Sunday, February 24, 2013

The Lost Art of Discernment: Part 1 of 2



We can not have lasting Unity if we do not Develop Spiritually enough to break through our "egoic" illusions, which are often too painful for many to "see."  With few exceptions, we can not Develop Spiritually enough, if we do not "Consciously" strive to Personally Grow through/from our beliefs/perceptions/experiences/traumas/etc.

As we Personally Grow, we "let go" of what is no longer beneficial to us .  As we "let go" of our beliefs/perceptions/experiences/traumas/etc., we begin to be grateful for our pain, as we recognize it is a great teacher.  (Of course, we usually do not like it, while we are going through it.).   With this recognition, we can begin to break through our "egoic" illusions and Develop Spiritually …or perhaps it would be more accurate to say Develop Religiously.

Whoa there … Wait a Minute … Hold On … Develop Religiously?  Why would we want to do that?  Afterall, religion is tragically and shamefully responsible for a lot of pain and suffering … Isn’t it?

The answer to that question is NO … It is Religions themselves (note the plurals here), that are tragically and shamefully responsible for a lot of pain and suffering in the world.  As we learned last week, mainstream religion assists the (D)evil by functioning as the wild beast. (FMI: please refer to last week’s post: “Where are YOU Marked?”)

“Religions are an organized collection of belief systems, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values.”  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion)

Religion itself (note the singular here), has nothing to do with religions (plural).  Religion is simply man's way of having a conscious relationship with the Creator/God, as opposed to the Creator/God having a relationship with us (which is Spirituality).

“Religion is man relating to God and doing so in his terms of reference.  Spirituality is God reaching out to man in love and man responding.”   Kenneth Meyers, Berea Teologiese Kollege


So how do we learn to develop and/or improve our conscious relationship with the Creator/God? 

The key to this answer can be found in the Sacred Holy foundational texts.  These foundational texts serve as conceptual reference bricks in our very own, personal Spiritual Foundation, and Religious Development.  
   
In order for a Sacred Holy foundational text to serve as a conceptual reference brick, it needs to be completely inspired by the Creator and free of dogma (a definite authoritative point of view put forth without adequate grounds).  

These books were not written by humans, and their own interpretations, but through the inspired wisdom of the Holy Spirit which guided their tongues when they spoke and their hands when they wrote.

For it was not through any human whim that men prophesied of old;  men they were, but, impelled by the Holy Spirit, they spoke the words of God.  2 Peter 1:21

These Sacred Holy foundational texts TEACH the same conceptual  “WORD of the CREATOR/GOD,”and were given to us by the same Creator/God.  Unfortunately, we often get caught up in the meaning or translation of words.  If we step out of our own individual box of definitions, and look at the overall concepts these books teach;  if we stop looking at the individual trees, and look at the forest, we will find that the Sacred Holy foundational texts have stood the test of time; they have proved themselves to be the “WORD of the CREATOR/GOD.”

Which Sacred Holy foundational text we use is irrelevant. Throughout history, religions (plural) have drawn on each others texts for material. No text is more or less true than another.  What is important, is that we pick one that resonates with us; one that will assist us in building our own, personal Spiritual Foundation, and ultimately well lead us into conscious union with the Divine Light/Jesus and the Creator/God.   

Whereas we KNOW that the Holy Bible is but one of MANY Books that TEACH the same conceptual “WORD of the CREATOR/God, we have chosen to use the Holy Bible.
  
Regardless of which text we use personally, it is wise to seek out others who are familiar with the text we have chosen.  Do not be afraid to seek advice, ask questions or ask for clarification.   
"It is excellent to seek advice about everything, but only from those with experience. It is dangerous to ask questions of the inexperienced, because they do not possess discrimination." Saint Peter of Damaskos

Anyone inexperienced puts faith in every word, but the shrewd one considers his steps.  Proverbs 14:15
 
This where Teachers come into play … Teachers strive to uphold the pure language of truth, without dogma … Teachers help us learn “how” to think critically, by presenting more than one side of an issue and encouraging us to evaluate and scrutinize any/all information presented, make up our own mind regarding what to accept as truth, or reject as false … Teachers show us, through devotion, how to create a bond of unity with the Creator/God, and each other, that is impossible to break.

