Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Saint Antonio

My recent spiritual meditation journey on "All Saints Day" has lead me to a path, one with Saint Antonio. Even though I found two very different descriptions of who he was and his importance, he is one in the same. I know this Saint has significance in my path forwards and especially since I recently asked Thoth’s assistance with communication with the animals.



St. Antonio’ s day
On St.Antonio’s day, January 17th , it is said “one hour more”: as a matter of fact the day becomes longer (about 45 minutes). In the past on St. Antonio’s day (the saint protector of animals) the priests went from stable to stable to bless the animals.
On the walls of the stables people used to put images of the Saint among the animals; there was always a big pink pig, symbol of the physical temptations which the Saint was subjected to during his life: this was the cause of his retreat in the Thebaid desert.
On this day people used to eat gnocchi and the women stopped spinning because this could symbolise the spinning of St.Antonio’s beard. Another custom was to prepare a cake and have it eaten by people and ill animals.
As an old saying goes one day a man who was having lunch in front of the Saint said the well known proverb: “St. Antonio with the white beard, I’m going to eat gnocchi you aren’t”. The Saint felt hurt and turned the man’s plate over. It was impossible for the man to eat his gnocchi too.
On St. Antonio’s day animals didn’t work, and people didn’t stay in the stables at night. They said that animals spoke after midnight and nobody could listen to their speeches.
This Saint was also the patron of blacksmiths, horse shoer’s and he had powerful influence: he could make people find lost objects or cure the sacred fire, a bad illness also called St. Antonio’s fire.



St. Antonio Maria Zaccaria


Founder of the Clerks Regular of St. Paul, commonly known as the Barnabites; b. in Cremona, Italy, 1502; d. 5 July, 1539. While he was still an infant his father died, leaving the care of the child's education to his mother, who taught him compassion for the poor and suffering by making him her almoner. After completing the studies given in the schools at Cremona he was sent to Padua for his philosophy, and in 1520, when he had finished this course, began the study of medicine in the university at that place. At the age of twenty-two he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine and returned to Cremona to practise his profession. Three years later he began to study theology and received holy orders in 1528. He now devoted himself with renewed energy to works of charity and mercy, visiting and consoling the sick in hospitals and poor-prisons. The ministry of preaching and the administration of the sacraments produced such great fruit that St. Antonio was encouraged to seek a larger field for his labours and to carry out a great project which he hard formed for the good of souls. He went to the populous city of Milan, of which he was a burgess, and entered the Confraternity of Eternal Wisdom. Among the members of this religious body he allied himself with two priests, Fathers Ferrari and Morigia, and told them of his idea of founding a congregation of secular clergy. Northern Italy at this period was in a deplorable condition. Frequent wars had devastated the country. The advent of the Lutheran soldiery and their contempt for everything Catholic had spread the contagion of bad example, while famine and plague followed in the track of the soldiers. These scourges combined to produce a state of misery that appealed most powerfully to Antonio and his associates. "The Congregation of the Regular Clerks of St. Paul", St. Antonio's work, which began with five members, was canonically sanctioned by Pope Clement VII in 1533. Their rule bound them to "regenerate and revive the love of the Divine worship, and a truly Christian way of life by frequent preaching and the faithful administration of the sacraments."


The first superior of the new congregation was St. Antonio, who soon became known in Milan as an apostle. Besides giving conferences in churches to ecclesiastics and lay people, he went into the streets of the city with crucifix in hand, and produced great fruit in souls by preaching on the Passion and Death of Christ and the need of penance for sin. In 1536 he resigned the superiorship to Father Morigia and later went to Vicenza at the request of Cardinal Ridolfi. There he succeeded in reforming morals and in bringing two religious communities of women to a stricter observance of their rule. In the latter labour he was greatly aided by a congregation of nuns "The Angelicals of St. Paul", which he had founded in Milan. He introduced, also, the devotion of the "Forty Hours' Prayers", in Vicenza. The last two years of his life were spent in Milan. He sought there a more suitable church for his Congregation and accepted the offer of the church of S. Barnabas, but died before the affair was arranged. From this church of St. Barnabas, the Congregation received the name by which its members are commonly known, i.e. Barnabites. Worn out by his voluntary penances, as well as by his untiring labours of charity, he was attacked by fever during one of his mission. Knowing that this illness was his last, he had himself brought to his native city, Cremona. There, in his mother's house, he received the last sacraments and peacefully expired at the early age of thirty-seven. His body was found incorrupt 27 years after his death. He was declared Blessed by Pope Pius IX in 1849. (See BARNABITES.) On 15 May, 1897, he was solemnly canonized in St. Peter's, Rome, by Pope Leo XIII. His writings are: "Detti notabili, raccolti da varii autori" (Venice, 1583); "Constitutiones ordinis clericorum regularium" (not published); "Sermones super praeceptis Decalogi" (not published).


http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01588a.htm


Home > Catholic Encyclopedia > A > St. Antonio Maria Zaccaria










Sources


DUBOIS, Le bienh. Ant. Maria Zaccaria, fondateur des Barnabites et des Angeliques de St. Paul (Tournay, 1896); St. A.M. Zaccaria, fondateur des Barnabites (Paris and Leipzig, 1897); Brevi vite dei Santi (Rome, 1897); Vita illustrata di S. Antonio M. Zaccaria fondatore dei Barnabite e delle Angeliche di S. Paolo (Cremona, 1897); JEPPA, Lebensbeschreibung des Hl. Anton Maria Zaccaria, Stifters der Barnabaiten Germ. tr (Fulda, 1900); HEIMBUCHER, Die Orden und Congregationem der katolischen Kirche (Paderborn, 1897).


