PART THREE: TAKING JESUS AS YOUR TEACHER

The Search for Higher Reality

From his teachings we learn how to create a shift in our own awareness. Jesus asks us for personal transformation. He exists in awareness as the state of unity with God.

"Be in the world, but not of it." You are spirit first and an individual person second. Apply the teachings. Life becomes more effortless as you move closer to God-consciousness. At a higher level he is saying, "Be at one with me. If you do, your struggles will end." (???) In truth, the world is flowing from you. The universe co-operates with you, once you know that your desire and God's desire are the same.

"Ask and you shall receive."

"Be still and know that I am God." Sit quietly and go inward.

"As you sow, so shall you reap." The world is a mirror of the self.

The difference between the vengeful God of the Old Testament and the loving God of the New Testament is that human consciousness was ready for a shift in perception.

YOU are the light of the world. Here Jesus is speaking for ALL human beings.

The mind creates both illusion and reality; but you have a choice which one to invest in.

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."

Spiritual power increases as people gather (and especially pray) together. As you pray, you BECOME. #

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In the early Church, everything centered around two core beliefs: that Jesus was the Messiah and that he rose from the dead. These formed the basis of communion.

"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, if he loses his soul?" He said explicitly that he had come for the fallen, the wayward, the lost sheep, the prodigal sons. Adhere to the vision. It's not whether you have a lot or a little in material terms; but having a vision and keeping it before your eyes. The world exerts constant pressure to conform to its values; however spirit exerts no pressure. Strive for unity of body, mind and spirit.

How the Path Opens Your own awareness - we each relate to God on our own terms. There is a striking dichotomy between Jesus's humility and his exaltation. Redemption through God is a matter of asking and automatically receiving.

Consciousness is the field where all thoughts, images and words are born. Jesus warns against the illusion of the material world. His teaching is all about choosing to align yourself with God, because he alone is real.

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The Middle of the Journey

It's a process of transformation. When he teaches his disciples that the truth would make them free, layers of meaning are at work. His followers will be free from political persecution, religious intolerance, physical limitations, and eventually death itself.

Freedom is all-encompassing; it brings you into God's presence by releasing you from the illusion that you live behind walls. The end of the journey will look nothing like the world we took our leap from. The middle of the journey isn't the same as the destination.

God is a steady reality, like breathing or being awake. God and ego aren't compatible.

Jesus saw himself as beyond death. "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)

He considered his teachings to transcend history, even time itself. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." (Matthew 24:35)

He invited everyone to be in his being. "Abide in me, as I abide in you." (John 15:3-4)

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." (Matthew 28:18)

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9)

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace, but a sword."
(Matthew 10:34).

Symbolically, the sword that Jesus brings may be the kind that upsets and transforms people's lives inside. Or we may simply have lost the actual context that Jesus was speaking in (ie. a metaphorical interpretation in these words dividing families, because of different beliefs and faiths). The Messiah's dedication to peace is embarrassing to modern Christianity!

Courage - Jesus was brave in the face of overwhelming odds. Jesus taught humility, not just as an antidote to pride; but as another way to become free (totally free of ego, free in spirit).

In higher states of consciousness, love has power (great). It's the truth and experience. Use today's crisis for tomorrow's growth.

What would Jesus do in my shoes? He would keep walking the path. He would manifest as much courage, truth, sympathy and love as he actually possessed. He wouldn't pretend to be what he wasn't.

The Son of Man was most human, when he mirrored the conflicts of everyday life, a plane of existence that he knew intimately, even as he rose above it. Your goal and mine isn't to imitate Jesus (we can't anyway!). It is to become a part of him - or as he said, 'to abide in him'. We can do that at the level of consciousness by becoming part of the unending process that turns seperation into unity. Our lives belong to that process, as surely as the life of the Messiah did."

Dr Deepak Chopra www.deepakchopra.com and www.rbooks.co.uk

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In summary...

