tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6665624802684341202011-11-27T17:50:19.362-08:00Brother Yonah's BlogYonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.comBlogger171100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666562480268434120.post-79595076496493755212011-05-30T01:06:00.000-07:002011-05-30T01:08:24.458-07:00The Christian Message<p$1>The Christian message is quite simple, but very profound:<br /><p$1><p$1>God exists and loves creation. There is a path back to unity for all beings.<br /><p$1><p$1>Unfortunately, this message has been distorted and complicated over the centuries. It has become one in which political factions vie to own the Christian message. Many have been hurt by those that claim Yeshua's (Jesus') message for only the few that fit some imgineary list of criteria. But.. if you read his own words in the Gospels you will see that Yeshua never limits the Kingdom of God to only those that fit the religious dogma of the day or the social strata of the elite. His message is for all beings without limitation.<br /><p$1><p$1>A popular TV personality recently said that if you're a Christian you need to follow what Yeshua said and did. If you believe in hate and violence you are not a follower of Yeshua, but merely a fan. I couldn't agree more. To use Yeshua's name to promote violence, hatred, bigotry, and religious intolerance is so anti-Christian that it is almost laughable (if not so painful). I can't imagine how anyone can read the words that are attributed to him and come up with any other message than love and acceptance.<br /><p$1><p$1>Yeshua did what no other of his time did - he hung out with social misfits, those considered unclean, and women (who were seen as little more than property in his culture). He shunned those that followed religious ideals for only the appearance of spirituality. <br /><p$1><p$1>I know that I am far from perfect and am sometimes a poor image of the Teacher, but I want to be like him and love without bounds. Please join me in true Christianity which has nothing to do with a set of rules or doctrine and everything to do with opening our hearts to all beings everywhere.</p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/666562480268434120-7959507649649375521?l=brotheryonah.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Yonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666562480268434120.post-40237864338257004792011-04-24T17:04:00.000-07:002011-04-28T18:30:17.186-07:00What about Faith?<p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1>I know that most Gnostic Traditions have an aversion to the word "<p$1>Faith". After all... Gnosis means hidden knowledge and thus <p$1>many believe that there is no place for Faith in Gnostic theology.</p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><br /><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1>I have <p$1>to differ on this point...</p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1>I agree that we seek knowledge through experience and that the end goal <p$1>is complete and total understanding because we have reawakened to the truth of <p$1>who and what we are. But I don't believe that for most of us this <p$1>path is quite that simple or straightforward. Tau Malachi has often <p$1>said that Faith is the belief in experience yet had. This belief and <p$1>trust is the beginning of our path. If we didn't have Faith we would <p$1>never start searching for the experience or continue looking for more. My <p$1>view of the Gnostic path is that it is a continuum that begins with Faith and <p$1>ends in Gnosis, combining the two along the way.</p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><br /><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1>I believe this view is shown in the Gnostic myth of Pistis Sophia. <p$1>Pistis Sophia (Faith Wisdom) falls from the higher states of being into the <p$1>physical world, her light power is stolen, and she becomes trapped. She <p$1>cries out for assistance so she can once again ascend to the heights and obtain <p$1>the light. Her name is very deliberately Faith Wisdom because she has <p$1>Faith that she will experience and will regain her enlightenment and <p$1>liberation. This is the story of all of us on our journey.</p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><br /><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1>So, for me, Faith is never a bad or lesser state. It's what we need to <p$1>spark and fan our flame of spiritual attainment. </p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/666562480268434120-4023786433825700479?l=brotheryonah.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Yonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666562480268434120.post-59216907169330356302011-02-11T16:04:00.000-08:002011-02-11T16:13:45.769-08:00Born That Way<p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whether you like, hate, or are indifferent to Lady Gaga you do have to recognize that she’s not afraid of expressing what she thinks. Her latest song, BORN THAT WAY, is a direct expression of her views on human differences and what it means to be “normal”.</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here are some of the lyrics.</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></p$1><p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1> </p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div></p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">CHORUS</span></b></p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'M BEAUTIFUL IN MY WAY</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">'CAUSE GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div></p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I WAS BORN THIS WAY</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">DON'T HIDE YOURSELF IN REGRET</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div></p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">JUST LOVE YOURSELF AND YOU'RE SET</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I WAS BORN THIS WAY</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1> </p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">BRIDGE:</span></b></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">DON'T BE A DRAG, JUST BE A QUEEN</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">WHETHER YOU'RE BROKE OR EVERGREEN</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">YOU'RE BLACK, WHITE, BEIGE, CHOLA DESCENT</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">YOU'RE LEBANESE, YOU'RE ORIENT</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">WHETHER LIFE'S DISABILITIES</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">LEFT YOU OUTCAST, BULLIED, OR TEASED</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">REJOICE AND LOVE YOURSELF TODAY</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">'CAUSE BABY YOU WERE BORN THIS WAY</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">NO MATTER GAY, STRAIGHT, OR BI,</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">LESBIAN, TRANSGENDERED LIFE</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I