Rest on the Flight into Egypt*
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
Matthew 2:13-15 New King James Version (NKJV)
If anyone thought that all you needed to know about this extraordinary story about the birth of a baby who would change the world is in the Gospel, think again. There's so much more to the story.
Throughout the story there are clues to a deeper message. In Matthew, right after Jesus' birth, the Magi arrive having followed a star and after inquiring of Herod of the birth of the new king. After they depart, Joseph has the dream. Clearly they gave the Holy family more than incense, gold, and myrrh. Those may be symbolic. But, they must have talked to them about going to Egypt. They knew the meaning of the baby's birth and that he was sent to lead his people back to the original spirituality they left in Egypt.
That sounds similar to, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." (Luke 11:9)
In the inspiring painting (at the top) by Merson is an imaginative depiction of the young family's exhausting flight from Herod's threat to kill the newborn, into the ancient land of wisdom.
Now 2,000 years later, we are again returning to the original teachings of Jesus. He directed us to look for God's kingdom within our hearts, where we would find our true selves and connect with each other and all of life in that limitless inner realm. As we embrace the beauty of the divine within, we will increase our courage and inner power, reduce or eliminate our fear, and bloom in our newfound creativity. This deeper awakening and greater creative enlightenment will give us the direction we need to balance the rampant externally driven masculine principle threatening to destroy our world today.
Matthew 2:13-15 New King James Version (NKJV)
Throughout the story there are clues to a deeper message. In Matthew, right after Jesus' birth, the Magi arrive having followed a star and after inquiring of Herod of the birth of the new king. After they depart, Joseph has the dream. Clearly they gave the Holy family more than incense, gold, and myrrh. Those may be symbolic. But, they must have talked to them about going to Egypt. They knew the meaning of the baby's birth and that he was sent to lead his people back to the original spirituality they left in Egypt.
The wise men were Magi of the Priesthood of the Biblical Melchizedek dating back to 12,000 BC.** They were Gnostic mystics with close ties to the Sufis whose origins are unknown, yet may have stemmed from before the great flood. (Which is true according to latest archeological and anthropological findings).
There was a time in the ancient past when Yogis, Hindus, and Sufis all shared a highly spiritual and powerful enlightened mysticism. They were from the last Golden Age which would have been within that time frame. Their teachings were almost lost with the rising power of the Egyptian and later Roman empires.
Also, preserved in the Torah are traces of an ancient mystical Judaism, from before the flight out of Egypt led by Moses. Judaism's Star of David, which is a complex element of spiritual geometry, further suggests this.
Those ancient Hebrew mystics could never have imagined the Star of David, their sacred symbol for God, would one day be on the national flag of Israel. The star, which reflects the merged and overlapping symbols for the male and female principles of creation indicating the divine is a perfect balance of both, points to the existence of an ancient mystical path. I think there are hints in this story that point directly to that ancient path.
Also, preserved in the Torah are traces of an ancient mystical Judaism, from before the flight out of Egypt led by Moses. Judaism's Star of David, which is a complex element of spiritual geometry, further suggests this.
Those ancient Hebrew mystics could never have imagined the Star of David, their sacred symbol for God, would one day be on the national flag of Israel. The star, which reflects the merged and overlapping symbols for the male and female principles of creation indicating the divine is a perfect balance of both, points to the existence of an ancient mystical path. I think there are hints in this story that point directly to that ancient path.
So, the Magi followed the star, and the star may have been an inner vision as much as an external real star. In Yoga, in meditation, you will see an inner star and as you focus - which maybe only the Yogis can - you are able to enter the inner realm through that star.
Then, also, the holy family was directed to go to Egypt. Those are hints or road signs suggesting there is so much more to the story, and signs of a much deeper mystical message or story buried within this one. Did the gospel writers and the fledgling group of Jesus followers realize their lives, and Jesus' message, would be in danger if the story was more fully revealed? Why is this deep mysticism so threatening to the oppressive ruling powers like the Romans and Egyptians? Again, it seems then (as now) an unbalanced masculine principle, which is rampant external control, is threatened by the feminine which is a deep mystical inner spirituality.
So, the myth was preserved in these hints to protect and preserve the story from the corrupted Jewish leaders of the time and Romans. Both were threatened by Jesus' message. The real meanings, hinted at in this shadowy mythic birth narrative, would not be revealed until they could be understood by an awakening age when humanity would have "the eyes to see, ears to hear" the real story. That time is now.
Then, also, the holy family was directed to go to Egypt. Those are hints or road signs suggesting there is so much more to the story, and signs of a much deeper mystical message or story buried within this one. Did the gospel writers and the fledgling group of Jesus followers realize their lives, and Jesus' message, would be in danger if the story was more fully revealed? Why is this deep mysticism so threatening to the oppressive ruling powers like the Romans and Egyptians? Again, it seems then (as now) an unbalanced masculine principle, which is rampant external control, is threatened by the feminine which is a deep mystical inner spirituality.
So, the myth was preserved in these hints to protect and preserve the story from the corrupted Jewish leaders of the time and Romans. Both were threatened by Jesus' message. The real meanings, hinted at in this shadowy mythic birth narrative, would not be revealed until they could be understood by an awakening age when humanity would have "the eyes to see, ears to hear" the real story. That time is now.