About this page


APA citation. Kelly, P.H. (1907). St. Antonio Maria Zaccaria. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved November 4, 2009 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01588a.htm


MLA citation. Kelly, Patrick Henry. "St. Antonio Maria Zaccaria." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 4 Nov. 2009 .


Transcription. This article was transcribed for New Advent by Frère Gilles Beaudet (Christian Brothers).


Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. March 1, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.


Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.



Thursday, October 15, 2009

Five Tips for Hearing God’s Voice


This was a study I did from a group I have subscribes to called “The VoiceofLove”. I thought this to be a lovely method to make a deeper connection with God so I have summarized this lesson for your pleasure!



Five Tips for Hearing God’s Voice


1. Validating how you already hear God’s voice.

Open your mind to new possibilities of all forms of hearing God’s voice. It’s different for everyone.



a. True voice of inner God or higher self
b. Signs or feelings in things around you
c. Intuition or a sense of knowing
d. Pendulum
e. Music and lyrics
f. Inspiring quotes of books





2. Quieting the Mind












a. Meditation is a wonderful way to quite the mind.
b. Many forms of meditation here is simple way;
   i. Extending love to your thoughts. Becoming aware of your thoughts and welcome them.   Visualize light going to your thoughts. Embrace them and don’t struggle against them.
   ii. Extend love to everything you are aware of and it becomes simple to hear God’s voice. A loving state instantly connects you with God.

  iii. When your mind quiets down ask God and question and see what you hear.

  iv. Trust the answer.







3. Opening the Door















a. Meditation can be used to find peace thus connecting with God.
b. Start a conversation with God, some call this prayer.
c. God hears you, asks specific questions. Request specific things you need or help you are seeking.
d. God see his child with so much love its hard to comprehend.
e. It can take time for the answer to unfold, it may not always be immediate.
f. Trust the process and know all things are done in your best interest and timing thereof.

 Once you’ve gone within and quitted your mind and started a dialog with God. Ask for whatever it is you are seeking. Open your mind to communicating everyway possible; thoughts, love, song, seeing pictures or movies in your minds eye.





4. Hearing in Different Ways











a. Close your eyes share your mind with God and ask a question.
b. Acknowledge what you see in your minds eye and trust your answer.

 

 


5. Giving God’s voice Expression

















a. When you begin to hear God’s voice (intuition or knowing) it is important to give this voice expression.
b. Hug or smile, pen or paper, sharing with another how God is working in you.
c. Bring truth and love to the world.
d. Joining with God and expressing.



This is a beautiful start on a beautiful journey of great love and peace. I hope each of you will give it a try . . .


Sunday, October 4, 2009

God's Chosen


The Chosen

Today I am doing a topical study on “The Chosen” and looking to different doctrine to analyze what each discusses about this topic. I found not all doctrine identify the chosen by the word specifically so I had to hop around a bit.

Let start with the Quran – Chosen was not part of the index guide but I did manage to find topics about the chosen under the word “Light” and “Those nearest to Allah”.

I found it interesting that in the Quran that as a reward for the deeds of their past life,there will be companions with beautiful, big and lustrous eyes-Like they are pearls, well guarded. I take this as those companions are special souls . . .ummm.

The Quran


Sura 4. An-Nisa
4.174 - O Mankind! Surely, there has come to you clear proof from your Lord: And we have sent to you light that is clear.
Sura 6. Al-An’am
6.1 – All the Praises and thanks be to Allah who created the heavens and the earth, and made the darkness and the light. Yet those who disbelieve hold others as equal with their Guardian-Lord!
Sura 24. An-Nur (The Light)
24.35 - All is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of his light is as though there is a Niche or opening and within it is a Lamp: The Lamp is enclosed in glass: The glass as if it was itself a bright star: Lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the East nor the West, whose Oil is almost by itself bright, even though fire never touched it: Light upon Light! Allah guides whomever he wills to His Light: And Allah sets forth parables for mankind: And Allah knows all things.
24.36 - This Light shines bright in those houses, that Allah has permitted to be raised to the honor; For the celebration of His Name in them: In them his names and the houses, He is glorified mornings and in evenings of everyday!
Sura 56. Al-Waqi’ah (The inevitable event)
56.10 – And those foremost in faith will be foremost in the hearafter.
56.11 – These will be those nearest to Allah:
56.12 – In the Garden of true joy:
56.13 – A number of people from those of the old,
56.14 – And a few ones from those of later times.
56.15 – They will be on thrones inlaid with gold and precious stones,
56.16 – Reclining on them, face to face,
56.17 - Around them will serve youths of ever lasting freshness,
56.18 – With little glasses, shining tumblers, and cups filled from clear flowing fountains;
56.19 – No ill effects will they suffer from them, and they will not be dazed;
56.20 – And with fruits, any that they may select;
56.21 – and the flesh of fowls, any that they desire.
56.22 – And there will be companions with beautiful, big and lustrous eyes-
56.23 – Like they are pearls, well guarded.
56.24 – A reward for the deeds of their past life.
56.25 – No pettiness will they hear in there, and not even a little of sinful speech.
56.26 – But only saying “Salaam, Salaam (Peace, Peace).”
Sura 57. Al-Hadid (The Iron)
57.12 - On the day you shall see the believing men and the believing women – How their Light runs forward before them and by their right hand: Their greeting will be “Good New for you this Day! Gardens of Paradise beneath which flow rivers! To live there for ever. This is indeed the highest success!”
57.13 - On the day the hypocrites – Men and Women, will say to the believers: “Wait for us! Let us get a light from your Light!” It will be said; “You go back to the rear! Then seek a light from where you can!” So, a wall will be out between them, with a gate in it. Within it the wall will be mercy throughout, and outside and all alongside of it, will be anger and punishment.
57.14 - Those hypocrites outside will call the believers, “Were we not with you?” The others will reply, “True! But you led yourselves into temptation; You looked forward to our destruction; And you doubted Allah’s Promise: And your false desires deceived you; Until the Command of Allah became true. And the Deceiver (Satan) deceived you in respect to Almighty Allah.
57.15 - “So, this Day shall no ransom be taken from you, or from those who disbelieved. Your home is Fire: That is the proper place to claim you: And it is an evil place to rest!”
Sura 66. At-Tahrim (Holding something to be forbidden)
66.8 - O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance; In the hope that your Lord will remove from you your sorrows and admit you to Gardens beneath which rivers flow – The Day that Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believe with him, their light will run before them and on their right hands, while they say “Our Lord! Perfect our light for us, and grant us forgiveness: Verily, You are Able to do all things.”