WAS BORN TO SURVIVE</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">NO MATTER BLACK, WHITE OR BEIGE</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">CHOLA OR ORIENT MADE</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I WAS BORN TO BE BRAVE</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The reason that I post these lyrics is because they fit in directly in what I want to talk about in my blog this time. It’s interesting that I had a discussion with Tau Malachi on Wednesday, started writing this blog, and Lady Gaga released this single today. </span></p$1> </p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div></p$1><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What the lyrics are saying is that no matter what we “are”, we are who we should be. Many times we ask why? Why were we given the family we came from, why the disabilities and problems we deal with, why we have a particular sexual orientation, or why we seem different from those around us? The answer is that our differences and our individuality is actually a gift. We were born the way we are for a reason and as Lady Gaga so aptly puts it… “Cause God doesn’t make mistakes”. We are given the life we’re given for a purpose, so we can learn and grow and get closer to God in the process.</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div></p$1><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The key is not the hand we’ve been dealt, but what we do with it. Every aspect of our life is here to point us closer to the path of love and compassion. These events in our lives, the feeling different, difficulties, problems, etc. can either drive us to self-hatred and anger or it can help us to find love for ourselves and others. The ego drowns in the differences and seeming separation, causing pain and suffering. If we can break that cycle and see the actual unity within our differences and our connectedness to the All we can turn to love, compassion, and God. It’s our choice – not always easy, but something we can keep turning our attention back toward. This is the path of enlightenment and liberation.</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div></p$1><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shalom,<br />+Yonah</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div></p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/666562480268434120-5921690716933035630?l=brotheryonah.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Yonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666562480268434120.post-5107568552225483392010-12-12T18:32:00.000-08:002010-12-12T18:33:54.623-08:00What does being a Sophian "look" like...<p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recently I was asked “what does it look like to be a Gnostic”. The question is a valid one – the point being how can you tell if someone is truly following a Gnostic path and what does that really look like? Unfortunately it’s not a question that can be answered because it’s way too broad. There are too many forms of Gnosticism with varied ideas and beliefs to pin down anything.</span><br /><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Instead, I chose to answer based on someone following a Sophian path. In some Traditions there are a set of sacraments that have to be followed for a member to be considered a “true” follower. There are other Traditions that have specific practices and specific dos and don’ts that must be followed. This is not the case for the Sophian Tradition.</span></p$1></div><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is true that we have a set of teachings and a set of practices that are presented to the initiate. These practices and teachings are all part of the vehicle that can be used to follow the individual path, but they are not the path itself. We also have a three-fold rite of initiation. This initiation is almost always enacted for all who wish to follow the Sophian Tradition as their personal path. But again, this is not the path, but an energetic and symbolic entry for any who wish to partake. There are cases where individuals are not in the proximity of other Sophians and may not be able to participate in initiation for a long time (if ever). This doesn’t make them less Sophian because it’s about what is going on inside and not about the external markers that are sometimes used.</span></p$1></div><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The core of this path is about faith and gnosis. This means that we start with faith in God and our relation to Him/Her. As we continue our journey we start to experience God through study, meditation, and prayer. This is the experiential knowledge of God that is gnosis. Our journey through life will be a mix of faith and gnosis all the way until we finally re-integrate with the Light. This journey is marked by exploring ourselves so we know who we really are. We need to find the true us buried beneath the ego that is scared and hurt. We also need to build our connection with others and with God. </span></p$1></div><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, what this path is about and what a “true” Sophian looks like is one that is seeking to bind their heart to connect with God, their true self, and all other beings they come in contact with. It’s about love and compassion. There is study and practice along the way because it helps to build our awareness, connection, and ability to truly see. For us, Gnosis is experiential knowledge of this connectedness that can only come through our heart.</span></p$1></div><p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/666562480268434120-510756855222548339?l=brotheryonah.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Yonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666562480268434120.post-72595247557354765622010-10-24T11:55:00.000-07:002010-10-24T17:37:50.415-07:00Hearing God's Voice<p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1> </p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A very dear friend of mine recently wanted to talk about knowing when we truly hear the will of God. It was a really good discussion because it made me think quite a bit about what this really means and how we know that it is truly God’s voice.</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve seen those from the fundamentalist traditions who believe they are the only ones that hear God’s voice and know God’s will. To me this is completely false. When anyone thinks they are the only one who can hear God or truly know God’s will that is a warning sign to me that they are listening to ego instead of the Holy One. </span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I believe that all beings have access to God’s voice and God’s will if we only listen and hear. This is why Yeshua references “those that have ears to hear”. It means those that are open and sensitive to the Spirit’s voice. People that are open do not come in a particular denomination, religion, race, creed, sexual orientation, gender, etc. It’s about spirit not details.