Some thoughts on 'Christ' - from a less-than-enthuiastic POV

Jeshua ben Josef was a Jew. Therefore his ideas, the behaviors he expressed are Jewish – for the most part. In Judaism there is a practice called Tikkun O’lam. In the ancient book called the Zohar, written in Aramaic, is an account of G*d’s first entry into a 3D world. The vessel made to hold G*d’s essence, It’s Holy Fire, shattered and flew about the entire spectrum of creation. It is believed that those sparks reside in each and every form of creation. The practice of Tikkun O’lam is the gathering of those sparks - for until they are all reunited, Gan Eden cannot be recreated.

For Jews this practice of seeing G*d in everything – and hence revere it, is not a choice (although ultimately I suppose it is) Rather it is commanded of one by being born a Jew.

Jeshua was simply living his life in full practice, versus the many folks who weren’t. What was special about Jeshua was the same thing attributed to the most revered of Tzadiks (holy women and men) who also made miracles, healed the sick, fathomed the unfathomable, and radiated what I would call compassion and some would call ‘love.’

Why do I use the word compassion, versus love? In American culture the word love has been abused, confused and used. The sentiment most often associated with it is a smarmy sort of sympathy, a sugarcoated mess of unhealthy projections and emotions, seldom free of dis-ease. Compassion, on the other hand seems to remain in it’s intended state – that of witnessing a soul’s journey without interfering with it. Jeshua, in the tradition of all good Jewish shtick, told his stories as parables, showing versus telling. This act of story telling is common to Jewish teachers, for Judaism was and in many ways, still is an oral culture.

I am troubled by allusions that Jeshua did not feel pain. I simply don’t believe this. His was a physical body – and even if he was an extraterrestrial Nordic, as some would claim, the Jewish culture is one of great and demonstrated feeling. Jeshua felt; he could not do otherwise.

It does seem however that he had some tricks up his sleeve. For example it would appear that he had some access to Vedic scripture, and hence to yoga practices. Using the breath it is possible to transcend pain – not ignore it – to go through it to another state. There are multitudes of stories regarding this – both ancient and modern. To refer to one of my teachers, Thich Nhat Hahn, his life and poetry are a living demonstration of how to live in the midst of the worst of human culture and still radiate peace and compassion, love if you will.

I would also say, that although untold, the tales of women throughout the ages reflect this tireless loving. Mothers demonstrate countless actions of service, of forgiveness. In the most abusive of situations they can still find ways to love their children and work to ease their suffering. One does not need to aspire to “Christhood” to have this, one needs only to serve, the practice will make perfect.

Or perhaps we could take Jeshua's advice and look to children for lessons on how to love, feel, express compassion.

It goes weary – this need to be some sort of super male when humankind has daily examples of true goodness, selfless service, and universal acceptance – often in the form of woman. People who fully practice the precepts of their faith display the results of their teachings – a deep care, awareness, appreciation, and immersion into life itself. They make heaven where they are. That’s the point, isn’t it?

With regard to the crucifixion – what a blood bath of an image this is. Jeshua’s death at the hands of violent men was neither unusual nor extraordinary. Over 1,000+ others were killed in the same manner, per week in this fashion. That he, rumor has it, transcended his pain, and understood the ignorance and fear that placed him there, was the result of living his practice. The same actions have been reported about monks who were stoned, women who were burned (see accounts of American witch burnings of the 1700’s) and of napalmed nuns. One can see this loving in abused children and animals on a daily basis.

When one has found peace, one can enter into it, providing one has practices deeply in times that are peaceful. If you don’t work you practice in the good times, you won’t have the habit of it to rely on in the bad. Again, nothing special here.

The analogy of ‘trying’ to love is IMPORTANT, and very very powerful. We are always ‘trying’ to love. But for many, this is not our main practice, for all new habits take time to acquire, to integrate. All new teaching must be studied, absorbed, tried, and tried again, renewed and restored. It is for this reason that our awakening comes in spurts, like our physical growth. We take it in. We have the bliss of being awake. We want to BELIEVE!

Then life happens in the old 3D world. And that’s where the work begins. OUR work. Our ‘shields’ need to be refashioned, perhaps renewed entirely. Our minds need to be coaxed into re-membering something new. Our actions have to be adjusted and re-adjusted as we make our first rudimentary attempts at new behavior. Our friends and families need time to adjust too. Sometimes they won’t – and so we part and move onward. This too requires our adjustments.

The work of life is to chop wood and carry water WHILE remaining in our heart-felt gifts. Our current world culture is hardly an environment that encourages, much less makes space for this work. In fact it was designed to repress it. So, living a life of spiritual pursuit takes real sacrifice, for one must step out of time and into a place where stillness and space are present.

So we go to mountains, to seas, to monasteries to learn. But the wise human knows that one must return to demonstrate that it is possible to live and love in 3D time, that ‘heaven’ is so close if we would only seek it’s door.

When one is sufficiently strong, one can return to work, once again, amongst the fear - but with wide-open charkas? Hmmmm. I think not. There is a saying about casting pearls before swine, and I think it’s well stated. Gifts that are not received become something else entirely. Respect is.

