Posts
*******
You don't mention any insuperable spiritual challenges, and that is wonderful! Your only karmic complexities at the moment seem to be in the area of materialism and money. The best advice that can be given here is carefully to inventory your life and find a place further to simplify.
It is recognized that you believe that you are already living in simplicity, but that is a relative term. Compared to some, your life is enormously complex, although, it is certain that, compared to others, it is relatively simple. Quite often, we complexify our lives without even realizing it. Complexity is such a "natural" part of life in the Western world that we barely notice it; it is often invisible, until you look for it with a magnifying glass.:)
The Love-bond that you are sharing with your family is a real treasure; please never do anything to weaken that supreme Love. To keep spirituality strong, and "front and center," we gather every two weeks with friends, specifically to discuss the important spiritual issues of life. Have you ever considered starting your own "Pneumarium-gathering" at your house? It might be worth serious consideration.
*******
Showing posts with label materialism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label materialism. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Materialism, Greed, and "New-agers"
*******
There are many, and some immense, spiritual principles-- such as karma and its associated linkages with lifedesign-- that people do not realize.
If they did educate themselves in these matters, their interior universe would expand breath-takingly!
There are many items in the traditional (and now, paradoxically "old") "New Thought" Movement that are questionable from the mystical perspective. For the main "objection," much of it is virtually obsessed with the ego-- the opposite of truest and deepest spirituality. Many new-agers are very much like their business or "worldly" counterparts, for they are both obsessed with the impressive home, career, new car, best computer, etc.
And so many, directly contrary to Jesus, in his famous "Sermon on the Mount," are also obsessed with egofame! These are not only nonspiritual, but, much worse, antispiritual concepts.
They always talk about "abundance," but this can be a secret code-word for greed. Jesus commanded the opposite, again, by saying, "Do not store up treasures upon the earth." He called us, not to a pressure-filled life in which we tried to control everything mentally, but to a pressure-free life in which we did not try to control anything! For "faith" is trusting Goddess (Tao) to control Her universe! Some of the material written by Ernest Holmes does fall, or has slipped, into these sad categories. The ego is sneaky and subtle; and if all else fails, it will disguise itself and its message as "spirituality."
Yes, many followers of his Science of Mind Church are wonderful, openminded, tolerant, giving, compassionate people! Some do not even realize that the ego sits at the very heart of the philosophy. But the ego thrives on fear, and this is the subtle, often hidden, fear that they will not be able to control the world mentally. So, people who put all their eggs in the basket of "positive thinking" live in perpetual fear of having "bad" thoughts. Happily, however, our conscious thoughts are not that powerful!:)
This kind of pseudospiritual material soon becomes an endless rerun all about "prosperity," "abundance," and "right thinking." Soon, Love gets pushed aside, and ultimately, ignored. Jesus spoke much and often about Love; but it is significant that he never gave a sermon on "right thinking," and never implied that the conscious mind could control the world. In fact, he said quite the opposite: We cannot change the color of a single hair on our own heads.
*******
There are many, and some immense, spiritual principles-- such as karma and its associated linkages with lifedesign-- that people do not realize.
If they did educate themselves in these matters, their interior universe would expand breath-takingly!
There are many items in the traditional (and now, paradoxically "old") "New Thought" Movement that are questionable from the mystical perspective. For the main "objection," much of it is virtually obsessed with the ego-- the opposite of truest and deepest spirituality. Many new-agers are very much like their business or "worldly" counterparts, for they are both obsessed with the impressive home, career, new car, best computer, etc.
And so many, directly contrary to Jesus, in his famous "Sermon on the Mount," are also obsessed with egofame! These are not only nonspiritual, but, much worse, antispiritual concepts.
They always talk about "abundance," but this can be a secret code-word for greed. Jesus commanded the opposite, again, by saying, "Do not store up treasures upon the earth." He called us, not to a pressure-filled life in which we tried to control everything mentally, but to a pressure-free life in which we did not try to control anything! For "faith" is trusting Goddess (Tao) to control Her universe! Some of the material written by Ernest Holmes does fall, or has slipped, into these sad categories. The ego is sneaky and subtle; and if all else fails, it will disguise itself and its message as "spirituality."
