If any of the words of Jesus have been greatly misunderstood then this is the one sentence. “I am the way, the truth and the light.” Jesus taught in parables and euphemisms which were stories and allegories of spiritual truth. When Jesus spoke - many times he was speaking from the perspective of the 'I AM' (Christ mind) which is more of the thought of BEING rather than DOING.
'I am the way' is his way of saying the spiritual path (way) is within him just as it is IN each one of us. Jesus was sharing universal principles as “the Christ” which are NOT about an exclusive religion, but rather the availability of this Christ Presence to all. The teaching of Jesus was from a universal perspective and was being directed at a culture that lived at that time.
His words were not meant to be taken as only ONE WAY of believing but as a particular focus that would assist people in having a loving and inspired relationship with God. The 'narrow way' Jesus talked about was the idea of having a single(narrowed) focus and a single minded intent to know and experience the Divine.
God so loves all of us that God gives and keeps on giving with great mercy and compassion until the soul is able to receive the love that is freely given. The Divine meets with us where we are at in any given moment. God can use a hundred different ways to bring us 'back to the Father's house' which is the inner abiding presence of God. The Apostle Paul said, “Don't you know that your body IS the temple of the living God!” Collective humanity was meant to be the house of the ever abiding Divine Presence.
The way home is the INNER WAY.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Why is Their Such Religious Confusion?
Originally there was not a bible like we have today. The bible is a collections of stories and letters written by PEOPLE. There were never chapter and verse divisions like we have now. It was never meant to be a rule book or a code of conduct book. We don't even know for sure who wrote much of it. It is a book of opinions and experiences of many different people. This is why there is so many different interpretations of the bible and differing opinions of various spiritual communities and denominations.
The bible points us TO the truth which is its real purpose!I have a love and respect for the bible and it is a great blessing in my life but I really wish we could stop wounding people with our dogmatic interpretations of it. When people quote chapter and verse to prove someone else wrong it is important to remember that it is not necessarily the truth they are proving but merely THEIR interpretation of what they think the bible is saying. Our interpretations many times are based on our culture and our western approach to the bible.
The bible originated in an eastern culture which must be taken into consideration when we endeavor to interpret it. Christianity has become very westernized through the centuries and misunderstanding about it abounds. Can we simply have a rational conversation about the bible without using it as a point of contention? Can we find a way to communicate with each other in a respectful and loving manner? Jesus said to the Pharisees and Sadducees, “You are only interested in the outside of the cup but are inwardly dead(separated).” This is a warning to us about what happens when we claim exclusive right to truth. These two sects were battling each other back then claiming to have THE TRUTH and kept putting people into spiritual bondage with their petty rules and dogmatic teaching which held no life giving power in them.
We can better assist each other through humility and understanding which is the ground from which we can experience the truth of Jesus teachings. Our 'rightness' can block our awareness of the beauty of the Christ Spirit. This can become the 'arrogance of our spiritual ignorance'.
The bible points us TO the truth which is its real purpose!I have a love and respect for the bible and it is a great blessing in my life but I really wish we could stop wounding people with our dogmatic interpretations of it. When people quote chapter and verse to prove someone else wrong it is important to remember that it is not necessarily the truth they are proving but merely THEIR interpretation of what they think the bible is saying. Our interpretations many times are based on our culture and our western approach to the bible.
The bible originated in an eastern culture which must be taken into consideration when we endeavor to interpret it. Christianity has become very westernized through the centuries and misunderstanding about it abounds. Can we simply have a rational conversation about the bible without using it as a point of contention? Can we find a way to communicate with each other in a respectful and loving manner? Jesus said to the Pharisees and Sadducees, “You are only interested in the outside of the cup but are inwardly dead(separated).” This is a warning to us about what happens when we claim exclusive right to truth. These two sects were battling each other back then claiming to have THE TRUTH and kept putting people into spiritual bondage with their petty rules and dogmatic teaching which held no life giving power in them.
We can better assist each other through humility and understanding which is the ground from which we can experience the truth of Jesus teachings. Our 'rightness' can block our awareness of the beauty of the Christ Spirit. This can become the 'arrogance of our spiritual ignorance'.
Where is the Kingdom of Heaven & What is Hell?
