by Bunny B. Czarnopys
2009 is behind us. Many of us may breathe a sigh of relief not knowing why it was a difficult year for our spiritual growth. It was a “11/2” year which had to do with the opportunity for understanding where we were separated from ourselves, Jesus taught,
“A home divided against itself cannot stand.” (Matthew 12:25) It was a year of observing polarizations good-bad, right-wrong and gave us the opportunity to learn Tolerance. All diamonds are created out of coal with a good deal of pressure – perhaps, if 2009 was a difficult year, we can think of ourselves now as Diamonds in the Rough.
Now we have completed the first week of 2010. . . A New Year to Learn and Grow. 2010 is a “3” year – As Rumi, the 12th Century Poet, “Beyond Wrong Doing and Right Doing there is a field, I’ll meet you there.” This field is a field of Consciousness and this “3” year of 2010 affords us the opportunity to step into this new understanding. The lesson of this year is Balance or Stability. It also symbolizes Harmony.
Three is another important number in the scheme of this particular round of Earth School.
Understanding the underlying principles of the universal laws is important to our continued growth and unfolding. Create, Sustain, Destroy. Where in our lives in the past year have these principles been at work? Where have we gotten in our own way of the natural unfolding process and clung to old ways, refusing to let that which is being destroyed dissolve? What do we need to let go of so new growth can unfold?
Are we open to outcome?
We have all heard the adage, “things come in threes.” I recently had this experience during a New Years Eve Sweat Lodge (Inipi Ceremony) in Oklahoma City. I used to jump out of perfectly good airplanes, falling from the sky, to bring in the New Year. Now I crawl into the womb of the Earth, Maka, to bring in the New Energies of the birthing season. (As above So Below)
Anyway, I look for symbols in the Rocks – the Inyans – who usually have messages for me, if I pay attention. This New Years Eve, I was gifted with 3 symbols which seemed very apropos to this New Time in our lives. The first Symbol the grandfathers showed me was that of a Butterfly breaking out of its chrysalis. This is the symbol for TRANSFORMATION. 2010 is an opportunity for Transforming the Trance we have been in for the last year or years and Forming a new reality for ourselves. Transformation is moving from one form to another. We have the opportunity to change our physical and energetic forms of our life in to a completely new reality this year.
The second symbol that came through the rocks was that of a Hummingbird. Hummingbird is a symbol of JOY and FLEXIBILITY, VIBRANCY & COLOR. Where in our lives have we become rigid? It is the old elm that breaks in the wind while the subtle willow flows effortlessly in the blizzard like winds. The Hummingbird tells us to “Lighten Up and Not Take Ourselves So Seriously” in the New Year.
The next symbol revealed to me in the Lodge was that of 2 Horses running together. Horses are the symbols of FREEDOM, INTEGRITY, COMPROMISE, SPEED and AGILITY. Two horses running together make compromises to go where they are headed. If one were to be unaware of their effect on the other, and cut in front of their partner, they may hinder the Freedom both desire. Horses also remind us that we are not victims, we are to take responsibility for our choices in this Earth School – even if the creator has chosen we learn certain lessons on a higher plane. It is up to us to be the best human beings that we can. That is our purpose here in Earth School. The Lakota say Mitakuye Oyas’in – All My Relations. We are all related by out birth into this school and everything we do, whether we know it our not, affects someone else.
When I returned home from the New Years Weekend, I opened my email and got a letter from Marie Diamond, a Feng Shui expert to tell me of her three key words for the New Year: TRANSFORMATION, TRUST, and SERVICE. I found the synchronicity of that letter very pleasing.
With Transformation – it is a time to be TOTALLY open to new knowledge and new growth. With Transformation happening, it is a time to TOTALLY TRUST the process of unfolding within ourselves, knowing it is going to happen whether we perceive ourselves as ready or not. Change Happens and Shifts Happen. Understanding that as we Change ourselves, we Change others is important. What is our commitment to serving others?
I teach a meditation class on Tuesday nights and at the end of the session, we draw an Angel Card to see what we are to keep in mind for the next year. For the last several weeks I received the following words – LOVE, TRUST, and SYNTHYSIS – many times!
This summer I received a reading from Rev. Charles Cox and he called me a Religious Physicist – Looking for the Unified Theory of all Great Religions looking for the underlying TRUTH.
All of my life I have been searching for the Truth and today, I thought I’d share one of the insights I have received from Spirit. Gautama Buddha and Jesus the Christ were brothers about 500 years apart. Buddha was a rich prince who denounced his birth right in the search of TRUTH, LOVE & WHAT IS. Jesus was born to a poor family and went on his own search for the same TRUTH, LOVE & WHAT IS. Both didn’t teach until after they were 30 and until they had woke-up, become enlightened – had a direct experience of what in Christianity we may call the “God-Head.” Each of them became Spirit Filled and was directed to teach what they had learned. By giving away what they had, being of service to others, they continued to receive the Gifts of Spirit. Neither said “worship me” but I’ll show you a way to wake up to the God in You.
