Posts
Learning Real Love-Taoism through Suffering
*******
Happy April!:) A touch early, but it arrives tomorrow!:)
I am so delighted that this world, with its donkeygifts, has "driven" you towards two directions at once-- greater compassion, and total reliance on [the Goddess of Love,] Aphrodite. For these are the two best gifts in the universe. And there is no better way to teach them than to put the donkey in "danger," or, as you imply, in serious uncertainty.
Any kind of suffering, although we would rather see our friends avoid this aspect of life, teaches and increases compassion. She who suffers little often loves little, not because she is unkind, but because she is unaware, almost oblivious. There is no finer teacher than personal suffering. If we take it "to heart," and carefully examine it, suffering gives us many positive gifts-- but none better than these two (releasing control and loving others more deeply), without which we cannot become
"spiritual adults."
That is why good people have always suffered, often for others, often for the karma of the whole world. (This is a major theme, and cannot be overlooked, in the life of Jesus, as well as of Francis and many other saintmystics and sages.)
This is the universe's way of saying, "Welcome to the human race." It is a real initiation into deeper, and much brighter, spirituality. It aids us to practice Love-Taoism-- the real thing, not just words. For no one follows Tao more, or more sincerely, than she who has given up, abandoned, all desires to "control, all hopes of control." She has truly turned her life over to the higher Power of Love, trusting that Love can and will move in her without her interference. We do not, she finally realizes, make Love happen; we can only permit It.
*******
Showing posts with label karma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label karma. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Karma and Intention
In a just universe, the Soul is never held responsible for any choice that it does not deliberately and voluntarily make. So, the Buddha pointed out that karma resulted, not from the results of our actions, but rather from our intentions. For the Soul can choose its intentions; it cannot "choose" the effects of its actions.
A good example is Jesus. Within a couple of centuries, his "followers," orthodox Christians, were cutting each others' throats. But Jesus received no karma for this, because he taught a message of Love, and he did so with a pure intention. For his intention was to plant and nourish the seeds of Love in the human heart. The fact that, in this complex cosmos, that did not work out, was not the responsibility of Jesus, and so, his Soul received no karma.
It is due to this principle that we do not have to live a "perfect" or flawless life to escape negative karma. We have only to live in pure intention.
This means that, if we intend to harm others, and end up helping them, we still receive negative karma. On the other hand, if we intend to help others, and our message is distorted by human nature, and people are hurt, we still receive the positive and beneficial "good" karma.
No karma results from the results of our actions. This is a serious misunderstanding we must clear up if we are to understand karma. For karma comes from only intentions, not just actions. And the Soul can always choose to live with good intentions, and thus, reap the rewards of good karma.
In this complex universe, there is actually very little that we can control; in fact, the entire mystical system of Taoism is founded on this single fact. But we are responsible for the one thing that we can control, and that is our intention.
We are not responsible for all of our own thoughtfeelings, for we cannot always control each and every microresponse. We are never responsible for the thoughts, words, or actions of others. We are not responsible for the physical world or its conditions; we are not responsible for even the condition of our local body. For the element of control is absent in every case, and where there is no control, there can be no responsibility.
Thus, the Soul is responsible for only its responses. (Easy to remember, for "responsibility" and "responses" share a root.)
Thus, the words of Jesus: "My load is easy, and My burden is light." The path of good moral judgment and good intention is much easier than that of "perfection." For, as imperfect human beings, the path of perfection is impossible for us. And, if karma resulted from the negative flowering of our behaviors, the situation would be hopeless.
Jesus made it plain that the cosmos, and the cosmic Mind behind it, are filled with forgiveness, mercy, and other aids for us. The cosmos is pro-human, giving us the benefit of every doubt; God always leans toward the side of mercy and forgiveness. The early Christian mystics wrote, "Mercy exults triumphantly over justice." So, the mercy of the One is even greater than Her perfect sense of karmic justice and balance. And we can all, and always, be very grateful for this.:)
*******
A good example is Jesus. Within a couple of centuries, his "followers," orthodox Christians, were cutting each others' throats. But Jesus received no karma for this, because he taught a message of Love, and he did so with a pure intention. For his intention was to plant and nourish the seeds of Love in the human heart. The fact that, in this complex cosmos, that did not work out, was not the responsibility of Jesus, and so, his Soul received no karma.
It is due to this principle that we do not have to live a "perfect" or flawless life to escape negative karma. We have only to live in pure intention.
This means that, if we intend to harm others, and end up helping them, we still receive negative karma. On the other hand, if we intend to help others, and our message is distorted by human nature, and people are hurt, we still receive the positive and beneficial "good" karma.
No karma results from the results of our actions. This is a serious misunderstanding we must clear up if we are to understand karma. For karma comes from only intentions, not just actions. And the Soul can always choose to live with good intentions, and thus, reap the rewards of good karma.
In this complex universe, there is actually very little that we can control; in fact, the entire mystical system of Taoism is founded on this single fact. But we are responsible for the one thing that we can control, and that is our intention.
We are not responsible for all of our own thoughtfeelings, for we cannot always control each and every microresponse. We are never responsible for the thoughts, words, or actions of others. We are not responsible for the physical world or its conditions; we are not responsible for even the condition of our local body. For the element of control is absent in every case, and where there is no control, there can be no responsibility.
Thus, the Soul is responsible for only its responses. (Easy to remember, for "responsibility" and "responses" share a root.)
Thus, the words of Jesus: "My load is easy, and My burden is light." The path of good moral judgment and good intention is much easier than that of "perfection." For, as imperfect human beings, the path of perfection is impossible for us. And, if karma resulted from the negative flowering of our behaviors, the situation would be hopeless.
Jesus made it plain that the cosmos, and the cosmic Mind behind it, are filled with forgiveness, mercy, and other aids for us. The cosmos is pro-human, giving us the benefit of every doubt; God always leans toward the side of mercy and forgiveness. The early Christian mystics wrote, "Mercy exults triumphantly over justice." So, the mercy of the One is even greater than Her perfect sense of karmic justice and balance. And we can all, and always, be very grateful for this.:)
*******
Saturday, November 29, 2008
The Lord/Lady of Love
For Love is so much brighter than any "sun" (even leo!), it makes galaxies look like snuffed candles. And God's eternal bliss is so very high that it makes all other joys look like mourning by comparison. The ecstasy of God (Love) is more than an instant; in time, it can grow into a steady state for the one who has been "blinded" by Its glory, blown away by Its Power, and metamorphosed by Its Love.
God is much more than the beauties of all earthly and celestial beauties combined; She is beauty Itself, and nothing exists that can ever rival the beauty of Her Love.
In the Light-filled Mind, every second of every day is a celebration of Love; it is always Christmas, and always spring, and the world always overflowing with sweet-smelling roses in every color; they blossom in billions, filling the heartmind to overflowing with the delightful and ever-pleasing scent of Love.
Just thinking about this infinite Love, for only a minute, is a "healing" experience; it leads to greater integration. If taking small sips can elevate, then gulping the glittering Ocean of God can drive into irreversible ecstasy. This incomparable, ineffable, indescribable Love can heal anything without exception. There is no body in the universe that She cannot heal. But, for the sake of karma, and also, for the sake of a gentle exit, some conditions are not healed by the great Healer in her omniscient Love.
So, when healed, we praise the God of Love. And, when not healed, we also praise the Lord and Lady of endless Love.
God is much more than the beauties of all earthly and celestial beauties combined; She is beauty Itself, and nothing exists that can ever rival the beauty of Her Love.
In the Light-filled Mind, every second of every day is a celebration of Love; it is always Christmas, and always spring, and the world always overflowing with sweet-smelling roses in every color; they blossom in billions, filling the heartmind to overflowing with the delightful and ever-pleasing scent of Love.
Just thinking about this infinite Love, for only a minute, is a "healing" experience; it leads to greater integration. If taking small sips can elevate, then gulping the glittering Ocean of God can drive into irreversible ecstasy. This incomparable, ineffable, indescribable Love can heal anything without exception. There is no body in the universe that She cannot heal. But, for the sake of karma, and also, for the sake of a gentle exit, some conditions are not healed by the great Healer in her omniscient Love.
