SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM

SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM

Before we explore this topic, let's reference a few key Bible verses:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God (Heaven), and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

~Matthew 6:33

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

~Matthew 7:7 

"Nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

~Luke 17:21 

There is much Wisdom contained within these verses. The common denominator is the directive to go WITHIN. The Kingdom is within, God is within, seek within ... all verses pointing within, rather than without. Everything that we need is contained within the Field of Consciousness. The unseen realm of the Divine Spark of Spirit that connects all things to each other. 

So, if we're told to "seek the kingdom of God," and "the kingdom is within you," then we're being told to look within for God. Scripture says not to look here, or there ... but to look inside of us. Now lets look at a shortened version of Luke 11:

"And when thou prayest ... enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly ... for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."

The "Father" knows what you need, what you are praying for, because you are in your closet and have closed the door. That is to say, you have gone within, and directed your concentration inside of you ... not being distracted by your surroundings, the environment, or the chatter of the ego mind. 

For the answers to your questions, and to fulfill your innermost desires, always turn within yourself and listen for that still small voice. We all the still, small voice within us that is there to guide us as we make our way through Life. The voice represents the deepest, truest part of us, our Divine soul, and it knows what we want and need from Life—if only we would listen to it. The Father within knows what we need. It is Truth that is speaking. And we need to act upon this inner guidance in order to manifest our desires into our ultimate reality. 

The Voice

There is a voice inside of you

That whispers all day long,

“I feel this is right for me,

I know that this is wrong.”

No teacher, preacher, parent, friend

Or wise man can decide

What’s right for you–just listen to

The voice that speaks inside.

~Shel Silverstein

Our spiritual GPS is always ON ... always seeking the chosen path. At times though, we have to re-calculate. But we need not return to our original starting point in order to reach our destination. Just like your car GPS, listen for the voice to redirect you on the better path along your Life journey. 

Just a thought ... 

Justin Taylor, ORDM. 

WIZARD OF OZ AND THE TRUTH WITHIN YOU

WIZARD OF OZ AND THE TRUTH WITHIN YOU 

The entire story of the Wizard of Oz is an allegorical tale of the soul’s path to illumination – the Yellow Brick Road. In Buddhism (and an important part of Theosophical teachings) the same concept is referred to as the “Golden Path”. Hence, the Yellow Brick Road. 

The story starts with Dorothy Gale living in Kansas, which symbolizes the material world, the physical plane where each one of us starts our spiritual journey. Dorothy feels an urge to “go over the rainbow," to reach the ethereal realm and follow the path to illumination. She has basically passed the low point by demonstrating the urge to seek a higher Truth.

Dorothy is then brought to Oz by a giant twister spiraling upward, representing the cycles of karma, the cycle of errors and lessons learned. It also represents the ancient belief in reincarnation, the round of physical births and deaths of a soul until it is fit to become Divine. It is also interesting to note that the Yellow Brick Road of Oz begins as an outwardly expanding spiral. In occult symbolism, this spiral represents the evolving self, the soul ascending from matter into the spirit world.

Before undertaking her journey, Dorothy is given the “silver shoes”, which represent the “silver cord” of Mystery Schools (Dorothy was wearing ruby slippers in the movie due to a last minute change by the director, who thought that the color ruby looked better against the Yellow Brick Road). In mystical schools, the silver cord is considered to be the link between our material and spiritual selves. The silver cord connects the spirit of man to the body. Once the Silver Cord is broken, we have left the physical world. 

The sole purpose of the silver cord, or life thread, is to provide the subtle and physical bodies with vital energy. Think of it as a sort of umbilical cord. Just like a baby has an umbilical cord that receives and transfers physical nutrients from the mother, the silver cord serves as a sort of energetic umbilical cord to receive and transfer Prana/Qi/Pneuma/Spirit. Prana is a Sanskrit term meaning “Life," or Life-force. Without Prana, or spirit, the physical body could not operate as it does. This is why once the silver cord is severed, the physical body has no choice but to die.

"

Remember your Creator before the silver cord is snapped ..."

~Ecclesiastes 12:6

During Dorothy's journey along the Yellow Brick Road, she encounters Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman and the Cowardly Lion who are respectively searching for a brain, a heart, and courage. Those odd characters embody the qualities needed by the the Inner Mysteries initiates in order to complete their quest for illumination.

After surmounting many obstacles, the party finally reaches the Emerald City in order to meet The Great Wizard. Surrounded by artifices and special effects, Remember, before meeting the Wizard, they receive makeovers, perfecting them all as close as possible to the Divine consciousness necessary to stand before the Wizard of Oz — symbolically representing God at this point. The Wizard comes across as cruel, rude and unwise. The Wizard is in fact a stand-in for the Old Testament personal God of the Christians and the Jews, the power figure used by religion to keep the masses in spiritual darkness: Jehovah or Yahweh. It is later discovered that the Wizard is a humbug, a charlatan, who scares people into worshipping his Wizard. He surely could not help the characters complete their quest. If you read literature of Mystery schools, this point of view towards Christianity is constantly expressed.