"THE GREAT AWAKENING

Historic Christianity has been based on Scripture and, despite all the conflicts and disagreements, a core set of beliefs has survived for 2000 years. Scholars have uncovered a consistent thread in the historical record regarding the actual words, deeds, and teachings of Jesus. His eternal message reverberates with divine wisdom; so that the authentic message regarding the words, deeds, and teachings of Jesus is as relevant and useful today as ever. In essence they are: * Give to anyone who asks; knowledge and righteousness are revealed in action

* Beware those who claim to speak on behalf of God; first, know yourself

* Find the light inside, and share this light with the world

Each ONE of us CAN be channels of God's Infinite Love and Grace. WE CAN ignite the flame.

These writings are an attempt to let Jesus speak for himself... and I hope, I trust that the "spiritual Jesus" shines through these words... so that you may feel his "sublime presence", through His Infinite Spirit and Grace... TODAY"

# Shared (with thanks) by "not so goody-goody airey fairey spiritual" Craig Lock ("Information and Inspiration Distributor, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder")

# Adapted slightly from Rex Weyler's great words in 'The Jesus Sayings: The Quest for His Authentic Message' (as published on Intentblog . Rex's book looks like another fascinating read).

"Let your light so shine that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt 5:16)

"You are the light of the world; a city cannot be hidden, if it is built on a mountain top. A lamp is not lighted to be put away under a bushel measure; it is put on the lamp stand, to give light to all the people of the house; and your light must shine so brightly before men." (Matt 5,14-16. Knox).

"Let the light of your BEING shine brightly;
so revealing Who You Really Are.
Be a Bringer of the Light,
which emanates from our soul, God, our Creator, the Ultimate Source, the Essence of Life (and Ground of our very Being).
Therefore, it can do more than illuminate your own path.
YOUR spirit will help makes the lives of others easier by illuminating others paths.
For this light is our humanity, the spirit of God, truth, wisdom, beauty and especially love...and it lies within each one of us.
Through your actions and your being, let your light,
YOUR spirit truly shine brightly on the world,
like the radiance emitted by a candle at midnight."
- craig (as adapted from and inspired by Neale Donald Walsh in 'Conversations with God Book 3').

About the submitter:
In his life mission Craig hopes to encourage, motivate and inspire people to be their best through realising their full potentials and live their very best lives. Craig believes in the great potential of every human being in the journey of life and loves to encourage people to share their individual (and guiding) spirits, so that they become all that they are CAPABLE of being.
http://www.myspace.com/writercraig www.craiglockbooks.com

The various books that Craig "felt inspired to write" are available at: www.lulu.com/craiglock http://www.creativekiwis.com/books.html#craig and http://www.webng.com/writernz/index.html

He is presently "working" (not really work) on his latest novels 'The Awakened Spirit' and 'From Seeds of Hate to the Bonds of Love', based on some true and inspiring stories of the unquechable, the indomitable human spirit, that lies within each one of us. Stories of 'Endless Possibilities, Far and Grand Horizons'.
(Perhaps he'll write a "new work" on what the 'name' Jesus means to him, titled 'The Real, the True Jesus - the One I Know and Love!'


"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, 'who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?'
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking;
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others."
- Marianne Williamson

I love these words from Marianne Williamson as used by Nelson Mandela in his inaugeration speech as State President at South Africa's first Democratic Election in 1994.

"People fight and die for religion but they seldom live for religion."
- former Indian Prime Minister, Jahruhlal Nehru

"Deep within us there is a flame that burns, and that flame is the spark of God. In some it burns brightly, in others it is barely distinguishable; but always it burns...and with love and acceptance the flame gets higher and brighter. We can help others to kindle this flame by seeing the good in them, even if they don't see it themselves."
- anon

"TOGETHER, one mind, one soul at a time, let's see how many hearts can be transformed from hatred into love... with God's help, of course."

THIS PIECE MAY BE PUBLISHED (with acknowledgment to Dr Deepak Chopra, please)

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"Our prayers are answered, not when we are given what we want;
but when we are challenged to be what (all that) we can become."
- Morris Adler