Whenever I read one of your posts I have this overwhelming desire to share it with the entire Christian world. This post, in particular, contains so many ideas that call for both a deeper meditation and a communal conversation. Thank you!
Thank you for your kind words. I certainly hope we can find those who are willing to explore these ideas and give more people "permission" to follow their hearts.
This is marvelous and entirely resonant with my own - much clumsier - understanding of the Christ energy, what we are supposed to draw from the Christ experience and indeed how we are supposed to read and integrate the Scriptures. I suspect I am going to have to print and study this a few times, but bless you for writing it (so well). 🙏🏻
This piece is so profoundly beautiful. I am in awe. Almost speechless. I too have been in my past so petrified by the Church and crushed by its teachings that I have wandered through every other tradition I could find to grope in the darkness for a spark of the Way. And here you present something so raw, so simple, so liberating and yet so utterly terrifying and thus so challenging. Love, and do as you will. This message feels true in my bones. This message seems to be the heart of all traditions I have encountered. May I have the courage to walk this path with you.
Thank you so much for all your work! I would love to rediscover the path through your journey and writings!
"This idea is too much for the human mind, so we settle for a God we think we understand. An earth-centric God in a box that we can become experts on. Hilarious."
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Also the trademark symbol on (modern) Christianity is perfect.
I have been trying to put to words the exact journey that I went on. From "hellfire" christianity as a youngster, to disillusionment, to agnosticism, to aetheism, to meditation, to awakening to the true feeling of spirit in everything, to realizing that feeling is God, to realizing that feeling, that power is Christ-in-all, which led me back to scripture with a new understanding with which to interpret it. In short, meditation (and time in solitude and nature) turned me into a mystic which eventually turned me into a "christian" mystic with the understanding of what Christ really is and what Jesus meant. I no longer have to put it into words because you have perfectly explained it all in this one post. Well done. This is important work. I will bookmark to share with others. Thank you.
If you abandon the history, the institutions and messy politics you can have Christ. But maybe you’re missing something, even just as a spectator, I wouldn’t be so hubristic as to think all those gathered in the pews are less cosmically aligned. My two cents.
I think you describe the fruits of true Christianity perfectly. However I believe just as religious institutions can be corrupted and veer from the true message, in favour of an in group political cohesion, individuals with “Christ conscience” can open themselves up to powers and principalities beyond their understanding. Im not ready to throw the baby out with the bath water. It does not negate the fact that people long for community and spaces to discuss these very personal issues.
No but I’ve found some amazing resources online, check out TLC on YouTube and its sphere of influence. Amazing things happening. But needs to manifest physically more.
There were so many points you made here that resonated deeply with me… the co- opting of Jesus’ message, the fear tactics used now that have nothing to do with who he was or his message, the actual mysticism rather than metaphor. Reading this, I am called to consider my own complex relationship with Christianity and the reasons I left… as well as the aspects of it that felt full of love and Truth. Thank you.
Thank you, my friend. It's taken a lifetime to reach many of these conclusions and I'm guessing it will continue to clarify. So glad there are others who are willing to engage with the conversation to see where it takes us.
Whenever I read one of your posts I have this overwhelming desire to share it with the entire Christian world. This post, in particular, contains so many ideas that call for both a deeper meditation and a communal conversation. Thank you!
Thank you for your kind words. I certainly hope we can find those who are willing to explore these ideas and give more people "permission" to follow their hearts.
This is marvelous and entirely resonant with my own - much clumsier - understanding of the Christ energy, what we are supposed to draw from the Christ experience and indeed how we are supposed to read and integrate the Scriptures. I suspect I am going to have to print and study this a few times, but bless you for writing it (so well). 🙏🏻
I regard this as the highest compliment coming from you. I’m grateful it resonated and I thank you for letting me know🙏❤️
This piece is so profoundly beautiful. I am in awe. Almost speechless. I too have been in my past so petrified by the Church and crushed by its teachings that I have wandered through every other tradition I could find to grope in the darkness for a spark of the Way. And here you present something so raw, so simple, so liberating and yet so utterly terrifying and thus so challenging. Love, and do as you will. This message feels true in my bones. This message seems to be the heart of all traditions I have encountered. May I have the courage to walk this path with you.
Thank you so much for all your work! I would love to rediscover the path through your journey and writings!
I'm grateful it resonated, Scott. Thank you for sharing.
Jeff this resonates deeply, and there is a very real presence of Christ consciousness in your words. Thank you ❤️🔥
Thank you, my friend.
This was a beautifully written piece. And so informative. Thank you!
Could you recommend a version of the Gospel of Thomas that you like best?
Hi, Mary Jane! Thanks for your kind words and here's the version of Gospel of Thomas I started with: https://amzn.to/4uPdXna
I’ve often said that I followed Jesus out of Christianity, and this piece is a beautiful articulation of that journey. So well written, Jeff!
Following Jesus out of Christianity...so well said, Justin!
This touched me deeply, thank you so much
So glad to hear:)
I got a kick out of this line:
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"This idea is too much for the human mind, so we settle for a God we think we understand. An earth-centric God in a box that we can become experts on. Hilarious."
-
Also the trademark symbol on (modern) Christianity is perfect.
We'll done.
Thank you, Jason
I have been trying to put to words the exact journey that I went on. From "hellfire" christianity as a youngster, to disillusionment, to agnosticism, to aetheism, to meditation, to awakening to the true feeling of spirit in everything, to realizing that feeling is God, to realizing that feeling, that power is Christ-in-all, which led me back to scripture with a new understanding with which to interpret it. In short, meditation (and time in solitude and nature) turned me into a mystic which eventually turned me into a "christian" mystic with the understanding of what Christ really is and what Jesus meant. I no longer have to put it into words because you have perfectly explained it all in this one post. Well done. This is important work. I will bookmark to share with others. Thank you.
❤️
That feels right.
I always say, “Try Love first”❤️
❤️
Well done Jeff, another masterpiece. Bravo!
Glad it resonated, Marc.
If you abandon the history, the institutions and messy politics you can have Christ. But maybe you’re missing something, even just as a spectator, I wouldn’t be so hubristic as to think all those gathered in the pews are less cosmically aligned. My two cents.
Which is why I included the caveat for the outliers. I have deep respect for them.
I think you describe the fruits of true Christianity perfectly. However I believe just as religious institutions can be corrupted and veer from the true message, in favour of an in group political cohesion, individuals with “Christ conscience” can open themselves up to powers and principalities beyond their understanding. Im not ready to throw the baby out with the bath water. It does not negate the fact that people long for community and spaces to discuss these very personal issues.
Agree, and I wish we had more congregations open to these explorations. Perhaps that's an option where you live? I haven't found one locally yet.
No but I’ve found some amazing resources online, check out TLC on YouTube and its sphere of influence. Amazing things happening. But needs to manifest physically more.
There were so many points you made here that resonated deeply with me… the co- opting of Jesus’ message, the fear tactics used now that have nothing to do with who he was or his message, the actual mysticism rather than metaphor. Reading this, I am called to consider my own complex relationship with Christianity and the reasons I left… as well as the aspects of it that felt full of love and Truth. Thank you.
Thank you, my friend. It's taken a lifetime to reach many of these conclusions and I'm guessing it will continue to clarify. So glad there are others who are willing to engage with the conversation to see where it takes us.
💜🙏💜
Jeff, maybe it would be more accurate to say it's taken you many lifetimes :)
For sure:)