Reference: English translation of the message of “The Quran” by Professor (Dr.) Syed Vickar Ahamed.


Jewish Dictionary



—Biblical Data: God’s Chosen is found expressed exactly that way.


Name for the Jewish people expressive of the idea of their having been chosen by God to fulfil the mission of proclaiming His truth among all the nations. This choice does not imply a superior claim, but a superior duty and responsibility on the part of the Jewish people, inasmuch as they have been pledged by the covenant which God concluded with Abraham, their ancestor, and again with the entire nation on Sinai, to testify, by precept and example, to the truth revealed to them, to lead a holy life as God's priest-people, and, if needs be, sacrifice their very lives for the sake of this truth. In this peculiar sense they are called God's own people; their religious genius, as manifested in their patriarchs, prophets, inspired poets, sages, and heroes, having rendered them the chosen people of religion to a far greater extent than the artistic and philosophical genius of the Greeks made that nation the chosen people of art and philosophy, or the juridical and political genius of the Romans made them the chosen people of law and politics.


—In Rabbinical Literature:
According to the Rabbis, Israel has not been chosen as the people of the Law on account of its racial superiority. "Israel is of all nations the most wilful or headstrong one [ ], and the Torah was to give it the right scope and power of resistance, or else the world could not have withstood its fierceness" (Beẓah, 25b). "The Lord offered the Law to all nations; but all refused to accept it except Israel" (Mek. Yitro, Pes. R. K. 103b, 186a, 200a). "A Gentile who consecrates his life to the study and observance of the Law ranks as high as the high priest," says R. Meïr, by deduction from Lev. xviii. 5; II Sam. vii. 19; Isa. xxvi. 2; Ps. xxxiii. 1, cxviii. 20, cxxv. 4, where all stress is laid not on Israel, but on man or the righteous one (Sifra, Aḥare Mot, 86b; Bacher, "Ag. Tan." ii. 31). Israel is likened to the olive. Just as this fruit yields its precious oil only after being much pressed and squeezed, so Israel's destiny is one of great oppression and hardship, in order that it may thereby give forth its illuminating wisdom (Ex. R. xxvi.). Poverty is the quality most befitting Israel as the chosen people (Ḥag. 9b). Only on account of its good works is Israel among the nations "as the lily among thorns" (Cant. R. ii. 2), or "as wheat among the chaff" (Midr. Teh. i. 4; Weber's "System der Altsynagogalen Theologie," etc., pp. 59-69, is full of glaring errors and misstatements on the subject of Israel as the chosen people).


Consciousness of Selection.
Unlike any other nation, the Jewish people began their career conscious of their life-purpose and world-duty as the priests and teachers of a universal religious truth; and their whole history, with all its tragic sternness, was and to the end of time will be devoted to the carrying out of this purpose and the discharge of this duty. This view is expressed in all the Biblical and rabbinical passages referring to Israel as the chosen people, or to Abraham as their ancestor. "For I have singled him out [A. V., "have known him"] to the end that he may command his children and his house after him, that they may keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment" (Gen. xviii. 1, Hebr.; compare Neh. ix. 7, "Thou art the Lord, the God who didst choose Abram").


Conditions of Choice.
That Israel's character as the chosen people is conditioned by obedience to God's commandments is stated in the very words of the Sinai covenant: "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people; for all the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" (Ex. xix. 5, 6). "The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people; but because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers" (Deut. vii. 7, 8). The great obligation imposed upon Israel as the chosen people is especially emphasized by the prophet Amos (iii. 2): "You only have I singled out [R. V., "known"] of all the families of the earth: therefore will I visit upon you all your iniquities." Compare Deut. xiv. 2: "Thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all peoples that are upon the face of the earth," and ib. xxiv. 18, 19, R. V.


God's Witnesses and Their Inheritance.
Particularly is the world-mission of the chosen people dwelt upon by Deutero-Isaiah, the seer of the Exile (Isa. xli.; xlii. 1-7; xliii. 10. "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen"; ib. verse 21, R. V., "The people which I formed for myself that they might set forth my praise"; compare xliv. 1, 2; xlix. 6, 7).


As God's chosen people, Israel is also called His "inheritance" (Deut. iv. 20; ix. 26, 29; xxxii. 9; Ps. xxxiii. 12: "The people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance"; I Kings viii. 53, Jer. x. 16; and elsewhere). As the children of the Patriarchs they are His chosen ones (Ps. cv. 6).