So, when healed, we praise the God of Love. And, when not healed, we also praise the Lord and Lady of endless Love.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Finding Time for Reading
*******
We truly understand what it feels like not to have had a break since the second grade!:) Btdt-- been there, did that!:) But please never forget that one can just "burn up" or "kill" time, or one can invest it. Reading a good spiritual book (and they are far fewer than most people assume) is this kind of beautiful selfinvestment; so, sometimes, we might have to "make" the time, as it does not simply fall "out of the sky into our laps," although we might often wish that it could, or would!:) If
you can devote only a couple of minutes to reading a paragraph or two a day, this would add up in time.:):)
*******
What is Spirituality?, by a franciscan taoist
Spirituality can assault us with an onslaught that seems like being washed away in Niagara Falls! There is simply so much of it! "Spiritual" writing seems to know no end, and it can be overwhelming! It can swamp and lose the mind.
So, let us try to be as simple as possible, following the "K.I.S.S." principle-- "keep it super-simple." Spirituality is not, in its core-definition, thousands of gurus, ministers, Scriptures, books, ideas, concepts, and explanations contained in thousands of libraries and bookstores. As you might suspect, it is simpler. (Many great mastersages emphasize simplicity.)
Spirituality is Love--the complex choreography of balancing Love for yourself with Love for others. The Christ mentioned this as the principle, "Love your neighbor as yourself." So, if we love our neighbor less than ourselves, we have introduced imbalance into the equation. But if we love our neighbors more than ourselves, we have also made a significant error.
The ancient mystics wrote," God is Love." So, they also solved the great mystery of "God," and made even this most complex universal Mystery simple. For if we exercise compassion, kindness, goodness, and other forms of Love-- if indeed, we worship Love as God-- we will make no significant karmic errors, and will be able to avoid all negative karmic repercussions.
For the Buddha taught that all karma arises from intention. Do we have to be "perfect" in order to create a future life completely free from all negative karma? No, we do not. The good news is that, if we act with good and pure intention, we can be karmafree. For we cannot control what will become of our words once they have gone forth into the world; but we can control our intentions. And, in a just and fair universe, we should be held responsible for only that which we can control.
So, begin right now: Do an act of Love for yourself or for another living creature. Work to make this a life-pattern, a positive habit, and you will never regret your wise decision.
*******
We truly understand what it feels like not to have had a break since the second grade!:) Btdt-- been there, did that!:) But please never forget that one can just "burn up" or "kill" time, or one can invest it. Reading a good spiritual book (and they are far fewer than most people assume) is this kind of beautiful selfinvestment; so, sometimes, we might have to "make" the time, as it does not simply fall "out of the sky into our laps," although we might often wish that it could, or would!:) If
you can devote only a couple of minutes to reading a paragraph or two a day, this would add up in time.:):)
*******
What is Spirituality?, by a franciscan taoist
Spirituality can assault us with an onslaught that seems like being washed away in Niagara Falls! There is simply so much of it! "Spiritual" writing seems to know no end, and it can be overwhelming! It can swamp and lose the mind.
So, let us try to be as simple as possible, following the "K.I.S.S." principle-- "keep it super-simple." Spirituality is not, in its core-definition, thousands of gurus, ministers, Scriptures, books, ideas, concepts, and explanations contained in thousands of libraries and bookstores. As you might suspect, it is simpler. (Many great mastersages emphasize simplicity.)
Spirituality is Love--the complex choreography of balancing Love for yourself with Love for others. The Christ mentioned this as the principle, "Love your neighbor as yourself." So, if we love our neighbor less than ourselves, we have introduced imbalance into the equation. But if we love our neighbors more than ourselves, we have also made a significant error.
The ancient mystics wrote," God is Love." So, they also solved the great mystery of "God," and made even this most complex universal Mystery simple. For if we exercise compassion, kindness, goodness, and other forms of Love-- if indeed, we worship Love as God-- we will make no significant karmic errors, and will be able to avoid all negative karmic repercussions.
For the Buddha taught that all karma arises from intention. Do we have to be "perfect" in order to create a future life completely free from all negative karma? No, we do not. The good news is that, if we act with good and pure intention, we can be karmafree. For we cannot control what will become of our words once they have gone forth into the world; but we can control our intentions. And, in a just and fair universe, we should be held responsible for only that which we can control.
So, begin right now: Do an act of Love for yourself or for another living creature. Work to make this a life-pattern, a positive habit, and you will never regret your wise decision.
*******
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Pain of Negative Karma
*******
In one of his parables, Jesus did use the words "shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Mt. 13:41, 42) Jesus was using dramatic symbolism here. A "furnace" here represents not only pain, but purification. In a furnace, matter is turned directly into energy. And the same happens when a human being dies; she, as a Soul, has no longer any need for a "physical" body, but, as pure Soulmind, uses her lightbody or energybody.
A parable is by definition not a literal statement. So, he was not talking literally, but in symbol. These dramatic words were designed to indicate the painfear state that grips a person caught in negative karma. The pain can be as severe as that of being literally burned with a match, candle, or other fire. And negative karma does indeed create much "wailing and gnashing of teeth," representing deep regret for harmful behavior. For any hurtful action, if indulged voluntarily, will and must create karma. And the karma, also by definition, must be as painful as the agony caused to others by one's deliberate activity.
*******
In one of his parables, Jesus did use the words "shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Mt. 13:41, 42) Jesus was using dramatic symbolism here. A "furnace" here represents not only pain, but purification. In a furnace, matter is turned directly into energy. And the same happens when a human being dies; she, as a Soul, has no longer any need for a "physical" body, but, as pure Soulmind, uses her lightbody or energybody.
A parable is by definition not a literal statement. So, he was not talking literally, but in symbol. These dramatic words were designed to indicate the painfear state that grips a person caught in negative karma. The pain can be as severe as that of being literally burned with a match, candle, or other fire. And negative karma does indeed create much "wailing and gnashing of teeth," representing deep regret for harmful behavior. For any hurtful action, if indulged voluntarily, will and must create karma. And the karma, also by definition, must be as painful as the agony caused to others by one's deliberate activity.
*******
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Love Ministries Affiliates
*******
You are wisely doubtful re anything received over email, and we also tend to be dubious about anything received. Some might not be even in Africa, but might be business-people in New York or Atlanta. We, like you, have also seen these scams, and so, are cautious. We have developed email relationships with all the Love Ministries affiliates in the various countries.
For our best example, we have exchanged several dozen emails, over many years, with Love Ministries of India, and have known our representative for years. Our friend from Uganda has also written several times, often revealing details (such as her birthday) about her life. Our friend in Pakistan has had, for years, a specific ministry to the downtrodden women in that very poor and largely Islamic country. (She is one of three contacts made in her country.) Our friend in Tanzania sends many, and regular, photos of his educational seminars in small cities in his area.
Our friend in Kenya has started a house-church, and has delightedly aided us to distribute a book to his friends whom, he says, "fell in Love" with it.:) In fact, we did encourage our contact in Kenya to send us a "snailmail" so that we could make sure that we were dealing with a real person, really in Kenya. (He is one of three original contacts in his country; the other two knew him, and he them.)
There is no "foolproof" way around the many frauds and phonies on earth.
Frankly, we also have no way to determine these things except by God-guided intuition, which we follow. Love-guided intuition can be the most reliable of all, although most Westerners are unaccustomed to thinking in these terms. (But you, my friend, know what is meant.:) Thanks for asking; if there is another way that these contacts can be confirmed, we are open, and would like to hear about it. In the meantime, good karma comes from donating to any charity as if it were the "real thing," and the karma is good as long as you believe that it is the "real thing."
Thanks for asking. This is a very sound, solid, and fair question. We are sorry that we do not have absolute proof, except for India.
*******
You are wisely doubtful re anything received over email, and we also tend to be dubious about anything received. Some might not be even in Africa, but might be business-people in New York or Atlanta. We, like you, have also seen these scams, and so, are cautious. We have developed email relationships with all the Love Ministries affiliates in the various countries.
For our best example, we have exchanged several dozen emails, over many years, with Love Ministries of India, and have known our representative for years. Our friend from Uganda has also written several times, often revealing details (such as her birthday) about her life. Our friend in Pakistan has had, for years, a specific ministry to the downtrodden women in that very poor and largely Islamic country. (She is one of three contacts made in her country.) Our friend in Tanzania sends many, and regular, photos of his educational seminars in small cities in his area.