After all is said and done, the brains, the heart and the courage needed to complete Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion’s quests were found within each one of them. As above, so below. All that is needed lies within. Mystery Schools have always taught their students that one must rely on oneself to obtain salvation (Knowledge of the Divine Spark within). Throughout the story Dorothy’s dog Toto represents her “inner voice”; her intuition … The inner Christ. Remember, the Kingdom of God/Heaven is "within you."

The fake Wizard invites Dorothy into his balloon to go back to Kansas, her final destination. She however follows Toto (her intuition) and gets out of the balloon, which represents the empty promises of many organized religions. This leads to her ultimate revelation and, with the help of the Good Witch of the North (her Divine guide), she finally understands: everything she ever wanted could be found “in her own backyard”.

In order to obtain illumination, Dorothy had to vanquish the wicked witches of the East and the West – who were forming an evil horizontal axis: the material world. She was wise in listening to the advice of the good witches of the North and South – the vertical axis: the spiritual dimension. God meets man - as above, so below. 

Once she is back home, Dorothy awakens from her sleep in her bed, surrounded by her family. She tries to tell the unenlightened people what she experienced, and they all laugh. Anyone who’s ever tried to tell someone something they weren’t ready for will understand this feeling.

At the end of the story, Dorothy upon waking up in Kansas, has successfully combined her physical and spiritual Life. She is now comfortable being herself again and, despite her family not really believing the details of her quest, she can finally say “There is no place like home”.

Just a thought ... 

~Justin Taylor. ORDM.

ORIGINS OF THE CROSS

ORIGINS OF THE CROSS 

In all the history of the world's Divine Saviours, they share the esoteric meaning of the cross. They are all similar in that they represent the Creative Principle (Divine Spirit) crucified upon the cross of matter.

The cross is not Christian in it's origins, though it was adopted by Christianity for its own symbolism. The cross is a universal symbol found throughout the ancient world upon their artifacts, temples, and tablets. In centuries BCE, the actual City of Nicea was designed in the form of a cross. Centuries later, the Aztecs used the cross as their symbol as well. 

If you look at man himself, standing straight up with arms outstretched, we can see a living symbol of this cross and it's mythical model. The mythical cross is cosmic in origin, not human. The significance of this cross is not because a man or Saviour was crucified upon it. In fact the myths of all Saviours say they were crucified upon a cross. There is significance and deep symbolism to this, and it is not intended to be merely a literal historical wooden cross with nails. 

The cross, like everything in Christian scriptures, is based upon Pagan Mythology. In fact, Christianity did not choose the cross until more than 300 after after the recorded crucifixion of Jesus as it's representative symbol. It had used the swastika, another ancient symbol for creative motion. The original word is Sanskrit and was suastika - meaning "good, being, well." Later, a lamb was used as the symbol representing Aries. Ultimately, the "crucifix" (the man nailed to and hung upon a cross) replaced it all among the Roman Church as it does today. A symbol of suffering and death rather than enlightenment and illumination, as was its original intent.

In ancient times, there were planetary and zodiacal meanings. 12 Stations of the Zodiac, in Greece there were "12 Labours of Hearacles," and in Egypt "12 tortures." The initiates into the Inner Mysteries of the hidden Wisdom had to suffer before he would be given the Sacred Tau, the cross of the hierophant (ancient priest). 

The seven major miracles are identical with the seven days of creation in the first book of the Bible - Genesis (meaning beginning or birth). This is Cosmology or Astrotheology ... heaven and God in the stars, skies, and planetary actions. As above, so below. As within, so without. As evolving, so involving. The story of creation was written in the stars by Pagan Mystics long before Christianity. See the 12 Houses of the Zodiac (12 Apostles) surrounded by the Sun of God (Christ/Sun) and you see much of where all the spiritual myths were derived. 

The cross, from the sky-view (heavens/Ouranos) ... the constellation Crux – otherwise called the Southern Cross – can be seen from Earth’s Southern Hemisphere and from tropical and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

There is much more than can be covered on this subject but far too much for one review. We haven't even touched upon the Egyptian Ankh and it's metaphysical meanings and symbols. It is the Key of Life. We will go into more details in another chapter. 

Just a thought ... 

~Justin Taylor, ORDM.

WIND OF GENESIS CREATION

WIND OF GENESIS CREATION 

In the beginning ... it's all there. All the allegory, metaphor, myth, reality, and whatever it is that speaks to the heart of man as to how everything got here and why ... except for one thing ... sort of. You can see Adam (adamah/clay/red earth) and Eve (Chawwah/breath/live) as real people, or as ... something more ... an esoteric message contained within an allegory.

Let's first look at Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 specifically:

1 - "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 - The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters."