Reference: http://www.jewishdictionary.com/


Apostolic succession – Speaks for itself



Apostolic succession, in Christian theology, the doctrine asserting that the chosen successors of the apostles enjoyed through God's grace the same authority, power, and responsibility as was conferred upon the apostles by Jesus. Therefore present-day bishops, as the successors of previous bishops, going back to the apostles, have this power by virtue of this unbroken chain. For the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Anglican churches, this link with the apostles is what guarantees for them their authority in matters of faith, morals, and the valid administration of sacraments. Essential to maintaining the apostolic succession is the right consecration of bishops. Apostolic succession is to be distinguished from the Petrine supremacy. Protestants (other than Anglican) see the authority given to the apostles as unique, proper to them alone, and hence reject any doctrine of a succession of their power. The Protestant view of ecclesiastical authority differs accordingly.






Apostolic succession is the doctrine in some of the more ancient Christian communions that the succession of bishops, in uninterrupted lines, is historically traceable back to the original Twelve Apostles. Apostolic succession is not the same as the Petrine supremacy. As a general rule, Protestantism rejects the doctrine of apostolic succession. Protestants consider the authority given to the apostles as having been unique, and therefore proper to them alone without being inherited by later prelates. Thus, they reject any doctrine of a succession of the original apostles' authority.


Reference: The Columbia Encyclopedia. Copyright © 2001-09 Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.



Heliogabalus – Gods Chosen were those who were appointed authority to preisthood.



Heliogabalus hē′lēōgăb'ələs or Elagabalusĕləgăb'ələs, c.205–222, Roman emperor (218–22). GOD’s chosen - were those in leadership.


He was a priest of the local sun god, Elagabalus, at Emesa and was named Varius Avitus Bassianus. He was a cousin of Caracalla; according to the claims (almost certainly false) of his ambitious mother and grandmother, he was the son of Caracalla. He was chosen by the troops in Syria as emperor in opposition to Macrinus, who had killed and succeeded Caracalla. When Macrinus was defeated and killed at Antioch, Heliogabalus became emperor as Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. His reign was a tragic farce. He imported the cult of which he was priest, and Rome was shocked and disgusted by the indecency of the rites as well as by the private life of the emperor, who gave high offices to an actor, a charioteer, and a barber. His grandmother, Julia Maesa, induced him to adopt his young cousin, Alexander Severus, but Heliogabalus later tried to have the boy killed. Heliogabalus and his mother were murdered in an uprising of the Praetorian Guard. Alexander Severus succeeded.

Sol
Sol sŏl, in Roman religion, sun god. An ancient god of Mesopotamian origin, he was introduced (c.220) into Roman religion as Sol Invictus by emperor Heliogabalus. His worship remained an important cult of Rome until the rise of Christianity.

Reference: The Columbia Encyclopedia. Copyright © 2001-09 Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.



Bhakti - Chosen are those who fully surrender to GOD.



Bhakti (Devanāgarī: भक्ति, Sanskrit: devotion, or portion)[1] in practice signifies an active involvement by the devotee in divine worship. The term is often translated as "devotion", though increasingly "participation" is being used as a more accurate rendering, since it conveys a fully engaged relationship with God.[2] One who practices bhakti is called a bhakta,[3] while bhakti as a spiritual path is referred to as bhakti marga, or the bhakti way.[4][5] Bhakti is an important component of many branches of Hinduism, defined differently by various sects and schools.[6]


Bhakti emphasises devotion and practice above ritual. Bhakti is typically represented in terms of human relationships, most often as beloved-lover, friend-friend, parent-child, and master-servant.[7] It may refer to devotion to a spiritual teacher (Guru) as guru-bhakti,[8][9] to a personal form of God,[10] or to divinity without form (nirguna).[11] Different traditions of bhakti in Hinduism are sometimes distinguished, including: Shaivas, who worship Shiva and the gods and goddesses associated with him; Vaishnavas, who worship forms of Vishnu, his avataras, and others associated with; Shaktas, who worship a variety of goddesses. Belonging to a particular tradition is not exclusive—devotion to one deity does not preclude worship of another.[12]


The Bhagavad Gita is the first text to explicitly use the word "bhakti" to designate a religious path,[13] which the Bhagavata Purana develops more elaborately.[7] The so-called Bhakti Movement saw a rapid growth of bhakti beginning in Southern India with the Vaisnava Alvars (6th-9th century CE) and Saiva Nayanars (5th-10th century CE), who spread bhakti poetry and devotion throughout India by the 12th-18th century CE.[14][15] Bhakti influence in India spread to other religions,[16][17][18][19] coloring many aspects of Hindu culture to this day, from religious to secular, and becoming an integral part of Indian society.


Reference: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia © 2001-2006 Wikipedia contributors (Disclaimer)


Bhakti bŭk'tē [Skt.,=devotion], theistic devotion in Hinduism. Bhakti cults seem to have existed from the earliest times, but they gained strength in the first millennium A.D. The first full statement of liberation and spiritual fulfillment through devotion to a personal god is found in the Bhagavad-Gita. The Puranas (from the 1st cent. A.D.) further elaborated theistic ideas. Devotion to Shiva and Vishnu and to the latter's avatara (incarnations), Rama and Krishna, continues to be practiced throughout India. Intense love for God and surrender to Him, reliance on His grace rather than on rituals, learning, or austerities, and the continuous repetition of His name are the means to the goal of His constant presence. The devotee may worship the chosen deity as child, parent, friend, master, or beloved. The bhakti tradition has tended to stress authentic inner feelings as opposed to institutional forms of religion and to disregard caste distinctions. Great devotees and saints such as the Alvars of S India (a Vaishnavite group of wandering singers), Mirabai, Tukaram, Tulsidasa, Kabir, and Chaitanya have continuously inspired the cults, founded their own sects, and produced a great literature of songs and poems in their vernaculars.


Reference: The Columbia Encyclopedia. Copyright © 2001-09 Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.