“Real devotion is an unbroken receptivity to the truth. Real devotion is rooted in an awed and reverent gratitude, but one that is lucid, grounded, and intelligent.”  The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

To be such a teacher is a heavy Spiritual Responsibility.  The words teachers use, both spoken and written, guide people’s thinking.  It is all too easy, for teachers to succumb to their own, imperfect, “egoic” perceptions (beliefs and biases) and offer explanations based on these perceptions.

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment. For we all stumble many times.  If anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a perfect man, able to bridle also [his] whole body.” James 3: 1-2

When this happens, the teacher stops being a teacher, and becomes a propagandist.  Propagandists sift through, distort and twist facts, and ‘delude us with persuasive arguments.’  (Colossians 2:4), by only presenting facts that will support their view(s).   Once they have convinced us to support their slanted view, it is easy to then tell us “what” to think.

Can a teacher avoid becoming a propagandist?  Can we, individually, avoid being fooled by propaganda?  Thankfully the answer to these questions is YES.  We are not left on our own. The Creator/God  trains us by giving us wisdom, knowledge, and discernment. (Proverbs 2:6, Acts 1:8)  

This training can be provided in two ways. The first way is via the receipt of the spiritual gift of the holy spirit. (Acts 20:28;  Galatians 5:22, 23, 1 Corinthians 12:10). The second way is via discernment of one or more Sacred Holy foundational text.

These conceptual reference bricks  provide great wisdom and serve as guides for our thinking.  By keeping an open mind to receive new information,  and weighing such new information against the Sacred Holy foundational text(s) we have chosen, we let go of old knowledge that is no longer valid, and attract new experience and knowledge  As we attract new experience and knowledge, our truth changes accordingly. 

While truth itself does not change, our perception of what is true changes.  This is because truth can only be  perceived/understood within the context of experience and knowledge.  Throughout the centuries, “truths” of all sorts, have been accepted by the masses, only to be proved wrong later. What is true today, may not be true tomorrow.  As our truth changes, we adjust our “current” pattern of thinking.

EXAMPLE:  The Teaching of Purgatory:

The doctrine of Purgatory evolved as a clarification concerning the state of souls between death and the judgement  (… humans are responsible and accountable for their thoughts and actions, and that in different ways their thoughts and actions now will affect their future outcome. [The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions, 1997, p. 514]).  The doctrine of purgatory was openly rejected at the Reformation (early 16th century ) and Protestants denied it as unscriptural. (Ibid. p. 777). 

Catholics, however, adopted the doctrine.  In the 1960’s, their own research (experience & knowledge) proved to them that the doctrine of purgatory is not, in fact, based on scripture.  As a result of this new-found truth, they humbly adjusted their pattern of thinking.

After reviewing what Catholic writers have said... the New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967, Vol. XI, p. 1034) acknowledges: “In the final analysis, the Catholic doctrine on purgatory is based on tradition, not Sacred Scripture.”  “The church has relied on tradition to support a middle ground between heaven and hell.” U.S. Catholic, March 1981, p. 7.

Let this example serve to remind us to not follow popular opinion …  Let us not be brainwashed by propaganda … Let us not be fools … Instead, let us come back next week and begin to learn the lost art of discernment.


So it is, sealed in trust, faith and truth, in the Sacred Divine Light (Jesus Christ). Amen 

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Where Are YOU Marked?



The Creator/God told the Israelites

“You must apply these words of mine to your heart and soul and bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they serve as a frontlet band between your eyes.” Deuteronomy 11:18  

In the Bible, this was a Law that the Israelites were commanded to keep.   They were to remember it constantly, and allow it to influence all their thoughts and actions. They showed others, by their actions and personalities, to be worshipers  and consecrated spiritual servants of the Creator/God.  Those who had this law in their heart typically spoke of it often, both to help themselves, and to teach others.

