe these two books will be revolutionary in my view. Here's an imaginary book cover for the book on the Lord’s Prayer: The Lord's Prayer and the Mind: A Cognitive and Theological Reinterpretation.

Book Review of How to Read the Gospels

I am glad to find this book review of "How to Read the Gospels."

Never judge a book by its cover.” This was certainly true for me with Yung Suk Kim’s groundbreaking book, How to Read the Gospels: An Introduction. While waiting for the review copy to arrive, my expectations were low because I had read many introductions over the past two decades and had come to assume, ‘It will be another introduction to the Gospels.’ However, I was proven wrong. Upon opening the book and skimming through its contents, I found myself repeatedly thinking, ‘I’ve never seen anything like this.’

more information

3 big readings PDF

2 min video

Milestone work on Luke?

In my writing career, I have attempted to write something new or distinctive or offer a fresh perspective on traditional topics. This time, I am working on the Gospel of Luke, exploring it from an integrated psychological perspective. I remain open to the journey ahead, listening to the voices within and outside of me as I move with this project.

Short Memoir: All I Have Is Now

I was born in a peaceful village called Kyungsan, South Korea. My only toys were found in nature—rice fields, small hills and mountains, and wild landscapes in various forms. I loved nature deeply and was raised amid its abundant beauty. I enjoyed singing and talking. The villagers knew me as a good boy and a caring son. Continue to read . . . 

The brain and a galaxy

Scientists specializing in cosmology and neuroscience state that the human brain has more than 100 billion nerve cells, and a galaxy like our own Milky Way contains a similar number of stars, around 100 billion. Simply put, this is a huge number. In many ways, one brain is like a galaxy in terms of its infinitude and capability. Beyond that, what does this tell us about reality? It remains a mystery that humans are "thinking meat, conscious meat, dreaming meat, and living meat," as noted by someone quoted on page 23 of "The Mind and the Brain" by Jeffrey Schwartz.

Decision and true self

   

Justice and the Parables of Jesus

I am excited to have received the best possible answer from my editor, who reviewed my final manuscript:

Greetings. I've just read your manuscript. Thank you! I love the structure, it hangs together well, it'll be accessible for seminarians, and it's inspiring—I think it'll encourage readers to learn more about justice and the parables. I'm very, very pleased with it. And good work on the discussion questions.
...
I'd like to discuss the title. Would you be open to that? I wonder if you'd consider this: "Justice and the Parables of Jesus: Interpreting the Gospel Stories through Political Philosophy." ... Once again, thank you for your work on this excellent manuscript. T&T Clark will be proud to publish it.

CONTENTS (PDF)

This book explores Jesus’s parables from the perspective of political philosophy, focusing on a crucial question about justice: "What is the right thing to do?" The parables illustrate the life issues and complexities of justice in first-century Palestine, presenting a radical vision of God's reign that challenges the prevailing values and justice system of the Roman Empire. The book delves into the multifaceted themes of justice found in these parables, aiming to reveal nuanced interpretations and the moral intricacies woven into the narratives. Readers can engage with various parables through the lens of justice, with chapters organized according to specific interests. Each chapter includes thought-provoking discussion questions designed to encourage critical dialogue and reflection. Ultimately, this volume seeks to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding and advocating for justice in the modern world, providing an indispensable resource for scholars, theologians, and anyone interested in the teachings conveyed through parables.

Book Description (formal)
This book examines the parables of Jesus through the framework of political philosophy, focusing on the ethical question of justice: "What is the right thing to do?" It contextualizes the narratives within the socio-political landscape of first-century Palestine, highlighting how they articulate a radical vision of divine sovereignty that confronts the dominant values and juridical structures of the Roman Empire. The text offers a nuanced analysis of the multifaceted themes of justice embedded in these parables, aiming to elucidate their moral and theological complexity. Organized thematically, each chapter engages with specific parables, accompanied by analytical discussion questions designed to foster critical engagement and scholarly dialogue. Ultimately, the volume aspires to contribute to contemporary discourses on justice by providing a comprehensive interpretive framework rooted in biblical parables, serving academic audiences and informed readers interested in the ethical and political implications of Jesus’s teachings.

Popular Style Version (for marketing or back cover):
Discover what the parables of Jesus can teach us about justice and what it truly means to do the right thing. This book looks at Jesus’s stories through the lens of political philosophy, showing how they challenge the unfair systems of the Roman Empire and offer a bold vision of God's reign. Each chapter explores different parables and their lessons on justice, making complex ideas accessible and engaging. Filled with thought-provoking questions, it encourages readers to reflect on how these ancient stories speak to issues of fairness and morality today. Whether you are a curious reader or a scholar, this book provides fresh insights into the power of Jesus’s teachings about justice and how we can apply them in the modern world.

Nature's Embrace

 

   

Memorable quotes from the book MIND

Daniel J. Siegel, MIND: A Journey to the Heart of Being Human (Norton, 2017).

"By mind, I mean all that relates to our subjective felt experience of being alive, from feelings to thoughts, from intellectual ideas to inner sensory immersions before and beneath words, to our felt connections to other people and our planet. And mind also refers to our consciousness, the experience we have of being aware of this felt sense of life, the experience of knowing within awareness." (1)

"Mind is the essence of our fundamental nature, our deepest sense of being alive, here, right now, in this moment." (1)

"Yet beyond consciousness and its knowing within awareness of our subjective felt sense of being alive, mind may also involve a larger process, one that connects us to each other and our world. This important process is a facet of mind that may be hard to measure, but is nevertheless a crucial aspect of our lives we'll explore in great depth in the journey ahead." (1)

"Though we may not be able to quantify in numerical terms these facets of our mind at the heart of the experience of being here in this life, this intrinsically felt subjective phenomenon of living, and the ways we can feel our connections to one another and the world, are subjective phenomena that are real. These non-measurable facets of the reality of life have many names. Some call this our essence. Some call this our core, soul, spirit, or true nature. I simply call this mind." (1-2).

SUMMARY

-The definition of mind has to do with energy and information flow, which is embodied and relational.
-The major symptoms: rigidity and chaos.
-The main solution would be integration, which is "more like a fruit salad than a smoothie" (87).
-Use bottom-up (conduit) and top-down (constructor) together in a sense of balance.
"We stop seeing clearly because we know so much." (p. 130).
"All we have is now" (p. 251).
-The concept of self-organization.
-Four facets of the mind: information processing, subjective experience, consciousness, and self-organization.
-Neuroplasticity may be improved through mindfulness, awareness, attention, and presence. The importance of awe/openness to possibilities (287).
-9 aspects of integration (p. 90--)
-8 senses

Daniel J. Siegel, MIND: A Journey to the Heart of Being Human, p. 82

Daniel J. Siegel, MIND: A Journey to the Heart of Being Human, p. 87

Daniel J. Siegel, MIND: A Journey to the Heart of Being Human, p. 130