Hermetic - “Know Thyself” In knowing thyself you can reach souls perfection and be part of the chosen.



The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (or, more commonly, the Golden Dawn) was a magical order founded in Great Britain during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which practiced theurgy and spiritual development. It has been one of the largest single influences on 20th-century Western occultism. Concepts of magic and ritual at the center of contemporary traditions, such as Wicca[1][2] and Thelema, were inspired by the Golden Dawn.


The three founders, William Robert Woodman, William Wynn Westcott, and Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers were Freemasons and members of Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (S.R.I.A.).[3] Westcott appears to have been the initial driving force behind the establishment of the Golden Dawn.


The Golden Dawn system was based on hierarchy and initiation like the Masonic Lodges, however women were admitted on an equal basis with men. The "Golden Dawn" was the first of three Orders, although all three are often collectively referred to as the "Golden Dawn". The First Order taught esoteric philosophy based on the Hermetic Qabalah and personal development through study and awareness of the four Classical Elements as well as the basics of astrology, tarot divination, and geomancy. The Second or "Inner" Order, the Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis (the Ruby Rose and Cross of Gold), taught proper magic, including scrying, astral travel, and alchemy. The Third Order was that of the "Secret Chiefs", who were said to be highly-skilled but no longer incarnate; they supposedly directed the activities of the lower two orders by spirit communication with the Chiefs of the Second Order.


This article covers the meaning of the self in spirituality (both the egoic self and the witnessing Self). For other meanings of 'self', see Self.


The Self is a complex and core subject in many forms of spirituality. Two types of self are commonly considered - the self that is the ego, also called the learned, superficial self of mind and body, an egoic creation, and the Self which is sometimes called the "True Self", the "Observing Self", or the "Witness". [1]


The Self is pure consciousness or Being in Self-awareness. Whereas, the I am principle is individuality made manifest. They are separate and distinguishable. Even the I-sense eventually dissolves. MMY


Further information: Ego (spirituality)


Ken Wilber describes the Witnessing (or Observing) Self in the following terms:


"This observing Self is usually called the Self with a capital S, or the Witness, or pure Presence, or pure Awareness, or Consciousness as such, and this Self as transparent Witness is a direct ray of the living Divine. The ultimate "I AM" is Christ, is Buddha, is Emptiness itself: such is the startling testimony of the world's great mystics and sages." [8]


He adds that the Self is not an Emergent, but an aspect present from the start as the basic form of awareness, but which becomes increasingly obvious and self aware "as growth and transcendence matures." As Depth increases, consciousness shines forth more noticeably, until:


"shed[ding] its lesser identification with both the body and the mind ... in each case from matter to body to mind to Spirit... consciousness or the observing Self sheds an exclusive identity with a lesser and shallower dimension, and opens up to deeper and higher and wider occasions, until it opens up to its own ultimate ground in Spirit itself. And the stages of transpersonal growth and development are basically the stages of following this Observing Self to its ultimate abode, which is pure Spirit or pure Emptiness, the ground, path and fruition of the entire display." [8]


In a similar vein, Evelyn Underhill[9] states:


"It is clear that under ordinary conditions, and save for sudden gusts of "Transcendental Feeling" induced by some saving madness such as Religion, Art, or Love, the superficial self knows nothing of the attitude of this silent watcher—this "Dweller in the Innermost"—towards the incoming messages of the external world: nor of the activities which they awake in it. Concentrated on the sense-world, and the messages she receives from it, she knows nothing of the relations which exist between this subject and the unattainable Object of all thought. But by a deliberate inattention to the messages of the senses, such as that which is induced by contemplation, the mystic can bring the ground of the soul, the seat of "Transcendental Feeling," within the area of consciousness: making it amenable to the activity of the will. Thus becoming unaware of his usual and largely fictitious "external world," another and more substantial set of perceptions, which never have their chance under normal conditions, rise to the surface. Sometimes these unite with the normal reasoning faculties. More often, they supersede them. Some such exchange, such "losing to find," appears to be necessary, if man's transcendental powers are to have their full chance."


Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self_(spirituality)
http://www.referencecenter.com/ref/reference/GoldenDa/Hermetic_Order_of_the_Golden_Dawn?invocationType=ar1clk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermetic_Brotherhood_of_Light

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Pure of Heart


Pure in Heart




Exactly what does “pure in heart” mean? Does it mean we are sin free? Or does it mean we are to be perfect? Let’s look at what scripture tells us.



Psalm 24:3-5 – Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hand and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from GOD of his salvation.



Matthew 5:8 – Blessed are the pure at heart; for they shall see God.



James 4:8 – “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse you hands ye sinners; and purify your hearts ye double minded.”



This set of scripture from King James Version of The Holy Bible used above addresses “pure of heart” separately from sin. To wash your hands from sin, to clean them and get ride of the sin. Purification is linked directly to being doubled minded and deceitful. What is occurring in your mind. Saying one thing and thinking another? Or judging one person for an action when your are guilty of the same?



Talmage analyses Rev 20:17-15, Isaiah 65:17-25 and 11:6-9 and what shall come of those who are impure of heart. He states “The Millennium is to precede the time designated in scriptural phrases “the end of the world”. When the thousand years are passed, Satan shall be loosed for a little season, and the final test of man’s integrity to God shall ensue. Such as are prone to impurity of the heart shall yield to temptation while the righteous shall endure to the end.”



