THE I AM PRESENCE WITHIN MANKIND

THE I AM PRESENCE WITHIN MANKIND 

As with many of my writings, I will begin this one with a very important element of ancient scripture found in the Book of Exodus in the Old Testament:

"And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you."

~Exodus 3:13-14 

Many of us are familiar with the literal and historical presentation and interpretation of this specific scriptural verse, but for now, we will go beyond the letter into the esoteric and metaphysical deeper meaning of this very important verse and teaching. "I AM" means awareness, being, Life principle, unconditioned consciousness. The Hindus use the word Aum (Om), it’s the same thing. It means the limitless one. It means the holy one who inhabited the eternity, whose name is perfect. Further, Om (Aum) is also described as a representation of the holy trinity of Hindu gods – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and in the Upanishads (an ancient Hindu text) as the essence of Brahman (the ultimate reality). Notice the similarity of Brahman and Abraham? 

Anyway, stay with me on this. When you say "I AM" you are stating a pure, unconditioned being. It is the creative power. It deals with the infinity of God. Another way of explaining it is this: “I” means the infinite, “A” comes from “Ab,” meaning the father (Abba), and “M” means the mother (Mater). In other words, the infinite is the father and mother that is God, the male and female principle. The ancient Hebrews said that God, in order to create, divided himself into two, male and female. This is the creative principal. 

Now, onto the concept of "Saviour" in a different light. Quoting Dr. Joseph Murphy: "The realization of your desire is your saviour. If you were lost in the woods, divine guidance or the light of God would illumine your pathway and reveal to you the way out. If you’re hungry, food is your saviour. If you’re dying of thirst in the desert, water is your saviour. If you’re in prison, freedom is your saviour. If you’re sick, health is your saviour." The answer is always WITHIN YOU, and the saving consciousness is within you, because God grows in you. “I rejoice in God, my saviour,” the Bible says. Knowledge and knowingness (gnosis) saves you from ignorance. Hosea 4:6 clearly states: "My people perish for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge..."

“Ye shall not need to fight in this battle. Set yourself, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.”

~2 Chronicles 20:17

The word salvation is an old Hindu term meaning "a solution to your problem, the answer to your prayer." Salvation means to be “saved.” As we explored above ... saved from what? From fear, ignorance, and superstition. You’re saved from sickness, disease, lack, limitation of all kinds. Why? Because you’re aware of the God presence within you and your capacity to contact it. When you call upon it, it answers you. It will be with you in times of trouble. It will set you on high because you known its name. Its name is nature, the way that it works.

You’re created in the image of God (think imagination), you’re male and female too. Your conscious Mind is the male, and your subconscious is the female. Whatever you impregnate or impress upon the subconscious, the female aspect of yourself, the subconscious brings forth, good, bad, or indifferent. This is the "child" of creation. And yet, it is all-inclusive ... ALL of creation. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Every man is God walking the earth.” In other words, God became man by believing Himself to BE man. Man is God, in limitation. Therefore you were born with certain talents and abilities. You’re unique, there’s no one in all the world like you, because you are you. Everyone else is already taken. 

You can also attach negative things to this I AM. Remember that whatever you attach to I AM with feeling and emotion, you will become. You can say, “I am dumb. I am inferior. I am rejected. I am no good. I am sick. I am frustrated. I am lonesome. I am unhappy. I am poor.” All these things will come to pass as long as you continue to repeat them. By doing this, these thoughts, words, and feelings, will sink down from your conscious Mind into your subconscious Mind, and just like seeds, they will grow after their time, and after their own kind. So be sure that you do not attach anything to I AM that is not honourable, Godlike, and dignified ... be sure it is instead, always positive and beneficial. Your state of consciousness is what you think, believe, and act upon. It’s your feelings, your emotions. It’s what you imagine yourself to be. Choose wisely. 

Just a thought ... 

Justin Taylor, ORDM. 

DISTURBING THE PEACE

DISTURBING THE PEACE 

Let's start off this topic with the etymology (word origin) of the word "disturbance." It has several definitions: "mental distress, disruption of peace or unity, to stop or hinder, to throw into disorder, to frighten, and to stir up and agitate." 

And as for the word "peace." It also has several meanings. "reconcilliation, silence, absence of war, safety, welfare, prosperity, and quiet." 

