Tao Te Ching 72

When they lose their sense of awe, people turn to religion. When they no longer trust themselves, they begin to depend on authority.
________________________________________________________

What produced awe in humankind before the first religion was organized? What caused humankind to lose touch with our original sense of awe? Why did we see the alternative in various forms of religion? What have we surrendered by turning to religions for a sense of awe?

What produced trust in humankind before the first government was organized? What caused humankind to lose touch with the original sense of trust? Why did we see the alternative in various forms of government? What have we surrendered by turning to governments for a sense of trust?

There is a famous Zen koan that asks, “What was your original face before your parents were born?” When we answer the koan, we will find the answer to the source of awe and trust, because that source will be reflected in our original face.