</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The point here is that to hear God’s voice we have to listen. That means we need to be practicing through prayer and meditation to make ourselves open to hear Ma’s voice. If we’re not actively trying to listen the less chance we will receive the true message that is intended.</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, how do we know when we are actually hearing the voice of God and it’s not something inside us or something speaking to us that we really don’t want to listen to? That is the ultimate question and not completely simple. When I think I’ve heard the voice of God, I ask myself the following questions:</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is it something that falls into Compassion (not mercy or severity)?</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is it something Yeshua or Magdalene would do/say/etc?</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is the intent ego neutral – not stroking me or tearing me down?</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If any of those questions are “No” then I know that it’s probably not the will of God or at the very least I’ve distorted the message in some way. If the message does fit all criteria then I try to wait a few days to make sure that I still feel like I’m hearing the same message and it’s not something that is transitory. Obviously if it’s God’s will it will stay true over time. Even then I can’t be sure, but I step out into faith and do what I think I’m supposed to. If I find I’m wrong, it’s about going back to listening and being open.</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The other thing to keep in mind is that just because you have a message doesn’t necessarily mean someone else with a different opinion isn’t hearing God’s voice too. This may seem contradictory, but the will and message is definitely for the individual. Unless we are given a message to pass to someone else, the message is usually pretty specific to us. So, others may not hear exactly the same thing. If someone comes to me and says they’ve heard God’s will and they want my opinion, I give them the same advice I give myself on asking the questions above and waiting for consistency. It is then up to them to decide where to go from there.</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recently Tau Malachi and I had a brief discussion on how sometimes we may be given a direction that is ultimately not where we need to be, but it is necessary to get us to that final destination. I think of my calling to be a Pastor in the very strict Christian Tradition I belonged to years ago. I know that was the voice of Ma, but it turned out not to be the end product. There was no context at the time to hear that I should be a Gnostic. Instead, I was drawn to study and receive a Master’s degree and pursue being a Pastor until the time was right to leave that Tradition and find my true place in the Sophian Tradition. So, was original call wrong? No, it was Ma’s will because it ultimately got me where I needed to be.</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The biggest thing to remember is we are not perfect. This means that we may make mistakes and act contrary to what the Mother has for us. It’s important to not give up. It is too often that someone makes a mistake in judgment and then gives up thinking they’ll never get it right. The answer is to look at what in us pushed us in the wrong direction, how to see it in the future, and then go back to listening for what God has for us. I will freely admit that I’ve strayed by letting my ego do the listening instead of my true self. These lessons have taught me to never give up, but to keep learning and keep striving for God’s true will.</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blessings, +Yonah</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/666562480268434120-7259524755735476562?l=brotheryonah.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Yonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666562480268434120.post-90503524208703040622010-10-18T12:01:00.000-07:002010-10-18T10:04:19.941-07:00Being Gnostic<p$1>So, what does it really mean to be Gnostic? People have all kinds of ideas about what being a Gnostic means. They think it’s all about mystical experience, being closer to God, etc. These are aspects of being a Gnostic, but really the point of Gnosticism is to know oneself. It is to do the inner work necessary to understand our own inner workings so we can then understand others and God. This is the gate to higher consciousness and to enlightenment. Unfortunately, most of us have built elaborate deceptions of who we are and our interaction with the world. They are all about how everyone else is wrong and we are right. They are about how we have been victimized and nothing is ever our own doing. We will look around us and not see that the common denominator in all the negative experiences is us!<br /><p$1><p$1>This doesn’t mean we’re bad or evil. It means we are living in delusion. We are buying the ego illusion and not experiencing our unity with all. <br /><p$1><p$1>I’ve heard the term “going within and living within” used horribly wrong in recent past. This phrase does not mean to go in and judge everything around you or even to look inside and contemplate the meaning of the universe. It means to go in and look at the hard truths within us. It is not fun, but it is very useful.<br /><p$1><p$1>I am not and have never claimed to be perfect. I make mistakes all the time and am very aware of them. As a student it is sometimes necessary to let go of possible wrongs, slights, and details that we think are ever so important that we must keep dragging them up no matter what the cost. A Teacher does not ask for blind obedience, but they do ask for respect and sometimes stillness. If I ask a student to stop arguing, I am not telling them that I am completely right and they are wrong – I’m asking them to step back and listen. To give us time to work and grow and not focus on every detail of their own personal drama. Later, once we have built our relationship, we can then address the details and see where I have misunderstanding and where they have misunderstanding. But there needs to be a willingness to let go of personal “rightness” at all cost. I have had to learn this through my experiences with my mentor, Tau Malachi. <br /><p$1><p$1>This is not an easy road and not one that is for everyone. I wish all beings the best and their ultimate enlightenment and liberation.<br /><p$1><p$1>Blessings, +Yonah</p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/666562480268434120-9050352420870304062?l=brotheryonah.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Yonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666562480268434120.post-14438974276438053972010-03-27T10:30:00.000-07:002010-03-27T10:53:05.355-07:00DirectionI'm spending a lot of time lately thinking about direction: direction for my life, direction for my spirituality, direction for my Circle....