And it must serve for you as a sign upon your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, in order that God’s law may prove to be in your mouth; because by a strong hand God brought you out of Egypt. Exodus 13:9

As time passed, the spirit of this law was lost; it was no longer spoken of, nor was the law in the hearts of the most people.  As a result, some began to make and wear phylacteries * on their forehead and/or on their LEFT hand.   These phylacteries were worn as a constant visual reminder of ones personal obligation to the Creator/God; they were always worn when reading the law, and during prayer. 

And it must serve as a sign upon your hand and as a frontlet band between your eyes, because by strength of hand God brought us out of Egypt.”  Exodus 13:16

There are several other scriptures, in the Bible, which speak of symbolic sacred marks/signs of dedication.  All of these marks symbolized dedication to the Creator/God  and served as reminders to continuously serve him.  (Exodus 28:36-38, 39:30,  Deuteronomy 6:6-8,  Isaiah 44:5 , 49:16, Revelation 7:2-5, 14:1)

Not to be outdone, the (D)evil implemented his own law; a law that very closely imitates the Creator’s/God’s Law. To wage war with the holy ones and accomplish his mission, he also uses a mark on the forehead or hand,The demonic mark of the wild beast on the forehead or RIGHT hand symbolizes devotion, giving attention to, and/or active support to the wild beast.

This biblical wild beast has a name, and its name is actually a number: 666.  Some believe that 666 signifies some form of compulsory tattoo; the bible itself tells us that this is untrue.  Under Mosaic Law, Israelites were prohibited from tattooing humans. Leviticus 19:28  

Others believe that it signifies some type of implanted identification, like a microchip.  This also is untrue; however, as we will soon discover via the Obamacare Health Plan, it may, in fact, be utilized in the near future as a tool used by the wild beast to help accomplish the (D)evil’s mission.   


 

These interpretations are very different from what the Bible itself says about the mark of the wild beast.  The Creator/God, the very personification of love and the Source of spiritual light, has not kept his servants in the dark regarding this matter.

All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness.  2 Timothy 3:16

 And this is the message which we have heard from him and are announcing to you, that God is light and there is no darkness at all in union with him. 1 John 1:5

Names serve as a source of identification. The Apostle John says that  the number 666 is a man’s number, not a spirit person; this helps to confirm that the wild beast is from the earthly realm, not the spiritual realm.

In his eighth vision, John sees how the (D)evil maneuvers man-made, political systems (kingdoms) to claim universal jurisdiction over all people, and compels them to do his will.  

“And it puts under compulsion all persons, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the slaves, that they should give these a mark in their right hand or upon their forehead, and that nobody might be able to buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name. Here is where wisdom comes in: Let the one that has intelligence calculate the number of the wild beast, for it is a man’s number; and its number is six hundred and sixty-six.” Revelation 13:16-18 


It is generally agreed that the world’s political systems, under the guises of  big politics, mainstream religion and big business (including banks, as well as the insurance and health care industries), wield universal jurisdiction via supreme human rulership/wordly power.  Although full consensus has yet to be attained, it is also generally agreed upon that the world’s political systems, assist the (D)evil by functioning as the wild beast.

In an effort to create maximum human suffering, universal jurisdiction extends to cover all aspects of our everyday lives. Universal jurisdiction includes, but is not limited to:

  • endorsement of abusive indulgences
  • consumerism and materialism
  • violent persecutions and prohibitions
  • food supply
  • employment and finances
  • health care
  • environment
  • ability to buy and/or sell
  • education
  • acts of oppression
  • promoting divisions and maintaining duality 

It (universal jurisdiction) is a spiritual ploy used to draw people away from worshiping the Creator/God, and to subject people to the will and control of this man-made political system.  It’s number one ally is fear.  Making  people support and slave for the wild  beast, is a cruel use of power.  

Those having the mark of the wild beast, whether on the RIGHT hand or on the forehead, publicly identify themselves as one who supports the beastlike political systems of the world, and therefore are as slaves to it.  Oftentimes, when we bear the mark of the wild beast, we look to it (the political system) to protect and save us (from the wild beast itself).  Remember it’s number one ally is fear. 

