Thoughts From A Mystic

"Again you have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.' But I say to you, make no oath at all...But let your statements be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil. Mt 5.33,34,37 Interpretation- Vowing, which implies the person is dedicating him/herself towards a particular end result (in time), alienates that person from Reality. Dedicating your heart to anything that ISN'T (in the moment) bespeaks desiring Reality to be other than it IS. Saying YES or NO keeps you aligned with the MOMENT; you're essentially saying, 'I will participate', instead of, 'I won't participate'- in the particular activity. There is no denying Reality in either of those, simply a statement of what, in the moment (amongst many, many options) you will apply your heart to. As an example, when Jesus' disciples wanted to help him escape his inevitable capture (and s...

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Mt 5.27-28 Interpretation- Jesus is emphasizing what our 'heart' does, in contrast with legalistic regulations specified by 'The Law'. A simple test of one's actions, such as- do they fit within regulatory boundaries, does not go deep enough to ascertain if one is following God's will. This teaching, which probably developed out of repeated interactions with Jews who asked if they would enter God's kingdom by obeyed the Ten Commandments, gives us a simple, clear view of the importance of 'heart' over 'head' in Jesus' teaching. Today this teaching is even MORE important. In the 'information age' data/information has essentially been 'deified'. People are convinced the more information they can have 'at hand...

"You have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court;..." Mt. 5.21-22 Interpretation- Reality is fluid, and is unconditionally loving toward all it's manifestations. Reality does not judge between Good or Evil, Acceptable or Unacceptable, as 'selves' do. When a person holds onto a particular position, which is not unconditionally loving- such as 'feeling angry towards his brother', that person is rebelling against Reality and is 'guilty before the court' (paying the price in suffering). Matthew

"For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter God's kingdom (the kingdom of heaven.)" Mt 5.20 Interpretation- Scribes and Pharisees represent those who are 'works' focused- they are motivated by the end result. 'Righteousness surpassing' that type (of person) refers to anyone who participates fully in the moment. Anyone swayed by end results is 'time blind'- unable to see Reality (God's kingdom) as it IS (in the moment.) The perspective of works, and that of judging, completely alienates a person from Reality. It's due to the replacement of Reality (what IS) by 'your view of how reality should be' (IS not). When you accept Reality, you will find yourself 'instantaneously' IN THE KINGDOM! It's as if reality suddenly shifted (and became perfect), WITHOUT any change on your part. Matthew

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It's no good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men." Mt 5.13 Interpretation- Jesus is speaking to those who are 'spirit filled', either because they have been unpolluted by 'the world', or because they have been transformed (from worldly manipulation) through repentance (most likely this second group). The 'once born' person (culturally hypnotized) isn't valuable, except to be 'trampled under foot by men' ('men' refers to any once-born person- those who prey upon each other for selfish ends). The 'salt of the earth' are important as representatives of God, who help bring about it's fulfillment. Self-absorbed people often think they're 'God's gift' to the world in many ways. Jesus is clearly denouncing their fantasies! Matthew

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Mt 5.8 Interpretation- When one stops 'dirtying' one's 'heart' [it remains unsullied by soiling action (karma)] one will see God. The 'pure in heart', represents every creatures state of BEING. One's heart is made impure through soiling 'action' (karma in Eastern terms) which pollutes and distorts it's 'sight'. In this soiled state the heart is incapable of 'seeing' clearly and it 'flops around, like a fish out of water'...desperately trying to find it's home. When all the 'doing' is relinquished (attempts to 'make it work' from an alienated self's perspective) the heart rests serenely in it's pure, natural state...and sees God! Matthew

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." Mt 5.7 Interpretation- Those who relate to 'others' (this could be broadly stated as everything in creation; not only people) with forgiveness will discover they are unconditionally accepted with mercy. Mercy is a 'forgiveness' attitude- beings are unconditionally accepted for what they ARE; NOT what they MAY BECOME. Mercy isn't earned by following a set of laws/commandments. It's Being, not Doing that's the important quality. God, alone has control over 'your' Being. This brings up the greatest challenges for most people... How do I find God, and His kingdom? Why is God so distant? I've accepted Christ, so why do I still struggle with my life? Repentance is the key (born of spirit) which allows the follower to participate in God's kingdom. Layering new beliefs onto an alienated, unconverted self only shifts the problems around. Let's look at an analogy- Think...

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Mt 5.6 Interpretation- In Buddhism it's called 'Right Effort', one element of the 8-fold Path. If your attention is kept on rightousness (following God's will) you will find it and be satisfied. Matthew

"Blessed are the gentle (meek), for they shall inherit the earth." Mt 5.5 Interpretation- Those who accept God's will [Reality] (don't try to be in/take control) will inherit the earth. Matthew

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Mt 5.4 Interpretation- When a person is 'broken' (they find little, or no solace in self-support) and mourns, that person will find God's love and compassion supporting them; and be comforted. Matthew

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (God)." Mt 5.3 Interpretation- Those not self-absorbed (self-indulgent), allow God to be in control, and have access to God's kingdom. The Beatitudes are filled with statements about self-poverty, and highlight the benefits thereof. This first statement speaks of meager self-absorbed energy; that is, the individual is not energized to control what IS, rather s/he allows God to be in control. Matthew

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven (God) is at hand." Mt 4.17 Interpretation- Become transformed (transformed perspective/heart/mind), and enter God's kingdom. Repentance is not something one does, it's more a 'relinquishing of control', or 'letting go'. 'Dying to self' is understood in 'repentance'. 'Death and resurrection' is another phrase with the same personal transformation. Of course, Jesus believed ever more people would follow the path (of repentance) he lead, thus populating God's realm (it's fulfillment). Due to the 'hard heartedness', or 'self-absorption' of most people, Jesus' concept of the fulfillment of God's kingdom is probably further away than it was in his time. Matthew

Today I will begin a series of 'translations' of wisdom statements attributed to Jesus. Too often people miss the real meaning of Jesus' teaching, and I'll try to clarify, in modern English, what the sayings mean. Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Attention focused on false self (alienated self) keeps you from finding LIFE. Matthew