<br /><br />I guess what I'm struggling with are the many voices telling me what to think, what to believe, and who to be. Some of these voices are from the outside - friends, relatives, co-workers, society, etc. Some of the voices are from inside - my upbringing, my ego, etc. The voices all seem to have a different message on what is important and who I am. I think we all struggle with this as we continually are pushed and pulled into different directions. The first thought (and the one I know I have had) is inactivity. The mind just wants to say "enough" and give in and give up. It seems like just doing nothing may actually be the right answer.<br /><br />As I think further.. maybe doing nothing really is the right answer. Not the way my ego wants to tell me to do nothing, but the true "Doing Nothing" of spirituality. Just be. <br /><br />My job keeps getting more complex. I have almost 60 employees world-wide. I have deadlines, responsibilities, and lots to do. I've had some tell me that this is the most important thing in my life and others tell me it is the least important. I'm told to take my career to new heights or to abandon my job because it's not spiritual. I'm finding both of those are not true. I live in this world and in my current situation I need to be employed. I'm good at what I do and actually enjoy it most of the time. There is a factor of too much sometimes, but that is something I need to control and work through. But my job is just as spiritual as anything else. It may seem like doing global data quality for an international computer company isn't spiritual. But.. my question is if it's not - what is? Isn't our entire life spiritual? I think, I work, I ineteract with people around the world and help them on their journey.<br /><br />Then there is my Circle... I have been told by some that it gets in the way of my career and by others that I should abandon my job and focus on the Circle because it is where true spirituality comes. I disagree on both counts. My work and my Circle are peices of a whole. I interact with people in both arenas, touch lives, and have a spiritual experience every day - whether I recognize it or not. <br /><br />Within my spiritual journey, I've struggled with the apathy of some and the lack of focus of others... When you run a spiritual group you learn that what people say is often very different from what they do. You will be asked to have more meetings, spend more time, provide more and then many will fall away, be too busy to attend, or show less interest in what they've asked you to provide than they do in any other aspect of their life. Others will seem zealous for the path and then eventually find something else shiny that draws them away. Then there are those that will get upset over something (that seems to make no sense to you) and quit after being a part of your community for a long time. This has bothered me a great deal.. it has made my ego wonder why I bother and why I spend the time trying to provide the best experience I can. I'm learning that this is my issue - no one elses. As a spiritual leader all as you can do is provide the opportunity and let others partake if they are interested and available. If not, you have still done your job by providing the means. <br /><br />I have to learn to let go of my job, my circle, and my very life. If I lose my job, my circle disintegrates, or my life falls apart - does it really matter? <br /><br />My point here is that my job, my circle, all aspects of my life are really my spiritual journey and I must learn to let the voices go. Everyone (including me) will have opinions and ideas of how I should live and be, but the best answer is not to over-analyze, not to strive, but to be. This is not apathy as long as the vision is never lost. <br /><br />It's becoming a longer journey then I would like, but I'm beginning to understand that my direction has nothing to do with the outside and everything to do with the inside.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/666562480268434120-1443897427643805397?l=brotheryonah.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Yonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666562480268434120.post-78973477776807805592010-02-19T20:24:00.000-08:002010-02-19T21:06:31.136-08:00RefocusIt’s been an interesting time for me. Of course, interesting is often a way of saying difficult or challenging. <br /><br />The Mother has a great way of giving you the lessons you need. Sometimes they’re not fun and sometimes they’re down-right painful. I had a series of dreams with Na’amah – the Queen of Demons in it. At the time I wondered why I was seeing her in vision and what I was to learn?<br /><br />A dark night of the soul is never pretty. It can be the most painful experience we go through because it makes us question everything we do, what we think, and even our purpose. The last couple months have been a series of events that has given me a complete shift in my perspective.<br /><br />What I’m learning is that “doing” isn’t nearly as important as “being”. I know that seems obvious and something that I already “know”, but it’s becoming an experience for me and not just an idea. There is so much I want to do with my team at work and so much I want to do with the Circle. The idea is great… The intent all positive…. But the problem is that when getting things done becomes so important that you lose sight of the why, it starts to become meaningless.<br /><br />Unfortunately, we just can’t stop everything. Life continues – things do need done. I can’t quit my job. Well – I guess I could, but that would probably mean I would need to think about housing on the side of I35 and dumpster diving for my dinner. Seriously, I actually like part of my job… I’m good at it, I have lots of great people, and I get to travel. I can’t stop “doing” things for the Circle. Without action, we can’t help others and nothing would ever happen. <br /><br />I’m realizing that refocusing on only priorities is the most important thing we can. Finding our calling and focusing on the tasks that go with it are the key to being effective. Otherwise we burn out, lose focus, and accomplish little no matter how much we “do”.<br /><br />At work I have narrowed down to the four core areas my team is tasked with and am moving everything else out of my team. At Circle I intend to do the same thing. As a Circle we will focus on our calling and as an individual I will do the same. It’s about doing the will of the Mother and making a difference, not about “how much” we get done.<br /><br />Expect to hear more soon!<br />Blessings, Yonah<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/666562480268434120-7897347777680780559?l=brotheryonah.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Yonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666562480268434120.post-4990666002256447652010-01-17T11:41:00.000-08:002010-01-17T11:43:28.831-08:00HaitiBy now, most of you have probably heard about the tragedy in Haiti. The latest estimate I heard was nearly 50,000 dead. I can’t even imagine the horror and loss that the people of Haiti are feeling. I also read an article about how many of the Christians in Haiti are praising God that the tragedy wasn’t worse. I am humbled and touched by their faith and resilience. At a time like this many would be focusing on loss and not on the potential for good.