The Nature of Spiritual Development - Paragraphs 7 and 8

We will once again look at two paragraphs together.

“We should also keep in mind that within any given religious group, there always will be individuals privy to revelations beyond the group itself. Because God’s revelations are not restricted by any group, no individual can be deprived of encountering all God’s revelations. Two examples that come to mind: the Egyptian Pharaoh who made his case for One God and was put down by his people; the Jewish philosopher, Philo of Alexandria, who came upon the Trinitarian nature of God, was also deemed unacceptable to his group.

We can find evidence of a trinity in Hinduism and Buddhism long before Christianity. The point is that everyone, regardless of their religion or belief system can come to know the furthest reaches of God’s revelations, know them long before they become known (accepted or rejected) by a particular group.”

When I read “there always will be individuals privy to revelations beyond the group itself” an awareness arises that such a statement would have been heresy in my faith tradition. As far back as I can remember there was always a sense that one must go along with the group. Although now that I’ve said that it is apparent that such a sentiment is exactly what constitutes my personality of an Enneagram Nine whose mantra is “go along to get along.” Nevertheless, it would have been frowned upon for someone to express a revelatory thought beyond the confines of doctrine. 

The next thing I love that Roberts expresses is that “no individual can be deprived of encountering all God’s revelations.” When I read this there is a sigh of relief as there is an aspect of me that believes this as Truth. We would not have the many beautiful wisdom teachings of the world if this were not so. What arrogance to hold one another down insisting our viewpoints, beliefs, or values are a complete set. This small mindset, and one I found in the church, was very constricting, very limiting, and very frustrating. Encouraging people to find their own living experience of God was proscribed by a letter-of-the-law attitude. 

I say a resounding yes to Roberts when she says that everyone “regardless of their religion or belief system can come to know the furthest reaches of God’s revelations.” And I do mean everyone and I believe she does also. God will not withhold revelations to those that are inclined towards that which can not be explained or towards Truth. We have touched upon this earlier in her essay that the reality of the situation is that an individual receives and, in fact, has received revelation long before the group and it is the individual that teaches the group about the revelation. In the Christian tradition we think of Moses and Jesus.

As for how I understand this text, it would seem that if we are open, intentional, and curious about Truth we will be guided. At least that is my own experience. No man (pun intended) set me on this path. From the perspective of my faith tradition I was not even taught there was a “path” or that one could encounter the Living Word for themselves and follow the biddings of that Word. John 3:8 says the “wind blows where it prefers” so who are we to argue? This reminds me of the story where the disciples were up in arms about someone using Jesus’ name to heal. Jesus replied “if they aren’t against us then they are for us.” I’d love to have seen the look on the disciples faces!

Wow, this really reflects the generous, kind spirit that Jesus was in touch with and imbued. I honestly believe that anyone who responded in Love would be recognized by Jesus as with him, even if they were not in his tribe. And not to lean political here, but it would seem if more of us could insert genuine generosity, kindness, and love into our hearts our actions would produce very different results. We would forbear one another as I Cor. 13 4 - 7 teaches us. 

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

At the end of the day this is how I understand today’s text, that it has to do with Love. Both from our end in being open to receive from Mystery, and also that Mystery is willing to reveal itself to us. As I look at these verses I see that some days go better than others. I don’t believe these verses mean that we don’t feel any of these things such as envy, pride or boastfulness, but instead, if we claim to Love, then we will choose to put aside our petty personalities and differences and choose the higher path. I actually believe that this Love can become the fabric from which we live but that is another blog for another day. For today it is enough to say that I choose Love as hard and as inconvenient as it is on some days.