There are multiple ways that people are able to "Disturb The Peace." Of course, one way is through municipal laws - making too much noise at late hours, causing fights and riots, etc. But I am much more concerned with disturbance of our Inner Peace. Because once we become a "peacemaker," then all else falls into place. 

In the New Testament Bible "Sermon On The Mount" quoting Jesus, he says "blessed are the peacemakers." A very important statement. Because we cannot force peace on anyone else. We can intercede and become peacekeepers between two countries, or neighbors, but they still may hate each other. All we do as peacekeepers is keep them at bay from attacking each other. But a "peaceMAKER" is one who has made peace within HIMSELF. Just as you cannot make two people love each other, you cannot make two people live in peace with each other. It simply cannot be accompished from the outside in ... it must go from the inside out. And it is a personal accomplishment.

There are numerous ways that disturing the peace inwardly can affect us. Opinions, noise, traffic, multiple conversations, ambience, loud music, abusive relationships, inner negative chatter, and an endless host of distractions aimed at disturbing our peace. If we cannot be at peace within, then we cannot be at peace without. As above, so below ... as within, so without, etc. We all must find ways to connect to the Divine realm of inner peace - even if it's just for 10 or 15 minutes a day. Whether it is centered prayer, meditation, contemplative prayer, or just sitting in the peaceful surroundings of nature. 

When we do this, we greatly minimize our base animal nature ... fight, flight, or freeze ... the same effect as stress. This involves he limbic system of the body. The part of the brain involved in our behavioural and emotional responses, especially when it comes to behaviours we need for survival The stress that affects our body in a stressful working environment, does the same things to our bodies as if we were running from a hungry bear. It is meant to be used for short bursts ... a means of protection from danger. But in most work environments, you are in that condition all day, and then you bring it home with you. 

All of us must find a way to stop "Disturbing The Peace" within, and find tranquility, balance, and joy at some point in our daily lives. The Kingdom of God is love, peace, and joy. It is imperative to our mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health. Remember, most illness and disease begins in Mind, before it manifests into form and makes your body sick. Go on a nature hike once in a while. Listen to a running stream. And ... stay thirsty for Truth ... but above all, do not allow you, or anyone else, to disturb the peace within.

Just a thought ... 

Justin Taylor, ORDM.

UNIVERSAL DEEPER LOOK AT JOHN 3:13

UNIVERSAL DEEPER LOOK AT JOHN 3:13

“No one has ascended into heaven but he who has descended from heaven, the Son of man.”

-John 3:13

In the outer interpretation (exoteric), according to leaders and followers of most modern day Christianity … the “Son of man” is Jesus.

According to this modern Christian interpretation, Jesus came down from Heaven, was born into a human body, and only HE can ascend back up into heaven. Further, Jesus is a Divine being, and not like the rest of us mere mortals. We certainly cannot do what Jesus has done, even though in the New Testament he is quoted as saying “you will do greater things than I.”

In some of these OUTER/exoteric/literal interpretations, Jesus is actually God, not just the Son of God. We, the general human populous, are considered to be lowly sinners, forever enslaved by “Original Sin” and can never be what Jesus was/is.

But now consider this: In the INNER interpretation (esoteric), the “Son of man” is the Spirit WITHIN, specifically, the awakened Spirit within.

In the ancient tradition, there are two aspects of God; a masculine and a feminine. The feminine aspect is referred to as Sophia, meaning Wisdom, and also refers to the emotional aspect of God, which is unconditional love. The masculine aspect refers to knowledge and knowing (gnosis).

When the feminine and masculine aspect of God combine, a third component is created; the pure white light of Christ. This pure white light of Christ is the living light of Spirit (Christ Consciousness), the very same Spirit within each living thing. This living light of Spirit is the Source of our personal Life. This is the “and then there was light” that was referred to in Genesis. This is the Matrix, the Field, the web of consciousness. 

What is born of Spirit is Spirit. We are born of God/Source. The Spirit within us is the very substance of God/Source Energy, and as such, cannot die or be destroyed. We have eternal Life because the Spirit within us is the substance of God, which also has eternal Life. It is a function of what we are. Jesus was quoted as asking us to “follow him,” not worship him. He expected us to do the things he did, and to become like him.

John 14:12

"Timeless truth, I tell you: 'whoever believes in me, those works which I have done he will also do, and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to the presence of my Father.'"