<br /><br />The biggest horror I have heard was a comment made by Pat Robertson. The TV Evangelist from the 700 club claimed on national TV that the people of Haiti are being punished because they made a pact with the devil. This is the same man who claimed that New Orleans was punished by Katrina because Ellen DeGeneres grew up there and she is a Lesbian. In my opinion, these are the statements of a raving lunatic and have nothing to do with the words of a man of God. The God I believe in does not take vengeance on the innocent and actually he/she doesn’t take vengeance on anyone. That makes God seem like a spoiled two year-old with lots of power. I believe that Pat Robertson is creating God in his own image because this is how he would act if he was deity. My view is that Pat Robertson is speaking for Demiurgos (the embodiment of ignorance) and not God.<br /><br />When I was in seminary one of the big questions that we had to tackle was how could a loving God allow suffering like we are seeing in Haiti. The answer, as I have come to know it, has nothing to do with people having a pact with Satan or with someone being a lesbian. The answer is that God allows darkness because without it there is no free will. Without our world being a place of dark and light there is no chance for individuality and free will and all creation would cease to exist as anything separate from God him/herself. There is a teaching in Kabbalah that dark and hostile entities are actually the secret operation of the Holy Spirit. So secret, that they don’t even realize it themselves. This is because the Mother creates darkness and light so that there is a dynamic tension in this world that forces us toward spiritual evolution. Without it, there would be no progress.<br /><br />I see Pat Robertson’s comments more destructive and more “evil” then anything that has happened in Haiti. The tragedy and human suffering is unimaginable, but it is allowed to happen so that all beings have a chance at enlightenment and liberation. This does not diminish it in anyone’s life, but this was a force of nature that cannot be controlled. Pat Robertson, on the other hand, could certainly control his own words. Isn’t it written that what goes in your mouth will not defile you, but that which comes out? I think this is a perfect example of what that verse is all about.<br /><br />Please join me in praying for the people of Haiti and also join me in praying that anyone who hears the dark words of Pat Robertson sees them for what they are and discounts them immediately.<br /><br />Blessings & Love, Yonah<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/666562480268434120-499066600225644765?l=brotheryonah.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Yonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666562480268434120.post-5551716715852005532009-12-13T18:02:00.000-08:002009-12-13T20:05:02.308-08:00Practical GnosticimIn Circle this past week we talked about practical Gnosticism or in other words, what do we “do” as Gnostics or Mystical Christians. I thought it would be good to talk about this here because it is such an important topic. Our Tradition is about enlightenment and liberation of all beings. Enlightenment is raising consciousness and reaching a higher vibratory state which enables us to eventually reunify with God (the All, the Light Continuum, etc).<br /><br />First, we study. Study is an important part of Gnostic practice. As you probably know, gnosis means knowledge, but we generally interpret it to mean experiential knowledge. We are all about experience, but to experience and to communicate we need some kind of ground to work from. Study is that ground. In our Tradition the main things we study are: Kabbalah (Sefirot), Netivah (paths/Hebrew letters), Interior Stars, and how to study Scripture from a Sophian perspective. These are important subjects because they give us ground to communicate, meditate, and grow. It also does something else very important – it builds new neural pathways. These topics make us think differently and thus are important to the biology of enlightenment. This process of studying is a bit different for everyone. Some people dig very, very deep and some not as much. Study is very important, but it will look somewhat different for everyone as we are all different and need different topics and levels for our path.<br /><br />Second, we practice. Practice is the discipline of meditation and prayer. Meditation takes many forms from Buddhist silent meditation to guided visualizations to intoning. Meditation is very important because it does a number of things for us as it clears our mind, helps us to focus, helps us move energy, and prepares us for the process of dying. One of the most prevalent forms of meditation in Sophian Tradition is Partzuf meditation. This is where we focus on an image of God (Mother, Father, Son, Daughter, etc) where we picture them, dialog with them, and exchange energy. This is so important because it helps us prepare to build a body of light and transfer our consciousness. Prayer is very much like meditation but it is more of a dialog and less formal. In Hebrew there is a term called Hitbodedut which means constant prayer. This is about dialoging with God and our True Self continually through our lives. It is important to remember that all people are different and practice will also look somewhat different for each person. The real key to practice is consistency. So, even 10 minutes a day is better than several hours once a month.<br />Third, we do inner exploration. Sophian Tradition has a practice called Silent Witness. In this practice we do non-judgmental self-observation. The part about not judging is super important because as humans we tend to look at everything we do either from an angle of our failure or our success. This ends up giving us either the feeling that we are inadequate or that someone else is. Silent Witness is designed to help us look inside and see our motivations for what they are. We look at our thoughts, feelings, and actions and try to get at the root of why we think, feel, act as we do. It is helpful to think of it like reading a book. Look at a particular situation as if you are reading a book and you are reading about a character from that book. Distance yourself from the situation like it is not you, but someone else. That helps to remove judgment and to give you the ability to look at the details. If we can’t look at ourselves and understand where we’re coming from and why we’re motivated, we can never get anywhere with our spiritual path.