Our friend in Kenya has started a house-church, and has delightedly aided us to distribute a book to his friends whom, he says, "fell in Love" with it.:) In fact, we did encourage our contact in Kenya to send us a "snailmail" so that we could make sure that we were dealing with a real person, really in Kenya. (He is one of three original contacts in his country; the other two knew him, and he them.)
There is no "foolproof" way around the many frauds and phonies on earth.
Frankly, we also have no way to determine these things except by God-guided intuition, which we follow. Love-guided intuition can be the most reliable of all, although most Westerners are unaccustomed to thinking in these terms. (But you, my friend, know what is meant.:) Thanks for asking; if there is another way that these contacts can be confirmed, we are open, and would like to hear about it. In the meantime, good karma comes from donating to any charity as if it were the "real thing," and the karma is good as long as you believe that it is the "real thing."
Thanks for asking. This is a very sound, solid, and fair question. We are sorry that we do not have absolute proof, except for India.
*******
Sunday, July 06, 2008
The "Song of God"
*******
The Bhagavad-Gita ["Song of God"] is among India's most beautiful and profound texts. It is a truly spiritual work, and touches upon the nature of the smaller self (ego) and higher (Soul) and highest (Spirit) Self. In that text, Krishna transforms himself into other creatures-- some say, into every other creature. While he is "talking to Arjuna," he is also Arjuna! He is both teacher and perennial learner, both horse and rider, cat and mouse, pursued and pursuer. Thus does he bring into being this beautiful world, as a dream of the divine Mind.
This does not mean that the world is "unreal," but that its reality is relative, not absolute. Only Mind has absolute existence, and that is why enlightened mystics often call It the "Absolute." For everything else in the cosmos exists only relative to the existence of this Mind.
Without It, the entire cosmos would "blink off," disappear. Yet even if the entire cosmos did disappear, it would have no effect whatsoever on the real (absolute) existence of the one Mind. (This is the "One," God, divine Mind, cosmic Mind, or Love.)
I am delighted to hear that you are reading such a profound and wonderful text as the "Song of God." It is a breath-taking and awe-inspired reminder that this passing world is only a dream, a "virtual reality," existing in Mind only. And, as Krishna says, even reading this text generates good karma!:)
*******
That is, everything is Mind, as are we. This gives birth to that most famous realization in Hindu mysticism, Tat tvam asi, which means, "That thou art." You begin to identify with every thing in your experienced cosmos, since it is all a dream within a mind. There is no "out there."
In the vastness and immensity of this realization, the ego-- the name on your driver's license and birth-certificate-- is seen as a minor and not very important "game," a "role" being "played on the stage of earthlife" by your Soul. Thus, in growing into enlightenment (filled with Love, and nothing else), the ego dissolves into a much brighter and higher Loveself. This is how the enlightened person "denies" and even "denounces" the ego. This re-identification of the self as a higher (Soul), or even the highest (Spirit), Self results in bliss (ecstasy), for this is the "reward" of the cosmic Mind (God or Love).
This is the most complex subject in the entire cosmos. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to drop me a line or two.:)
*******
The Bhagavad-Gita ["Song of God"] is among India's most beautiful and profound texts. It is a truly spiritual work, and touches upon the nature of the smaller self (ego) and higher (Soul) and highest (Spirit) Self. In that text, Krishna transforms himself into other creatures-- some say, into every other creature. While he is "talking to Arjuna," he is also Arjuna! He is both teacher and perennial learner, both horse and rider, cat and mouse, pursued and pursuer. Thus does he bring into being this beautiful world, as a dream of the divine Mind.
This does not mean that the world is "unreal," but that its reality is relative, not absolute. Only Mind has absolute existence, and that is why enlightened mystics often call It the "Absolute." For everything else in the cosmos exists only relative to the existence of this Mind.
Without It, the entire cosmos would "blink off," disappear. Yet even if the entire cosmos did disappear, it would have no effect whatsoever on the real (absolute) existence of the one Mind. (This is the "One," God, divine Mind, cosmic Mind, or Love.)
I am delighted to hear that you are reading such a profound and wonderful text as the "Song of God." It is a breath-taking and awe-inspired reminder that this passing world is only a dream, a "virtual reality," existing in Mind only. And, as Krishna says, even reading this text generates good karma!:)
*******
That is, everything is Mind, as are we. This gives birth to that most famous realization in Hindu mysticism, Tat tvam asi, which means, "That thou art." You begin to identify with every thing in your experienced cosmos, since it is all a dream within a mind. There is no "out there."
In the vastness and immensity of this realization, the ego-- the name on your driver's license and birth-certificate-- is seen as a minor and not very important "game," a "role" being "played on the stage of earthlife" by your Soul. Thus, in growing into enlightenment (filled with Love, and nothing else), the ego dissolves into a much brighter and higher Loveself. This is how the enlightened person "denies" and even "denounces" the ego. This re-identification of the self as a higher (Soul), or even the highest (Spirit), Self results in bliss (ecstasy), for this is the "reward" of the cosmic Mind (God or Love).
This is the most complex subject in the entire cosmos. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to drop me a line or two.:)
*******
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
The Sermon on the Mount, Parts XXII and XXXIII of XL
*******
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XXXII of XL
*******
Chapter7.
TEXT:
COMMENTARY: This command has been distorted and absurdly misunderstood to imply that the spiritual person is totally neutral about everything, and especially, everybody. But Jesus himself was certainly not "neutral" when it came to the religious leaders, as is proved by parts of this Sermon, and by his strong criticisms found in Matthew chapter 23, where he expresses anger at their hypocrisy.
The intent of Jesus was not full neutrality, which leads inevitably to antiagapic (counter-Love) complacency and apathy. Rather, the word translated "to judge" implies "forming an evaluation of a person in totality, including her Soul." So, a being of enlightenment can easily say, within this perimeter, "I do not like neo-nazi ideas,," or even, "I do not care for Republican ideas generally." But what a true being of Love and Light can never say is, "She is worthless," or, "She has no good within her." For these are genuine judgments. So is, "He is going to hell," for this "hell" is regarded as a forever-place, an everlasting condition.
To be neutral about everything does not imply that a person is "superspiritual," above it all. In fact, it implies the opposite: A person who simply does not care about others. Far from being complete in Love, a person who is totally neutral-- about political, social, or moral issues-- is misusing and abusing this principle of Jesus to hide her apathy and real lack, or even absence, of true Love. God is absent in this kind of life, for God is Love.
*****
*****
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XXXIII of XL
*******
TEXT:
COMMENTARY: This, again, is yet another restatement by the
Master of the most important principle in all spiritual balance-- that of karma. As we give to others, we receive. And even as we think of others, measure them, so we shall be evaluated. The practice of injustice or bigotry will surely return us to a life in which we will be the victims of these exact horrors. If we despise people of a certain race, it is guaranteed that, in our next life, we will come back as a member of that race. If we hate gays, it is guaranteed that we will return with this genetic factor.
TEXT:
COMMENTARY: Jesus used hyperbole to make an important point: We must each work to redesign personal life. This we can do well only with the aid of God (Love) or Holy Spirit, Christspirit. Your one and only assignment from the cosmic Mind is your life, and mine is mine. The people of Love never try to run the lives of others, to "parentize" other adults. This "interior parent," running rampant, has destroyed many a life!
TEXT:
COMMENTARY: This is a matter of reasonable, logical priority. If each person cleans up her own home and yard, the result is a totally clean community. The same is true spiritually: Each is assigned by God (Love) to adjust and design her personal life to contain and express as much unconditional and universal Love as possible.
*****
*****
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XXXII of XL
*******
Chapter7.
TEXT:
1. "Judge not, that you be not judged.
COMMENTARY: This command has been distorted and absurdly misunderstood to imply that the spiritual person is totally neutral about everything, and especially, everybody. But Jesus himself was certainly not "neutral" when it came to the religious leaders, as is proved by parts of this Sermon, and by his strong criticisms found in Matthew chapter 23, where he expresses anger at their hypocrisy.
The intent of Jesus was not full neutrality, which leads inevitably to antiagapic (counter-Love) complacency and apathy. Rather, the word translated "to judge" implies "forming an evaluation of a person in totality, including her Soul." So, a being of enlightenment can easily say, within this perimeter, "I do not like neo-nazi ideas,," or even, "I do not care for Republican ideas generally." But what a true being of Love and Light can never say is, "She is worthless," or, "She has no good within her." For these are genuine judgments. So is, "He is going to hell," for this "hell" is regarded as a forever-place, an everlasting condition.
