I'm really enjoying learning about the great yogis and yoginis of India. I had no idea that yoga was a spiritual practice. That helps me understand better my affinity for it.
I'm trying to figure out what to believe about Jesus. I'm pretty sure he existed as a historical figure, but what I'm no longer sure of is his divinity. I mean, yes, of course, he was divine, we all are, but was he really the literal son of God, born of a virgin mother, offered as a sacrifice to redeem the world?
It's such a stereotypical story. As I study world religions, I'm intrigued by their similarity. They all seem to feature an all-powerful creator, an evil antagonist, and a divine intermediary. The "Savior" possesses special powers, performs various miracles, protects the obedient (aka righteous), and destroys the wicked.
Jesus isn't the only being who has performed miracles. Saints, yogis, and other great men and women have been performing miracles since the dawn of time and still continue to do so to this day. Equally fascinating to me is the idea that you don't need "priesthood" power to perform miracles. I guess since I grew up a Mormon, I adopted the belief that the priesthood power is what gave men in the Mormon church power to enact miracles in God's name. However, Saints and Sages throughout history, have been performing miracles as great as Jesus's with no such "priesthood" power.
It seems that special powers are a function of holiness and purity and not some priestly confirmation or designation. Man and woman alike, if they are pure in heart, can, by their very virtue, cast out devils, heal disease, rebuke illness, and raise the dead.
In light of Easter, the question begs, has anyone, besides Jesus, resurrected themselves-- if Jesus did indeed resurrect himself? Which, I'm not so sure he did. I guess I, like Thomas, doubt it. But, believing he did isn't impossible for me. I am now reading accounts of yogis who have likewise resurrected themselves so either people can indeed resurrect themselves or these people are all delusional. I am not ready yet to formalize my belief as I have not yet studied enough to form an educated conclusion.
I do know that if reincarnation is true, then we are all constantly dying and being reborn so we are all resurrected many times until we achieve Godhood. Which sounds like it can take a really long time. Speaking of reincarnation, I'm going to write about that tomorrow night as I came across the most fascinating information concerning the topic. It felt so true when I read it.
By the way, today at their general conference, the LDS church announced a new temple in Layton, Utah. Makes me think I should have held onto my lot. Remember how last month I put a deposit down on some land right off of Layton Parkway. That lot, undoubtedly, just doubled in value with that announcement. :)
I'm trying to figure out what to believe about Jesus. I'm pretty sure he existed as a historical figure, but what I'm no longer sure of is his divinity. I mean, yes, of course, he was divine, we all are, but was he really the literal son of God, born of a virgin mother, offered as a sacrifice to redeem the world?
It's such a stereotypical story. As I study world religions, I'm intrigued by their similarity. They all seem to feature an all-powerful creator, an evil antagonist, and a divine intermediary. The "Savior" possesses special powers, performs various miracles, protects the obedient (aka righteous), and destroys the wicked.
Jesus isn't the only being who has performed miracles. Saints, yogis, and other great men and women have been performing miracles since the dawn of time and still continue to do so to this day. Equally fascinating to me is the idea that you don't need "priesthood" power to perform miracles. I guess since I grew up a Mormon, I adopted the belief that the priesthood power is what gave men in the Mormon church power to enact miracles in God's name. However, Saints and Sages throughout history, have been performing miracles as great as Jesus's with no such "priesthood" power.
It seems that special powers are a function of holiness and purity and not some priestly confirmation or designation. Man and woman alike, if they are pure in heart, can, by their very virtue, cast out devils, heal disease, rebuke illness, and raise the dead.
In light of Easter, the question begs, has anyone, besides Jesus, resurrected themselves-- if Jesus did indeed resurrect himself? Which, I'm not so sure he did. I guess I, like Thomas, doubt it. But, believing he did isn't impossible for me. I am now reading accounts of yogis who have likewise resurrected themselves so either people can indeed resurrect themselves or these people are all delusional. I am not ready yet to formalize my belief as I have not yet studied enough to form an educated conclusion.
I do know that if reincarnation is true, then we are all constantly dying and being reborn so we are all resurrected many times until we achieve Godhood. Which sounds like it can take a really long time. Speaking of reincarnation, I'm going to write about that tomorrow night as I came across the most fascinating information concerning the topic. It felt so true when I read it.
By the way, today at their general conference, the LDS church announced a new temple in Layton, Utah. Makes me think I should have held onto my lot. Remember how last month I put a deposit down on some land right off of Layton Parkway. That lot, undoubtedly, just doubled in value with that announcement. :)
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