Yes, many followers of his Science of Mind Church are wonderful, openminded, tolerant, giving, compassionate people! Some do not even realize that the ego sits at the very heart of the philosophy. But the ego thrives on fear, and this is the subtle, often hidden, fear that they will not be able to control the world mentally. So, people who put all their eggs in the basket of "positive thinking" live in perpetual fear of having "bad" thoughts. Happily, however, our conscious thoughts are not that powerful!:)
This kind of pseudospiritual material soon becomes an endless rerun all about "prosperity," "abundance," and "right thinking." Soon, Love gets pushed aside, and ultimately, ignored. Jesus spoke much and often about Love; but it is significant that he never gave a sermon on "right thinking," and never implied that the conscious mind could control the world. In fact, he said quite the opposite: We cannot change the color of a single hair on our own heads.
*******
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XXVI and XXVII of XL
*******
TEXT: Continuing with Matthew 6:
COMMENTARY: This is not a reference to the physical eyes, but to interior "in-sight," or "interior sight." This is made possible by the opening of the sixth chakra, the so-called "third eye." (It is also known as the ajna chakra.) The only way that this interior "vision" is triggered is through regular meditation, through quieting the "monkey mind," the part of the humanimal mind that is continually jumping around from one topic, thought, or memory to another. This kind of mind never knows rest, or peace.
TEXT:
COMMENTARY: Again, as usual, Jesus seems to point a barb towards the selfrighteous and hypereligious, who consider themselves "enlightened," or filled with the Light of Love (Holy Spirit). But this egocentric attitude of selfcongratulation actually makes their interior darkness even darker, more impenetrable to the Light of Love.
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XXVII of XL
*******
TEXT:
COMMENTARY: "Mammon" was the ancient demon of gold. So, Jesus repeats more strongly and dramatically his clear and previous warning against materialism, whose influence can be subtle. Like Mammon in Jewish mythology, it is indeed a "demon" that can master you and take over your heartmind and life. The people of Love are unique precisely because they avoid service to this demon, which permeates most business and money-making enterprises. So, beyond the minimum necessary for life and comfort, Jesus prohibits what most people would regard as "material success"!
TEXT:
COMMENTARY: Jesus is actually forbidding worry! And the only Way to overcome the demon of fear, expressed as worry, is to center the self, repeatedly, in the eternal now. The past is dead, and does not exist.
The future is not yet born, and also, does not exist. Only the now actually exists. And it is paradoxical: It is so tiny that, as soon as it is thought, it seems to disappear into the past. But it is so huge that it contains everything! And it is always now! So, the free and enlightened person of Love liberates herself from slavery to the past or future by altering her thoughts.
TEXT: Continuing with Matthew 6:
22. "The eye is the lamp of the body.
So, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light; 23 but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness.
COMMENTARY: This is not a reference to the physical eyes, but to interior "in-sight," or "interior sight." This is made possible by the opening of the sixth chakra, the so-called "third eye." (It is also known as the ajna chakra.) The only way that this interior "vision" is triggered is through regular meditation, through quieting the "monkey mind," the part of the humanimal mind that is continually jumping around from one topic, thought, or memory to another. This kind of mind never knows rest, or peace.
TEXT:
If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
COMMENTARY: Again, as usual, Jesus seems to point a barb towards the selfrighteous and hypereligious, who consider themselves "enlightened," or filled with the Light of Love (Holy Spirit). But this egocentric attitude of selfcongratulation actually makes their interior darkness even darker, more impenetrable to the Light of Love.
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XXVII of XL
*******
TEXT:
24. "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
COMMENTARY: "Mammon" was the ancient demon of gold. So, Jesus repeats more strongly and dramatically his clear and previous warning against materialism, whose influence can be subtle. Like Mammon in Jewish mythology, it is indeed a "demon" that can master you and take over your heartmind and life. The people of Love are unique precisely because they avoid service to this demon, which permeates most business and money-making enterprises. So, beyond the minimum necessary for life and comfort, Jesus prohibits what most people would regard as "material success"!