To be neutral about everything does not imply that a person is "superspiritual," above it all. In fact, it implies the opposite: A person who simply does not care about others. Far from being complete in Love, a person who is totally neutral-- about political, social, or moral issues-- is misusing and abusing this principle of Jesus to hide her apathy and real lack, or even absence, of true Love. God is absent in this kind of life, for God is Love.
*****
*****
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XXXIII of XL
*******
TEXT:
Continuing with Matthew 7: 2. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.
COMMENTARY: This, again, is yet another restatement by the
Master of the most important principle in all spiritual balance-- that of karma. As we give to others, we receive. And even as we think of others, measure them, so we shall be evaluated. The practice of injustice or bigotry will surely return us to a life in which we will be the victims of these exact horrors. If we despise people of a certain race, it is guaranteed that, in our next life, we will come back as a member of that race. If we hate gays, it is guaranteed that we will return with this genetic factor.
TEXT:
3. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
COMMENTARY: Jesus used hyperbole to make an important point: We must each work to redesign personal life. This we can do well only with the aid of God (Love) or Holy Spirit, Christspirit. Your one and only assignment from the cosmic Mind is your life, and mine is mine. The people of Love never try to run the lives of others, to "parentize" other adults. This "interior parent," running rampant, has destroyed many a life!
TEXT:
4. Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
COMMENTARY: This is a matter of reasonable, logical priority. If each person cleans up her own home and yard, the result is a totally clean community. The same is true spiritually: Each is assigned by God (Love) to adjust and design her personal life to contain and express as much unconditional and universal Love as possible.
*****
*****
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The Way of Mysticism
*******
When most people hear the adjective "mystical," they think of something occult, or even magical. They don't quite know what it is, but are sure that it is something "spooky"! Actually, the histories of intercultural forms of mysticism (such as gnosticism, kabbalism, and sufism, in their most generic forms, as well as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism) prove that this Way has nothing to do with the occult or with magic.
The mystic has begun a tentative knowing of the cosmos. She knows that it is not a separate collection of objects, like the universe's largest yard-sale. Instead, she comes to see the entire "material" cosmos as a complex dream. and the mystic knows that it is not her dream; it is being dreamed by a greater, immense Mind through her tiny human mind.
This dream was called by our Hindu sisters and brothers maya, a Sanskrit word meaning "illusion." The entire material universe, together with all of spacetime, are a part of this dreamillusion. When the kabbalists spoke of "creation," they were also referring to this same dreaming Mind.
But if the cosmos is being dreamed into being by a perfect, flawless Mind, why is it so imperfect, even ugly, in some ways? Because the material cosmos, before it can be sensed/perceived, must flow through the "filters" of other mindlevels. One of these Mindlevels is called the "Soul," and it makes sure that the cosmic dream also contains all personal karma. So, the projection of this karma alters the "perfect world" of a perfect Mind. We end up living in precisely the exact "virtual reality" that we need in order to grow and develop.
And if anything is "ugly," the mystic says, the problem is within the "labelmaker" within your head! If, for example, a person truly believes that a rainy, cloudy day is "beautiful," then, to her, it really can be, and is, "a beautiful day."
Every effect has a cause. And there is not the slightest object or event in your world that "just happens" or "comes from nowhere." In a nightdream, if you encounter a fly, there is a reason for it; the mind has chosen it as a symbol, in order to teach you. And so it is with the "real," ordinary or everyday world. There is no such thing as "random chance"; that is simply a cover-up for ignorance, when the causes are not known.
Knowing karma as the ultimate servant of Love, the mystic does not believe in "innocent victims." But the most important aspects of her mind are yearning and longing to "become one," meld, or merge, with Lovemind. This Supermind is deep within her unconscious Mind. So, she takes an interior heartvow always to act and react with the most Love possible. The mystic is not yet perfect; she makes mistakes. But she does her honest best, in all circumstances, to respond with her maximum Love.
She believes in Love. Even more, she believes that "God is Love," as the ancients said. So, she worships Love; it is Number One, all the time, her first priority. This makes her a happy and courteous person who loves harmony, and who renounces actively all violence, egocentricity, and superiorism. She actively contemplates humility and lives in simplicity.
*******
This article was written by a franciscan taoist who has been exploring the Path for thirty years. If you have any questions about the Way of intercultural (universal) mysticism, which is not a religion, please write: rmfrancis@juno.com
************
When most people hear the adjective "mystical," they think of something occult, or even magical. They don't quite know what it is, but are sure that it is something "spooky"! Actually, the histories of intercultural forms of mysticism (such as gnosticism, kabbalism, and sufism, in their most generic forms, as well as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism) prove that this Way has nothing to do with the occult or with magic.
The mystic has begun a tentative knowing of the cosmos. She knows that it is not a separate collection of objects, like the universe's largest yard-sale. Instead, she comes to see the entire "material" cosmos as a complex dream. and the mystic knows that it is not her dream; it is being dreamed by a greater, immense Mind through her tiny human mind.
This dream was called by our Hindu sisters and brothers maya, a Sanskrit word meaning "illusion." The entire material universe, together with all of spacetime, are a part of this dreamillusion. When the kabbalists spoke of "creation," they were also referring to this same dreaming Mind.
But if the cosmos is being dreamed into being by a perfect, flawless Mind, why is it so imperfect, even ugly, in some ways? Because the material cosmos, before it can be sensed/perceived, must flow through the "filters" of other mindlevels. One of these Mindlevels is called the "Soul," and it makes sure that the cosmic dream also contains all personal karma. So, the projection of this karma alters the "perfect world" of a perfect Mind. We end up living in precisely the exact "virtual reality" that we need in order to grow and develop.
And if anything is "ugly," the mystic says, the problem is within the "labelmaker" within your head! If, for example, a person truly believes that a rainy, cloudy day is "beautiful," then, to her, it really can be, and is, "a beautiful day."
Every effect has a cause. And there is not the slightest object or event in your world that "just happens" or "comes from nowhere." In a nightdream, if you encounter a fly, there is a reason for it; the mind has chosen it as a symbol, in order to teach you. And so it is with the "real," ordinary or everyday world. There is no such thing as "random chance"; that is simply a cover-up for ignorance, when the causes are not known.
Knowing karma as the ultimate servant of Love, the mystic does not believe in "innocent victims." But the most important aspects of her mind are yearning and longing to "become one," meld, or merge, with Lovemind. This Supermind is deep within her unconscious Mind. So, she takes an interior heartvow always to act and react with the most Love possible. The mystic is not yet perfect; she makes mistakes. But she does her honest best, in all circumstances, to respond with her maximum Love.
She believes in Love. Even more, she believes that "God is Love," as the ancients said. So, she worships Love; it is Number One, all the time, her first priority. This makes her a happy and courteous person who loves harmony, and who renounces actively all violence, egocentricity, and superiorism. She actively contemplates humility and lives in simplicity.
*******
This article was written by a franciscan taoist who has been exploring the Path for thirty years. If you have any questions about the Way of intercultural (universal) mysticism, which is not a religion, please write: rmfrancis@juno.com
************
Saturday, May 03, 2008
No Fame, Thank You
*******
After having read Jesus' warning in Matthew 6:1, where he plainly declared that the one who receives "earthly reward" (clearly talking about fame) would receive no "reward from the Father"-- the afterlife reward of good karma, there is zero interest in obtaining any personal fame. Of course, this is just the opposite of almost every spiritual teacher; they often seem desperate to get their names in the headlines.
They long for fame, lust after it. But this passion is backwards and upside-down. Becoming wellknown is, according to the Christ, the worst possible outcome for a spiritual person! I prefer to follow Jesus rather than those selfstyled "gurus" and "teachers," the "reverends" and "fathers" who are receiving their reward in full, right now, on earth.
This is similar to trading in gold for lumps of mud.:)
*******
After having read Jesus' warning in Matthew 6:1, where he plainly declared that the one who receives "earthly reward" (clearly talking about fame) would receive no "reward from the Father"-- the afterlife reward of good karma, there is zero interest in obtaining any personal fame. Of course, this is just the opposite of almost every spiritual teacher; they often seem desperate to get their names in the headlines.
