M N Kundu
Good Friday and Easter Sunday commemorating crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ exemplify Christian mysticism and principles of universal spirituality. These two events give ample evidence for the fact that Jesus was a faithful follower of the spiritual values he preached and demonstrator of the truth of eternal life beyond the earthly perishable frame. These are outstanding episodes of his absolute surrender to the will of the Almighty, incredible forgiveness for erring humanity, unconditional love for God and unwavering adherence to spiritual principles that lead to supreme realisation, “I and my Father are one.”
Jesus was neither unaware nor a weak victim of the impending circumstances. During the Last Supper he announced, “Verily, I say unto you that one of you shall betray me.” His prediction of the future was so precise and accurate that he could foretell Peter, “Before the cock crows thou shall deny me thrice.” He committed 33 miracles, exhibiting his supernatural command over nature and psychic power over matter. But he did nothing to save himself and not even uttered a single word in self-defence. Rather, he asserted the utter futility of prolonging earthly stay and said, “Break this frame and I shall rise again in three days.”
The sacred mission of spirituality lies in realizing that there is no death despite apparent death and the power of death is confined only within the finite sphere of mortality beyond which immortality eternally flows. From this depth of realisation he could proclaim, “Before Abraham was, I am.”
The essence of Christianity lies in the life of Jesus as a unique illustration of his immortal message, “Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength and with all thy mind, and love thy neighbours as thyself.” He further added, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.” This concept of unconditional love is the central theme of his spirituality against the traditional fear for the Almighty.
The second part of the advice is for self-expansion. “Love thy neighbours as thyself,” is an assertion of eternal life underlying all creatures and hence by loving all, we can truly love God. So he committed his greatest miracle with an incredible prayer for crucifiers, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” This boundless love for erring humanity caged in ignorance is the hallmark of his teaching.
From this emerged his mystic way of the Cross. Unconditional surrender to the will of God, “Let thy will be done.” When one accepts what all is happening in the cosmic dream of creation without slightest resistance, the illusion of earthly life loses any meaning for him and he works as an instrument of the Almighty. The way of cross is not a way of suffering, but a way of permanent peace through surrender. This is the miracle of mysticism.
Complete self-consecration resurrected Jesus into oneness with the Divine. His phenomenal consciousness of cosmic delusion got entirely dissolved into transcendental consciousness and again descended as the saviour of suffering humanity. Thus the crucifixion of Christ and his resurrection constitute a comprehensive study of Christianity and human spirituality.
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in the Article above are Author’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."
Courtesy: Times Of India, Speaking Tree: April 19 ,2019
M N Kundu
Good Friday and Easter Sunday commemorating crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ exemplify Christian mysticism and principles of universal spirituality. These two events give ample evidence for the fact that Jesus was a faithful follower of the spiritual values he preached and demonstrator of the truth of eternal life beyond the earthly perishable frame. These are outstanding episodes of his absolute surrender to the will of the Almighty, incredible forgiveness for erring humanity, unconditional love for God and unwavering adherence to spiritual principles that lead to supreme realisation, “I and my Father are one.”
Jesus was neither unaware nor a weak victim of the impending circumstances. During the Last Supper he announced, “Verily, I say unto you that one of you shall betray me.” His prediction of the future was so precise and accurate that he could foretell Peter, “Before the cock crows thou shall deny me thrice.” He committed 33 miracles, exhibiting his supernatural command over nature and psychic power over matter. But he did nothing to save himself and not even uttered a single word in self-defence. Rather, he asserted the utter futility of prolonging earthly stay and said, “Break this frame and I shall rise again in three days.”
The sacred mission of spirituality lies in realizing that there is no death despite apparent death and the power of death is confined only within the finite sphere of mortality beyond which immortality eternally flows. From this depth of realisation he could proclaim, “Before Abraham was, I am.”
The essence of Christianity lies in the life of Jesus as a unique illustration of his immortal message, “Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength and with all thy mind, and love thy neighbours as thyself.” He further added, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.” This concept of unconditional love is the central theme of his spirituality against the traditional fear for the Almighty.
The second part of the advice is for self-expansion. “Love thy neighbours as thyself,” is an assertion of eternal life underlying all creatures and hence by loving all, we can truly love God. So he committed his greatest miracle with an incredible prayer for crucifiers, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” This boundless love for erring humanity caged in ignorance is the hallmark of his teaching.
From this emerged his mystic way of the Cross. Unconditional surrender to the will of God, “Let thy will be done.” When one accepts what all is happening in the cosmic dream of creation without slightest resistance, the illusion of earthly life loses any meaning for him and he works as an instrument of the Almighty. The way of cross is not a way of suffering, but a way of permanent peace through surrender. This is the miracle of mysticism.
Complete self-consecration resurrected Jesus into oneness with the Divine. His phenomenal consciousness of cosmic delusion got entirely dissolved into transcendental consciousness and again descended as the saviour of suffering humanity. Thus the crucifixion of Christ and his resurrection constitute a comprehensive study of Christianity and human spirituality.
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in the Article above are Author’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."
Courtesy: Times Of India, Speaking Tree: April 19 ,2019