In Talmage’s notes on Chapter 42 he discusses “Regeneration of the Earth” and says this; In speaking of the graded and progressive glories provided for His creations, and of the laws of regeneration and sanctification, the Lord has thus spoken through revelation in the present dispensation; “And again, I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of the celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and transgresseth not the law. Wherefore it shall be sanctified; yea notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again, and it shall abide the power by which it is quickened, the righteous shall inherit it. The appointed change, by which the earth shall pass to the condition of the celestialized world, is referred to in numerous scriptures as the institution of “a new heaven and new earth”. (Rev 21:1, 3 & 4)



The Law of the GOD conscious and the celestial will be abided by the earth. It’s obvious the destruction of man is the deceitfulness in his/her mind. One must be TRUE in ones heart and to God. Be true to each other for there are no secrets in the spiritual realm. It is clear how this is to be dealt with and one should not wait for this time to reconcile their condition and/or state of mind.




Here's info on the Muslim "Heart Purification"


Ramadan Purification of Hearts

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Christ Control Over Matter and Energy


Christ Control over Matter and Energy



Further analysis and review of this book by Talmage titled “Jesus the Christ” I became amazed at the observation that Talmage made in this book. The subject matter is “Christ’s control over matter and energy”. We all know about the story when Christ was in the boat with Peter and a great storm came and all the men thought they would parish. Christ calmed the storm and waters with his voice.


Talmage’s observation is a follows; Among the recorded miracles of Christ, none elicited greater diversity in comment and in attempt to elucidation than the marvelous instance of control over the forces of nature. Science ventures no explanation. The Lord of earth, air and sea spoke and was obeyed. He is who, amidst the black chaos of creation’s earliest stages, had commanded with immediate effect – Let there be light: Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters; Let the dry land appear – and, as He decreed, so it was. The dominion of the Creator over the created is real and absolute. A small part of that dominion has been committed to man as the offspring of God, tabernacle in the very image of his DIVINE father. But man exercises that delegated control through secondary agencies, and by means of complicated mechanism. Man’s power over the objects to his own devising is limited. It is according to the curse evoked by Adam’s fall, which came through transgression, which by the strain of his muscles, by the sweat of his brow, and by the stress of his mind, shall be achieved. His word is yet but a sound wave in the air. Through the Spirit that emanates from the very persona of Deity, which pervades all space, the command of God is immediately operative.


Not man alone, but also the earth and all the elemental forces pertaining thereto came under Adamic curse; and as the soil no longer brought forth good and useful fruit, but gave of its substance to nurture thorns and thistles, so the several forces of nature ceased to be obedient to man as agents subject to his direct control. What we call natural forces – heat, light, electricity, chemical affinity – are but a few of the manifestations of eternal energy through which the Creator’s purposes are subserved; and these few, man is able to direct and utilize only through mechanical contrivance and physical adjustment. But the earth shall vet be “renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory”; then soil, water, air and the forces acting upon them shall directly respond to the command of glorified man, as they now obey the word of the Creator.


I found this revelation profound! Talmage is basically saying that we being created as the offspring of GOD we have the power to command the elements of nature. Furthermore, as we approach the new millennium, it is obvious that all curses placed upon us in the “fall of man” will be lifted and we would regain control over the elements. Moses also commanded this power over the elements as well. These were acts of “will” by high holy beings. The new millennium promises us all beings will be higher in their vibration level and love will be the dominate power. It makes perfect sense to only trust such powers to higher beings . . . we should begin to see signs of “higher beings” or “beings of light” gaining these controls back as we move closer to the dimensional shift.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Reincarnation vs. Resurrection

Reincarnation vs. Resurrection



Okay, so in my post last week on Transfiguration vs. Transformation I mentioned I was reading this book on “Jesus the Christ” by Talmage. By the way, this book is used by the Mormons in teaching of the scriptures. (Mormon’s are my favorite Christian church on the planet and I am a member)


In this book under the topic of “The Kingdom of Heaven to Come” on page 788 it states verbatim “The coming of Christ in the Last Days, accompanied by the apostles of old and the resurrected saints is to mark the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven upon the earth. The faithful apostles who were with Jesus in his earthly ministry are to be enthroned as judges of the whole house of Israel. “(I am skipping over the general information regarding the Mormon Nephite Twelve as most are not familiar with this and for discussion purposes I wish to revisit this later.)


Further down the page the author make an analogy and states “While the expressions “Kingdom of God” and “Kingdom of Heaven” are used in the Bible synonymously or interchangeable, later revelation gives to each a distinctive meaning. The kingdom of GOD is the church established by DIVINE authority upon the earth; this institution asserts no claim to temporal rule over nations; its scepter of power is that of the Holy Priesthood, to be used in the preaching of the gospel and in administering its ordinances for the salvation of mankind living and dead. The “Kingdom of Heaven” is the divinely ordained system of government and dominion in all matters, temporal and spiritual; this will be established on earth only when it’s rightful Head, the King of Kings, Jesus the Christ comes to reign.”


Though I have found no one in the church to use the term “Reincarnation” I did use my Bible Dictionary in a King James Version of the Holy Bible from The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints and the definition of “Resurrection” is “Resurrection consists in the uniting of the spirit body with a body of flesh and bones, never again to be divided.”


When looking at all this information together, at least in my opinion it is obvious that the faithful apostles who were with Jesus in his earthly ministry will be given new bodies. What better means to do that by then via reincarnation and then” Transition” into immortalized beings? Many great physics believe in reincarnation and I personally do also. I believe it is a universal truth. Should we look for those reincarnated apostles now given the truth of the other quickening events occurring?


Just looking at all angles for the greater truth; I hope this will spark further analysis on your part. What’s your opinion??

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Esoteric Christianity - Understanding the deeper spirit of Christ


The Christian community needs to ask, "What happened to the biblical reference to the Christ within, the hope of glory?" In the ancient mystical teachings we learn that the "second coming" will be a perfected consciousness of love-wisdom such as the Christ possessed. This vision for humanity is the cornerstone of esoteric Christianity.