They long for fame, lust after it. But this passion is backwards and upside-down. Becoming wellknown is, according to the Christ, the worst possible outcome for a spiritual person! I prefer to follow Jesus rather than those selfstyled "gurus" and "teachers," the "reverends" and "fathers" who are receiving their reward in full, right now, on earth.
This is similar to trading in gold for lumps of mud.:)
*******
Sunday, April 27, 2008
The Ego
*******
The ego has a place, often, several times, in the incarnational history of the Soul. For It might incarnate several times. It is counterproductive to see the ego as an "enemy," and it is not. It is our friend and teacher. But the ego is not a direct creation of God (Love).
Instead, it develops in response to karma and to earthly environments.
Since both these "mothers" of ego are illusion, so is the ego. It disappears at the death of the physical body, having served its entire purpose. Like the body, the ego is an "instrument" created for dealing with this everyday world of illusion. To use the words of the Docetic Jesus, it is a "phantom in a phantomworld." Just as we work out of Love for our bodies to keep them strong and healthy, even though they are but projections of Mind, we also must strive for psychological wellness, balance, moderation, and a Lovebased mind.
The "ego" in psychology is a little different from the "ego" of spirituality. For in psychology, if you do not have a "strong enough" ego, you suffer. But a major quest of spirituality (not religion) is to weaken the very strong ego.
Why? Because too much, or too strong, ego prevents the Spirit of Love from occupying the mind. Both ego and Spirit cannot dominate or control the mind simultaneously. "Ego" is Greek for "self," or, "I am." In metaphysics and spirituality, the word "self" has also more than one definition. There are, for example, in addition to the egoself (your everyday identity; the name on your birthcertificate and driverslicense), the "higher" Self (Soul) and "highest Self" (Spirit or Lovemind).
The mystic does not simply study the Lovemind or Lovespirit. Instead, pursuing enlightenment, she seeks actually to exchange her ego-identity for full identification with the Lovespirit (God).
Is it the goal of spirituality to "transcend" the ego? Yes, and it is viable. The ego is never the "enemy" of the spiritual being; instead, it is her teacher. As spiritual beings, we must remember that we are minds, not merely bodies. The ego is that part of mind that fully identifies with a particular body in spacetime. But these bodies, although we love, respect, and care for them, are not our true "selves."
For our truest "Self" is the Mind, unattached to any body. NOTE: The "mind" is not the "brain." The brain is within the body and is sustained by it, for it is a physical organ.
But the Mind is your immaterial, nonphysical self. It is your Soul. It existed before this life, and after this life, will continue to exist.
It is birthless, deathless, and timeless. So, once we begin to identify "my Self" as "my Soul," we have entered the "timeless life" promised by Jesus and the other great mysticsaints and masterteachers.
Knowing that you are not this body allows for the creation of powerful detachment. What affects the body need not affect, harm, or hurt, you, or yourself. That explains why, even though we age, we often feel "about the same" inside; the Mind, or Soulmind, does not age, is unaffected by time. but the body is not timeless; only the Soul is.
The ego is often a loud, arrogant braggert. It loves the spotlight, and laps up as much attention and notice as possible. Both Jesus and the Buddha renounced this kind of nonsense, which is the result of selfhatred-- not, as it seems, "too much selflove." Jesus taught that, if we receive rewards (he was speaking here of fame) from human beings, we have no reward with the "heavenly Father." (Mt. 6:1)
That is, the cost of fame is the eradication of all afterlife rewards.
To get earthly fame is like trading nuggets of gold and diamond for clumps of mud!
Why, then, do even "spiritual" people reach for, cultivate, and welcome fame? The truly spiritual do not. For them, fame is the worst possible consequence. So, we want to publicize the Way, but to make sure to keep the self (ego) out of the spotlight and the headlines.:) This can be a tricky and delicate balance. But it is mandatory, not optional, for the truly spiritual person. She wants,for example, for her students to talk about the Way, but not about her personally. Anyone who is eager for, and grabbing, the headlines, or fame, has proved her deep absence or lack of real spirituality. For each being is of immeasurable and limitless value. Anyone crying out for personal attention is trying to find validation in others; when we see this lack, we can be absolutely certain that a person is not enlightened. This is the simple "acid test" that every true spiritual teacher must pass!:)
Again, ego is not "evil." It is simply illusion; it is the dreamself occupying the dreamworld. Ego is part of maya or illusion. So, it follows that, she who takes the ego too seriously, or she who mistakes it for the "self," is not enlightened.
*******
The ego has a place, often, several times, in the incarnational history of the Soul. For It might incarnate several times. It is counterproductive to see the ego as an "enemy," and it is not. It is our friend and teacher. But the ego is not a direct creation of God (Love).
Instead, it develops in response to karma and to earthly environments.
Since both these "mothers" of ego are illusion, so is the ego. It disappears at the death of the physical body, having served its entire purpose. Like the body, the ego is an "instrument" created for dealing with this everyday world of illusion. To use the words of the Docetic Jesus, it is a "phantom in a phantomworld." Just as we work out of Love for our bodies to keep them strong and healthy, even though they are but projections of Mind, we also must strive for psychological wellness, balance, moderation, and a Lovebased mind.
The "ego" in psychology is a little different from the "ego" of spirituality. For in psychology, if you do not have a "strong enough" ego, you suffer. But a major quest of spirituality (not religion) is to weaken the very strong ego.
Why? Because too much, or too strong, ego prevents the Spirit of Love from occupying the mind. Both ego and Spirit cannot dominate or control the mind simultaneously. "Ego" is Greek for "self," or, "I am." In metaphysics and spirituality, the word "self" has also more than one definition. There are, for example, in addition to the egoself (your everyday identity; the name on your birthcertificate and driverslicense), the "higher" Self (Soul) and "highest Self" (Spirit or Lovemind).
The mystic does not simply study the Lovemind or Lovespirit. Instead, pursuing enlightenment, she seeks actually to exchange her ego-identity for full identification with the Lovespirit (God).
Is it the goal of spirituality to "transcend" the ego? Yes, and it is viable. The ego is never the "enemy" of the spiritual being; instead, it is her teacher. As spiritual beings, we must remember that we are minds, not merely bodies. The ego is that part of mind that fully identifies with a particular body in spacetime. But these bodies, although we love, respect, and care for them, are not our true "selves."
For our truest "Self" is the Mind, unattached to any body. NOTE: The "mind" is not the "brain." The brain is within the body and is sustained by it, for it is a physical organ.
But the Mind is your immaterial, nonphysical self. It is your Soul. It existed before this life, and after this life, will continue to exist.
It is birthless, deathless, and timeless. So, once we begin to identify "my Self" as "my Soul," we have entered the "timeless life" promised by Jesus and the other great mysticsaints and masterteachers.
Knowing that you are not this body allows for the creation of powerful detachment. What affects the body need not affect, harm, or hurt, you, or yourself. That explains why, even though we age, we often feel "about the same" inside; the Mind, or Soulmind, does not age, is unaffected by time. but the body is not timeless; only the Soul is.
The ego is often a loud, arrogant braggert. It loves the spotlight, and laps up as much attention and notice as possible. Both Jesus and the Buddha renounced this kind of nonsense, which is the result of selfhatred-- not, as it seems, "too much selflove." Jesus taught that, if we receive rewards (he was speaking here of fame) from human beings, we have no reward with the "heavenly Father." (Mt. 6:1)
That is, the cost of fame is the eradication of all afterlife rewards.
To get earthly fame is like trading nuggets of gold and diamond for clumps of mud!
Why, then, do even "spiritual" people reach for, cultivate, and welcome fame? The truly spiritual do not. For them, fame is the worst possible consequence. So, we want to publicize the Way, but to make sure to keep the self (ego) out of the spotlight and the headlines.:) This can be a tricky and delicate balance. But it is mandatory, not optional, for the truly spiritual person. She wants,for example, for her students to talk about the Way, but not about her personally. Anyone who is eager for, and grabbing, the headlines, or fame, has proved her deep absence or lack of real spirituality. For each being is of immeasurable and limitless value. Anyone crying out for personal attention is trying to find validation in others; when we see this lack, we can be absolutely certain that a person is not enlightened. This is the simple "acid test" that every true spiritual teacher must pass!:)
Again, ego is not "evil." It is simply illusion; it is the dreamself occupying the dreamworld. Ego is part of maya or illusion. So, it follows that, she who takes the ego too seriously, or she who mistakes it for the "self," is not enlightened.