<br /><br />I think it is important to understand the true meaning of the word Sin. Sin actually means missing the mark. This means that it is something we do that keeps us from getting closer to who we truly are and who we want to be. This is not a judgment and not about bad things we do, but about what is good for our path and what isn’t. It is also important to understand that which makes me miss the mark is totally different then for someone else, so I can’t sit and make a list or decide for someone else what is going to make them miss the mark. The other word that is important to understand is repentance. This word means turning the other way. It does not mean stopping the bad things we do and becoming perfect or feeling bad for being bad. It means turning back and starting to again move closer to being who we truly are. This means that when we repent we are stopping that which causes us to miss the mark and trying to get back to a path that takes us closer to God and our True Self. There is no condemnation or judgment in these words. We need to make sure we do not judge ourselves or others.<br /><br />Fourth (and most important), we are in relationship. We are constantly in relationship with ourselves, God, and others. This is so very important because this is how we live out our path every day. Remember that we are not islands; we are connected to others and to God whether we “feel” it or not. Also… we are here to bring about enlightenment and liberation of all beings. To affect others, we must show this unity and love to those around us. It changes us and it changes them.<br /><br />Love is such a difficult word in our culture because in English the same word is used for loving our significant other, our children, our friends, food items, entertainment, etc. This makes it difficult at times to take love seriously. But love is so important because it affects us and others in so many ways. Love is not a feeling, but instead love is a verb. It is about action; it is about respect; and it is about compassion. We have to remember that all beings are sparks of the divine and have the same potential for enlightenment as we do. There are going to be people we like and people we don’t but that doesn’t affect our love. Love is about not beating others up for their mistakes as we shouldn’t beat ourselves up over our mistakes. We need to be there to help others and be the example of what God’s love is really about. The key to this is remembering we are all tied together and all part of the Pleroma (all). If we are all connected and all our destinies are intertwined, it makes it a lot easier to want to help others and root for their success.<br /><br />This concept of love is so important that it is mentioned over and over again in both the traditional and Gnostic scriptures. I did 2 very quick searches that found the following verses and logions.<br /><br />Scripture Love Passages<br /><br />God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. (1 John 4:16)<br /><br />You have heard that the law of Moses says, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)<br /><br />If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)<br /><br />Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end... And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13)<br /><br />Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10)<br /><br />We love because he first loved us. Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love<br />God must love their brothers and sisters also. (1 John 4:19-21)<br /><br />Jesus said, "Love your friends like your own soul, protect them like the pupil of your eye.” (Gospel of Thomas 25)<br /><br />Faith receives, love gives. [No one can receive] without faith, no one can give without love. Therefore we believe so that indeed we shall receive, yet we give so that we shall love. Otherwise, if one is accustomed to give without love, he derives no benefit from having given. (Gospel of Phillip 49)<br /><br />Love [does not take] anything, for how [(can) it take anything when everything] belongs to it? It does not [say ‘This is mine’] or ‘(That) is mine’, [but rather it says] ‘They are thine.’ (Gospel of Phillip 117)<br /><br />Mary said, “Know how to love and you will be undivided. This is the repentance the Lord taught, and it the perfect baptism.” (Secret Gospel of Mary 25)<br /><br />Mary said, “Weave for yourselves garments of light, so that when you go before the Queen of Heaven to be received you do not appear naked. With faith and the fullness of knowledge, do good works and love one another, and in the Spirit of the Lord you will have garments of light.” (Secret Gospel of Mary 92)<br /><br />Mary said, “If you cannot love, you cannot be united. One who is divided is destined for destruction. Therefore the Savior taught us to love so that we might have life.” (Secret Gospel of Mary 129)<br /><br />Mary said, “Knowledge, understanding and wisdom are not superior to love, for these come from union and it is love that unites. One who has love will have knowledge, understanding and wisdom, but without love no one is wise. If there is power apart from love, it is evil and will give birth to evil, but where there is love power is exercised in wisdom. All good things come by way of love.” (Secret Gospel of Mary 136)Mary said, “If you have all knowledge, but lack love, then you lack<br /><br />So, in the end, of all the things we do love is the most important. It is the way we join all our interior stars so they can function correctly. Love is also the most important because without it none of the others mean anything and are useless.<br /><br />Blessings, Yonah<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/666562480268434120-555171671585200553?l=brotheryonah.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Yonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666562480268434120.post-89574279928125597872009-11-21T05:35:00.000-08:002009-11-21T05:52:41.424-08:002012It’s amazing how much hype the year 2012 is getting in the media and in our pop culture. It seems that our society is obsessed with the end of the world and destruction of society.<br /><br />The year 2012 is the end of the Mayan Calendar. This has caused many to propose the end of the world as we know it and the possible destruction of mankind. I recently saw the movie 2012 based on this notion. The movie was entertaining although a bit contrived. The story is that the Mayan’s somehow knew that in the year 2012 the sun would change and cause destruction on Earth. In 2009 the sun begins to create new particles that act like microwaves, heating up the Earth’s core and causing mass destruction. In 2012 earthquakes, volcanoes, a shift of the Earth’s poles, and floods destroy pretty much the entire planet. Mankind and our culture only survive by going into giant submarine “arks” that ride out the deluge. The highlight of the movie is when one of the characters states that we are only human as long as we are able to keep our humanity through compassion, implying we didn’t deserve to survive if we didn’t “act” human. This was a very touching moment.<br /><br />For those that understand Toltec Spirituality (the basis of the Mayan religion), the end of the Mayan Calendar signifies a new “Sun”. The Toltecs taught that there were epochs in history that are signified by different spiritual energy emanating from the sun, creating a new spiritual climate in the world. This is similar to the astrologic idea of Ages or the Gnostic idea of Aeons. This is not a destruction of the world, but a new paradigm spiritually that deserves a whole new calendar.