So now ... a bit of a metaphysical rendering ... just bear with me on this for a moment. I do have a point to reach. Let's go with a bit more colour added to the black and white:

"In the beginning (at the point of origin) God (Source Energy) created the heavens (Spirit/unseen) and the earth (matter/seen). The earth (matter) was without form (not material/physical yet) and void (blank canvas/the uncreated nothingness that was the Source of everything created/unlimited potentiality), and darkness was over the surface of the deep (unaware/lacking consciousness or awareness), and the Spirit (PNEUMA/RUACH) of God (the power to give Life) was moving over the surface emanating from the void of the waters (Source of all Life)."

Keep in mind since the stars and sun came later, the term spoken of "and then there was light" refers to the light that is consciousness. Photon energy. What we consist of. And also keep in Mind that if God/Source is creating stuff ... then the stuff he is creating is made out of God Stuff since there is nothing else. This would mean that everything that exists today is made out of God Stuff. Everything. It's like God Depot. This means you and I, and the chair you're sitting in, are made out of God/Source.

So now back to the stuff being created. Plants, firmament, animals, people, etc. - from a ... void? Well, the first thing we must ask is how can anything come from a void, which is "nothing?" Science and religion have fought over this for 2,000+ years. Science says you can't get something from nothing, and religion says there wasn't "nothing," there was God. But, Biblically speaking, God says there was nothingness ... void. Greek word "Void": Cosmos, chaos, vast, empty, null, gaping, abyss, etc. As you can see ... a multifaceted word with multiple meanings. 

As a Greek, I can tell you that when we call someone a "voide" it means they are empty. basically, a shell with no content ... clueless. It is used in a derogatory manner these days. But the void is the most amazing of all. Like ZERO is the most important number in math. Zero doesn't mean nothing, it has a mathematical whole value and as such holds together the entirety of Math, which is the only absolute Truth known to the Universe. Even the code of all computers systems in the words is nothing more than one's and zero's. 

So clearly, the Book of Genesis, hints that there were elements already in existence that need not be "created." The most important being "Pneuma/Ruach" ... Spirit, breath, wind, air. This would be life-force. This Pneuma or Spirit Air / Ether (Aether) meaning is multifaceted: 

1 - the upper, pure, bright air; ether; the heavens (Ouranos)

2 - the air or sky; light of day (Ouranos, Phota)

3 - the upper world, the earth being the lower world. (As above, so below)

4 - the brightness or ethereal (otherworldly/spiritual) matter surrounding a deity

The Strong's Biblical Concordance gives is the following information on the word "Pneuma":

Strong's Concordance word #4151. "PNEUMA"

pneuma: wind, spirit

Original Word: πνεῦμα, ατος, τό

Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter

Transliteration: pneuma

Phonetic Spelling: (pnyoo'-mah) (or pnevmah)

Short Definition: wind, breath, spirit

Definition: wind, breath, spirit.

4151 pneúma – properly, spirit (Spirit), wind, or breath. The most frequent meaning (translation) of 4151 (pneúma) in the NT is "spirit" ("Spirit"). Only the context however determines which sense(s) is meant.

Any of the above renderings (spirit-Spirit, wind, breath) of 4151 (pneúma) is always theoretically possible (spirit, Spirit, wind, breath). But when the attributive adjective ("holy") is used, it always refers to the Holy Spirit. "Spirit" ("spirit") is by far the most common translation (application) of 4151 (pneúma). This is done by adding the Greek word "Hagios" meaning holy. See Strong's word #40. 

The Hebrew counterpart (rûach) has the same range of meaning as 4151 (pneúma), i.e. it likewise can refer to spirit/Spirit, wind, or breath.

So to keep this from rambling on for a very long time, in the book of Genesis (the book of creation/birth) - Genesis is Greek for "descent, to be born, birth, beginning, to generate," and in Hebrew the word is beresheth - and BEFORE anything was created, there pre-existed a formless void of Spirit. This was the point of origin for all material existence to be brought forth into manifestation. Total unbounded, and unlimited potentiality. 

We are co-creators in this universe. We set the intent, the cause, and bring forth the effect. We are NOT individuals, but an essential part of an entire Matrix of conscious fiber that weaves throughout the universe and multiverses unseen by the human eye, yet projecting the image onto the screen from within us through the eye. We are "the light of the world." There is no "other" as we are all one, and that ONE is resident within the Mind of the All ... the Mind of God/Source. 

The 2 book of John says "as Jesus is, so are we in this world." Jesus represents man and his spiritual potential to recognize within, the spark of God/Source, and become the Christ. We are the begotten of God. ALL of mankind. Jesus was quoted as saying "you will do greater things than I." Jesus said he does nothing unless it comes from the Father. He asked who is my Mother, my brothers and sisters? SPIRIT is Father God/Source ... the energy of all there is. MATTER is Mother of all living. Eve, Mary, Miriam, MR ... in essence ... Father and Mother created the child. WE are that child. 