The bible says “the Kingdom is not meat and drink (material) but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” These are all inner qualities of someone in touch with God. Heaven is a spiritual dimension that we all have access to. Jesus said it is WITHIN you which is where we must look to discover those attributes. Jesus prayed that “the kingdom would come in earth as it is in heaven.” God is doing an INSIDE JOB which is the only real way to bring about transformation. First the inner and then the outer.
What is Hell?
The Hebrew word for hell in the OT is 'Sheol' which means a grave.
In the NT the Greek word for hell is 'Hades' which means an unseen place.
Another Greek word for hell fire is 'Ghenna' which was a literal garbage dump that surrounded the city in those days where a continual fire was burning to rid them of garbage and waste. Also the maggots continually fed on the trash (”the worm dieth not”).
As you can see none of these places are afterlife realities where folk are burned forever.
How can you burn a spirit anyway?
What is Hell?
The Hebrew word for hell in the OT is 'Sheol' which means a grave.
In the NT the Greek word for hell is 'Hades' which means an unseen place.
Another Greek word for hell fire is 'Ghenna' which was a literal garbage dump that surrounded the city in those days where a continual fire was burning to rid them of garbage and waste. Also the maggots continually fed on the trash (”the worm dieth not”).
As you can see none of these places are afterlife realities where folk are burned forever.
How can you burn a spirit anyway?
What is meant by the word Salvation?
If you believe that Jesus is the Savior then Jesus is the savior of all and the condemner of none. The disciples were commissioned to share this Good News of the HAPPY God and teach the forgiveness of sins rather than the blaming & accusing of so called "sinners" and holding them to their errors. The word sin is an old english word and simply means to “miss the mark” and we have all missed it. Sin is a mistake and thankfully Jesus taught us, it is finished, done, over with, now stop talking about your ability to make mistakes and receive “God's grace that is sufficient for you.”
The word salvation means wholeness and wellness and is an ongoing process of a deepening, meaningful relationship with the divine. We do not teach sin consciousness. We speak often about God consciousness (awareness). If you tell a child he/she is stupid then that is the behavior they will demonstrate. If you tell them of their positive attributes then THAT is what they will tend to demonstrate. I believe the same principle applies to adults on the spiritual path too.
The word salvation means wholeness and wellness and is an ongoing process of a deepening, meaningful relationship with the divine. We do not teach sin consciousness. We speak often about God consciousness (awareness). If you tell a child he/she is stupid then that is the behavior they will demonstrate. If you tell them of their positive attributes then THAT is what they will tend to demonstrate. I believe the same principle applies to adults on the spiritual path too.
The Power of Truth
Jesus said, “We would know the truth and the truth would make us free.” From this statement we understand that whatever else truth is it is really about FREEDOM. Jesus made the statement “I am the truth” so therefore truth is not the telling of words but the demonstration of truth through ones actions and lifestyle.
In other words he was saying we must BE the truth rather than argue intellectually about who is doctrinally right and who is wrong ABOUT the truth. True belief is more about an ongoing encounter with the Divine and then naturally living out from that experience. It is as natural as a child expressing joy and loving kindness through a close relationship with his or her parents.
So we conclude that truth is BEING rather than simply speaking about truth and if you are intimately acquainted with the truth then you are being made free. This is different than religious dogma that is mere mental concepts that have no freeing power to them. Truth is demonstration and action. Freedom is the result of truth that is experiential rather than mental assent. Truth is powerful.
In other words he was saying we must BE the truth rather than argue intellectually about who is doctrinally right and who is wrong ABOUT the truth. True belief is more about an ongoing encounter with the Divine and then naturally living out from that experience. It is as natural as a child expressing joy and loving kindness through a close relationship with his or her parents.
So we conclude that truth is BEING rather than simply speaking about truth and if you are intimately acquainted with the truth then you are being made free. This is different than religious dogma that is mere mental concepts that have no freeing power to them. Truth is demonstration and action. Freedom is the result of truth that is experiential rather than mental assent. Truth is powerful.
Doctrinal Statement Not Required
First - We believe that God is love and is actively loving, accepting and forgiving of all. Jesus said, “They will know you are my disciples(disciplined ones) because of the demonstration of your love” Jesus never once mentioned anything about having the proper doctrinal statement. He said, “Love God and love your neighbor as you love yourself and on this hang all the law”(all rules).
