Epiphany

As we approach Epiphany, I think about what this story of the magi following a star to find Jesus could mean to us today. I know there are those on both sides who would argue that this story is a fable or on the other side-factual truth. I really don't care, and don't believe either side can have any proof. So I look at what it means for those who are students of Jesus. I look at the magi as astrologers-those caught and trapped by fate-washed this way and that by the tides of life. But then the star appeared. They are those who begin to notice that of God alive within themselves and the entire cosmos. That is the star...the little signs, the synchronicities, the events that push us to seek. They seek and find, and when they find they are astonished, and then rule. So Epiphany is for those who have found that of God in all things. They were asleep, but have been awakened. As a Christian, the light came from Jesus-the Wisdom of God made flesh. He is the teacher that shows us how to know God and ourselves. He is the teacher that seeks not to Lord over us, but rather to make us what he is. May we know this epiphany. Amen.

The Virgin Mary

Some said, "Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit." They are in error. They do not know what they are saying. When did a woman ever conceive by a woman? Mary is the virgin whom no power defiled. -The Gospel of Philip

I read on the Palm Tree Garden that there are some who think that this is claiming Mary is the Holy Spirit. For whom is the one no power defiled?

Merry Christmas!

May the light of knowledge of God and Self illuminate your heart today. May spiritual insight fill your being today.

God loved us and did not want us to remain in our sleep. Wisdom has come to us to help us move from sleeping to waking.

Had a great prayer time this morning, spent a

Eyes of Child

" Jesus said, 'From Adam unto John the Baptist there has been no one born of women is more exalted than John the Baptist, so that such a person should lower their eyes. But I have said that whoever among you becomes an little child will become know with the kingdom, and will become more exalted than John.'"
Gospel of Thomas, Saying 46

John seemed to look to a future kingdom, and his call was a preparation towards that. I can imagine Jesus being influenced by John, but somehow sensing or knowing that the kingdom that John saw in the future, was not coming, but is now-within all of us. A child has no preconceived notions of what should be. A child is in many ways a blank slate-having not attachments to what "should" be, or "this is the way we have always done it". A child is often full of wonder and amazement within the moment. Perhaps this is what Jesus is calling us to. The call to live in the present moment, without clinging too tightly to the past that is gone, nor to the future, which is not yet. How close such a view would be to the Buddha and some Hindu sages.

A New (Old) Way of Being Christian

As I immerse myself within the Christian community, I am actively work to continue my exploration of who Jesus was and what he taught and asked of us. I wanted to share a bit of what I am reading and how it is applying to the day to day praxis.

Bede Griffiths-Bede was a Benedictine priest who created a Christian Ashram in India-fully engaging the Hindu tradition, exploring a synthesis between Vedanta and Christianity.
Thomas Merton-a Trappist monk who explored eastern faiths, particularly Buddhism.
Cynthia Bourgeault-an Episcopal priest, hermit and contemplative prayer leader-pushing for a deeper introduction into the Wisdom Jesus, and exploring the GoT and the Nag Hammadi texts.
Anthony DeMello-A Catholic Priest who seems more Zen than Catholic. Awesome speaker.
The Gospel of Thomas-Need I say more?
The Writings of the Saints-Theresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Julian of Norwich, Francis of Assisi, and Meister Eckhart.
The leaders in the Contemplative Prayer movement: Fr. Thomas Keating and Brother David Steindl-Rast.

Advent

In this time of Advent, my mind started to think on the incarnation and what it means, then I realized that Advent is a time of preparation for the incarnation. So what does it mean to prepare? How does one do it? In my own life, I try to work with grace to clear out the clutter from my mind, heart, and my deeds. There are plenty of folks who know a lot about spirituality and the history of religion but do little to nothing with it, or are jerks with no compassion. There are some with all heart who have no interior standards of truth and wisdom, who may never make a strong stand about anything. There are those who do the work without taking time to center the heart in God and explore what it means to serve. I believe all three are essential for a healthy spiritual life. The people I admire those sought to balance mind, heart, and deeds-Gandhi, MLK JR, Mother Theresa, Oscar Romero, Jesus Christ.

I have no use for endless debates on tiny details, nor for a feel goodism where there is no sense of virtue and vice, nor for a lack of good deeds done in spirit and love. In my mind this is what it means to allow that of God incarnate himself in you.

Shifting

Wow, what a busy time of year. Thanksgiving has been here and is gone. My family came down and we ate and (sadly) shopped in a frenzy until they left. Okay they did more of the shopping, I was dragged along.

The past month or so, I have been attending an Episcopal Church and joined the bell and voice choirs. I am really enjoying it. I get my dose of the smells and bells liturgy with a progressive voice in my faith. I think what really clicked that I could maintain my gnostic leaning ways and still be a Christian was Cynthia Bourgeault's book, The Wisdom Jesus. Cynthia is an Episcopal Priest, active in the Contemplative prayer movement. In this book she looks at Jesus as a Wisdom Teacher and utilizes the GoT all through it as well as several other Gnostic scriptures-giving them a place at the Christian table-which is where I wanted it all along. So this book was the push to where my heart was leading anyway.

Of late I have been praying the liturgy of the hours and the rosary daily. The Rosary has really pushed along my contemplative prayer life. It feels like a lifeline for me.