There is so much more, but I will stop with this final statement. God/Source experiences life in a material world (lower vibrational energy) with us, through us, and AS US. As we grow with experience, so does the Almighty. Choose wisely your thoughts and actions. The universe depends on it. You matter as much in this Matrix of consciousness as everyone else. The past has passed, the future doesn't exists until we collectively create it, and all that ever is, was, and will be is right NOW. 

Every material object that we create has always existed. All we do is re-arrange the materials that have always been here. We cannot make dirt, or water, but we can mix it and bring forth the mud of it's combination. We are ALL equal and key to the co-creation of the future. We choose right from wrong. Choose wisely. All you will ever need is already here. Understand this secret from the Wisdom of the Ages and you will succeed and prosper ... physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Follow the 7 Universal Laws of Hermes, the Immutable Laws of the Universe ... and you shall always benefit in this game of life. 

Just a thought ... 

Justin Taylor, ORDM.

INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT

INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT

Let's begin with a Bible verse that describes the words spoken at the crucifixion at the moment when Jesus "gave up his Spirit":

"Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit ..."

~Luke 23:45-46

Jesus uses the same phrase found in Psalm 31: “You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength. Into your hands I commit my spirit."

In the original King James translation, the word commend is used, rather than commit. Let's go to these words for a moment. To commend means to “entrust someone to the care or protection of someone” within the broader meaning of “to entrust for safekeeping.” Entrust means “to commit, to give for safe keeping.” 

For a moment, set aside the literal and historical story of this event, and go deeper into the metaphysical and esoteric message veiled from within. When you surrender spiritually, you stop forcing solutions on situations you can't control, and instead trust and have knowingness that there is a Divine force taking care of everything in a perfectly orchestrated manner.

Within this "surrender," you can connect fully with God/Source where the whole (holy) universe conspires to support you. You can become timeless, eternal, infinite, filled with joy, and fearless. Your aspirations and desires are surrendered to a higher power. Your individual desires dissolve into “Thy will be done.”

We crucify the concept of letting our ego lead us, and we accept the transition towards following Christ ... the Divine Spark within mankind. We let the Divine lead us, instead of our base nature man. We listen for that still small voice within, to be our internal guidance system. 

In the verse from Luke, it also speaks of the temple, and of the veil being torn (rent) in two. The "temple" is on both sides of the skull. The crucifixion took place at Golgotha (also called Calvary), which literally means "place of the skull." Great suffering takes place within the Mind of man. 

Our brains are divided into two hemispheres. The left brain handles reading, writing, and calculations ... the logical side of the brain. The right brain is more visual and deals in images more than words ... the creative. It processes information in an intuitive and simultaneous manner. It is the place of our Divine connection. The corpus callosum connects the two brain hemispheres, permitting communication between the right and left sides of the brain. Science calls it, the veil. It functions much in the same way an Ethernet would work in a computer environment. 

"The veil was torn in two" (Luke 23:45) is the merging of both right and left ... The unification of  man and God. This is the moment we commit our Spirit to God, the Divine Spark of Christ Consciousness within us. Preceding this verse, it says: "It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon." It is in our darkness moments that we find the Light of God. It is from the darkness that the Light will shine. Here, is where we will find our True Self. Our Higher Self. The Witness, the Observer. We trust and KNOW there is a Divine Architect that aligns the stars, the planets, and everything within and without us. And we come to the realization that we simply allow all that we experience. 

That which you resist, will continue to persist. Scriptures say: "do not resist evil." The more we push against illusion, the stronger is becomes. When we allow the default of all that is, all the pieces of the great puzzle begin to fall into place. We stop swimming upstream, and just float in the current. We "commit our Spirit into the hands of God." We release the ego from its false leadership, and through the Spirit within, we trust in the Father of all that is. 

The observable and expanding Universe has been in motion for over 14 billion years, with Mother Earth in motion for 4.5 billion years. Man, as we are today, has been here for 200,000 years. Trust in the process. We are but a blip on the map of physical creation and form, and yet ... we are eternal in Spirit through the energy of our Source/God. For ever, and ever, amen. Enjoy the ride.

Just a thought … 

Justin Taylor, ORDM. 

GUIDANCE OF INNER SPIRIT

GUIDANCE OF INNER SPIRIT

 

Spirit/God/Source functions in our lives to provide us with information of a higher nature. The answers to our deepest questions and yearnings are conveyed to us from God/Source in a amazing process. The "Inner Spirit" is a gift that functions in our Mind as the conduit or circuit by which higher information is conveyed to our Higher Self. 

Located in the highest layers of our consciousness, this wonderful gift actively takes OUR beliefs and feelings and reflects Spirit’s perspective ONTO them. We are given the capacity to think as God thinks when we, with intention and attention, desire to become more Spirit-like, more God-conscious ... our Divine Spark, or Christ Consciousness.

