My base is Mormonism, but I like many of the Eastern religions, and think their teachings of becoming selfless / letting go of the ego / serving others / not being materialistic are beautiful... Mormonism teaches these things too of coarse, but for some reason, I really like the poetry used in things like the tao Te Ching...
like:
51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. … feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:51)
vs:
The sage wears rough clothing and holds the jewel in her heart.
The more she does for others, the more she has.
The more she gives to others, the greater her abundance.
The sage knows herself, but makes no show,
Has self-respect, but is not arrogant.
The sage works without recognition.
She achieves what has to be done without dwelling on it.
She lets go of that,
and chooses this.
Dare to not be ahead of others.
Accept being unimportant.
Do not be concerned with loss or gain.
Why is the sea king of a hundred streams?
(Why does all water flow to the oceans?)
Because it lies below them all.
Empty yourself of everything.
Empty and be full..
Shape clay into a vessel;
It is the space within that makes it useful.
Cut doors and window for a room;
It is the holes which make it useful.
Usefulness (comes) from what is not there.
She who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.
She who grasps, loses.
The sage.. though there are beautiful things to be seen,
remains unattached and calm.
If you try to hold it, you will lose it.
Mormon Article of Faith 13 “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things…” – no matter where they come from.
7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 29:7)