It is prudent to ask ourselves, will it really save us?  The Apostle John tells us that those receiving the mark of the beast on their forehead or on their RIGHT hand are in line for destruction. Whenever we worship the wild beast, we are in direct opposition to the Creator/God, for the wild beast receives its authority from the (D)evil.

Accepting the mark of the wild beast on our RIGHT hand or upon our forehead is akin to allowing the wild beast to affect our thinking and control our actions.




We are both legally and spiritually obligated to subject ourselves willingly to government authority, other public officials and authority figures (1 Peter 2:13-18, Romans 13:1, 5-7) however, when authorities command us to act contrary to God’s law, we “obey God as ruler rather than men.” Acts 5:29

Throughout history, those who have refused to accept the mark of the wild beast, have faced many problems.  It takes great determination to remain clean and pure, and trust that the Creator/God will protect and save us from the wild beast.  

The world is a difficult place for those who do not have the mark of the wild beast; it takes great faith and self-discipline to endure.  

Despite any hardships we may encounter in carrying out our everyday activities, we should not allow ourselves to be pressured into letting the wild beast rule our lives by affecting our thinking and/or controlling our actions. Those who gain victory over the wild beast glorify the Creator/God. Understanding what the wild beast is, helps us so that we neither follow it with admiration, worship it, or support it.

May One/ALL choose to worship the Creator/God, and refuse to receive the mark of the wild beast.  May we use our lives and assets in support of the Creator’s/God’s government/kingdom, serving its interest, not the interests of an earthly government/kingdom.  Psalm 34:1-3, Romans 14:7-8

Let our hearts be filled with the word of the Creator/God. Lay up these words in your hearts, as in a store-house, to be used upon all occasions. Let our eyes be fixed upon the word of  the Creator/God: Bind them for a sign upon your hand, which is always in view, and as frontlets between your eyes, which you cannot avoid the sight of. Let our tongues be employed about the word of the Creator/God, remind them of their duty, to love and serve the Divine Light/Jesus.  ~ via Anonymous

So it is, sealed in trust, faith and truth, in the Sacred Divine Light (Jesus Christ). Amen 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* Phylacteries

It was customary to use phylacteries long before Moses entered Egypt.  It is unknown whether Moses adopted this custom or not.  It is biblically logical to assume, that if he did, he would have explained to the people the difference between phylacteries and amulets. Some modern day Israelites still wear phylacteries; those that do, generally allege this precept as a justification for their continued use.

So, what exactly are phylacteries?  Phylacteries were generally made to be worn on the forehead or the LEFT hand, and served as constant visual reminders of ones personal obligation to the Creator/God.  It is important to remember that the  overall purpose of phylacteries were to enable the wearer to eventually receive the words into their heart and soul, and visibly display their servanthood to the Creator/God, by their own words and actions.

“… apply these words of mine to your heart and soul and bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they serve as a frontlet band between your eyes.” Deuteronomy 11:18  

Phylacteries worn on the forehead (the frontlets) consisted of  a single piece of skin or leather which rested on the forehead, between the eyes, and tied at the back of the head.  One side of the skin/leather, consisted of four individual compartments.  Each compartment held a rolled piece of papyrus or parchment.  One of four, specific Mosaic text were transcribed on each rolled piece of papyrus/parchment.  

Those which were designed for the hand, consisted of one piece of rolled papyrus/parchment,  This papyrus/parchment was divided up into four column.  One of four, specific Mosaic texts were transcribed onto each column,  The  papyrus/parchment was then rolled and tied much like a bracelet, on the inside of the LEFT wrist, nearest the heart.   