 

We grow in our relationship with our Inner Spirit through our decisions. The more we choose to respond to the circumstances and situations in our lives in a higher way, the Inner Spirit lovingly and devotedly creates the ideas in our Mind that feed us with information and inspiration - those flashes of insight, or perhaps the answer to a question coming in an innovative or fresh idea or concept. The information builds in our being over time and helps us to look at life in a different way ... in a better and more positive light. Sometimes, its an AH-HA moment. 

 

Activating and building a relationship with our Inner Spirit happens when we take time during the day to quiet the Mind, and take the time to ask for the higher information to weave into our everyday thoughts. We should ask our Inner Spirit questions about our Life. The answers will come in time through this process of quieting the noise of our mental chatter (I call it monkey chatter). 

Stilling the Mind is the fundamental step to take in allowing the spiritual energy in Mind to relax the body so what God/Source Energy wants to direct to you can resonate within. The universe within and without, is always broadcasting, and we have to take the time to receive the message ... to download the file. Spending time away from the busyness of the day distances us from the usual thoughts we think, so that the thoughts that Spirit would like our Higher Self to think, can grow within Mind and body.

 

Spending this quiet time in spiritual contemplation or meditation gives our Inner Spirit the opportunity to convey feelings of peace, love, joy, strength, courage, faith, patience and tolerance to help us continue to live our lives better through our Higher Self. Our Inner Spirit gives us the picture of who we really are and helps us to recognize our Divine Life Plan ... so we can follow and achieve it more consciously.

 

In allowing the Thoughts of God/Source Energy through our Inner Spirit to reflect love and Truth into the Mind and body, we are laying the foundation for the plans of Spirit within, to move us further away from our base animal nature, and closer into union with our Higher Divine Nature; thus enabling us to become more of who we really are - a intricate and integral expression of creativity and love as an individualized essence of the entire universe.

Just a thought ... 

~Justin Taylor, ORDM.

GUIDANCE OF INNER SPIRIT

GUIDANCE OF INNER SPIRIT

 

Spirit/God/Source functions in our lives to provide us with information of a higher nature. The answers to our deepest questions and yearnings are conveyed to us from God/Source in a amazing process from within. The "Inner Spirit" is a gift that functions in our Mind as the conduit or circuit by which higher information is conveyed to our Higher Self. 

Located in the highest layers of our consciousness, this wonderful gift actively takes OUR beliefs and feelings and reflects Spirit’s perspective ONTO them. We are given the capacity to think as God thinks when we, with intention and attention, desire to become more Spirit-like, more God-conscious ... our Christ Consciousness.

 

We grow in our relationship with our Inner Spirit through our decisions. The more we choose to respond to the circumstances and situations in our lives in a higher way, the Inner Spirit lovingly and devotedly creates the ideas in our Mind that feed us with information and inspiration - those flashes of insight, or perhaps the answer to a question coming in an innovative or fresh idea or concept. The information builds in our being over time and helps us to look at life in a different way ... in a better and more positive light.

 

Activating and building a relationship with our Inner Spirit happens when we take time during the day to quiet our Mind, and take the time to ask for the higher information to weave into our everyday thoughts. We should ask our Inner Spirit questions about our Life experience. The answers will come in time, through the process of being able to quiet our mental chatter (I call it monkey chatter). You know, the cacophony of noise that bounces around in our head. 

Stilling the Mind is the fundamental step to take in allowing the spiritual energy in our Mind to relax the body so what God/Source Energy wants to direct to you, can resonate within. The universe within and without is always broadcasting and we have to take the time to receive the message. Spending time away from the busyness of the day distances us from the usual thoughts we think … so that the thoughts that Spirit would like our Higher Self to think ... can grow within our Mind and body.

 

Spending this quiet time in spiritual contemplation gives our Inner Spirit the opportunity to convey feelings of peace, love, joy, strength, courage, faith, patience, and tolerance to help us continue to live our lives better through our Higher Self. Our Inner Spirit gives us the picture of who we really are and helps us to recognize our Divine Life plan ... so we can follow and achieve it more consciously.

 

By allowing the higher thoughts of God/Source Energy to activate through our Inner Spirit to reflect love and Truth into Mind and body, we are laying the foundation for the plans of Spirit within. It is there to move us further away from our base animal nature, and closer into union with our Higher Divine Nature; thus enabling us to become more of who we really are - a intricate and integral expression of creativity and love as an essence of the entire universe. 

Just a thought ... 

~Justin Taylor, ORDM.

SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED OR PNEUMATIKOS

SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED OR PNEUMATIKOS 

The word "pneumatikos" is Greek and is referenced as Strong's Concordance Word #4152. To understand what is meant by the Biblical term "Spiritually Discerned" we must first understand what it means in it's original scriptural text. 

The frequency of this term (in English) in the New Testament is 26 times, depending on which Biblical translation you are referencing from. In short form we find it to be "spiritual, pertaining to the Spirit; (n.) spiritual person."