<br /><br />I personally am looking forward to 2012 because if the Mayan’s were right, this will be the culmination of a new energy in our world that will continue what has already begun: the resurgence of the Divine Feminine, a renewed focus on spirituality, and a continuation of enlightenment and liberation for all beings.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/666562480268434120-8957427992812559787?l=brotheryonah.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Yonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666562480268434120.post-69109826926924021842009-10-21T08:02:00.000-07:002009-10-21T08:13:33.841-07:00Tolerance vs. CompassionI've heard a lot lately about tolerance from a number of spiritual groups. Tolerance is a difficult word for me because it denotes "putting up with" or "leeway from variation of a standard". To me this is a very severe idea. It makes it sound like "I'm right, you're wrong, but I'll put up with you". To me this is not the message that I get from Yeshua in the New Testament. I believe his message is one of compassion.<br /><br />In Jewish Kabbalah there is an idea of three pillars - mercy, compassion, & severity. In God these three pillars are all balanced and God's mercy, compassion, and severity are all divine love. Unfortunately in humanity when we polarize we get out of balance and tend to lose that middle ground and lose true love. In humans mercy very often turns into a place of not even trying to help someone because we are afraid of hurting or offending them. On the other hand, in humans, severity usually turns into judgement and anger. Compassion is the middle ground where we care enough for someone to be there for them; never judge; but at the same time help them on their spiritual path even during the tough times.<br /><br />I believe that Yeshua's message was one of Compassion. The ability to come along side someone and not look at a list of dos or don'ts, but instead look at the person and see where they are hurting and where they need help to grow. The best part is that this is not a one way street - we all need others to be there for us because none of us have "arrived".<br /><br />Saint Paul says "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" in the New Testament. The word "Sin" literally means to miss the mark and the word "Repent" literally means to turn the other direction. So, for Sophian's the idea is that when someone is finding it hard to stay on their path and are suffering we are there to help them turn back toward their true self; their true will; God's true will. This is not condemnation, this is compassion. It is also not tolerance because there is absolutely nothing to "tolerate". It's not my place to judge or decide about another.... only myself. But I can be their full of compassion to help a brother or sister when they need me.<br /><br />This is what the Living Yeshua told us and what he enacted in his life.<br />Blessings & Love, Yonah<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/666562480268434120-6910982692692402184?l=brotheryonah.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Yonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666562480268434120.post-32879646712503223752009-09-23T17:11:00.001-07:002009-09-23T17:17:50.269-07:00PerspectiveAs many of you know I spent a week in India again this month. It was another amazing trip both personally and professionally. One highlight of my trip was a discussion I had with two of my employees - one from India and one from Slovakia. The three of us went to a Shiva temple in Bangalore and as we were leaving we sat down to put our shoes back on. We started talking about spirituality, personal views, etc. Interestingly enough my Indian employee is Hindu, my Slovakian employee would call himself agnostic, and I am a Christian Gnostic. What was interesting is that none of us really disagreed with each other. We had different names and different views on "God", but our views on the nature of reality were strikingly similar.<br /><br />The theme we had was on perspective. Our perspective definitely decides our reality. It changes how we react and how those around us react. This is karma as it is the intention and action energy we put into things. I was struck by some people living in what <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Americans</span> would consider severe poverty. What was amazing was that many of them seemed very happy, compassionate, and open to others. I believe this is perspective - finding joy in the situation and making the best of everything. This is a hard thing for Western culture to understand, but something that is vital to our spiritual path. It doesn't mean that everything will make us happy or that everything feels "good", but it does mean that we do the best with what we have.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/666562480268434120-3287964671250322375?l=brotheryonah.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Yonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666562480268434120.post-29005789775168277752009-08-23T11:55:00.001-07:002009-08-23T12:02:31.240-07:00Enlightenment and LiberationSaturday in Circle we were studying the 4th Interior Star - the heart. We ended up talking about enlightenment and what it means to be realized. It was a great discussion. <br /><br />As many of you know, the point of the Sophian Tradition is enlightenment and liberation of all beings. This is our end goal - not by conversion, but by our own path and being there spiritually and physically for others. Enlightenment is somewhat catchy because as more become enlightened, the easier it is for more and more beings to be affected.<br /><br />One of the things that is really important to understand is that we are already realized beings - we have already have unity with God and pure spirit, but we just haven't actualized it because of the illusion of separation. It is this separation that gives us individuality and ego, but also the thing we must eventually break through to remember who and what we trully are.<br /><br />Something else that is extremely important is to understand that we do not become someone else when we are enlightened. We have this misconception of an enlightened being having no emotions, wearing all white, and sitting in a lotus position in a cave. This is not the reality and something we need to disengage from. It keeps us believing that we can never reach this state. Enlightenment is actually a process of becoming; an unfolding of onesself. We actually become MORE of ourselves, not less. We lose the facad that is created by fear, anger, and separation to become who we trully are in God.<br /><br />The key is to join everything to the Heart. Practice meditation, study, but most importantly love. Learn to love yourself and others unconditionally and try to put that first and foremost in everything you think an do. I'm not saying this is easy, but it is the road to your true nature and eventually enlightenment.