Thanks for sharing Jammin. I enjoyed reading your post. While I have a different world view than yours in many respects I find myself agreeing with a lot of what you say. I'm glad the Bible has come alive to you and is helping to guide you through these crazy times. I've rejected the Bible most of my life but have come to realize, just like you said, that it is inseparable from humanities history and contains a bigger picture within it that most are blind to. Only recently have I become open enough to entertain the Bible without the usual defense mechanisms that make people like me insufferable company to Christians. I'm still very ignorant about it but am gaining a deeper appreciation as I learn more.
Only after studying A Course in Miracles for years (which is more explicit in addressing the duality and the insanity of separation using modern symbolism not burdened by a history of misrepresentations, disagreements and institutionalization) can I start to look at the Bible with an appreciation for the truths it speaks to and some of the distortions it contains (through translation and whatnot). I'm still a fervent believer though that the truths of others need to be integrated and oneness is ultimately the only truth (though that was the state of affairs before he separation, and Christ is but one symbol for the path that heals that separation). Buddhas Noble eightfold path, for example, speaks to the same reality and serves the same purpose of activating healing.
It saddens me how fickle that understanding can be and on how many levels the same basic delusions manifests themselves. I think most would agree and history shows us that the Bible in the mind of the insane teaches insane lessons. It's incredibly boring however to me too when that argument is used to invalidate the experiences of people who have embraced that path. I've done it myself a whole bunch too and am beginning to appreciate this. Best wishes on your path and glad you're feeling it.
hey man,
thanks for the reply. i have a hard time expressing whats really on my mind and there's a whole lot of stuff I wish I could get across but its a struggle with this brain thing I have going. Usually the words can come with some substances, but its a struggle trying to get some of this stuff across. In no way, shape, or form do I wish to disrespect anyone elses views. people all have there own things that they are into and i get that. I know you have been on a spiritual path much longer than I have, so I appreciate the feedback.
Regarding healing, I believe that a lot of things have the ability to heal; some more effective than others. In my humble opinion, I think that some forms of healing come with a price tag or a kind of catch. This is kind of something I've been interested in for a while and have kept an eye on as i am need of some myself. There have been ayahuasca shamans that have been involved with plant medicine for a long time that ended up moving away from it bc their guides turned on them. Im not picking on the stuff, i think psychedelics have the ability to go both ways but can definitely be pretty risky. I think its kind of weird that I hear so many similar conclusions from people that mess the deems. 'I no longer fear death' among a lot of other dangerous conclusions that are drawn from piercing 'the veil' and having been to the other side. It can seem like you know whats next by using psychedelics. but for me at least, there is a lot of information there or 'ancient wisdom', but its kind of confusing. Lucifer is the author of confusion according to what I believe.
From a Biblical standpoint, I think the term pharmakia kind of applies, but the translation is a bit fuzzy and not super direct about it. I think some folks tend to assume that natives stumbled upon these plants, but after reading into the book of enoch, I am kind of leaning more towards it being something that was shown to people by fallen angels of sorts.
book of enoch chapter 8 said:
1 And Azazel taught men to make swords, and knives, and shields, and breastplates, and made known to them the metals of the earth and the art of working them (alchemy?), and bracelets, and ornaments, and the use of antimony, and the beautifying of the eyelids, and all kinds of costly stones, and all 2 colouring tinctures. And there arose much godlessness, and they committed fornication, and they 3 were led astray, and became corrupt in all their ways. Semjaza taught enchantments, and root-cuttings, 'Armaros the resolving of enchantments, Baraqijal (taught) astrology, Kokabel the constellations, Ezeqeel the knowledge of the clouds, Araqiel the signs of the earth, Shamsiel the signs of the sun, and Sariel the course of the moon. And as men perished, they cried, and their cry went up to heaven . . .
Without getting into to a whole spiel about a lot of different healing stuff, I just look for that barb in there that has a dark edge to it. I know there is power there, and it has immediacy and we are able to get something out of it, but I do think some of the healing stuff can be dangerous and lead us down darker roads. madness, chaos, and peace with a price are things I look out for among other things. I don't think anything in the spiritual world or material world is without cost. What's appealing to me about Christianity, is that price has already been paid. Because the price has been paid, it allows for true healing, but I think Christianity in general lacks the immediacy of other religions and the Christian God requires us to meet him half way. Drawing close to God and he will draw close to you, type stuff. God still performs miracles today, sometimes people will pray for days without stopping and prayers are answered and people are brought back to life, but not many people put that type of dedication into prayer anymore. In my own experience, its more of a 'make me feel better NOW so I can carry on' type thing with a few words under my breath. American drive thru type prayer thats based on convenience but i digress.
As far as the Bible goes, it has pretty much everything in there. The beginning, the end, how to pray, how to live, what love really is, what Godly righteousness is, the way the spirtual world works, love other people more than yourself (which for me, self is a big problem and why I can't get into thinking people are gods thing). Illustrates things in a lot of ways in a way that's accessible and simple but still contains a lot of depth. Im not an expert on it, but I think its pretty fascinating really. It speaks to me, prob in different ways than it speaks to others, but still ultimately has one intended meaning, which is quite a task. Sometimes in today's subjective culture, I think words and sayings get used that take a sort of liberal approach to meanings, sometimes so much that word used loses all meaning bc it really can mean anything the person using it 'intends' for it to mean.
I like the emphasis on families bc I think the breakdown of the nuclear family has been very instrumental in breaking down our societies. Being loyal to one's spouse and keeping the unit intact has really been what differentiates past generations with that of today. The 'lost generation' that we are seeing today, is in my opinion, by design. pornography, drug wars, easier ways to cheat on your spouse, fatherless homes, prison culture, all are by design. The places we end up as lost children are also by design. Even if you look at Christianity as a means of control, it does seem to have an impact on the societies that it permeates. Look at us now, we are more godless than ever, and look at the problems we have. for some reason, people seem to think christianity is the source of bigotry and our societal ills. like all the songs that are blasted on the radio recently, were 'losing our minds now uh yeaahh'. chaos, confusion type stuff, nobody knows whats real anymore and the world is falling apart. like most things going on today, after the response is emotional enough, we will all be provided the 'solution' that pacifies that emotion. can't wait for the next strong leader to take charge! lol
Im trying to absorb as much as I can, still battling the same demons, not miraculously a different person or anything, but there is something going on with this that seems genuine to me. Im one of those cynical 'everything is fake' type people tho and been depressed for a long time.
just trying to figure out this puzzle thats out there. its a big puzzle, but its all connected im finding out. I used to think nothing really meant anything and everything was a kind of pointless, but im realizing everything has meaning and everything we say and do matters. its been quite the paradigm shift and I think there is really something to this whole thing that gets muddled with media and stereotypes. I think the stereotype has more to do with the bias than what this thing im into actually is. That's all im trying to get at. I don't know if its something that people can be truly unbiased towards which seems interesting to me.