Esoteric Christianity, with its transformational techniques, is little known to many. Some of its principles are often discovered through metaphysics, new thought, or mystical, agnostic, or other approaches. However, they are in danger of being distorted or glamorized, even over-simplified when taken out of context.


Historical creeds of all religions have some aspect deeply preserved until the aspirant is prepared or experiencing little-understood spiritual phenomena. At that point, the adage, "When the student is ready, the teacher appears, truly seems to work." Someone will reach out and, if only for a brief time, guide the one in need across troubled waters to safety.


To begin to explain Esoteric Christianity requires boldness, audacity, and tenacity. It can be endless in definition because it transforms the experiencer and the experience redefines the faith. However, as contemporary Christians find themselves needing a greater personal sense of intimacy (not dogma or doctrine) with their spiritual Source, this recognizable route to God gradually emerges, expanding our spiritual experiences.


A major challenge for many is whether esoteric, or mystical, Christianity, as some call it, involves God or Jesus. Esoteric Christians believe Master Jesus, the Christ, pointed followers to the Father, as he affirmed he "and the Father are one." The symbology of Oneness is important to esotericists as they lift their thinking to identify with Soul, rather than personality. I am the Soul affirms this new identity.


A major adjustment is to learn to live "as a soul having a human experience," rather than to relate so strongly with personality stuff. This ability to shift identity is a major effort of transformation: "Know Thyself." The concept of the mystical body of Christ focuses our soul identity to Oneness and aligns Esoteric Christianity to the kabalistic concept of Adam Kadmon, the heavenly human.


Another consideration is that each of us is one brain cell in the mind of the planetary being or in the life we share. We recognize thoughts as things and that each of us either blesses or pollutes our setting. Mindfulness is an attribute we seek to build, as we strive toward higher consciousness in the midst of daily living, believing we are to be the hearts, hands, and minds of God as we integrate with the Christ, teacher of angels and of humanity.


"New Age," having become a catch-all phrase, originally carried the meaning of seeing an expanded vision of the higher Plan. Jesus brought in the then-new Age of Pisces, perceiving his work and sharing a new perspective with his disciples, which, indeed, called them out of their old system. He challenged them to know God, the Father, in innovative ways, to move from just fulfilling the letter of the law to living by the spirit of the law.


Without negating the commandments of the Old Testament, he laid upon them the great commandment to love God and to love the neighbor as the self. Here the consciousness of the disciples had to shift to realize that mere obedience was not enough. Their master stretched them to loving hearts, loving hands.


The great commandment expands all of us beyond comfortable personality boundaries and into the energy of the soul--Lots Of Vital Energy. Then we bring our attunement Earthward from the higher dimensions into the world around us, acting upon it to bring transformative influences to daily life.


We expand the Christian vision by fulfilling it on a one-to-one basis. Spiritual laws and the love of Christ form the foundation upon which we carry out our part of the Christ mission. Consider Mother Teresa and those left behind in her order when death came, those upon whom the mission now falls. They took it upon themselves to align with her vision and continue to fulfill it. As contemporary Christians, we are to keep the vision alive, expanding our love-wisdom until the true fruit of this world religion blossoms.


Only enlightened ones can point direction to the holy; we admire, appreciate, and listen to the saints and sages, the teachers and masters who have found the way. Their wisdom may be just what we need to advance on our own path. In the esoteric tradition is a saying, "Only a lighted flame can pass on the light." Oral traditions used to pass teachings from a wise one to a devotee, who then lived accordingly; in due time, s/he would become responsible for passing the teachings on to others.


Fears around mystical moments, hard-to-grasp experiences, or phenomena often caused the wise one, the shaman, or the astrologer to be suspect. Persecution kept those with access to such wisdom quiet, guarding what they knew. The Inquisition murdered thousands of women who were the healers and visionaries of their people. Call it magic or folk wisdom, it cost them their lives.


Because we often fear that which we do not fully comprehend and because religious fanaticism runs high, people with broader ideas often limit what they share. This self-protection keeps concepts from being distorted by those who do not realize deeper meanings which may come through meditation and inner contact.


Yet at troublesome or pain-filled moments, all of us call out to the heavens: "Why?" "Is this all there is?" We invoke divine help, and doors often open at such power-filled moments.




Ten Points of Importance


Ten points of importance come to mind as I attempt to define an infrastructure of thought that fits most esoteric Christians:


