Masterpieces of Love

As we continue this week, looking at the texts from the Christian tradition, for ways in which we can find inspiration for our spiritual journeys, we come across a passage from Paul of Tarsus' Letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 2:4-10), in which we are referred to as "masterpieces of God" or "God's work of art". Unfortunately, as less educated translators began to interpret the earliest texts, and incorporate them into the codices we now know as the Bible, the Greek word "poiema" becomes diluted to "handiwork". So your version of the text might say that we are the "handiwork of God", but for the sake of understanding the essence of this passage, we are going to use the originally intended meaning, which is "artwork" or "masterpiece".

And I realise that if you wake up looking anything like I do, it's probably a bit of a stretch to look in the mirror and be mindful of the fact that you are a work of art, rather than simply a "piece of work"! But stay with me a moment!

Of course, there are many of us, like myself, who do not entertain such fanciful notions and superstitions as belief in imaginary personal gods and the like. We understand that the whole god-concept is a metaphor for the spiritual principle science calls "matter" and the mystics call "Love". In fact, even the Christian texts remind us that what we call or imagine as "God" is actually love (1 John 4:8). But just because we possess a more mature understanding of the spiritual meaning of the scriptures, and are able to dispense with the nonsense that causes millions of parents, sisters, brothers and grandparents to panic, when they discover their children don't subscribe to the same fear-based, superstitious beliefs they were raised with, doesn't mean we cannot find the message -- the truth -- woven into even the most primitive of texts.

As we look at this passage, we can interchange the word "God" for "Love", and realise that Paul -- who was learned in the Mystery School teachings -- wants the community at Ephesus to know that we are "masterpieces of love".

Suddenly, when we look at one of the last lines from another passage, read on the beginning of this Fourth Week in Lent (John 3:14-21), in which Jesus tells his companion Nicodemus, "Whoever lives in the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in Love," we recognise the importance of living the Dharma in a way that is unapologetic, unhidden, and celebrated. We truly are masterpieces of love... expressions of life that are unique.

What does your daily life say to others about the path you are on? We shouldn't need to tell someone we're on a spiritual path, the way that fundamentalists do. Fundamentalists and their fear-based, superstitious theology need to "interrupt" and "disrupt" life, in order to garner the attention so many of them are starved for. Because they don't understand the nature of suffering, and because they are fixated on imaginary, external sources for relief of suffering, they are compelled to constantly whine, "Look at me! Listen to what I know," whenever they can. Their behaviour is much like the two year-old, who wants the whole world to stop and look at them, as they show us how cleverly they can jump on one foot, or get their finger all the way up their little noses. And they are just as annoying. But like the immature child, the spiritually immature need our gentle compassion and tolerance too. That doesn't mean allowing their inappropriate behaviours, but it also doesn't mean telling them to "fuck off", no matter how much you'd like to. (Trust me!!)

Some will interpret the story in John's Gospel as being a commandment to get baptised, but what the Great Teacher really encouraged Nicodemus to do was to become a Bodhisattva -- a person who offers himself or herself to all beings, as Jesus did, through the practice of compassion and genuine concern (bodhicitta) for others... living unselfishly and mindful of our true nature as masterpieces of love. The whole message behind the mythical tales of the New Testament are intended to serve as an illustration of the potential for Love (or God as the primitives imagined) to become incarnate, in the person of Jesus, to whom the scriptures in Aramaic refer as "the Truly Realised One" (i.e., "only begotten Son"). And Jesus' message for us is that we should all lay claim to that same birthright. That is the idea behind ritual baptism.  

Baptism is not a magic act that wipes away imaginary "original sin". It is a celebration of the graces that flow to us and through us by virtue of recognising our true natures and living mindfully aware of our being out-picturings or masterpieces of the timeless and beginningless, groundlessness we call Love.

So let us take that away with us this week, and focus our attention on living lives more reflective of the qualities of a masterpiece.

It's been said that when you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Let us now live our lives in such a manner that when we die, the world cries & we rejoice...

And please remember in your thoughts and prayers our urgent intentions to prevent eviction. Pass along the word to those you know, who might be able to contribute $10, $20, $50 or more, as every bit helps: http://dharmacharya.chipin.com/mypages/view/id/b7dc4438db6bffe3

Namasté!

-- dharmacharya gurudas sunyatananda

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Copyright ©2008, Dharmacharya Gurudas Sunyatananda (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.

Copyright ©2008, Dharmacharya Gurudas Sunyatananda (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.