Just a thought ... 

Justin Taylor, ORDM.

DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF PRAYER NO MATTER YOUR BELIEFS

DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF PRAYER NO MATTER YOUR BELIEFS

If you are Christian, Muslim, Jew, Atheist, or anything in between ... you will get something from reading this article. I promise you. 

First, let's start with a couple of ancient scriptures that we can use as a foundation for metaphysical transformation and self identity purposes. The first one is here:

“By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because AS JESUS IS, SO ALSO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD.”

-1 John 4:17

Chances are good that you will not hear this verse coming from the pulpits. Simply because if “as Jesus is, so are we in this world” ... then as Christianity believes Jesus to be God, then WE, are also God. There is no way to dispute the validity of this verse, and the message contained within it.

So, now let's have a peek at Matthew 6 for a moment. Jesus is quoted as instructing the following:

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

What powerful and clear cut instructions. No confusion here. But, as with all scripture, there are deeper meanings hidden beneath the surface stories being told. The myth always contains a Truth and a lesson to be had. We must look beyond the ink and paper. Beyond the stories, fables, and allegories. So lets break it down.

First of all, don't show off. No need to make a big deal of your prayers for an audience to witness. And to “go into your room/closet” is a reference to you inner chamber ... your personal “Holy of Holies” WITHIN YOU ... where God/Source dwells, and the Kingdom exists. 

We are told to shut the door. This means quiet, isolated contact with the Divine. No distractions. Empty phrases are repetitive prayers as if you're reading them from a script. Meditation and contemplative prayer should come from your heart, your emotions, not your left brain logic and analytics. It should be fresh, and it should be heartfelt. 

Next ... and very important ... he says “for your Father ALREADY knows what you need BEFORE you ask him.” This is because the Father, God/Absolute/Source is WITHIN you and already knows what is needed and taking place inside of you ... in your heart and Soul. This is how the God/Source WITHIN already knows before you even ask.

Among the ancients, prayer was not only different, but was intended as a direct inner connection to the Divine spark of Source/God, and the universal superconsciousness that weaves throughout the entire Universe creating the Matrix that binds ALL things together as One ... NOT separate things ... but One thing. Everything that exists, had its origin from the same starting point. Therefore, everything that exists is related and relative within, and without. We are all One. There is no “other.”

A smile is just a frown turned upside down ... and a prayer is a desire that comes from the inside out. You are a co-creator in this Universe (YOUniverse). When you pray, or meditate, or enter contemplation, you are going WITHIN ... direct to the Source of the Creator. The power within your thoughts that MUST manifest into form. This is Universal Immutable Law. But it is YOU who has to make it happen. 

Just as you cast your cares to the wind, cast your dreams and desires to the Universe. Release your prayer and simply know that it is, as it should be. No need to keep hammering it or pounding your fists to the ground. Everything is cause and effect. If you pray for someone to be cured of a disease and they are not, it is not because your prayers failed, or that God/Source doesn't answer your prayers. It is because that person you are praying for incarnated here with a mission to fulfill. And that mission may have involved a need to know the effects of sickness or disease. We are all Spirit, having a physical experience. And we signed up for the experiences that we create long before we got here. 

We can alter our paths with free-will, but there are certain lessons we can here to Earth School to learn. Prayer is cause and effect. It is a knowingness (gnosis) that you have the power to manifest your own reality. To bring thoughts, into form. Use only positive expressions in your prayers. No negative statements. For example, rather than praying for pain to subside, pray for health to return. Rather that praying to not have a bad day, pray to have a good day. Your Mind, and Universal consciousness (the Field) knows NOT negativity. If you request to NOT to smoke today ... subconsciousness, our magic Genie, only hears “smoke today.” And so you will. Forget the “don't won't can't and shouldn't” and go straight for the “do, will, can, and should.” You will notice an immediate change. 

When we see God as some supernatural being “out-there” somewhere, we fail to connect with the closeness that is the Divine power within us. Omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Seek and you shall find. Ask and it shall be given. This is the Law of Cause and Effect and involves your participation and involvement. The Universe is interactive and constantly changing according to the universal desires of all people of consciousness. Raise yours. Connect with your inner Higher-Self. End the suffering of all creatures. Collectively, WE HAVE THE POWER.

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.