<br /><br />Blessings!<br />+Yonah<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/666562480268434120-2900578977516827775?l=brotheryonah.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Yonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666562480268434120.post-687505777270179322009-07-04T08:35:00.000-07:002009-07-04T08:47:23.202-07:00When Love Wears Your FaceI can't take credit for the title of this blog. I read it in a book. But it touched me profoundly and I wanted to give my thoughts on this statement.<br /><br />The author was proposing that enlightenment is "When Love Wears Your Face". I had never thought of it like that before... Usually we think of enlightenment as higher states of consciousnes; being closer to God; being our true self; etc. But the more I thought about it the more I think this is a very acurate description. If you think about the fact that enlightenment is about being like God and being our True Self, then it also means that the ego is absorbed into that enlightened consiousness and we are no longer just out for our own benefit. We really are about enlightenment and liberation of all beings and about the love that only comes through God.<br /><br />If we absorb the ego into our true personality, we think of others first. If we think about what holds us back from truly loving everyone around us; it is fear, anger, and self service. These are the lies of the adversary and the ground that keeps the ego from being able to let go of it's grasp and become a part of the integrated whole. We fear death, we are angry over not being treated "good enough", and we want (just about everything). Once these are less important than our relationship with the All and with others beings, we can trully let love wear our face so that we shine like the sun. This is the message that Yeshua gave us about 2000 years ago and the message that the Christos gives each of us every day of our lives. We need to let go and let the light power shine through.<br /><br />I know this isn't easy. We've had many life times of letting the ego have free reign over our personality display. It's a hard habit to break and everything in our being says that letting go of these holds will end our life. In a way this is true... it will end our egoistic life and begin a new life in the Kingdom. A life of true joy and happiness where we are love incarnate.<br /><br />Join me in the search for this path... there is no judgement when we fail. Love doesn't judge. It just means we pick ourselves back up and try again, letting the light and love shine through to make a difference in the world around us. This is what the Sophian path is about and what we are trying to do here in Magdalene Circle.<br /><br />Blessings and Love.... +Yonah<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/666562480268434120-68750577727017932?l=brotheryonah.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Yonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666562480268434120.post-91924867704876455622009-06-27T07:46:00.000-07:002009-06-27T07:56:59.433-07:00Americans and Other CulturesAs stated in my last blog entry, I just spent 10 days in India for work. I had a great time, but am quite horrified by some of the reactions I received when I returned. These were obviously not reactions by people from Magdalene Circle or Ecclesia Pistis Sophia, but other people I have known for years.<br /><br />The first reaction I received was "I'm glad the Muslims didn't get you". I can't even imagine why someone would write this, but it does show the level of confusion that some Americans (and Christians) have about the rest of the world. First, not all Muslims are fundamentalist extremists that terrorize Americans. This is actually a very small portion of the Muslim community - much like Christians that bomb abortion clinics are a very small portion of the Christian community. Second, I went to India which is 80% Hindu and the other 20% is made up of Muslims, Christians, and Buddhists. Unfortunately, I don't believe the person who made the comment above understands the difference between Islam and Hinduism.... So, that point is mute.<br /><br />The second reaction I received was people saying they would never want to go to India. There are various reasons I've been given from feeling like an outsider, to not understanding Hinduism, to not wanting to deal with the "poverty", to just having no interest. These are all ideas that are very foreign to me. India has such a rich history and culture that I was thrilled with the prospect of being able to go there. I never felt like an outsider - in fact I was made to feel very welcome and felt more comfortable in India then I did in some European countries. I believe that Americans (in general) need to take more time to learn about the rest of the world and understand the diversity and beauty there is to offer. I'm not saying everyone should go to India or that we all shouldn't have different interests, but I have experienced a fear and dread by some of the Indian culture and Hindu religion. It seems to me that more interaction and understanding would change many minds and open up potential experiences for those who take the time to learn.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/666562480268434120-9192486770487645562?l=brotheryonah.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Yonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666562480268434120.post-70370652616115736942009-06-23T14:21:00.000-07:002009-06-23T14:37:16.381-07:00Vedic TraditionAs some of you know, I recently spent 10 days in India for work. It was an amazing experience that I am very thankful for. Some of my employees took me around to see Temples while I was there including ones dedicated to Krishna, Vishnu, Shiva, Chamundi, and Ganesh. Not only were the temples beautiful, but there was an energy to them that you just can't explain and it must be experienced.<br /><br />For those of you who don't know, Vedic (or Hindu as we call it in the West) tradition is a group of religions practiced in India and surrounding countries. Their primary aspects of "God" are Brahma, Vishnu, & Shiva. Brahma is the creator; Vishnu is the sustainer; and Shiva is the destroyer. Each has a consort that is a female aspect of Deity. The Goddess Saraswati is the personification of knowledge - sounds a lot like the Gnostic Sophia.<br /><br />Once you get past the cultural differences, the Vedic tradition has a lot in common with mystical Christianity. As we went from temple to temple, my friends and I discussed spirituality and found that we had way more in common than we had differences. <br /><br />It seems that if people could discuss their "differences" they would find that they actually are much more alike than they think.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/666562480268434120-7037065261611573694?l=brotheryonah.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Yonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11424452837732320986noreply@blogger.com