The first compartment/column consisted of Exodus 13:2-10
 “Sanctify to me every male firstborn that opens each womb among the sons of Israel, among men and beasts. It is mine.”
And Moses went on to say to the people: “Let there be a remembering  of this day on which you went out of Egypt, from the house of slaves, because by strength of hand God brought you out from here.  So nothing leavened may be eaten. Today you are going out in the month of A′bib. And it must occur that when God will have brought you into the land of the Ca′naan·ites and the Hit′tites and the Am′or·ites and the Hi′vites and the Jeb′u·sites, which he swore to your forefathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, then you must render this service in this month. Seven days you are to eat unfermented cakes,and on the seventh day is a festival to God. Unfermented cakes are to be eaten for the seven days; and nothing leavened is to be seen with you, and no sourdough is to be seen with you within all your boundaries. And you must tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of that which God has done to me when I came out of Egypt.’And it must serve for you as a sign upon your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, in order that God’s law may prove to be in your mouth;  because by a strong hand God brought you out of Egypt. And you must keep this statute at its appointed time from year to year.
The second compartment/column consisted of Exodus 13:11-16  
And it must occur that when God brings you into the land of the Ca′naan·ites, just as he has sworn to you and to your forefathers, and when he does give it to you,  then you must devote everyone that opens the womb to God, and every firstling, the young of a beast, which will come to be yours. The males belong to God. And every firstling ass you are to redeem with a sheep, and if you will not redeem it, then you must break its neck. And every firstborn of man among your sons you are to redeem.
And it must occur that in case your son should inquire of you later on, saying, ‘What does this mean?’ then you must say to him, ‘By strength of hand God brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slaves. And it came about that Phar′aoh showed obstinacy toward sending us away, and God proceeded to kill every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of man to the firstborn of beast. That is why I am sacrificing to God all the males that open the womb, and every firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ And it must serve as a sign upon your hand and as a frontlet band between your eyes, because by strength of hand God brought us out of Egypt.
The third compartment/column consisted of  Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Listen, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah. And you must love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your vital force. And these words that I am commanding you today must prove to be on your heart; and you must inculcate them in your son and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up. And you must tie them as a sign upon your hand, and they must serve as a frontlet band between your eyes; and you must write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
The fourth and final compartment/column consisted of Deuteronomy 11:13-21
And it must occur that if you will without fail obey my commandments that I am commanding you today so as to love Jehovah your God and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul, I also shall certainly give rain for your land at its appointed time, autumn rain and spring rain, and you will indeed gather your grain and your sweet wine and your oil.  And I shall certainly give vegetation in your field for your domestic animals, and you will indeed eat and be satisfied. Watch out for yourselves for fear your heart may be enticed, and you do turn aside and worship other gods and bow down to them, and God’s anger does blaze against you, and he does shut up the heavens so that no rain will occur and the ground will not give its produce and you have to perish speedily from off the good land that God is giving you.
And you must apply these words of mine to your heart and your soul and bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they must serve as a frontlet band between your eyes.  You must also teach them to your sons, so as to speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up. And you must write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates, in order that your days and the days of your sons may be many on the soil that God swore to your forefathers to give to them, as the days of the heavens over the earth.


 

 

Sunday, February 10, 2013

The Great Holy Anointing Oil Debate: Calamus or Cannabis?

This post has formatting problems; thus far, have not been able to fix them.

In the Sacred Law, the Creator/God gave Moses a recipe to make the Holy Anointing Oil.  The recipe consisted of: myrrh, sweet cinnamon, sweet calamus, cassia, and olive oil.  This Holy Anointing Oil was so sacred, that it became a major offense for anyone to make it, or use it, for common or unauthorized purposes.

Exodus 30:23-25 tells us:

As for you, take to yourself the choicest perfumes: myrrh in congealed drops five hundred units, and sweet cinnamon in half that amount, two hundred and fifty units, and sweet calamus two hundred and fifty units and cassia five hundred units by the shekel of the holy place, and olive oil a hin. Then you must make out of it a holy anointing oil, an ointment, a mixture that is the work of an ointment maker.  It is to be a holy anointing oil.

Once the measurements are converted, the recipe seems pretty straightforward; so what’s all this debate about?  The oriental plant Calamus, is Latin for cane; in Hebrew, the word is Kaneh.  It is one of the ingredients in the Holy Anointing Oil.   When we linguistically trace the Hebrew word Kaneh, we are introduced to the idea that the term Calamus was mistranslated in the earliest Greek Bible, the Septuagint.

