ISSUE DATE: MARCH 2008
This month's spiritual solution:
The Resurrection. Myth or reality?
What are the metaphysical teachings about Easter? Did Jesus really rise from the dead or is this just a myth? Can a physical body just disappear?
Metaphysical teachers and even Christian clergy, have differing points of view on this subject and in this article, we will explore both concepts. However, before attempting to answer your question, it will probably be helpful to refer to a few fundamental principles first. I would ask you to have patience in reading the whole article before you make up your own mind about this subject, because as it unfolds it may reveal some information that you may not have previously considered.
The word “metaphysics” is an umbrella term covering a very wide spectrum of philosophies and phenomena. A simple translation of the word, is "to go beyond the physical” or beyond the known laws of physics, to that which is subtle or “incorporeal”(having no material existence)
The following is a quote by Ernest Holmes, a pioneer in the New Thought movement, a philosophy that has become one of the greatest influences and forerunners of today’s popular metaphysical and spiritual teachings. In his acclaimed classic, The Science of Mind, in 1938 Holmes wrote: “The laws of Mind, or Spirit, are not different from the laws of chemistry and physics. Metaphysics begins where physics leaves off. Everything is movement, everything we can take hold of and analyse, all things in the physical world or the world of form, are in a certain rate of vibration and are an effect.”
Now, some seventy years later, quantum physics tells us that everything we see, touch, hear, taste or smell is actually not solid at all. It is all mind -created. In other words the Universe is one infinite invisible field of energy and everything that exists in our experience (that which science calls “matter”) is really just a slowed down form of that energy, oscillating or spinning at a different rate. This includes our own bodies.
Let us take the aforementioned information and apply it to the Resurrection and the Easter story. In order for us to accept this as a literal fact, we would first have to concede that there was a man called Jesus, who was crucified, died on the cross,was placed in a tomb for three days and then rose from the dead. This is the fundamental tenet of Christianity and is one of the most important events of its teachings.
Of course there are various other theories that refute this version, including the belief that somebody else took the place of Jesus. Yet another concept, popularised by the Da Vinci Code,is that he survived the crucifixion and married Mary Magdalene who bore him children. All of these ideas may be perfectly valid, but for the purposes of this article, we will focus on the reality or myth of the story as it appears in the scriptures.
Ernest Holmes was a firm believer in the Resurrection of Jesus as a real event. He believed this because his concept of “body” was a metaphysical one. However, he did not confine this idea just to the body of Jesus. He maintained that all bodies were formed of the same substance, which he referred to as “ether”. We have to remember that this was in the era before quantum physics was an accepted theory.
He says” Science is rapidly proving that there is much more in the Universe than we can see with the naked eye. We are now being taught that ether is more solid than matter. We know that the ether penetrates everything,it is in our bodies, at the centre of the earth, and throughout all space. This means that within our present bodies there is a substance more solid than the body which we see.”
This is what he referred to as the spiritual body, or body of Light, which is the true body of every individual. He believed that when individual consciousness (awareness) is spiritualised by the realisation of its cosmic Oneness with the Universe, for example as in the case of the evolved consciousness of Jesus, this would create a quickening and intensity of vibration within that individual. The result would be a “disappearance” of the physical, illusory, sense of self, revealing the True Body, which is the Immortal Self. This Body would be invisible to the human mind, because it only relates to life through the physical senses. It expects to see separate physical concepts and so it does.
He goes on to say, “ Jesus revealed himself to his followers after his resurrection, to show them that death is but a passing to a higher sphere of life and action. TO KNOW THAT WE MAINTAIN AN IDENTITY INDEPENDENT OF THE PHYSICAL BODY IS PROOF ENOUGH OF IMMORTALITY (capital letters appear here as they do in the text)………………….we are not going to attain immortality, but (that) WE ARE NOW IMMORTAL. Our contention is not that dead men live again, but that a living man never dies”
There are many reports of saints appearing in various places at the same time and other mere mortals appearing to their loved-ones in seemingly solid form after their death. So is it so far fetched to believe that the Resurrection was a fact? But how can we explain the disappearance of the physical body from the tomb? How would this have been possible?
Quantum physics may well hold the answer here and Ernest Holmes may yet be proved right. Scientists at Duke University in America are already working on an “invisibility cloak theory" as per the Harry Potter phenomenon (check out the link on this page) The things that we used to believe were confined to the realms of science fiction fifty years ago, have now become reality and in this age of technology, we now accept them as the norm. In a few years time, will the physicists be proving to us that our bodies have an inbuilt component that can shape-shift at will, disappear and re-appear, defy the laws of gravity, time and space and even death and thus prove the immortality of what is called the “soul”. Who knows?