Now let us look at the deeper definition: 

"Spiritual, pertaining to the soul, as distinguished from what concerns the body"

Rom. 15:27; 1 Cor. 9:11; spiritual, pertaining to the nature of spirit, pertaining or relating to the influences of the Holy Spirit (Aggios Pneumatos/Holy Spirit/Holy Breath). 

Let us also be mindful that the Greek word "pneuma" means breath, air, Spirit. You can find the word used in English for example … pneumatic tools such as power tools operated by air-compressors. Among ancient teachings, in the early Mystery Schools, a "Pneumatic" was a person who had a level of attainment through the initiation process of the Inner Mysteries. 

Now let's look at 1 Corinthians 2:14 in a different light:

Young's Literal Translation

"and the natural man doth not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for to him they are foolishness, and he is not able to know them, because spiritually they are discerned;"

King James Bible

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

Aramaic Bible in Plain English

"For a selfish man does not receive spiritual things, for they are madness to him, and he is not able to know, for they are known by The Spirit."

So, let's break this up a bit and go a bit deeper.

For the natural (ego-self/physical/sense-driven) does not receive (reception) spiritual things (unseen/spirit vs. matter/non-physical) for they (these Spirit concepts) are madness (foolish/incomprehensible) to him, and he not able to know (Truth) them, because they are "spiritually discerned ... KNOWN by the Spirit (indwelling/unseen)"

You see, this was Paul's way of explaining what he was trying to teach them was not to be taken physically, literally, or historically ... it was allegory, metaphor … Truth contained within a myth or fable. Therefore, to be "spiritually discerned" is to look beyond the physical (metaphysical) into the realm of the unseen. As Jesus was quoted as saying "the Kingdom comes without observation" ... meaning you can't see it. Just as we cannot see air, or breath, or Spirit (pneuma). Therefore one who is Pneumatikos, is one who can discern/know the inner meaning ... the temple built without hands. 

Just a thought ... 

~Justin Taylor, ORDM.

WHATS IN THE BOX

WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

Everybody loves to get presents. Either in-person, a package in the mail, or just a surprise simply out of nowhere. But try and imagine how silly it would be if we just stared at the box and never opened it to look inside. Think about that for a moment. A lot of things come in boxes. Rings, bicycles, books, even refrigerators. Just by looking at the box, most times, we have no idea what lies within the box. We have to open the box the find what's inside. 

When we open a box that appears to have no contents we can see, we say it's empty. There's nothing in it. But that isn't the Truth. The Truth is the box is full. You just can't see, with the naked eye, what's inside. A seemingly empty box is actually filled with many things. Atoms, protons, electrons, bacteria, cells, energy, dust particles, and air. Let's talk about the air for a second. Among the ancients, the Greek word for air is Pneuma. The same word used for breath, wind, and for Spirit. So just like the Truth behind whether a glass is half full, or half empty ... it is always full. You just can't perceive the entire contents with your five senses. It's the sixth sense that can see beyond physical matter into the realm of Spirit. 

Now that you know this, try and visualize yourself as a box. You body contains things seen and unseen. It is a type of box. Among the ancients, they believed the body to be a tomb where the Soul was trapped here in the lower realm. Your box-body is an outer package contained within the universe that holds various contents. There are organs, blood, ligaments, tendons, bones, tissue, nerves, cells, all unseen from the outside. But your box also contains unseen things on the inside as well. Air, Spirit, Soul, consciousness, Mind, thoughts, imagination, emotions, feelings, intellect, intuition, language and communications skills, and we haven't even touched on the powers of your subconscious, unconscious, conscious, and superconscious Mind powers. 

Remember, we are designed from the inside out. We are not born into this world, but we are born OUT of this world. We come out of our Mother, just as a branch and a leaf come out of a tree. As the tree comes out of the Earth, and so on all the way back to the point of the origins of all things, or more properly, this ONE thing we call the universe. Technically, there are no "things" there is but ONE thing and that is all that exists ... and that one thing is Mind. We believe it to be physical, but in reality ALL is Mind. We’re talking about energy … conscious energy. 

When you touch a table, you're not really touching it. There is no way you could ever touch it. The process is all Mind. The vibration and energy of the table interacts with your vibration and energy, is transferred via energy and electrical impulses through your nervous system and into the sensory portions of your brain, where they are categorized and labeled according that what we have been taught to label them. But the entire experience ... is happening IN YOUR HEAD. Your experience of "touching the table" is occurring inside your Mind. Nothing outside of our Mind and senses, can ever be experienced outside of us. All of our sensory perception centers are in our head ... the temple of God. Why do you think the sides of our heads are called "temples?" Even in the Bible, Jesus is crucified at a place called Golgotha … or, “place of the skull.” The cross … the intersection of Spirit and Matter. 

