Jesus takes us beyond I AM.

[Seawolf]

I think God is not just consciousness also. The body too --very overlooked in spirituality.

Jesus was trying to tell us God is near, not out there somewhere. But we think we're worthless and so can't get that idea. Why would God be near to me if I'm no good and unworthy, much less a part of me?

Meditation is not a trance, quite the opposite in my experience. It's about being aware, not in some weird state.

[Honza]

I keep thinking that if we were close enough to God to actually BE God then it would be a lot more apparent. God seems very far away. So to me a helper like Christ seems the best answer. I just don't think I can reach Him or be Him alone. It seems like a helpless task without Christ.

[Seawolf]

Originally Posted by Honza

I keep thinking that if we were close enough to God to actually BE God then it would be a lot more apparent. God seems very far away. So to me a helper like Christ seems the best answer. I just don't think I can reach Him or be Him alone. It seems like a helpless task without Christ.

I understand it's pretty tough for me too thinking God would be able to be close to me. Hell most of the time I can't imagine good things happening to me. But I'm seeing a therapist now and seeing these feelings come from past childhood experiences.

As I get it touch with myself I feel like believing God being near/part of me, and believing in myself, are not much different. As the past gets healed I see that I can trust my Higher Power more and more, and feel more like good things can happen to me, that I'm not so unworthy and inept.

One of the things adverse childhood experiences does is cause fear of authority figures. I couldn't feel close to God and couldn't trust anyone to help me. That's why I thought I had to do everything myself. I was very fortunate though to be introduced to a licensed therapist and since then a lifetime of pain and insecurity has begun to change.

I dont' see God so much as an authority figure but as part of me, but I would still fight it because it's something positive. Now I'm starting to be able to accept it more. It's a process, but what a relief to know where all this fear comes from and to be able to do something about it.

[ajay00]

Originally Posted by Honza

What I am trying to say is that Jesus is greater than I AM.

But even Jehovah Himself stated His name to Moses , " I am, that I am"

Imho, this shows Jehovah endorsing the 'I am' state. I don't think Jesus would state himself to be greater than Jehovah on this basis as you put it.

[Honza]

Originally Posted by ajay00

But even Jehovah Himself stated His name to Moses , " I am, that I am"

Imho, this shows Jehovah endorsing the 'I am' state. I don't think Jesus would state himself to be greater than Jehovah on this basis as you put it.

I Am That I Am is a name which has been translated from Hebrew into Greek and then into English. The original Hebrew name actually means something slightly different. The Hebrew name of Jehovah is very difficult to define.

[Golden Eagle]

Originally Posted by Honza

The whole premise that God is consciousness is what bugs me. I do understand that without consciousness I would not be aware of anything - but I see no reason for emphasising consciousness. Why declare consciousness is God? Is God not more than that?
Consciousness is too specific to be God. Why single it out. God is WHOLE. Not just one aspect.

The whole premise that God is consciousness is what bugs me

Who and What is the "me" in that statement?

It is that "me" which really bugs me ~

[Golden Eagle]

Originally Posted by Honza

My understanding is that Christ is the PATH and the DOOR to God. I'm sure there are other paths and doors to God; but Christ is the primary path and door. He lets us INTO God.
My path before I turned to Christ was not letting me IN. I was only scratching the surface - and hence I slowly got lost in a sea of surface detail. I know meditation opens the door for people to enter. But to do this one needs to go into a stasis or trance. I prefer to live my life to the whole.

ha! ha! ha! Christ is NOT a Path ........... but 3 out of 4 letters are correct ..... Christ is SELF ~ or as the Buddhist say "No Self" ,,,,, simply without person identity. We are already IN God ........ since God IS all and Whole ..... how could any be outside of God? Impossible ~ yet ego projects a neverending story which sure seems to cast us outside what IS Eternally Infinite ~

NO ONE NEEDS TO GO INTO A TRANCE or Stasis .......... you just need to SHUT UP long enough to be STILL enough ..... UNDISTRACTED enough ...... too PERCEIVE without interference ~ THAT IS ALL!

[Seawolf]

I don't think it really matters as long as there's a connection to Something good and loving, and that helps us grow. And as long as the results of that Power is love, healing and confidence, and not more insecurity and shame. The problem with belief systems is they send mixed message about love. People don't understand themselves and that fear is projected out, and everyone adopts it as 'holy scripture' not to be questioned. But when you start understanding yourself, you realize love is more important.

[Honza]

Originally Posted by Golden Eagle

Christ is NOT a Path

My experience is that He is a Path. So is the experience of millions upon millions of Christians.

As ever; New Age/Hindu say Christ is not a Path and try and explain Christ in their own POV.

Each to their own.....

[ajay00]

Originally Posted by Honza

I Am That I Am is a name which has been translated from Hebrew into Greek and then into English. The original Hebrew name actually means something slightly different. The Hebrew name of Jehovah is very difficult to define.

Well, it equates with the ancient Rig Vedic saying, 'Prajnanam Brahman' - God is pure consciousness. ( Aitareya Upanishad 3.3 of the Rig Veda)

Pure consciousness and the state of 'I am' as conscious Being or Awareness is one and the same, as taught in advaita.

Here 'I am' is a state of Awareness or Being, as opposed to mental or verbal conception).