book of john, map of unfoldment

i recently read the Book of John in the bible, the first bible book that i have read all the way through. being thouroughly saturated in philosophy and mystic/spiritual thought i could sense symbolism all of the place yet had only the slightest idea what it could mean. i had always been told that the book of john was one of the more spiritually symbolic books of the bible and that is why i read it. now ihave begun reading a book which i have had for long time but was waitint to read it until i read the book of john. this second book is called “the mysteries of john” by Charles Fillmore. it has a philosophic interpretation that delights me, it goes line for line and interprets the whole book of john. here is one thought so far which i have really liked, it goes with what i think and feel about the bible. “Mary, mother of Jesus, represents intuition, the spiritual soul, eve, “the mother of all living”. Jesus is the personal I AM and His apostles are the twelve faculties… The apostles represent the dominant nerve centers, the spiritual symbolism of each being concealed in the name.” he goes on the to describe themeaning of the names of all the places that jesus goes such as Capernaum being a state of consciousness. and much more to come, iam only on the third chapter.

oh yeah and i want to add that this new interpretations leads me closer to the conclusion which i have long suspected, though it is rarely an opinion that i hear from others that the bible, new and old testaments are not just the word of god as the religious would say or a guide book of morals and parables as many would say, or just an old book as unbelievers might claim but it is a handbook for initiates of an ancient secret society of spiritual growth and knowledge. the reason the true meanings of the bible are not widely known is because they were never openly given and the clergy are also ignorant for as the religion was spread those left in charge only had a beginners knowledge but know more than others they took this to be supreme knowledge. the secret and knowledgable part of the society quietly retired somewhere perhaps dead or killed off and the secrets are lost or remain secret. those who are close to understanding are likey inspired(intuitionally open) and have spent a great deal of time in study, more can be found by studying all religions and philosophies because these religious texts and practices did not form in a vacuum but were influenced by, or stole from, other groups that were already around, so the clues for unlocking information come from many places.

well i got distracted from what i was saying, the bible, the story of jesus in particular, as far as i have seen in the book of john is a map of the spiritual unfoldment of man. when he says “i am the son of god” he is talking about a part of each man and woman being the offspring of the full I AM of god. i do not yet comprehend the full meaning and chronology of this unfoldment but i know that it is a map in symbolic language and not a true historical account. the other books of the bible i have not read, they may go along with this or they may be bastardized and watered down due to the ignorance many have to the true meaning. they may be aimed at help people in inbetween stages they may be many things, though i do not yet know. the old testament no doubt is full of symbolic wisdom untapped by many who know that text well, this too i will consider in time. this reminds me also of the map contained in the mythology of greece and likely hidden within many other mythologies. in the greek myths i have seen, with the help of authors who have studied much, the interplay of the inner realms of man each god a force within us which we often do not understand and by speaking of them in such ways as gods and goddesses they become things that we can talk about and understand intellectually and through that we can understand thier dynamics in our lives. i am continually baffled at the ignorance of modern man who thinks that the ancients were without knowledge or technology yet from whom we have degraded into this state in which we find ourselves. the common men as in any time may have perpetuated and recorded ignorance while the intelligent passed it down carefully in the only way that it can be done properly to ensure understanding, that is by word of mouth, books that were written with powerful knowledge were written in code, such as the bible, so that when the time had come for one to understand it fully, when the individual was prepared the key would be given and from such the mysteries could be unlocked. without which the ignorant make up what they want to fill in the gaps of thier understanding and have brought us to this. a world full of so many misunderstandings that we do not know which ones to reject or embrace.
if only the world could wake up.

Re: book of john, map of unfoldment

If you like that kind of thought, try reading Maurice Nicoll, “The New Man” and “The Mark”.

You'll never see bible parables in quite the same way again.

Course, like sausage and laws, it's better not to look at how the “bible” was created.

Re: book of john, map of unfoldment

well i dont hold too many illusions about the bible, a great curiosity yes but i would rather leave it be. Thanks for the book idea though. it is odd because i was reading a book on holiness by a Donald Nicholl who had a different perspective catholic religion, and actually quoted as much from other religous figures as he did from the bible or catholic figures, that kind of work inspires great respect in me, being one who believes in unifying thought.

Re: book of john, map of unfoldment

Have you read any Maurice Nicoll? He's a fascinating character. In my opinion the best of that rascal Gurdjieff's students.

The title of the book “The Mark” comes from the ancient aramaic word that yeshuah (if there was a yeshuah, and yeshuah isn't a code name for a semen smeared amanita muscaria mushroom, which John Allegro suggested) used in his parables, that we translated thru the aramaic and greek as the word “Sin”

The word yeshuah used for “Sin” is a technical term from archery, which means “missing the mark”, as in, missing the target you were shooting at with your arrow.

So, “The Mark” is the thing that humans aim for, that they miss when they commit sin.

Nicoll's thesis in those two books is that the Gospels represent an esoteric instruction set in the form of those unique stories we call the parables.

Esoteric instructions that later were rewritten, added to, and packaged as a religious document in the following centuries.

A sweet idea. Who knows how optimistic it is.