Dr. Sara Benetowa, a Polish anthropologist (1903 – 1982), asserted that the word kaneh-bosm actually referred to cannabis. In 1980, Israel’s Hebrew University, confirmed her linguistic explanation as being a valid interpretation. 

To help us ascertain which herb was actually used, let us look quickly at what the resultant oil was used for. The Holy Anointing Oil was used during sanctification rites and/or ceremonies, e.g.,  to designate and/or dedicate something as sacred and holy, baptismal, ordination, and/or unction (healing) ceremonies.
 
When a person was anointed with the Holy Anointing Oil, the oil was poured onto the top of his head and allowed to run down his beard, to his collar.
 
It is like the good oil upon the head, That is running down upon the beard, Aaron’s beard, That is 
running down to the collar of his garments. Psalm 133:2
 
And you must set the turban upon his head and put the holy sign of dedication upon the turban.  
And you must take the  anointing oil and pour it upon his head and anoint him  Exodus 29:6-7
 
And you must take … some of the anointing oil, and you must spatter it upon Aaron and his garments
and upon his sons and the garments of his sons with him, that he and his garments and his sons and 
the garments of his sons with him may indeed be holy. Exodus 29: 21 
 
After that Moses took some of the anointing oil …and spattered it upon Aaron and his garments and upon his sons and the garments of his sons with him. Thus he sanctified Aaron and his garments and his sons and the garments of his sons with him.  Leviticus 8:30
Things dedicated as sacred and holy were also anointed with this oil.  The Creator/God gave Moses the following directions for its use:

And you must anoint with it the tent of meeting and the ark of the testimony, and the table and all its utensils and the lampstand and its utensils and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils and the basin and its stand. And you must sanctify them that they may indeed become most holy. Anyone touching them is to be holy. And you will anoint Aaron and his sons, and you must sanctify them for acting as priests to me.  Exodus 26-30

Last, but not least, the apostles, under the direction of the Divine Light, personified as Jesus, greased many that they had healed, with the Holy Anointing Oil.  Although the oil did, in fact, possess some beneficial healing properties, it is important to remember that it was the Creator’s/God’s Holy Spirit that actually healed people, not the oil.

and they (the apostles) would expel many demons and grease many sickly people with oil and cure them.  Mark 6:13

Jehovah’s spirit is upon me, because he anointed me to declare good news to the poor, he sent me forth to preach a release to the captives and a recovery of sight to the blind, to send the crushed ones away with a release, Luke 4:18

Then he (Jesus) called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to cure sicknesses  Luke 9:1 
 
So he approached him and bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine upon them. Then he mounted him upon his own beast and brought him to an inn and took care of him.  Luke 10:34

Now let us briefly look at each herb in question.  

CALAMUS

To date, there is an increasing interest in Calamus as a hallucinogenic recreational drug.  Fresh or “recently 
dried” Calamus root is held as a sacred herb, by many Native Americans, and is often used in religious 
ceremonies as a Spiritual Hallucinogen. It has been said that it helps one see/enter the Spiritual World/Realm.

The structure of alpha and beta asarone molecules, found in Calamus, bear some resemblance to the structure 
of "ecstasy,"   commonly known as "Adam." Ecstacy often produces an altered state of consciousness which   
promotes contemplation of divine things, introspective personal insight and self-disclosure, together with a deep 
love of self and others. 

According to The Shulgin Rating Scale, the affects of Ecstacy produce:
 
A rare and precious transcendental state, which has been called a 'peak experience', a 'religious experience,' 'divine transformation,' a 'state of Samadhi' and many other names in other cultures. It is a state of bliss, a participation mystique, a connectedness with both the interior and exterior universes, which has come about after the ingestion of a psychedelic drug, but which is not necessarily repeatable with a subsequent ingestion of that same drug. 

If Calamus and Ecstacy share the same transcendental state of consciousness; it is  entirely logical to assume 
that Calamus, is indeed, the herb used in the Holy Anointing Oil.  
 