l. Life has a reason and a purpose. Esoteric teachings offer an overview of this Great Life and its purpose. This set of teachings is called cosmology.
2. All life is sacred, especially human life: Remember ye are gods. The cosmos is seeking to expand us into divine beings--a major difference to many other approaches. Self-actualization, self-worth, self-unfolding of potential--all are part of the message. It does not mean we do not err but that we are in essence divine and are to embrace the struggle of transformation.
3. Humanity is never left without dialogue with the higher worlds. From the most ancient prophets to modern, inspired ones, the will of the Creator is broadcast (my term) through the ethers to those who would hear. Perceived by listening ones, all world religions have developed out of the necessity to respond to the message and the knowledge derived from it. Each world religion donned an outer form, a manner in which it could be presented. This explanation became the cloak of its revelations.
4. Spiritual law consists of many definitive messages from the higher world to assist us to conform to our vision of the higher will of the Father-Mother, the Divine, the Source--whatever vocabulary fits the perception. The Ten Commandments, the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-fold Path, the Koran, the Popol Vuh, even the Beatitudes fit this idea, if we accept that Master Jesus as the Christ was instructing his disciples in his yoga, or yoke. These words share a common root word, yug, which means "union." Indeed, Jesus's prayer was that we would come to be one with him.
5. Each denomination, holy order, or religion develops its vocabulary, and these concepts and terms may be confusing to others. Each system abounds in mystical realities, and this veil has to be penetrated to reveal and grasp the subtler inner teachings. Esoteric symbols teem with great meaning, with profound truths awaiting discovery and insight. Great teachings contain the story of the soul and the universe, and as teaching myths and parables preserve truths uncovered by preceding teachers or wise ones, they await our readiness for their revelation.
6. Master Jesus is accepted as the historical Christ. The long-awaited Great One created such a state of alignment to the heavenly world, his vehicles--body, emotional nature, and mental equipment--were of such holiness that the Great Lord Christ, who had never incarnated, could descend into the body of Jesus to live through his prepared nature. From the baptism on, Jesus is the Christ, the Wayshower, the Elder Brother, Son of God and Son of Man, or fully human and fully divine, which is our transformational goal. We are to realize the Christ consciousness as well.
7. The message of the Christ was preparation and how-to's. Disciples were to dedicate themselves to living by guidelines appropriate to their understanding of his instructions. By doing that, he explained to the disciples, they would be visited by the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, advocate of the Lord. They would find themselves visited by certain phenomena and gifts that would stretch them, lifting them into another level of relationship to the Holy. These gifts, like fruit on the vine, are to be harvested and revered for the bounty they bring.
8. The emphasis of the message of the Christ is to live as the Wayshower Jesus did--loving and caring, open to the mystical reality wherein we become one with the Father-Mother Creator, Giver of Life. In this mystical relationship we give birth to the Christ-Within, the hope of glory. We discover the central truth of all religions that focus on the inner nature as the fulfillment of life. The Christ-Within is the goal. We are to be obedient children as we begin our quest to come into alignment with the path of life, but we are to grow into spiritual maturity wherein the inner nature can be one with the Christ, the Higher, the Holy. The goal for the Esoteric Christian is to become Christed--whether called "enlightenment" or "salvation."
9. This goal permeates the life of the serious disciple with a dedication which often astonishes many. A life of self-discipline, understanding, discernment, prayer, and meditation is typical. Other practices may include: tithing, dietary disciplines, fasting, healing, dream study, intuition, silence, visualization, and service. Each one seeks to know higher will and to accommodate it within the framework of one's lifestyle.
10. Additional points of information:


* Not all esotericists are Christians, but all are aware of spiritual law.


* Groups vary from quiet and dignified to very flamboyant, but all recognize the importance of group life.


* Some believe in reincarnation, others do not, but all ponder it.


* There is a distinct interest in on-going life, other dimensions and phenomena that are confusing or uncomfortable for some--angels or devas, life-after-death, visions, and friends in spirit all hold interest.




Esoteric Christianity affirms healing of planetary life and all that this might mean. It does not see such wonders as "miracles"--just universal spiritual laws at work which are not yet comprehended. We learn to live in a mystical attunement to the Lord Christ, allowing the Plan to work itself out through us as it will.






REV. CAROL E. PARRISH-HARRA, Ph.D., is the founder of Sancta Sophia Seminary (1978) and Sparrow Hawk Village (1981), a spiritual community in the foothills of the Ozarks, near Tahlequah, Oklahoma. After a near-death experience in 1958, she began an earnest search for a new perception of spirituality. Today, she is a master teacher of teachers, international lecturer, and author of ten books. The latest of these are Adventure in Meditation--Spirituality for the 21st Century, each of three volumes earning the Athena Award for Mentoring, and The New Dictionary of Spiritual Thought, containing 1100 concepts of today's most important Western and Eastern esoteric and spiritual concepts. One review stated, "No other reference book today provides the clarity and depth of insight into the timeless wisdom teachings, going beyond intellectual understanding to touch the innermost heart and soul."

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Transformation vs Transfiguration



Yesterday I sent a “You Tube” clip (I have attached again for those of you who did not have time to watch) regarding the physical transformation currently happening to individuals as we approach the new age of the living world. This period we are in now is called the “Golden Age”.



This has perpetuated further individual analysis on my part and I wonder what the difference was between “transformation” and “transfiguration” as written in the bible.


TRANSFORMATION is what many of us are experiencing now as stated in the brief clip from yesterday mentioned above. Those who are experiencing molecular change within their bodies are doing so along with the earth herself as she is a living body and is beginning to rise in her dimensional shift. Those individuals will remain here on the earth to usher in the “New Millennium.”


I am reading this book called “Jesus the Christ” by Talmage and in the subject matter of “The Millennium” on page 790 it states “The more wicked part of the race shall have been destroyed (perish)” further along it states “Men yet in the flesh shall mingle with immortalized beings; children shall grow to maturity and the die in peace or be changed to immortality “in the twinkling of an eye.” (Scripture reference is 1 Corinthians 15:51-57)There shall be surcease of enmity between man and beast; venom of serpents and the ferocity of the brute creation shall be done away, and love shall be dominant power of control.” Further along the page it states “And Enoch saw the day of the coming of the Son of Man, in the last days to dwell on the earth in righteousness for the space of a thousand years” (Scripture reference is Rev 20:1-6). It’s my observation that these immortalized beings are “the children of the light”.


TRANSFIGURATION is what will occur to those who do not remain behind on this earth. Good and Beautiful people whom GOD loves dearly but who cannot rise with the earth and undergo the necessary molecular change. These individuals will be gathered up and ascend into heaven with assistance of those immortalized beings.


This is a profound revelation I came to during my theological studies and I hope it has inspired you to look more closely. Each faith has its own understanding about “The Millennium” but I encourage you to pursue the knowledge of each to obtain the perfect truth.