Any doctrine(core teaching basis) other than love creates separation and is in opposition to the prayer Jesus told his disciples to pray. “I pray that you would all be one even as the Father and I are one.” Love is not really about having the proper mental precepts - it is simply a manifestation of an intimate relationship with God that is birthed through the closeness & nearness of the presence of God within.
I suppose if I must confess to a doctrinal statement it would have to be the BE-attitudes which are purported to be from the mouth of Jesus and are not someone else's interpretation of what they THINK he taught. We are all made in the image of this One Spirit (love) and are all children of the same One Spirit (love). When we live from Love we are expressing God. There is One God with many differing expressions and approaches. God is spirit and is everywhere present and IN ALL which makes sense - since we are all children of God.
My definition of all is that all means all.
Any doctrine(core teaching basis) other than love creates separation and is in opposition to the prayer Jesus told his disciples to pray. “I pray that you would all be one even as the Father and I are one.” Love is not really about having the proper mental precepts - it is simply a manifestation of an intimate relationship with God that is birthed through the closeness & nearness of the presence of God within.
I suppose if I must confess to a doctrinal statement it would have to be the BE-attitudes which are purported to be from the mouth of Jesus and are not someone else's interpretation of what they THINK he taught. We are all made in the image of this One Spirit (love) and are all children of the same One Spirit (love). When we live from Love we are expressing God. There is One God with many differing expressions and approaches. God is spirit and is everywhere present and IN ALL which makes sense - since we are all children of God.
My definition of all is that all means all.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Setting The World Free!
Many people today do not understand their feelings and emotions and therefore misinterpret what life is saying to them. Bryon Katie who wrote the book, "Loving What Is" says, reality is much kinder than our beliefs about it." Reality is what it is in each moment and we must learn to see it with fresh eyes. Sometimes when we view life from a past hurt we are looking from a perspective that may be angry or bitter which is a harsh look at reality. This creates a sense of separateness from the world and the people around us. Many interpret this as lonliness and a feeling of being cut off from others.
When you feel lonely or isolated it is very easy to blame others when they leave you. We tend to think that every time someone leaves us it is because we are unworthy in some way. The truth is that there are always people coming and going in your life and it is a natural happening. We live in a temporary world and nothing ever stays the same for very long.
What we really need is an inner healing of our attachment to negative emotions. We need to wean ourselves from that false sense of ourselves that we create as a reaction to the world. The world is as it is. If I want to participate with the world in a healthy way I have to set it free. Until I do that I will always be a slave to my negative feelings.
You may have many disagreements with what is going on in the world and may want to affect it in a positive way. If you do you must set the world free! Once you give the responsibility back to everyone else for their part in the co-creation of the way the world operates - you will be free too! I have no power over how other people think, speak or act. I have no power over what people think of me either. So I let the world think what it wants and I will do the same!
I no longer have any control of your good or bad opinion of me. The only opinion that really matters to me is - my opinon of me. So, what do I choose to think and believe about myself?
"Today, I set the world free to be whatever it is and I also set myself free to be the person I have chosen to be - for now."
Enjoy the freedom,
James
When you feel lonely or isolated it is very easy to blame others when they leave you. We tend to think that every time someone leaves us it is because we are unworthy in some way. The truth is that there are always people coming and going in your life and it is a natural happening. We live in a temporary world and nothing ever stays the same for very long.
What we really need is an inner healing of our attachment to negative emotions. We need to wean ourselves from that false sense of ourselves that we create as a reaction to the world. The world is as it is. If I want to participate with the world in a healthy way I have to set it free. Until I do that I will always be a slave to my negative feelings.
You may have many disagreements with what is going on in the world and may want to affect it in a positive way. If you do you must set the world free! Once you give the responsibility back to everyone else for their part in the co-creation of the way the world operates - you will be free too! I have no power over how other people think, speak or act. I have no power over what people think of me either. So I let the world think what it wants and I will do the same!
I no longer have any control of your good or bad opinion of me. The only opinion that really matters to me is - my opinon of me. So, what do I choose to think and believe about myself?
"Today, I set the world free to be whatever it is and I also set myself free to be the person I have chosen to be - for now."
Enjoy the freedom,
James
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