CANNABIS

No plant comes to mind that has been as maligned and persecuted as Cannabis (marijuana, hemp).  In present day, many/most people believe that Cannabis only has medical, industrial and/or recreational applications, but the use of Cannabis has a long history in religion/spirituality. 

The use of marijuana is as old as the history of man and dates back to the prehistoric period.  Marijuana is closely connected with the history and development of some of the oldest nations on earth.  It has played a significant role in the religions and cultures of Africa, the Middle East, India, and China.  

There are many ancient religious and spiritual uses of cannabis.  Indigenous healers (medicine men/women/shamans/shamanesses), utilized Cannabis during Sacred rites, rituals, and healings.  Sometime between 550 & 600 BC, the Zend-Avesta, a sacred text, listed Cannabis 1st out of 10,000 herbs; the Assyrians used Cannabis as an incense as early as the ninth century B.C. It appears that these healers were concerned with the hallucinogenic, trance and medicinal value of the plants. 

Researchers claim that in the 5th century BC, Siddhartha consumed only hemp seeds for six years, prior to becoming the Buddha. Cannabis continues to play a significant role in the meditation ritual of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, and has been a practice since 500 BC when cannabis was regarded as a holy plant.  A fairly recent archeological discovery of a shamanistic tomb, scientifically dating back 2,500 years ago, revealed a leather basket, containing almost 1.75 pounds of well-preserved cannabis, as well as a wooden bowl containing traces of cannabis.

Ancient spiritual healers employed the ritualistic burning of Cannabis leaves, seeds and flowering tops.  Shamans, in the Zambesi Valley, performed a ceremony in which participants inhaled Cannabis smoke; the Tepecano Indians of northwest Mexico occasionally substituted Cannabis for Peyote; some Mexican Indians performed a communal healing ceremony with a plant called Santa Rosa, also known as Cannabis sativa. This Sacred incense served as a Shamanic tool for spiritual exploration, and provided an opportunity for the user to “Commune” directly with the Creator. 
Hmmm … now things are getting a bit tricky.  Both Calamus and Cannabis can be seen as gateway drugs; that
 is, gateways for spiritual exploration, and Communion with the Creator/God; for thousands of years; both have 
been a trade item, within and across cultures.
  
At this point, some of you may be thinking, if both herbs are gateways for spiritual exploration, and Communion 
with the Creator/God, either one would be an appropriate ingredient to use in the Holy Anointing Oil, right? 
 
For the answer to this question, we must dig deeper, as there is some confusion regarding the taxonomy of  
Acorus calamus; two species have been identified: Acorus calamus, an introduced species and Acorus 
calamus americanus, the native Sweet Flag, which is often mistakenly identified as Acorus calamus.  There 
is a big difference between Acorus calamus and North American calamus (Acorus calamus americanus). 

Despite some minor safety concerns, Acorus calamus americanus, is used for a variety of conditions, e.g., as both a stimulant and a sedative, a hallucinogen, a diaphoretic, gastrointestinal disorders, and as a topical to treat some skin conditions.  Additionally, it is used as a spice.

Neither Acorus calamus americanus  nor Acorus calamus  are native to Palestine;  the Calamus used in Palestine was Acorus calamus; it was imported from either Arabia Felix or India.   
Acorus calamus is not used as a  gateway for spiritual exploration or Communion with the Creator/God. 
Acorus calamus does not share the same transcendental state of consciousness as Acorus calamus
 americanus and Ecstacy; furthermore, Acorus calamus is generally not considered to be safe. This Calamus 
does not have any alpha asarone molecules; beta asarone molecules alone are poisonous.
 
Typical adverse reactions to Acorus calamus include: fever/flu like sympoms, e.g., feelings of shakiness, 
weakness, headache and/or shivering, combined with repeated vomiting (every 5-15 minutes) for 4 or more 
hours.  Some become severely dehydrated from excessive vomiting and wind up in the hospital for a few days.   Additionally, beta-asarone has been shown to cause cancer in experimental lab animals.
 