*******
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Life-forms and Souls
*******
There has been a wide consensus, among the most spiritual people, for millennia, that plants do not have Souls. It requires a certain level of mental development for any creature to possess and maintain an individual Soul. Lower organisms, such as bacteria, unicellular organisms, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and birds share a group-soul for each species.
They do not have individual Souls. The personal, individual Soul is that part of Mind that appeared to "seperate" from the divine Mind to experience a "personal" life. This is, in reality, a life of illusion.
For all "sentient" life remains unseparated from the One great Mind, called in Eastern traditions "Brahman" or "Tao."
All mammals (horses, elephants, dolphins, cows, pigs, dogs, cats, and a spectrum of other life-forms) do indeed have individual Souls, survive death intact, and create and receive karma.
These life-forms are what the Buddha called "sentient" (selfaware) beings, and the enlightened show more respect for these creatures because they are, like human beings, partakers of the one Mind.
*******
There has been a wide consensus, among the most spiritual people, for millennia, that plants do not have Souls. It requires a certain level of mental development for any creature to possess and maintain an individual Soul. Lower organisms, such as bacteria, unicellular organisms, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and birds share a group-soul for each species.
They do not have individual Souls. The personal, individual Soul is that part of Mind that appeared to "seperate" from the divine Mind to experience a "personal" life. This is, in reality, a life of illusion.
For all "sentient" life remains unseparated from the One great Mind, called in Eastern traditions "Brahman" or "Tao."
All mammals (horses, elephants, dolphins, cows, pigs, dogs, cats, and a spectrum of other life-forms) do indeed have individual Souls, survive death intact, and create and receive karma.
These life-forms are what the Buddha called "sentient" (selfaware) beings, and the enlightened show more respect for these creatures because they are, like human beings, partakers of the one Mind.
*******
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Our Pneumarium Gatherings, and Karma
*******
As far as being an "atheist," that is a little too extreme for us as well. Through the centuries, very spiritual people have regularly been accused of "atheism," due to the fact that we unanimously reject the common god of society and our culture. This is the Jehovah-myth, almost universally, but very tragically, embraced by almost all Christians. But in teaching that God was Love, Jesus implicitly rejected this ancient wargod. And, I believe, he also explicitly rejected Jehovah in his more esoteric teachings, shared not publicly but with only disciples.
The mistaking of Jehovah for God is the most significant error ever made in the history of the Western world. It has made possible the justification of wars and other horrors.
Like you, I am not much on "organized, official, or orthodox" religion.
I still do not "belong" to any, and have no plans to.
But we do treasure our extended spiritual family. It is simply wonderful and beautiful, and is a real Love-center in our lives. It gives us strength and serenity. So, every two weeks, for the past five years, we gather to discuss the truly important things of life, summed up as "spirituality." There is a galaxy between spirituality and religion. For spirituality is more similar to good, creative, constructive, healing psychology than it is to religion.
Anyway, we would like to invite you to come on over for one of our informal and relaxed gatherings. They are always on Sunday, and we gather every two weeks. (This is so as not to put time-pressure on our schedules.) We start at eleven, break at noon, and share a meal. Then, we come together again at one, and by two pm, we wrap the whole thing up. We start late because Sunday is the only day that our friends can sleep late, and we end early in order to give them the rest of their Sunday.:) It is always fre, and our next gathering will be on April 13 (We just enjoyed one two days ago.)
We believe that, in this life, there are no "innocent victims," that "bad things happen to good people" as a result of karma. This is the only explanation that we have found, after three decades of serious and intense research, that makes any sense.
But it does not mean that a person harmed anyone if she is suffering right now. For it could also be "elective karma," which the Soul can choose voluntarily-- in order to grow, or to help someone else grow.
So, like the cosmos itself, karma is not "black and white." Many of the greatest mastersages and saintmystics have suffered from some rather serious conditions. This is due to courage, for they did not flee in terror from "negative" conditions, as do so many "positive thinking" advocates, who are secretly terrified of life.
*******
As far as being an "atheist," that is a little too extreme for us as well. Through the centuries, very spiritual people have regularly been accused of "atheism," due to the fact that we unanimously reject the common god of society and our culture. This is the Jehovah-myth, almost universally, but very tragically, embraced by almost all Christians. But in teaching that God was Love, Jesus implicitly rejected this ancient wargod. And, I believe, he also explicitly rejected Jehovah in his more esoteric teachings, shared not publicly but with only disciples.
The mistaking of Jehovah for God is the most significant error ever made in the history of the Western world. It has made possible the justification of wars and other horrors.
Like you, I am not much on "organized, official, or orthodox" religion.
I still do not "belong" to any, and have no plans to.
But we do treasure our extended spiritual family. It is simply wonderful and beautiful, and is a real Love-center in our lives. It gives us strength and serenity. So, every two weeks, for the past five years, we gather to discuss the truly important things of life, summed up as "spirituality." There is a galaxy between spirituality and religion. For spirituality is more similar to good, creative, constructive, healing psychology than it is to religion.
Anyway, we would like to invite you to come on over for one of our informal and relaxed gatherings. They are always on Sunday, and we gather every two weeks. (This is so as not to put time-pressure on our schedules.) We start at eleven, break at noon, and share a meal. Then, we come together again at one, and by two pm, we wrap the whole thing up. We start late because Sunday is the only day that our friends can sleep late, and we end early in order to give them the rest of their Sunday.:) It is always fre, and our next gathering will be on April 13 (We just enjoyed one two days ago.)
We believe that, in this life, there are no "innocent victims," that "bad things happen to good people" as a result of karma. This is the only explanation that we have found, after three decades of serious and intense research, that makes any sense.
But it does not mean that a person harmed anyone if she is suffering right now. For it could also be "elective karma," which the Soul can choose voluntarily-- in order to grow, or to help someone else grow.
So, like the cosmos itself, karma is not "black and white." Many of the greatest mastersages and saintmystics have suffered from some rather serious conditions. This is due to courage, for they did not flee in terror from "negative" conditions, as do so many "positive thinking" advocates, who are secretly terrified of life.
*******
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Jesus' Death Not a Sacrifice!
*******
The whole idea of "sacrifice" arises from almost every ancient religion.
The ancients saw their gods in very anthropomorphic forms. This long word simply means that they had a wide spectrum of human qualities. God as pure Love would have soared right over their heads like a distant jet!
In fact, ancient faiths such as Judaism and Islam did not really have much to say about the relationship of human Love with the divine.
To please the primitive gods, you had to give them gifts. And some of them, including Jehovah, were carnivores, like the primitive tribes that served him. They actually wanted and needed meat!
This need for "sacrifice" proves just how primitive, backwards, and spiritually arrested were the savages of earlier times.
Jesus knew, and taught, that God was Love. His was a much more advanced and sophisticated view of God. His God was not in the sky, but in the heart. His God commanded Love, but needed nothing from human beings.
It was not long after his death, however, that his followers abandoned his essentially mystical faith, and backslid, or reverted, to the ancient and arrested god of the early Jewish tradition. They assumed that this god still needed sacrifices; sacrifices erased sin; and so, they interpreted the death of Jesus in an arrested "Old Testament" pattern--- as "sacrifice."
Jesus knew that this world, and this life, were not Reality; he taught that the world and physical body were, to quote Docetist Christians, "phantoms." He did not really "live" on earth as his home; in fact, he was a bit uncomfortable with this world. He said of his followers, "They will be no part of this world, as I am no part of this world." For him, dying was like a change of clothing, as it reminds us in "The Celestial Song," a great mystical classic.
So, he wanted to use even death to symbolize just how important is Love.
By his voluntary and terrible death, he volunteered to carry upon his back the karma of many, even of the whole world! So, he prayed that his death would create karmic payment for "sins" (errors) that he had not committed, but that others had.
His death, then, was a supreme act of Love. It is the greatest act of Love imaginable. For he said, "No one has greater Love than he who gives his life for his friends." We can fulfill this every day by using most of the time in our lives to serve others, thus "giving our lives" to our "friends."
