The Ever-Living One…

John the Evangelist (Stained-Glass, Swanbourne Church)

‘John was challenged to drink a cup of poison to demonstrate the power of his faith,

and thanks to God’s grace the poison was rendered harmless.’

Acts of John

Charisma versus Persona

If the persona, ‘mask’, is the product of our ‘little self’ (‘s’) could charisma be that of our ‘large Self’? (‘S’) What is the latter and how does it differ from the former?

Dictionary definitions of charisma:

1.The special magnetic appeal, charm, or power of an individual (e.g. political leader) that inspires popular loyalty and enthusiasm? (to enthuse someone is to give them ‘God’)

(Gk. ‘favour’ or ‘gift’ (of the Gods?) fr charis ‘grace’)

Examples… Churchill… Mohammed Ali, Ghandi, Hitler… Glamour… Black Magic… Any Women?

More importantly, perhaps, is it possible for us to cultivate charisma, and if so how can we do so?

…

Two Wolves… Two Worlds… Inner and Outer…

Reaction and the fractured psyche…

Psychologically speaking anything which the ego ‘rails against’, or reacts negatively to, in the outside world is a projection of the shadow.

By engaging in this process the soul energy is depleted at the expense of the shadow and the charisma is decreased.

Integral techniques…

Conversely, by responding positively, or proactively, to the outside world, the shadow is depleted and the charisma increased.

This process acts like a ‘sacrifice’.

By ‘offering up’ the negative energy… a positive boon is ‘received’.

A Holistic response… Which Questions the universe…

2. An extraordinary power (e.g. healing) divinely given to a Christian?

Matthew 15:11 – Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man but that which cometh out of a man…

Mark 7:15 – There is nothing from without a man that, entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

Luke 10:8 – And into whatsoever city ye enter and the receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick that are therein…

The synoptic gospel accounts all derive from one or two common sources. They appear to have displaced the instruction to the disciples to hide the technique by which they are to heal the populace.

At (Matt. 10-8) seventy new ‘Disciples’ appear to have been summoned to propagate the teachings.

The gospel of John does not contain this material, however the legendary compiler of the Gospel, John the Evangelist has a legendary tale attached to his story which embodies the same technique! (see epithet above)

In the Gospel of Thomas the instruction and technique are retained in their ‘proper’ place.

Logion 14 GoT – …If you fast, you will bring sin upon yourself… When you go into any region… When people receive you, eat what they serve you and heal the sick among them for… what goes into your mouth will not defile you rather that which comes out…

Sin Eating ?

Traditionally… A ‘sin-eater’ is a person who consumes a ritual meal in order to spiritually take on the sins of a deceased person. The food was believed to absorb the sins of a recently dead person, thus absolving the soul of the person. Sin-eaters, as a consequence, carried the sins of all people whose sins they had eaten. Cultural anthropologists and folklorists classify sin-eating as a form of ritual. It is most commonly associated with Wales, English counties bordering Wales and Welsh culture.

In wider Christian practice, Jesus of Nazareth has been interpreted as a universal archetype for sin-eaters, offering his life to atone or purify all of humanity of their sins.

Listening?

To listen one needs to be silent. Silent on both inner and outer planes.

The role of the Psychiatrist… ‘A problem shared…’ ‘Get by with a little help’… etc.

The Confession in Roman Catholic utilises the same technique although with its own particular flavour.

Ultimately ‘Divinity’ may simply be a case of accessing One’s RIGht mINd…

Having built or strengthened Charisma, and drawn your seekers, what then would be the teaching?

Be me?

No, Be You…

How?

Find your Self…

Know your Self…

Be your Self…

“Show me the place where you are,”

said Judas Thomas, “for I must seek that place.”

Joshua said, “Your teachers have taken the keys of knowledge

and have hidden them. They have not entered the kingdom,

nor have they allowed those who want to enter to do so.

You examine the face of heaven and earth

without recognising the one who is in your presence,

for you do not know how to examine the moment.

Know what is in front of your face,

and what is hidden from you will be disclosed,

for there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed,

and there is nothing covered that will remain undisclosed.

The one who knows all but lacks the self is utterly lacking.

What you look for has come but you do not know it.”

Excerpt – The Living One

THE LIVING ONE

Caravan to Cairns

Stuart France

Two young men, a road trip across the Australian Outback, strange encounters in isolated settlements… and a book that will change one of them forever.

From the harsh heat of the dusty road to the cool of the Temple, two stories… one immediate, one timeless… intertwine to illuminate each other.

Many scholars believe that the Gospel of Thomas preserves a glimpse into the oral tradition of the Essenes. The book is a collection of sayings, parables, and dialogues attributed to Jesus. In this unique interpretation author and essayist, Stuart France brings the oral tradition to life, retelling the Gospel in his own words, in the way it may have been told around the hearth-fires of our fore-fathers.

Accompanied by in-depth comments which draw upon the Mystery School Tradition, The Living One provides a new window on an age-old story.

“… fascinating and unique …” Amazon review