Food for thought:  Do you believe that the Creator/God would give Moses a recipe for the Holy Anointing Oil, which was to be poured over someones head to designate and/or signify sacredness and holy dedication to the Creator/God, and also used in healing, that contained an ingredient that hampered spiritual exploration or Communion with the Creator/God, made people sick and was carcinogenic? 

So it is, sealed in trust, faith and truth, in the Sacred Divine Light (Jesus Christ). Amen

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Sunday, February 3, 2013

FORGIVENESS: Part 2 of 2



It is impossible to maintain successful relationships without forgiveness.  Without forgiveness, resentments and mistrust grow.  Resentments and mistrust act as toxic poisons and kill (destroy) relationships. Be quick to forgive.

Let the sun not set with you in a provoked state.   Ephesians 4:26

What if we are unable to forgive quickly?  Emotional wounds take time, love and patience to heal.  Love and patience help us to forgive someone whom we perceive is really trying.  

It serves us well to remember to ask the Creator/God to cultivate a forgiving spirit toward any offender who makes an honest effort to alter their thoughtless, unkind, harmful words and/or actions, and sincerely asks for our forgiveness. 

Hmmm … We ask for a forgiving spirit … What does that mean?

When we are on the receiving end of thoughtless, unkind, harmful words and/or actions, it can be difficult for us to allow these words and/or actions to pass through us,.  This is  due, largely in part, because reactions to personal offenses are usually emotion based reactions.  Emotional responses to perceived offenses can range from mild to strong; it is not uncommon for us to feel angry or betrayed; we may even desire justice or revenge. 

When we are hurt by others,  we often want to retaliate and hurt them back in some way, as pay back.   We can reduce anger and other negative emotions with understanding, open-mindedness, a willingness to forgive, and love for one another.  

When others offend us, being willing to forgive, out of love, keeps us from automatically assuming that anothers motives are bad.    

Above all things, have intense love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.  1 Peter 4: 8

Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Even as Jehovah freely forgave you, so do you also. But, besides all these things, [clothe yourselves with] love, for it is a perfect bond of union.  Colossians 3:13-14

Determining why we are upset reduces our emotional responses.  Using our rational mind to analyze offensive words and/or actions, and understanding the reason(s) for our reaction, allows us to consider what would be the most appropriate response. 

Do not hurry yourself in your spirit to become offended, for the taking of offense is what rests in the bosom of the stupid ones.  Ecclesiastes 7:9  

Taking time to calm down and view the situation from the position of an “objective observer” helps us to remain open-minded and respond more appropriately. When we remove our subjective, emotional selves from the picture and examine the scenario as objective observers, we find that many negatively perceived words and actions flow right through us.  The more  we practice taking our subjective, emotional selves out of the picture, the more we will see that most of the things that are said or done to us, is not personal; it is not about us.   This objectiveness helps us see that others typically are not being deliberately hurtful or thoughtless; our offenders are simply being their imperfect human selves. 

He that is slow to anger is abundant in discernment, but one that is impatient is exalting foolishness.  Proverbs 14:29 

The insight of a man certainly slows down his anger, and it is beauty on his part to pass over transgression  Proverbs 19:11  

Know this, my beloved brothers. Every man must be swift about hearing, slow about speaking, slow about wrath; for man’s wrath does not work out God’s righteousness.  James 1:19-20  

By maintaining a positive view of our offender, in spite of what they are saying or doing to us, we build them up, rather than tear them down.  When we reflect back to them what we perceive they are putting out, we give ourselves, and them, an opportunity to clear up misunderstandings; each is also given the opportunity to gain/maintain control over their own behavior.  What a gift!

Therefore keep comforting one another and building one another up, just as you are in fact doing.  1 Thessalonians 5:11

We each have that power within us to create love, joy, peace and contentment, within our own hearts.  Learn to forgive.  If anybody upsets us, don’t take it to heart, forgive them.  If we have any ill-feelings, any grudges, please forgive them.  Forgive them,  that's the only way we can go forward and go on with our life. Grandmother Agnes (13 Indigenous Grandmothers) 
 
So it is, sealed in trust, faith and truth, in the Sacred Divine Light (Jesus Christ). 
Amen