TEXT:
25. "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
COMMENTARY: Jesus is actually forbidding worry! And the only Way to overcome the demon of fear, expressed as worry, is to center the self, repeatedly, in the eternal now. The past is dead, and does not exist.
The future is not yet born, and also, does not exist. Only the now actually exists. And it is paradoxical: It is so tiny that, as soon as it is thought, it seems to disappear into the past. But it is so huge that it contains everything! And it is always now! So, the free and enlightened person of Love liberates herself from slavery to the past or future by altering her thoughts.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XXIV and XXV of XL
*******
TEXT Continuing, with Matthew 6:16:
COMMENTARY: Jesus really wanted his listeners seriously to understand and remember his Message, and so, repeats it for emphasis.
The "scary" warning is here yet again repeated: If you receive a "human reward," you cancel any chances of receiving a divine reward. Let her who has ears to hear, hear this crucial warning! For many ministers, preachers, and religious leaders, accepting and welcoming fame, have rejected any chance of being rewarded cosmically! Their huge egos have spoiled everything for them.
TEXT:
COMMENTARY: Again, to underscore and highlight his important Message, Jesus refers to the interior "Father," who watches our lives "in secret." From only the "Father," in His role as "interior Judge," or "Observer," can genuine, lasting karmic rewards arise. For "Him," egotism is a slap in the face, an arrogant rejection. We cannot afford to give in to this low selfesteem, or we will ruin our chances of any "heavenly" reward (in the life to come).
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XXV of XL
*******
TEXT:
COMMENTARY: This is Jesus the simple, recommending a Way of simplicity so great that it is a terror to many in our materialistic culture. Applied literally, in this text, Jesus forbids unnecessary accumulations and luxurious acquisitions. This is the same message of the Buddha, who similarly forbade "clinging," "attachment," "grasping," and "craving" for the enlightened. (He said that the enlightened mind had no interest in these "spiritual diseases" and the baubles that accompany them.) The follower of the Way must drop all materialism. She must live in utter simplicity. Again, to be literal, the person of Love must not "store" material things "on earth."
TEXT:
COMMENTARY: Now, Jesus reveals the mystery as to why materialism is so dangerous: It can conquer the "heart," or emotional nature. People who are too obsessed with business often discover, to their utter heartbreak, that money and the incessant accumulations of materialism actually dull their emotions in relationship, friendship, and depth of feeling generally. For they have sold pieces of their Souls, and their only reward is the stinking "mud" of money. They have traded the "gold" of God, which is Love, for the dirt and mud of materialism.
*******
TEXT Continuing, with Matthew 6:16:
Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
COMMENTARY: Jesus really wanted his listeners seriously to understand and remember his Message, and so, repeats it for emphasis.
The "scary" warning is here yet again repeated: If you receive a "human reward," you cancel any chances of receiving a divine reward. Let her who has ears to hear, hear this crucial warning! For many ministers, preachers, and religious leaders, accepting and welcoming fame, have rejected any chance of being rewarded cosmically! Their huge egos have spoiled everything for them.
TEXT:
17. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
COMMENTARY: Again, to underscore and highlight his important Message, Jesus refers to the interior "Father," who watches our lives "in secret." From only the "Father," in His role as "interior Judge," or "Observer," can genuine, lasting karmic rewards arise. For "Him," egotism is a slap in the face, an arrogant rejection. We cannot afford to give in to this low selfesteem, or we will ruin our chances of any "heavenly" reward (in the life to come).
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XXV of XL
*******
TEXT:
19. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.
COMMENTARY: This is Jesus the simple, recommending a Way of simplicity so great that it is a terror to many in our materialistic culture. Applied literally, in this text, Jesus forbids unnecessary accumulations and luxurious acquisitions. This is the same message of the Buddha, who similarly forbade "clinging," "attachment," "grasping," and "craving" for the enlightened. (He said that the enlightened mind had no interest in these "spiritual diseases" and the baubles that accompany them.) The follower of the Way must drop all materialism. She must live in utter simplicity. Again, to be literal, the person of Love must not "store" material things "on earth."
