The Christ Within

[taijasi]

On another thread, under a discussion of Inspired Scriptures, I posted that I believe we are all `Christs-in-the-Becoming.'

In reply, Thomas posted

Interesting concept. I would press on then, to argue the case for the Christ to whom all being seeks to be ... for the Christ must exist prior to the desire to become Christ ... as Christ said to St Catherine of Siena, "I Am He Who Is, you are she who is not ..." that's the crux of it, for me.

This calls to mind at least two, related ideas for me. One is what Teilhard de Chardin called the Omega Point, a subject about which I wrote my undergraduate thesis.

The other is the Biblical passage, familiar - I hope - to all Christians, in which St. Paul makes reference to "the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles," which we find translated as "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col 1:27)

One additional letter of the Apostle Paul has always appealed to me, in part. In his letter to the Ephesians, Ch.4, v.13, St. Paul speaks of the future and nature of Christian striving:

"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ"
​

The people of ancient Ephesus had a background was rich in the Mystery Traditions, with which St. Paul was well familiar, thus giving him a special appeal and connection with people of this community.

What I'm interested in, and I ask it in the context of one's faith and belief within the Christian Tradition, is what this phrase, `the Christ within' (or `Christ in you') signifies - for you, personally?

How does this translate for you into something that can appeal, both to you in your religious or spiritual relationship(s), but also to others, regardless of their faith and religious tradition? And how has your understanding of the Christ within evolved? How has it shaped you, as a person, and helped to move you closer to who and what you hope to become?

There are folks who certainly believe in this idea, the Christ within, and may choose to acknowledge it under different terminologies. Their thoughts are welcome, also, though what I am looking for is a discussion within the context of Christianity ... and one with a more personal, perhaps anecdotal tone to it, rather than something scholarly or weightedly philosophical.

The personal thought that I would add, from my own experience but on a limited, as yet not greatly explored basis, is that I know the Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) speak of this idea variously as: "the Inner light", "the inward Christ", or "the spirit of Christ within." The description at Wikipedia on the modern Quaker approach says:

The intention to "see the light" or see "that of God in everyone" is an effort in Quakers to cast aside more superficial differences and focus on the good that they believe to be in all people.
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Also, the earliest pastor my childhood church (a fairly small, moderately inclined Lutheran congregation) was once asked - What is our relationship to Christ? His response, my Mother tells me, was, "We are like ... `little Christs." Being about 2 years of age, I might not have been old enough to listen to or appreciate his answer, but - because I keep this account so dearly to my heart - I do expect to still feel the same way for the rest of my days.

What are some of your thoughts, feelings and experiences?

 

[wil]

Namaste taijasi the Christ,


I'm respondin quite Pauline today....

Like a bud with the bloom inside our Christ self is ready to burst and it is only we who is holding it back. "Be transformed by the renewal of your mind" ~Romans12:2

I die daily, the choice to die to the old material closed outlook and open upto the Christ mind/consciousness within. "I die every day--I mean that, brothers--just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~1Corinthinians 15:36

The day we no longer just say, but embrace, truly grock, I and the father are one. "Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus" ~Phillipians 2:5

UNeyeR1.... You and I are one... there is only one power and one presence active in my life and affairs, G!d the good, omnipotent. "We have the mind of Christ" ~1Corinthians 2:16

Just awaiting our awareness and choice....

 

[Dream]

Ok, I hear the idea. Although I am not keen on double meanings for words like 'Christ' it actually does have more than one true description. It is a whole made up of miniatures that share the shape of the overall. Each piece is one person, an important & indispensible part of the whole Christ. It would be like if you took a hologram and broke it into shards each piece would show the entire image rather than just a piece of it (like an ordinary photo). The idea is that you as an individual must take action to be a savior in whatever way possible. If you do, then you are a little christ, part of the whole body of christ -- an important part.