But don't let the reversed, regressive, and primitive thinking of so many "Christian" churches deceive you: Jesus' death had absolutely nothing to do with the primitive, disgusting idea of "sacrifice"!
*******
The whole idea of "sacrifice" arises from almost every ancient religion.
The ancients saw their gods in very anthropomorphic forms. This long word simply means that they had a wide spectrum of human qualities. God as pure Love would have soared right over their heads like a distant jet!
In fact, ancient faiths such as Judaism and Islam did not really have much to say about the relationship of human Love with the divine.
To please the primitive gods, you had to give them gifts. And some of them, including Jehovah, were carnivores, like the primitive tribes that served him. They actually wanted and needed meat!
This need for "sacrifice" proves just how primitive, backwards, and spiritually arrested were the savages of earlier times.
Jesus knew, and taught, that God was Love. His was a much more advanced and sophisticated view of God. His God was not in the sky, but in the heart. His God commanded Love, but needed nothing from human beings.
It was not long after his death, however, that his followers abandoned his essentially mystical faith, and backslid, or reverted, to the ancient and arrested god of the early Jewish tradition. They assumed that this god still needed sacrifices; sacrifices erased sin; and so, they interpreted the death of Jesus in an arrested "Old Testament" pattern--- as "sacrifice."
Jesus knew that this world, and this life, were not Reality; he taught that the world and physical body were, to quote Docetist Christians, "phantoms." He did not really "live" on earth as his home; in fact, he was a bit uncomfortable with this world. He said of his followers, "They will be no part of this world, as I am no part of this world." For him, dying was like a change of clothing, as it reminds us in "The Celestial Song," a great mystical classic.
So, he wanted to use even death to symbolize just how important is Love.
By his voluntary and terrible death, he volunteered to carry upon his back the karma of many, even of the whole world! So, he prayed that his death would create karmic payment for "sins" (errors) that he had not committed, but that others had.
His death, then, was a supreme act of Love. It is the greatest act of Love imaginable. For he said, "No one has greater Love than he who gives his life for his friends." We can fulfill this every day by using most of the time in our lives to serve others, thus "giving our lives" to our "friends."
But don't let the reversed, regressive, and primitive thinking of so many "Christian" churches deceive you: Jesus' death had absolutely nothing to do with the primitive, disgusting idea of "sacrifice"!
*******
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XXII and XXIII of XL
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XXII of XL
*******
TEXT: Continuing with Matthew 6:
COMMENTARY: As in the previous commentary, Jesus tells us what is acceptable to the deepest spiritual Mind of God, deep within our own minds (Unconscious). He shows that prayer should never be about what you want. Instead, a good prayer should be about God (Love): "Our Father… hallowed be Thy name." In ancient writings, "name" often meant identity.
Since to "hallow" is to "make holy," we should begin our prayers with the wish that God (Love) be the holy Center of our thoughts, actions, and words. His identity is more important than yours or mine; and the way that we can best "hallow" the divine identity is by joining it, in mystical Union: We want to become the very incarnations of Love, so that we can say, with Jesus, as his younger siblings, "The Father and I are one." (Jn. 10:30).
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XXIII of XL
***
TEXT:
COMMENTARY: The symmetry of the Law of karma is here clearly stated. Why does this symmetricity even exist? Because it is the same mind that forgives both the self and others. So, if you forgive others, the same "interior Judge" will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive, you cannot and will not receive forgiveness. This is another one of those "scary" warnings about karma: You cannot escape it! You can only work to transform bad or painful karma into good and rewarding karma! This is a key to liberation.
*******
*******
TEXT: Continuing with Matthew 6:
9. Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread; 12 And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; 13 And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.
COMMENTARY: As in the previous commentary, Jesus tells us what is acceptable to the deepest spiritual Mind of God, deep within our own minds (Unconscious). He shows that prayer should never be about what you want. Instead, a good prayer should be about God (Love): "Our Father… hallowed be Thy name." In ancient writings, "name" often meant identity.
Since to "hallow" is to "make holy," we should begin our prayers with the wish that God (Love) be the holy Center of our thoughts, actions, and words. His identity is more important than yours or mine; and the way that we can best "hallow" the divine identity is by joining it, in mystical Union: We want to become the very incarnations of Love, so that we can say, with Jesus, as his younger siblings, "The Father and I are one." (Jn. 10:30).
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XXIII of XL
***
TEXT:
14. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
COMMENTARY: The symmetry of the Law of karma is here clearly stated. Why does this symmetricity even exist? Because it is the same mind that forgives both the self and others. So, if you forgive others, the same "interior Judge" will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive, you cannot and will not receive forgiveness. This is another one of those "scary" warnings about karma: You cannot escape it! You can only work to transform bad or painful karma into good and rewarding karma! This is a key to liberation.
*******
Sunday, February 03, 2008
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XI of XL
*******
TEXT: Continuing with Matthew 5:
COMMENTARY: Again, Jesus uses the very dramatic metaphor of "hell"
to describe a horrific state of mind or being. He knew that karma could create many kinds of hell. He was not speaking literally, for he spoke of a "body" going to hell. (The traditional hell is a place for souls only, not for bodies.) But human bodies are deeply intertwined with karma.
Very few disciples ever plucked out an eye because they did not like what they saw! And Jesus, being a gentle moderate, would never encourage such extremist fanaticism. But Jesus wanted to be dramatic, even unforgettable! And this verse does imply strongly that spirituality, with its karma, is much more important than even an eye!
And that is pretty precious! We should all value our spirituality as much as we value our eyes! And we need to prove that we do by investing our time in spiritual learning and action!
*****
TEXT: Continuing with Matthew 5:
29. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
COMMENTARY: Again, Jesus uses the very dramatic metaphor of "hell"
to describe a horrific state of mind or being. He knew that karma could create many kinds of hell. He was not speaking literally, for he spoke of a "body" going to hell. (The traditional hell is a place for souls only, not for bodies.) But human bodies are deeply intertwined with karma.
Very few disciples ever plucked out an eye because they did not like what they saw! And Jesus, being a gentle moderate, would never encourage such extremist fanaticism. But Jesus wanted to be dramatic, even unforgettable! And this verse does imply strongly that spirituality, with its karma, is much more important than even an eye!
And that is pretty precious! We should all value our spirituality as much as we value our eyes! And we need to prove that we do by investing our time in spiritual learning and action!
*****
The Sermon on the Mount, Part IX of XL
*******
TEXT:
COMMENTARY: Jesus recommends that we "make friends" with even our enemies ("accuser"). For the universe of everyday life is just like a court. And if we deliberately misbehave, breaking the law of Love, we shall experience a heavy karmic penalty, symbolized by earthlife interpreted, as some mystics have, as a "prison."
TEXT:
COMMENTARY: Karma is extremely accurate. When we deliberately harm another, precisely and exactly the same pain, for exactly the same time-period, will surely come back upon us. It will not be just a close approximation, but very specifically the same pain that we have voluntarily brought upon others ("last penny"). This, for those who "have ears to hear," is a very specific karmic warning!
*****
TEXT:
25. Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison;
COMMENTARY: Jesus recommends that we "make friends" with even our enemies ("accuser"). For the universe of everyday life is just like a court. And if we deliberately misbehave, breaking the law of Love, we shall experience a heavy karmic penalty, symbolized by earthlife interpreted, as some mystics have, as a "prison."
TEXT:
26. truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny.
COMMENTARY: Karma is extremely accurate. When we deliberately harm another, precisely and exactly the same pain, for exactly the same time-period, will surely come back upon us. It will not be just a close approximation, but very specifically the same pain that we have voluntarily brought upon others ("last penny"). This, for those who "have ears to hear," is a very specific karmic warning!
*****
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
The Sermon on the Mount: A Classic of Spiritual/Mystical Literature, Part I of XL
*******
The Sermon begins at Matthew 5:1:
TEXT:
COMMENTARY: He promises the Kingdom of Love, as participants, to those who, say other translations, are "beggers for the Spirit," or those who are "aware of their spiritual needs." Only those enlightened by the interior Lovespirit or Lovemind become "members" of the "kingdom." For the word "kingdom" means, "domain of a king." The "domain" of Christ/God is not geographical, as in Palestine, but is spiritual. The spiritual "domain" ruled by God the Holy Spirit is the heartmind.