TEXT:
21. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
COMMENTARY: Now, Jesus reveals the mystery as to why materialism is so dangerous: It can conquer the "heart," or emotional nature. People who are too obsessed with business often discover, to their utter heartbreak, that money and the incessant accumulations of materialism actually dull their emotions in relationship, friendship, and depth of feeling generally. For they have sold pieces of their Souls, and their only reward is the stinking "mud" of money. They have traded the "gold" of God, which is Love, for the dirt and mud of materialism.
*******
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
The Sermon on the Mount, Parts XIV and XV of XL
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XIV of XL
*******
TEXT: Continuing with Matthew 5:
COMMENTARY: This is arguably the most Taoist of any Christian teaching. It is all about yielding, flowing, accommodating, accepting, non-resistance, and adaptation.
These verses are also terrifying! For they command a Way of life that is clearly, obviously, impractical, unthinkable, and far too idealistic! Further, if good people lived this Way, the evil would take over in a minute!
But this is not a literal rejection of self-defense. Instead, it is an encouragement to kindness and generosity. We are to be generous towards all, always "going the extra mile," even for "enemies."
Some translations say even, "Give to everyone asking you." Only the poorest of the poor, who were among Jesus' regular followers, could ever "afford" to follow this advice. For the rich quake with terror when reading these words, which show absolutely no concern for material things. In effect, our entire culture and society have rejected Jesus' teachings.
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XV of XL
*******
TEXT:
COMMENTARY: This is one of the most challenging directions ever given by the Christ through Jesus. To love people, anyone, is difficult enough. But to "love your enemies" is a superchallenge! Human beings are simply incapable of this feat. So, they must step out of the Way, and let Love simply love through them! This is the essence of the Way.
*****
*******
TEXT: Continuing with Matthew 5:
37. Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40 and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; 41 and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
42 Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.
COMMENTARY: This is arguably the most Taoist of any Christian teaching. It is all about yielding, flowing, accommodating, accepting, non-resistance, and adaptation.
These verses are also terrifying! For they command a Way of life that is clearly, obviously, impractical, unthinkable, and far too idealistic! Further, if good people lived this Way, the evil would take over in a minute!
But this is not a literal rejection of self-defense. Instead, it is an encouragement to kindness and generosity. We are to be generous towards all, always "going the extra mile," even for "enemies."
Some translations say even, "Give to everyone asking you." Only the poorest of the poor, who were among Jesus' regular followers, could ever "afford" to follow this advice. For the rich quake with terror when reading these words, which show absolutely no concern for material things. In effect, our entire culture and society have rejected Jesus' teachings.
The Sermon on the Mount, Part XV of XL
*******
TEXT:
43. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you can be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
COMMENTARY: This is one of the most challenging directions ever given by the Christ through Jesus. To love people, anyone, is difficult enough. But to "love your enemies" is a superchallenge! Human beings are simply incapable of this feat. So, they must step out of the Way, and let Love simply love through them! This is the essence of the Way.
*****
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Christmasthoughts
*******
The very old Soul never meets a true "stranger," but encounters those who have been, and are still, beloved, from the vast and immense past.
Yes, let us ignore and reject the coldness and cynicism that mark the materialists and the Jehovah's Witnesses during this blessed, warm, sparkling Season of Love and Light. This is the time to enjoy the universe through the soft, gentle, Love-filled eyes of idealism. Let us try to see each other not as we appear, but as we are-- parts of the sweet, joyful, Love-overflowing Mind.:)
The very old Soul never meets a true "stranger," but encounters those who have been, and are still, beloved, from the vast and immense past.