It starts with the baptism ceremony where you relinquish your individual selfish point of view and also self preservation. (I am thinking about doing it, as both of my previous baptisms were not about that; but it is a huge commitment.) It is not only your actions that make you a christ, but it is also the support of others that make it possible both for you individually and as a group to be christian. Not only is it about helping but about accepting help from and relying on others, through whom you recieve God's help. Without doing that, you cannot honor the spirit of God that dwells among humankind. You cannot be a christ either, because you are too weak on your own. The spirit dwells literally in each member then in the whole, which I'd suggest is why Ephesians mentions "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." It is both for practical and spiritual reasons that christians should submit to each other. Insomuch as that spirit rests in each member, you can only honor that fact by trusting your life to it. You are 'Hidden in Christ', and this takes a lot of dedication, faith. You cannot merely give, but you must also receive.

• 
  Ephesians 5:18-21 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

I tend to think of being filled with the spirit as reading the scriptures, however that is not sufficient. The above means it requires everyone together supporting each other. Obviously you have to sleep, and you have to make allowances for other weaknesses of ours. We have to eat, and we are not naturally selfless. People sleep, people die, people give up and have to be brought back, and sometimes people fail or betray. The spirit has to be kept burning by a change of hands, so in Christianity there is to be a continual passing of the flame so that while some sleep others are awake keeping spirit burning. That does not mean that you ever quench the flame on purpose! Think of it as a candle burning at one end, and you keep adding to it at the cool end so it never stops. When you sleep someone else is awake. When you wake up, you join in again. You do not 'Quench' the spirit but wait patiently for the arrival of Jesus Christ. This builds on the idea of the lampstand in the temple and the blooming of the fig tree that Jesus mentions in all three synoptic gospels. The fig tree blooms only seasonally; however the oil can be used continually, so be patient between seasons.

• I Thessalonians 5:16-19 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit.
• Proverbs 27:17-18 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
• Leviticus 24:2 Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.

 

[wil]

You cannot be a christ either, because you are too weak on your own.

Namaste Dream,

Enjoyed the whole but am shinin the light on the above. Taijasi, please indicate if this is fodder for another thread or can be included.

A big portion of our thinking is that Jesus did not just gather disciples to teach them but also to learn from them and he chose them specifically to quicken various G!d given powers that they expressed so these gifts could elevate him to the understanding of the Christ within.

And that these are the same gifts, attributes in his image we need to increase and balance ourselves.

Peter
Faith

John
Love

Andrew
Strength

James (Son of Zebedee)
Wisdom/righteous judgement

Philip
Power (of the word)

Bartholomew
Imagination

Thomas
Understanding

Matthew
Will

James (Son of Alphaeus)
Order

Simon the Zealot
Zeal

Thaddeus
Elimination/release

Judas/Mathias
Life

 

[Dream]

The personal thought that I would add, from my own experience but on a limited, as yet not greatly explored basis, is that I know the Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) speak of this idea variously as: "the Inner light", "the inward Christ", or "the spirit of Christ within." ....

Going off on a tangent....

I visited a Quaker meeting a few years ago, and I had mixed feeling of awe and concern. I found the people to be amazing, yet they had almost completely lost any desire to reconnoiter their origins. No one I asked seemed to know the original reasons why they had become Quakers except for a vague concept of inner light. It seemed like a good concept -- not bad, however it was a little bit as if they felt they did not need any identity, which is odd. Struggle for identity is usually part of the human experience at all ages. It is the advantage of all new organizations and the vitamin of old ones.

These Quakers had some fancy apologetic writings, however the apologetic writings were over 100 years old in more ways than one. The great grandchildren of the Quakers did not seem to interested in knowing why or how they came to rely on inner light! They were Quakers because their parents had been Quakers. The meeting was 95% empty seats. The movement almost seemed, except for its progressive activities, doomed to expire on its own from attrition. The few Quakers I met were involved in many charitable actions, fighting racism, and opposing the persecution of homosexuals & others. They believed in the inner light's revelations. In that sense Quakerism seemed very much alive, but I think that the organization lost its essential inner stress of survival and self purpose. It did not seem too interested in, say, how to explain to others what Quakerism was, why it existed, if it was important, etc. It was like Jimmy Stewart on Its a Wonderful Life before he learned that his own life was important. Does that make sense? They needed a visit from Clarence the angel or something.