The Great Throne of Judgement spoken of God, sits atop your shoulders. Judgement means decision. And where do your decisions come from? Jesus was quoted as having said "the Kingdom of God is within you." St. Paul said "we are the body of Christ." This means that if we look deep enough inside our box, we will find the Spirit of who we really are. We are an eternal essence of all that is. We are the Christ Consciousness ... the begotten Son of God having transformed from the Son of Man upon the realization, illumination, and ascension of our thoughts and actions. We are not physical beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a physical experience. Look in your box. Deeper and deeper. Things of great value are usually wrapped in deep layers. 

Just a thought ... 

~Justin Taylor, ORDM.

STANDING ON SOLID GROUND

STANDING ON SOLID GROUND

The word ‘Earth’ came from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘erda’ and it’s germanic equivalent ‘erde’ which means ground or soil. Meanings include: the substance of the land surface; soil, the substance of the human body, the surface of the world as distinct from the sky or the sea.

Earth is the only planet name in our solar system that does not come from Greco-Roman mythology. All of the other planets were named after Greek and Roman gods and goddesses.

An important fact is that in Hebrew, the noun “adam” is also the masculine form of the word “adamah” which means “ground” or “earth (red clay).” It is related to the words: adom (red), admoni (ruddy), and dam (blood).

Every civilization has had their way of describing where or what may have sparked all of creation. When we reference the creation account described allegorically in Genesis we find:

Genesis 1:1 - “In the beginning God created heaven, and earth.” 

This is best translated as spirit and matter … the unseen and the seen. 

Now, look at “heaven” not just as an unseen state within, but as a celestial abode. Ancient cosmology played an important role in the cycles of life and the divine patterns and forms.

The first planet discovered that was not known in ancient times, named for the god of Heaven, husband of Gaia, the Earth, from Latin Uranus, from Greek Ouranos literally "heaven, the sky;" in Greek cosmology, the god who personifies the heavens, father of the titans. 

The ancients believed that the Spirit beings or Gods and Angels lived in the unseen realms, the ancients usually called “heaven” and “hell,” which are more accurately described as being "in" or "out" of God's direct presence. Within, and without. Above, and below. 

So, in closing; our physical bodies are our spiritual “ helpmate.” In Genesis 2:18 we read “It is not good for the man (mind/mankind) to be alone, I do make to him an helper … as his counterpart.”

We come from the Earth/matter (Mother Earth) and from Spirit/heaven (Father). 

Our Spirit grows through our experiences here in Earth (matter/soil). This is Earth School, and we’re in class every moment of every day. 

Just a thought … 

Justin Taylor, ORDM.

COMING OUT OF EGYPT ALLEGORY

COMING OUT OF EGYPT ALLEGORY 

The word “Egypt” comes to us from the Ancient Greek “Aegyptos,” which is a Greek transliteration of the Kemetic phrase:  “Het-Ka-Ptah.” Het means place and Ka means: “the physical projection of the soul,” which is the character or aura that attaches itself to the body ... and IS NOT the body. It also meant black/darkness and referred to the rich, black alluvial soil deposited by the Nile River, which allowed the agricultural basis of that civilization to flourish. 

In Ancient Hebrew, whenever Egypt or “Mitzraim” is mentioned, it is synonymous with physical and mental Bondage (Slavery). When dealing with geographic references, the indigenous tradition of the Land of Egypt tells us the civilization was called Khemit, and the people and language were called Khemitian. Egypt in the esoteric and metaphorical Biblical Scriptures in not a place, but a state of being ... Representing the body/Mind experience. 

When the Ancient Mystery School initiates identified with only the body and the flesh, they were considered to be in “captivity.” Therefore, To “come forth out of Egypt” was understood as leaving behind the idea of being merely a body and discovering the Soul. This was the beginning of the Spiritual experience and discovery of “God” ... the Divine within. 

Hippolytus wrote about “those who are ignorant” ... “Egyptians in need of departing Egypt” ... that is - from their body-centered existence - believing themselves to be merely physical matter. Allegorically, the ignorant Egyptians represent those “without Gnosis,” ... without the knowledge of the Divine Spark within them awaiting resurrection. This ignorance was to be without the light, and in darkness. It was this group of people who remained identified with their physical selves (not Higher Self) and who did not possess the “knowledge/Gnosis” ... that they we are all Divine Sparks of God entrapped in these fleshy and carnal bodies. Among the ancients Greeks was the phrase “soma/sema.” This translates as “the body is the tomb.” 

Just a thought ... 

Justin Taylor, ORDM. 

WATER AND GOD SOURCE

WATER AND GOD/SOURCE

If you were to take a bottle of water from the store and trace it backwards to its origins, it would go something like this. Store, carton, truck, warehouse, bottling plant, stream/rivers/lakes/well/reservoir, clouds, and all the way back to the very origins of the universe. This is all part of a process called The Water Cycle. All water is derived to one source ... One Source.