TEXT:
COMMENTARY: People are often made sad by the conditions of karma in this world, or sad because this "material" world is a place of suffering. But, in time, in karma, they are, Jesus promised, going to find "comfort" in the Presence of Love.
The Sermon begins at Matthew 5:1:
TEXT:
1. Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2. And he said: 3. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
COMMENTARY: He promises the Kingdom of Love, as participants, to those who, say other translations, are "beggers for the Spirit," or those who are "aware of their spiritual needs." Only those enlightened by the interior Lovespirit or Lovemind become "members" of the "kingdom." For the word "kingdom" means, "domain of a king." The "domain" of Christ/God is not geographical, as in Palestine, but is spiritual. The spiritual "domain" ruled by God the Holy Spirit is the heartmind.
TEXT:
4. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
COMMENTARY: People are often made sad by the conditions of karma in this world, or sad because this "material" world is a place of suffering. But, in time, in karma, they are, Jesus promised, going to find "comfort" in the Presence of Love.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
God and Society
*******
It has recently been suggested, by a mind shallow and in darkness, that "God" permitted the horrors of Katrina, the notorious and nightmarish hurricane, because American society "rejected God." This portrayal of immortal and infinite Love as a spiteful, petty monster absorbed in trivial pursuits demonstrates a complete absence of the knowledge of God.
It is sheerest darkness to portray the Almighty Blessing and Blissing of Love as a grumpy, moody, grumbling wretch that can be directed and controlled by ignorant human responses. This, of course, arises partially from the ancient misunderstanding of "God" as a very human-like "person," which She is definitely not!
God does not "punish." Natural laws take care of that. These laws are collectively called "karma."
If a person becomes sick after exposure to the flu, she does not think that she is being "attacked" or "punished" by "God." Indeed, the idea is ludicrous and absurd, rejected by all reasonable people Similarly, if she steps off a ten-story building, she does not think of God as "punishing" her by her fall to the ground. These results occur due to natural laws. Karma, like viral or bacterial contamination, and like gravity, is also a natural law.
It is a law of mind-operation; and it works continuously upon us whether or not we believe in it. And since it comes from your own mind, there is no way, and no where, to "escape" it! The world unfolds around you as the dream of the deeper Mind, called the "Soul." So, you must live in your Soul's dream, and must experience every event that It brings to you.
Love is unconditional. Love loves people without measuring or evaluating
("judging") them. Love is God. It is therefore only cranky insanity to believe that God, the all-loving, could ever be affected, or changed, by the weak power of human ignorance. For that which alters human minds has no effect on the stable, dependable, reliable Mind at the Center of all things. This is super-stable Love, and is trustworthy. It will not betray us at the sight of our imperfections, even stupidities.
What people say about "God" has zero effect on God Herself. This is like the "power" of an ant trying to stop a long freight-train roaring down the tracks.
So, let the foolish say whatever they will. The foolish who want to ban "God" from America are resisted fiercely by the foolish who think that God is taking "vengeance" on these pitiable creatures. Both are equally lost.
Katrina, like 9-11, and other catastrophes, had absolutely nothing to do with the "will of God" (desire of Love). This was an act of nature, and of karma. God did not even make an appearance until the rescuers showed up, and those who tried to rebuild the devastated areas. God was not in nature, but, as always, in restorative, recuperative Love. God is simply not present until Love dawns within the heart.
*******
It has recently been suggested, by a mind shallow and in darkness, that "God" permitted the horrors of Katrina, the notorious and nightmarish hurricane, because American society "rejected God." This portrayal of immortal and infinite Love as a spiteful, petty monster absorbed in trivial pursuits demonstrates a complete absence of the knowledge of God.
It is sheerest darkness to portray the Almighty Blessing and Blissing of Love as a grumpy, moody, grumbling wretch that can be directed and controlled by ignorant human responses. This, of course, arises partially from the ancient misunderstanding of "God" as a very human-like "person," which She is definitely not!
God does not "punish." Natural laws take care of that. These laws are collectively called "karma."
If a person becomes sick after exposure to the flu, she does not think that she is being "attacked" or "punished" by "God." Indeed, the idea is ludicrous and absurd, rejected by all reasonable people Similarly, if she steps off a ten-story building, she does not think of God as "punishing" her by her fall to the ground. These results occur due to natural laws. Karma, like viral or bacterial contamination, and like gravity, is also a natural law.
It is a law of mind-operation; and it works continuously upon us whether or not we believe in it. And since it comes from your own mind, there is no way, and no where, to "escape" it! The world unfolds around you as the dream of the deeper Mind, called the "Soul." So, you must live in your Soul's dream, and must experience every event that It brings to you.
Love is unconditional. Love loves people without measuring or evaluating
("judging") them. Love is God. It is therefore only cranky insanity to believe that God, the all-loving, could ever be affected, or changed, by the weak power of human ignorance. For that which alters human minds has no effect on the stable, dependable, reliable Mind at the Center of all things. This is super-stable Love, and is trustworthy. It will not betray us at the sight of our imperfections, even stupidities.
What people say about "God" has zero effect on God Herself. This is like the "power" of an ant trying to stop a long freight-train roaring down the tracks.
So, let the foolish say whatever they will. The foolish who want to ban "God" from America are resisted fiercely by the foolish who think that God is taking "vengeance" on these pitiable creatures. Both are equally lost.
Katrina, like 9-11, and other catastrophes, had absolutely nothing to do with the "will of God" (desire of Love). This was an act of nature, and of karma. God did not even make an appearance until the rescuers showed up, and those who tried to rebuild the devastated areas. God was not in nature, but, as always, in restorative, recuperative Love. God is simply not present until Love dawns within the heart.
*******
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Generosity Therapy
*******
Did you ever make a horrible mistake, or do something deliberate but unspeakable? It is a natural part of the human condition that most of us have.
The absence of selforgiveness can take us into many, profound, seemingly interminable, hellstates from, and in, the subconscious mind. It is not enough simply to tell yourself that "God has forgiven you," for your own subconscious mind has not, and it will allow no peace at all.
This is where "generosity therapy" comes in.
For how can we speak with the subconscious mind? It does not use usual words. But it is continually watching our behaviors.
The message that we want to give to it is, "I am a good person, despite my terrible error." So-- and Christmas can remind us of the value of this therapy-- give widely to friends and strangers. And do not give $2 gifts; instead, make them gifts that count, that impact upon your pocketbook. For that which does not impact your income will have little effect on your mind.
Give, generously, abundantly, widely, extravagantly, and without keeping count.
Give as the Goddess gives you air-- freely, without demanding dues or promises to repay.
Give out of a sincere Love deep from the heart. Give with joy and abandon, for it is only in this kind of giving that we "receive." What we give proves to the skeptical subconscious mind that we are beings and creatures deserving of true forgiveness. It proves us worthy. It earns us the "interior gold" of good karma. It erases, neutralizes, and wipes out our karmic debts.
It refreshes, heals, body, mind, and Soul. It triggers increased Love, for the only way to get Love is to give it. And the same applies to forgiveness.
*******
Did you ever make a horrible mistake, or do something deliberate but unspeakable? It is a natural part of the human condition that most of us have.
The absence of selforgiveness can take us into many, profound, seemingly interminable, hellstates from, and in, the subconscious mind. It is not enough simply to tell yourself that "God has forgiven you," for your own subconscious mind has not, and it will allow no peace at all.
This is where "generosity therapy" comes in.
For how can we speak with the subconscious mind? It does not use usual words. But it is continually watching our behaviors.
The message that we want to give to it is, "I am a good person, despite my terrible error." So-- and Christmas can remind us of the value of this therapy-- give widely to friends and strangers. And do not give $2 gifts; instead, make them gifts that count, that impact upon your pocketbook. For that which does not impact your income will have little effect on your mind.
Give, generously, abundantly, widely, extravagantly, and without keeping count.
Give as the Goddess gives you air-- freely, without demanding dues or promises to repay.
Give out of a sincere Love deep from the heart. Give with joy and abandon, for it is only in this kind of giving that we "receive." What we give proves to the skeptical subconscious mind that we are beings and creatures deserving of true forgiveness. It proves us worthy. It earns us the "interior gold" of good karma. It erases, neutralizes, and wipes out our karmic debts.
It refreshes, heals, body, mind, and Soul. It triggers increased Love, for the only way to get Love is to give it. And the same applies to forgiveness.
*******
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)