The Gospel of Thomas, often classified as a Gnostic text, does not directly serve as a polemic against religion in general, but it does present a distinctive approach to spiritual teachings that contrasts with mainstream Christian doctrines. Here are some aspects of its content and themes that suggest a different perspective on religious practice and belief:
Gurdjieff taught that the Enneagram symbolized a journey for individuals to transcend certain "blocks" that maintained them in a state of automatic reaction to external stimuli, rather than living as fully conscious beings. Interestingly, for Gurdjieff, the awakening to consciousness began not with thought but through the body, using movement to disrupt entrenched neurological pathways. These practices evolved into what are now known as Gurdjieff’s Dance Movements, which continue to be practiced worldwide.
Reincarnation... Did you know that in many writings in the Bible, the author and readers assume reincarnation?
The Enlightenment was a time when esoterica and mysticism flourished alongside reason and science, reflecting the era’s rich and multifaceted approach to knowledge and understanding.
Today's "Daily Pondering" comes from the "Record Keepers of the Akashic Records" channeled by Jeni Holla, The Akashic Nomad. To learn more about the Akashic Records, Record Keepers, and/or Jeni Holla, click here: JeniHolla.com
The Enneagram is a model for how energy flows in our reality. It is described by the geometric relationship between numbers 1 through 9. It describes the energetic flow as a spiral moving in both directions. The spiral galaxy is a macroscopic example, and the model of the atom is a microscopic example. In between is us, human beings. In us, the enneagram describes "how we move" in the world. In other words, what "motivates" us? What gets us to move and do the things we do?
"A Course in Miracles" (ACIM) is a spiritual program for self-study, emphasizing love and forgiveness as transformative paths to peace. Authored by Helen Schucman from 1965 to 1972, she attributes the guidance of the course to an inner voice she recognized as Jesus. ACIM promotes a profound idea: the truest miracle is realizing and accepting the omnipresence of love in one’s life, a concept that transcends conventional religious practices to advocate for a broad, non-denominational spirituality.
Meditation for me has never been about becoming more spiritual. For me, it’s about being able to just be present. In a world of incessant distractions, enticing us into a future we imagine will somehow be “better,” or a past we’re convinced we’d be happier to return to, it’s an act of love for ourselves to harness our attention in the one place where change can actually happen: now.
A Paradigm Shift
Historically marginalized and often misrepresented by mainstream Church teachings, Mary Magdalene is now recognized as a central figure in Christianity's origins. Traditionally portrayed as a repentant sinner rather than an influential disciple, she is undergoing a profound reevaluation in modern theological studies and spiritual movements. This shift depicts her not just as a follower of Jesus but as a vital leader within his inner circle, who may have profoundly understood and disseminated his teachings.
Did you know that Thomas Jefferson edited his own version of the Bible? Jefferson created the Jefferson Bible by cutting out passages from six copies of the New Testament, each in a different language (Greek, Latin, French, and English), and then arranging these passages into a single volume.
The Gospel of Mary Magdalene describes the "7 Powers," or challenges, that individuals must confront if they are to grow spiritually. The 7 powers morphed into the "7 Deadly Sins" of the desert Christian monks of the 4th Century. (Meggan Watterson) A century later, a desert monk, John Cassian consecrates the cave where Mary Magdalene eventually settles and lives in the south of France.
Image is from Jessica Davidson
The process of compiling the current version of the bible, the one you would find, say, in the bedside table of a hotel room, was guided by the need for a unified version of Christianity. In the wake of Christ, there were many “Christianities,” there were many communities with varying ideas about what or who had just walked the earth.