Water in oceans, rivers, ponds and lakes is heated by the sun, which turns it into water vapor, (basically invisible water) and this vapor forms a cloud in the sky. When a cloud gets so full of water that it can't hold anymore, it rains. The rain water travels back into our rivers and oceans, and soaks down deep into the ground, creating more groundwater. It's an endless cycle ... and all life bases life itself, on the sun and water. 

Now, further consider mankind specifically. We are born out of a material world of form/matter, and prior to this physical birth, was the birth canal. Then the womb, the umbilical cord, the egg/seed, our parents, their parents and so forth all the way back to the very origins of the Universe. This is all part of a process called The Life Cycle. All life is connected to one source ... One Source ... And will always be ONE. 

In fact, At the time you are born, the percentage of your body made up of water is about 78%. As you age, it drops to about 60%. This still means that we are made of mostly water. According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery: 31%.

To break this down into the point I am making is that in it's most basic form, there exists ONE Source, or Point of Origin, which for the sake of unity, I label as “God.” And Mankind is the offspring or “Sons and Daughters” of that God. That's all there is to it, in a nutshell. The essence of the Creative Archetype is in ALL of us just like water is in ALL water ... as the essence of the ocean is in every droplet of water removed from it. 

That is NOT to say that Man is God, but rather, that God is Man. God is everything, and since ALL THINGS (thinks) begin as thought (Spirit/energy) before they are manifest into form/matter, or become the result of cause and effect, everything that exists ... exists WITHIN the Mind of God. And yes ... all world religions accepted this at the very core of their ancient Wisdom. 

All are One, and one is ALL. The Universe is one gigantic living organism and you are it. You're not in it, or a part of it, you ARE IT. Inseparable. Everything is ONE. If you can grasp this ... it would change your life and the life of everyone in this world of ours. It is only our ego that believes us to be a separate creature or entity. There is ONE Spirit, ONE body, ONE mind, and ONE humanity. Stop the circus long enough to think about this. I promise you, when you tear down the walls separation, and rip the veil of fear and unknowingness ... you too will come to the same conclusion. Your Spirit already knows, and it's waiting for you to RE-member.  

Just a thought ... 

Justin Taylor, ORDM. 

GOD WITHIN

GOD WITHIN

Think seriously about this topic for a moment. Please read this with an open mind, and not fear. Take from it what you will, but take freely. Do not criticize or judge, just think. Just let it be. You do not need to be in agreement, until you’re ready.

Now, look imagine a picture of the crucifixion of Christ. Look at it with your Spirit. Think of what you have been taught about this event. We will never know what really happened, simply because we were not there to experience it historically.

But if we apply the inner esoteric mystery of the lessons left behind, the message is a much deeper one; one that we haven’t quite grasped yet, because it has been kept from us. However, the Way, the Truth, and the Life have existed for thousands of years. Left behind for us to discover. But we must look. Seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened.

Perhaps it is US who must be the sacrifice. Perhaps it is US who must crucify our ego. Perhaps WE are the God of this world that creates evil. WE have created the illusion, and we must resurrect from the dead (ignorance), and be born again … of the Divine within, not the ego of mankind.

The ancient origins of The Christ places the Divine within us; each and ever person on this planet. Regardless of religion, colour, race, location, money, sexual preference, or level of education. 

We are here to learn good, from un-good. We are here to lead with Divine love, Truth, compassion, and we are to harness our ego and teach it to follow, not to lead. If there is a sacrifice for the sins of mankind as part of this mystery, then it must include and be our thoughts and actions … pride, anger, greed, murder, rape, war, etc.

The lessons we learn can only be gleaned through experience. If we are the image of God, then why do we live our lives as the reflection, rather than the emanation? The movie screen rather than the projected light? It is not OUR life … it is LIFE. The air that each of us breaths has been shared by billions and has inspired and expired for billions of years. We are a piece in the entire puzzle. We are a wave, in the entirety of the ocean.

God, The Absolute, Life, The Divine, Source, The All There Is, all point to ONE eternal energy and it is whole (holy), not fragmented. Everything in this universe will live, and die. On and off. In and out. No exceptions. The cycle is birth, sunrise, zenith, sunset, and death. Even the rocks are living organisms with limited consciousness at a cellular level. 

It is US who will save mankind. It is US who are commissioned to turn chaos to order, amorality to morality, and the unbridled fury of nature, into power and sustenance. WE are the animal kingdom (mankind/Mind), becoming human ... and establishing the Human Kingdom. To become HU-MAN, is to be as God (Hu), and as man (people/Mind). It is a process to reach and awaken the spark of Divine Truth within our soul. To shed the skin like the serpent, become new, and know that the process was necessary. Love your neighbor, as yourself; and all evil will dissipate. 

WE are the OBSERVER, not the observed. WE are the WATCHER, not the WATCHED. WE are the EXPERIENCER, not the EXPERIENCE. We are the THINKER, not the THOUGHT. What you have been looking for, is what is looking … from within you. 

Just a thought ... 

Justin Taylor, ORDM.