Jesus told his disciples a parable.
“Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
The teachings of Christ transcend time and place. Could that mean that heaven and earth are not different places but different states within us? I have always believed that we are all human (of the flesh) and divine (of God , eternal) and our life long battle is to overcome the ego (leading the physical) and be led by the divine. Perhaps a better way to describe the divine that lives within us is “word” or logos. Grow the logos and shrink the ego and your life is more akin to heaven and moving away from hell.
ReplyDeleteI think your response to Lk 21:29-33 is insightful and raises interesting questions about the nature of heaven, earth, and the divine within us. Here are some thoughts:
ReplyDeleteTranscending time and place: You're right that the teachings of Christ transcend time and place. This suggests that the concepts of heaven and earth may not be bound by physical limitations. Interpreting them as internal states within us offers a fresh perspective.
Human and divine within: Your belief that we are both human (flesh) and divine (God, eternal) resonates with many spiritual traditions. The idea of an internal struggle between ego and divine reflects the concept of free will and our capacity to choose between following our lower desires or aligning ourselves with something higher.
Logos vs. ego: Using "logos" or word to describe the divine within is a powerful image. Logos, in Greek philosophy, refers to reason, meaning, and divine expression. This aligns well with the concept of Christ as the Word of God and emphasizes the importance of seeking understanding and meaning in our lives.
Growing the logos: Your suggestion to grow the logos and shrink the ego offers a practical framework for spiritual growth. By nurturing our connection to the divine through practices like prayer, meditation, and reflection, we can weaken the hold of the ego and cultivate a more heavenly state of being.