Ah! But what if Ernest Holmes and others are wrong and the Easter story is just a myth?
Actually, that’s fine too. Why? Because the myth tells us the same story in symbolic form. However, first we need to clarify what we mean by a myth. The popular understanding of myths is that they belong in the realm of fantasy, fairy tales and entertainment. In the case of the Resurrection story, nothing could be further from the truth.
The ancients knew the value of myths in imparting deep spiritual truths in allegorical formats, which could only be understood at the level of consciousness of the one receiving them. A good example of this would be the parables that appear in the New Testament. A parable or myth is easily remembered and was the method that the wise of old, chose to clothe their truths and keep them hidden from the uninitiated. They could also impart the knowledge by degrees to the novice who may not be able to digest the full revelation and at the same time, it could be given in its completeness to those who were ready to grasp it.
Just as the Christian “Virgin Birth” story runs parallel with many other ancient religions and philosophies, so the same is true of the Easter story. (for further information on the virgin birth myth, see our last newsletter on “The metaphysical meaning of Christmas” in our archive section)
If we go back over thousands of years, throughout the ages, we will find references to a cosmic saviour in practically every religion or spiritual teaching including Paganism. They all partake of a heroic journey, with many trials and tests along the way, eventually being either crucified or killed, only to rise again unvanquished. So the Resurrection story is not confined to Christian teachings,
Metaphysically speaking, the character of Jesus, from his conception to his resurrection is the symbolic journey of the soul. Jesus is often referred to as “the only begotten son”. This gives the impression that there is no other “son of God” than Jesus, when in actual fact Jesus was the representation of the fully realised Christ Consciousness that is the potential within all mankind. The phrase, “only begotten” was a mistranslation of the Greek word “monogenes” which means “that which was begotten of one parent.” “Do not call anyone on earth your father for one is your Father, he who is in heaven” (Matthew 23 v.9.) This is the metaphysical concept of the Divine or Higher Self, which is the Invisible Spiritual Heritage within all beings. It exists independently from that identity which was formed from our human parentage. The word “heaven” means that place of Higher Consciousness within.
Ancient scripture re-iterates the spiritual nature of all beings in the quotation: “I said you are gods, children of the Most High”(Psalm 82) and again in John 10 v.34 “Is it not written in your law, “ I said “You are gods” ?” In other words, the same Spirit within me, is within you. We come from the same Source.
The Resurrection story is therefore revealing to us, our own spiritual journey. The crucifixion is the symbolic “crossing out” of our lower self, the tomb represents the place of transformation which enables us to break out of the restrictions of the human mind and the resurrection symbolises our rise in consciousness to claim our Spiritual Identity. It is that Eternal Self that cannot die which is of the same nature as its Source.
The good new is, that we don’t have to die to be resurrected. Every time we move through a past restriction and take another step along the Spiritual Path, we are crossing out the old, rolling away the stone of limitation and rising in consciousness to the new.
So, is the Resurrection a myth or reality? Only you can decide. I invite you to take from the article, whatever has meaning for you.
Meanwhile, have a wonderful Easter Holiday and may you continue to rise in consciousness. Many blessings, Christine
Home Practice
Sit quietly, closing your eyes and imagine that there is a light at the centre of your body. Breathe gently from that light. As you breathe out let it expand and begin filling your body. Let it rise up to the crown of your head and then breathe it down to your toes. Continue to breathe gently expanding the light outward in all directions until your whole body is full of light. Say silently to your self. " I am the Light, the Light is who I am" Continue to expand the light until it moves beyond the outline of your body. Let it flow out from your body until your sense of having a material body disappears as it transforms into a body of light. Allow this light to travel further and further outwards until you experience becoming one with the light. You still have an identity but you are conscious of yourself as being the light. You exist independently of your physical sense of body. Experience yourself as the Infinite Invisible Presence, without restriction or limitation. Say silently, " I and the Presence are One" Rest for a few minutes in this Awareness. Then gently open your eyes. Practice this for 7 days.
You may like to check out the Duke University YouTube on invisibility, link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja_fuZyHDuk&feature=related
It is quite scientific and technical, so there are also some light-hearted“fun” videos to watch on the same page if you scroll down to “Invisibility Cloaks” The funniest is shown below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcPzCb7TlZ8
Quote for the month:
He who knows me as his own divine Self breaks through the belief that he is the body and is not reborn as a separate creature. (The Bhavagad Gita)
Christine King
We can only give a brief explanation of metaphysical teachings. If you would like to go deeper in your understanding, please visit our website for details of one to one metaphysical counselling, various workshops, introductory seminars and professional training plus a list of courses offered by our qualified practitioners