We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. - Buddha Sakyamuni
The physical or phenomenal world does not become spiritual, but the spiritual can be physically expressed and experienced. Our spiritual essence or conception is referred to in Buddhist philosophy as sunyata -- "suchness" or "emptiness" -- the "inexpressible" quality, many have chosen to conceptualise as various forms of "divinity," in an attempt to quantify and understand that which cannot be quantified or grasped.
The Great Teachers all understood this. When Rabbi Jesus was asked about how one could be "born" into "God's" kingdom, he replied:
“No one has ever ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, the Truly Human One, which is in heaven.” (cf: John 3:13)
In other words, we must consciously "give birth" to the physical expression of our spiritual nature -- as a potentiality waiting to be actualised. That is the purpose of the Middle Way, taught by Buddha, and the Way of the Christ: to engender a "new life" in which the adherent or sojourner achieves a state of harmony between the conscious "knowing" and the subjective "feeling".
The spiritual aspect of each of us must be brought into conscious, objective, actual existence in order to live a life of harmony and fulfillment. This is the birth that occurred in the mythical story of Jesus' Incarnation, and can occur for each of us. It is the birth that occurred in the mythos of the Bodhi tree for Buddha Sakyamuni, and it is available to each of us.
We are physical expressions of pure spirituality. There is no "us" or "them" -- only diverse expressions, which shift and change with our perspective and awareness.
Life’s secrets are revealed from within, not person to person. Intuition is not learned. Inspiration is not borrowed. Spiritual awareness forms within, like a pearl. A pearl of wisdom starts as a nagging question, a worrisome thought or minor irritation that is worked into a thing of value and beauty. Your pearl of wisdom provides you with inner guidance.
As November draws to a close, for millions of self-described followers of the Way of the Christ, and especially for adherents of the institutionalised Christian churches that are loosely based on that tradition, the season of Advent begins -- a tradition of preparing oneself for the birth of the Anointed One in a cave, according to the legends.
For all of us, it can be a time of recalling the potential for spiritual "reawakening" or "rebirth"... as the ancient legend points to the potential for the indwelling anointed one to be born in the still, small space of our hearts... in obscurity... only to grow up conscious of our Oneness with the Sacred... and of our potential to transform the world and our lives... with compassion for others, service and care for the marginalised, and equanimity toward all of life.
Namasté!
gurudas
Internationally respected, life coach and teacher, Lama Gurudas Sunyatananda (Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, O.C., M.Sc.) is a Buddhist and Franciscan contemplative, and author of the popular book, "The Dharma of Compassion - One Monk's Reflections on the Teachings of the Enlightened and Anointed Ones". He is best known for his on-going contributions to helping people unlock the power of their own minds -- teaching them how to apply that power to create strong, loving relationships, make more money, and live more meaningful, prosperous, health and satisfying lives.
You can join his primary social network and interact with him directly by visiting:
http://www.betternetworker.com/referral/7777cb42
Copyright ©2008, Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire blog, including by-lines, contact information and this copyright remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.
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