Yes, let us ignore and reject the coldness and cynicism that mark the materialists and the Jehovah's Witnesses during this blessed, warm, sparkling Season of Love and Light. This is the time to enjoy the universe through the soft, gentle, Love-filled eyes of idealism. Let us try to see each other not as we appear, but as we are-- parts of the sweet, joyful, Love-overflowing Mind.:)
Saturday, September 22, 2007
The Cross
*******
The cross is a very ancient and pre-Christian symbol. As the symbol of the four directions, the cross appears among the spiritual symbols of many native Americans, including both the Mayans and the Aztecs. It also appears in Buddhism, Hinduism, and both ancient Egyptian and ancient Greek religion, among many others. It is perhaps the one universal symbol among the human spiritual movements throughout the ages.
But when Jesus came, this symbol of the yin and yang forces of the cosmos changed. (The receptive energies of the cosmos were symbolized by the horizontal bar of the cross, the active by its vertical bar.) After Jesus, the cross took on its most popular form in the west, with the long vertical bar and the short horizontal bar, lifted high. (In other cultures, the equilateral cross was more popularly used, and there were also other forms. In many forms, it was combined with a circle.)
After Jesus, it became the ultimate symbol of "dying to the world," or being conquered by, surrendering to, the Spirit. To "die" to this world, in mystical and general Christian symbolism, was to die to full dominance by sensuality or materialism.
The cross also signified survival of physical death as a Soul. The Soul is intrinsically immortal. This is why translations of the Bible that say that Jesus offered "everlasting life" are incorrect. For when God creates a life, a mind, it is already everlasting. (Jesus used the Greek adjective aionian, meaning "timeless.") So, he did not promise his disciples "everlasting" life, but "timeless" life-- a life outside the flow of spacetime altogether (in only the now). So, the cross became the
symbol also of this special altered state of mind called "timeless life."
In time, the cross grew to represent the Holy Spirit, Christ-spirit, or God. Thus, it became a beautiful symbol of Love. Its symbolism also includes balance, similar to the Chinese Tai Chi Ch'uan, or "yinyang" symbol. The point at which its two bars converge is the point of Tao, the Origin of the cosmos.
There is so very much more that could be said about this fascinating subject. Years ago, a book was written here about the symbolism and complex history of the cross. But, no matter how multiple were its ancient meanings, its modern significance is that it is the ultimate symbol of the life and death of Jesus Christ.
*******
The cross is a very ancient and pre-Christian symbol. As the symbol of the four directions, the cross appears among the spiritual symbols of many native Americans, including both the Mayans and the Aztecs. It also appears in Buddhism, Hinduism, and both ancient Egyptian and ancient Greek religion, among many others. It is perhaps the one universal symbol among the human spiritual movements throughout the ages.
But when Jesus came, this symbol of the yin and yang forces of the cosmos changed. (The receptive energies of the cosmos were symbolized by the horizontal bar of the cross, the active by its vertical bar.) After Jesus, the cross took on its most popular form in the west, with the long vertical bar and the short horizontal bar, lifted high. (In other cultures, the equilateral cross was more popularly used, and there were also other forms. In many forms, it was combined with a circle.)
After Jesus, it became the ultimate symbol of "dying to the world," or being conquered by, surrendering to, the Spirit. To "die" to this world, in mystical and general Christian symbolism, was to die to full dominance by sensuality or materialism.
The cross also signified survival of physical death as a Soul. The Soul is intrinsically immortal. This is why translations of the Bible that say that Jesus offered "everlasting life" are incorrect. For when God creates a life, a mind, it is already everlasting. (Jesus used the Greek adjective aionian, meaning "timeless.") So, he did not promise his disciples "everlasting" life, but "timeless" life-- a life outside the flow of spacetime altogether (in only the now). So, the cross became the
symbol also of this special altered state of mind called "timeless life."
In time, the cross grew to represent the Holy Spirit, Christ-spirit, or God. Thus, it became a beautiful symbol of Love. Its symbolism also includes balance, similar to the Chinese Tai Chi Ch'uan, or "yinyang" symbol. The point at which its two bars converge is the point of Tao, the Origin of the cosmos.
There is so very much more that could be said about this fascinating subject. Years ago, a book was written here about the symbolism and complex history of the cross. But, no matter how multiple were its ancient meanings, its modern significance is that it is the ultimate symbol of the life and death of Jesus Christ.
*******
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)