The era was as rife with corruption, control, and exploitation then as now. At the time, the authentic Zadok priesthood had been deposed by Herod and replaced by Sadducean priests who could be bribed to comply with Herod's orders to ensure his own selfish rise in the Roman ranks of power.
Jesus challenged them with his awareness of their plot to deceive and cheat the people of both their money and the empowering spirituality in the authentic teachings of Judaism. When they realized he was on to their religious fraud, they set out to trap and eliminate him.***
The true story of the birth of the inner spiritual self, the inner child, threatened by external powers of control that attempt to limit its creative potential and freedom, had to be framed as a nativity narrative, I think. While it may have been actually a true story about Jesus' birth, the myth carries a more important message, consistent with Jesus' teachings.
Jesus challenged them with his awareness of their plot to deceive and cheat the people of both their money and the empowering spirituality in the authentic teachings of Judaism. When they realized he was on to their religious fraud, they set out to trap and eliminate him.***
The true story of the birth of the inner spiritual self, the inner child, threatened by external powers of control that attempt to limit its creative potential and freedom, had to be framed as a nativity narrative, I think. While it may have been actually a true story about Jesus' birth, the myth carries a more important message, consistent with Jesus' teachings.
There are other hints carved on the walls of ancient ruins and temples, pyramids and religious sites, some of which are under water. They point to a time of great mystical enlightenment, a time so beautiful one can only imagine what it might have been like. I think the truth is accessible through our imaginations, which are fueled and informed by the Holy Spirit. It seems clear that we are on the way back to rediscovering these ancient mystery schools and the profound truths they hold.
The birth narrative of Jesus, who was wrapped in simple swaddling clothes, points to a worldview based on the rich wisdom of surrender to the divine and non-attachment to materiality. It shows humility is the ultimate wisdom, and closer to the divine kingdom than the temporal power of that time.
In Luke's story, there is the juxtaposition of a vulnerable baby born in the humblest of circumstances set against the threatening monster of world domination then, Caesar Augustus, the epitome of unbalanced control and psychopathic excess. The power of the world contrasts the power of heaven evident in the divine birth, born in humility and truth. The story is clearly the feminine principle facing off with the masculine.
In Luke's story, there is the juxtaposition of a vulnerable baby born in the humblest of circumstances set against the threatening monster of world domination then, Caesar Augustus, the epitome of unbalanced control and psychopathic excess. The power of the world contrasts the power of heaven evident in the divine birth, born in humility and truth. The story is clearly the feminine principle facing off with the masculine.
I recall in the story of Solomon, which was part of the Melchizedek priesthood, who prayed for wisdom, and wisdom was given him. In the story, God says to Solomon that wisdom will always be granted to those who ask for it.
When you explore the deeper meaning of that passage, Jesus is saying, whenever you ask for the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit (who is ultimate wisdom) will be given to you. It's not, if you ask for a Ferrari, you'll get a Ferrari.
So, entrance to the path to enlightenment is hidden in the birth narrative.
In the inspiring painting (at the top) by Merson is an imaginative depiction of the young family's exhausting flight from Herod's threat to kill the newborn, into the ancient land of wisdom.
It reflects the journey back through the desert through which the ancient Hebrews would have fled from Pharaoh, who was a lot like Herod in his power paradigm of oppression, control, and slavery.
This painting, which is one of my favorites, is on display in Boston's Museum of Fine Art. Many of Merson's critics considered him "strange." He was suggesting something in this painting that was still lost to the common scholars of the time. It seems Merson was well aware of the ancient mystery schools, whose teachings on enlightenment would be restored.
Now 2,000 years later, we are again returning to the original teachings of Jesus. He directed us to look for God's kingdom within our hearts, where we would find our true selves and connect with each other and all of life in that limitless inner realm. As we embrace the beauty of the divine within, we will increase our courage and inner power, reduce or eliminate our fear, and bloom in our newfound creativity. This deeper awakening and greater creative enlightenment will give us the direction we need to balance the rampant externally driven masculine principle threatening to destroy our world today.
_______________________________
For simple clarity, the feminine principle is the life-giver, the birther, the creative allowing. The masculine is the protector and defender of life. Both must be paired in equilibrium. Too much of one, without the presence of the other, is destructive.
For simple clarity, the feminine principle is the life-giver, the birther, the creative allowing. The masculine is the protector and defender of life. Both must be paired in equilibrium. Too much of one, without the presence of the other, is destructive.
Addendum: As I was writing this, I saw the attempt by the oppressive, controlling masculine principle in the Nazi regime to wipe out the Jews in the 1930s and 1940s. The Jews who were being exterminated were marked and identified with the Star of David. Unknowingly, they represented the perfect balance of the divine feminine and divine masculine in that symbol.
_______________________________
* Rest on the Flight into Egypt, 1879, by Luc Olivier Merson (French, 1846–1920)_______________________________
** As a result, the Magi Priesthood of Melchizedek of the Templar Order (as restored from the 12th century) is the direct continuation of the 12,000-year-old Priesthood of the Biblical Melchizedek, possibly the oldest ecclesiastical authority in recorded human history.
No comments:
Post a Comment