Robert Funk was a cool thinker too. He died recently. What was the name of his last famous book? Oj yeah - “Honest To Jesus” - he seperates out from the gospels the parts that we can be sure _weren't_ said by yeshuah, and then looks at the stuff that is left that might actually have been said by a personal yeshuah.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Funk

Re: book of john, map of unfoldment

i had a computer glitch and it erased my original post-reply so i will sum it up. both authors sound great im suprised that i havent heard of either, but i will keep my eye out. another critical examination of biblical issues that i found enlightening, the whole book by the way is great as far as i am concerned, is in Manly Hall's Secret teachings of all ages: http://sacred-texts.com/eso/sta/index.htm

there are three chapters near the end of the book specifically about christianity which provide a different explaination of biblical symbolism and origin. i especially like the one about the crucifiction which tells of many stories predating christianity that have the same symbolism all over the world. one is so close and obvious that it astounds me that people dont think more about it, krishna/christ, even the message is obviously similar.

also i uploaded a replica of that diagram i told you about, its nothing special and the notes that go with it are hiding from me but it is a kind of polar variation. through swinging pendulum arms different postions can be held while having the appearance of dualism there is a cloud of grey possiblities. i dont remember exactly what i was thinking about 7 or 8 years ago when i drew the original but this is what i remember of it. if i find the original i will let you know if you are still interested.
good day

Re: book of john, map of unfoldment

Wow, I am quite impressed at your study of the bible's symbolism.  I am sure it can be interpreted many ways.  I think that it is very mystical, and that in the Bible many mystical teachings are found, and even explained in Paganism.  I have learned more about Jesus and the Bible while being a searcher of enlightenment, then I did when I was a Christian..

(I hope what I just said didn't offend anyone, I am speaking personally about my own experience and not trying to tell anyone else what he or she should do, think, or believe).

I think the search for truth, the search for meaning, that is the goal of existence in my humble opinion.  I have read Mystic Foundations, which integrates how many religions have many similarities drawing off each other, as one community took over another, they used similar symbolism but changed things, you have to keep going back, like peeling layers of an onion to get to the core truth.

There are many truths to many people, what works for you, speaks to you, and fulfills your life, is your answer, your way, and no one should argue with that…

Have a great day, and what a wonderful discussion, if I may say so :)
Francie

Re: book of john, map of unfoldment

” I have learned more about Jesus and the Bible while being a searcher of enlightenment, then I did when I was a Christian..”
it is good to hear that. i think it is unfortunate that christian communities often interpret the world through a very narrow scope. they are told and believe that if you participate in church and listen to what your preacher says you will be ok, i only wish that more christians would try and expand thier views, read books that are not prescribed. you know i hearda  man who takes himself to be very religious say that the only book that he has read in the past year was the bible and he was quite proud of that.  i think that learning the ways of others is an excellent way to be a better christian and can give perspective on your own beliefs and another necessary trait is a willingness to change your mind, to think new things or think about old ideas in new ways. a friend of mine asked me to goto church with her and her husband a few years ago, though my friends were suprised that i was willing to goto a christian church i am not suprised at all. inspire by the sermon i started a conversation on the way home. her husband had said that god came to earth in the form of jesus to give us a message and that whole thing. and i wondered “when did god leave the earth to have to send a man to give us a message?” he didnt like the idea that i thought that god is all things, and that jesus whatever he may be is not god incarnate any more than any of us could potentially be. he got angry and i was having a good conversation. needless to say there wasnt much more to say on the matter. :) i now believe jesus is a symbol, and archetype to use Jung's terminology. he is indeed an example as buddha and krishna are examples of principles that are indeed active in this world yet are not singular or supreme. and i would go on to say that any of us could embody the christ if we would seek such. did jesus exist, who knows. what is written however is not a historical account, in my opinion. and everyone of us can be the sons and daughters of gods.
you mentioned that christianity can be seen in paganism, though i find paganism a vastly broad term i think i know what you mean. i have read that early christians in rome used the underground temple built for worship of Mithras, an older persian deity who is associated with the sun(son).
“Concerning the crucifixion of the Persian Mithras, J. P. Lundy has written: “Dupuis tells us that Mithra was put to death by crucifixion, and rose again on the 25th of March. In the Persian Mysteries the body of a young man, apparently dead, was exhibited, which was feigned to be restored to life. By his sufferings he was believed to have worked their salvation, and on this account he was called their Savior. His priests watched his tomb to the midnight of the vigil of the 25th of March, with loud cries, and in darkness; when all at once the light burst forth from all parts, the priest cried, Rejoice, O sacred initiated, your God is risen. His death, his pains, and sufferings, have worked your salvation.” (See Monumental Christianity.)” - from the Secret Teachings of All Ages by manly hall:
http://sacred-texts.com/eso/sta/index.htm

in regards to such topics as symbolism and secret societies that have shaped our world that book is full of information.
good day

Re: book of john, map of unfoldment

it has also been my opinion that the bible like so many other holy books is mainly if not completely symbolic. Knowledge is power and it has been shared and kept secret for eons. When i read theological types of literture i find a common thread of universal truth that those who wrote it are trying to explain but even in my own experiences it is hard to articulate what i see or comprehend on a more subtle level. symbolism helps conscious beings to relate information to each other and the ones that take it literally just don't get it. Its just too bad that their ignorance has created more wars and deaths than any other cause.