It is also interesting to note that most of the spiritual practices of the world tell us to take information, love, insights THROUGH OUT HEART center. Apparently this is the created tool of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual body that can assess this input and through its alchemical process transmute, purify and distribute it. Perhaps that’s why it’s a ‘pump.’

As humans we best do a little studying – get to know our tools before one goes out into the world. After all, all tools have a created purpose. If I may be so bold as to make a recommendation to those of you wishing to fully activate your power to love, to create a health 3D shield, and to experience a truly great teacher: Anodea Judith’s work is simply wonderful, and her new work A Global Heart will fill you with joy and hope in this troubled world. Here’s where Anodea changes the world, one chakra at a time: http://www.sacredcenters.com/

Each time one is fully radiant with one’s holiness – it is possible to perform great healings. As I too have had this experience (albeit for only three consecutive years so far) this seems to me to be a normal condition of running such a state.

I remember a few years back (decades?) there was a book called “Women Who Love Too Much.” The title deeply offended me, and still does. I read it, I though and though about it, and came to this conclusion. There is absolutely no such thing as ‘loving too much.’ Love is – on that we agree. The receiving of it can be difficult. The extra attachments to a loving action such as need, desire, etc. can muck it up, true. But love – the actually deep appreciation for another entity’s being; the sheer reveling in the gift of their life with no desire to impinge upon it in any way – ahhhhh, that fills one with LIFE.

Women love – it’s their truest nature. Men love – and are getting better at it all the time. The planet loves – for her existence is to give us life.

Yet, to truly receive a gift it needs acknowledgement. To acknowledge every breath, birdsong, flower bloom, child smile, an attempt at betterment, wall of ‘safety’ – or at least the reason it was put up…that’s quite a task. Impossible to do consciously, as is counting our every breath.

So we ‘take time for Spirit,’ those of us interested in practicing love. We take some time – perhaps only a moment to smile and take in this fullness called, ‘love.’

One of the practices that had made such a difference in my life is Thich Nhat Hahn’s practice at his retreat at Plum Village. There a bell sounds every fifteen minutes. One is to stop what one is doing – no matter what. Take a breath, bow in gratitude, receive the gift, and continue on with one’s work. At first it is lovely – “I’m SO spiritual!” Then it becomes a chore, “I’m busy.” Later tedium, mindless doing without caring. Sometime, wonderment of wonderment this too changes and the breath one takes is a miracle, fully experiences. The cycles return, the practice is, life continues. It is good.

Nowadays I have a Zen Clock that chimes the minutes for me. I still go though my cycles, and the miracle of breath returns.

but I've digressed...

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Back to the subject of 'christ.'

I truly have trouble with the word “christ.” It has so much baggage attached to it. It has been used to cause so much pain, hindrance and brutality. Why is it necessary? Why does this word need to remain? I suppose it is only a word, but words are often archetypal manifestations, and I would wish for humanity something better, more true.

Something that goes beyond the Greek interpretation of being, something beyond Jewish heritage. Yes, beyond the form of ‘man’ himself. Something more inclusive. As a woman I have had to open terms, re-create concepts to include my divine image. As the ‘enlightened men’ of our time are so fond of saying (the women of the ages don’t need to as it’s been evident to us for the past 7,000 years) we need to reclaim the Sacred Feminine. Yes, these self same men don’t seem to read the works of women, nor believe them – although they are now abundant in the marketplace.

They are content to be fed and clothed by them. To use their bodies willingly or not. To enjoy the images of women in the most profane of ways. Yet they will not work to change, to promote, in deed demand a more sacred treatment of women and their holy image(s.)

So, let me state this clearly. I do not want to twist myself into some male form, use a male-centered word, nor use a male-engineered spirituality. Perhaps it is time for the men to stop writing, advising and time for them to listen, nu?

Perhaps it is time for the male-centric world to receive the ‘love,’ ‘compassion,’ and reverence of women in the way WE choose to give it. To learn of our ways too.

Enough ‘Christ’s’ and ‘Avatars’ already. I’m for living in a world where kitchen magick rules.

It’s so simple –

• Honor all life and those who birth it. (Birthing is dangerous business; it deserves support, care and appreciation. This doesn’t apply just to humans, nor to women, but to all life that creates.)
• Feed people what they need, if you have enough to share.
• Honey’s sweetness is often a good way to present medicine – it’s also a fabulous antibiotic too!
• Clean up after your self – leave it the way you found it, or in many cases in much better condition.
• Hug often and deeply - only with permission, and only in reverence
• Manage your creations – make them sacred! (this includes sex)
• Find as many ways to say ‘thank you’ as you can
• Learn from the children and elders; cherish them for they are holding Life as you do the work of it.
• Walk in beauty – take time for Spirit.

I’d a world philosophy of kitchen magick - like that, yes indeed.

So what say you - is thiere another word to express our fullness of being - without the baggage of male-dominance? Is there a word of mindfulness free of the torture of religion?

What is our true name?