(ATTRIBUTES)
JESUS (John 14: 6 & 9 & 18-21)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Have I been with you all this time? Phillip, and still you do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father?” I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. IN a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”
BUDDHA (Itivuttka 3.5.3)
Even if a monk should seize the hem of my garment and walk behind me step for step, yet if he is covetous in his desires, careless and unrestrained, then that monk is far from me and I am far from him. What is the cause of that? Not seeing dharma he does not see me. Even though a monk should dwell far away, yet if he is not covetous in his desires, not fierce in his longing, not malevolent of heart, not corrupt of mind, but calm, mindful and restrained in sense – then indeed that one is near to me and I am near to him. What is the cause of that? Monks that monk sees dharma. Seeing dharma he sees me.
JESUS (John 18:37)
Pilate asked him. “So you say you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
BUDDHA (Majjhima Nikaya 92: 17& 10)
I am a supreme king. So let your doubts about me cease. I am the holy one beyond compare. I rejoice free from fear.
(MIRACLES)
JESUS (John 20:26)
Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them.
BUDDHA (Anguttara Nikaya 3:60)
He goes unhindered through a wall.
JESUS (Matthew 17:20)
Truly I tell you, if you have the faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
BUDDHA (Anguttara Nikaya 6:24)
A monk who is skilled in concentration can cut the Himalayas in two.
(FUTURE)
JESUS (Matthew 24:11-12)
Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold.
BUDDHA (Anguttara Nikaya 5:79)
Monks who are untrained will give guidance to others, and they will not be able to lead them in the way of higher virtue. And those in turn who have not been trained will give guidance to others and will not be able to lead them.
JESUS (Mark 13:31)
Heaven and earth will pass away.
BUDDHA (Anguttara Nikaya 7:62)
This great earth will be burnt up, will utterly perish and be no more.
JESUS (Matthew 24:14)
The good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.
BUDDHA (Digha Nikaya 16:3:7)
I will not experience final nirvana until I have disciples who are knower’s of the dharma and who will pass on what they have gained from their Teacher, declare it and teach the dharma of wondrous effect.
(SALVATION)
JESUS (John 11:26)
Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
BUDDHA (Majjhima Nikaya 22:47)
Those who have sufficient faith in me, sufficient love for me, are all headed for heaven or beyond.
JESUS (Matthew 7:13-14)
Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few that take it.
BUDDHA (Anguttara Nikaya 1:19)
Just as there are few pleasant parks and lakes, but many dense thickets and inaccessible mountains, so are there few beings who will be reborn among men. More numerous are those who will be reborn in purgatory.
(TEMPTATION)
JESUS (Luke 4:13)
When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until and opportune time.
BUDDHA (Lalitavistara Sutra 18)
During the six years that the Bodhisattva practiced austerities, the demon followed behind him step by step, seeking an opportunity to harm him. But he found no opportunity whatsoever and went away discouraged and discontent.
JESUS (Matthew 4:2 & 11)
He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
BUDDHA (Majjhma Nikaya 36:27)
I thought, “Suppose I practice entirely cutting off food.” Then the deities came to me and said: “Good sir, do not practice entirely cutting off food. If you do so, we shall have to infuse heavenly food into the pores of your skin and you will live on that.”
(INNER LIFE)
JESUS (Mark 3:29)
Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.
BUDDHA (Vinaya, Cullavagga 7:3:16)
Do not let there be a schism in the order, for this is a serious matter. Whoever splits an order that is united will be boiled in hell for an aeon.
JESUS (Mark 8:35)
Those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.
BUDDHA (Mijjhima Nikaya 72:15)
With the relinquishing of all thought and egoism, the enlightened one is liberated though not clinging.
JESUS (John 14:27)
Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
BUDDHA (Majjhima Nikaya 6:8)
May fear and dread not conquer me
(MATERIALISM)
JESUS (Luke 6:30)
Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
BUDDHA (Dhammapada 15:4)
Let us live most happily, possessing nothing; let us feed on joy, like the radiant gods.
JESUS (Luke 16”13)
No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
BUDDHA (Dhammapada 5:16)
One is the way to gain, the other is the way to nirvana; knowing this fact, students of Buddha should not take pleasure in being honored, but should practice detachment.
(COMPASSION)
JESUS (Matthew 25:45)
Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.
BUDDHA ( Vinaya, Mahavagga 8:26:3)
If you do not tend one another, then who is there to tend you? Whoever would tend me, he should tend the sick.
JESUS (Luke 6:27-30)
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. From anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.
BUDDHA (Dhammapada 1:5 & 17:3)
Hatreds do not ever cease in this world by hating, but by love; this is an eternal truth.
Overcome anger by love, overcome evil by good. Overcome the miser by giving, overcome the liar by truth.
JESUS (Luke 15:10)
I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
BUDDHA (Vimalakirtinirdesha Sutra 5)
The bodhisattva loves all living beings as if each were his only child.
JESUS (John 1:17)
Grace and Truth came through Jesus the Christ.
BUDDHA (Vimalakirtinrdesha Sutra 2)
The body of the Buddha is born of love, patience, gentleness and truth.
We live in a culture and a world which seems to thrive on fear and difference. Today, Now, in 2010, let’s look for the Similarities and the Love. To Transform, Heal, Find Balance, Trust, Truth and Love, let’s learn to look at ourselves and find the Buddha and Christ within and practice what they each taught: be Patient, Kind, Loving & Gentle with ourselves and then each other. We need to make this a habit pattern within out Body, Mind, and Spirit so our Instinct, Intellect, and Illuminated bodies are in perfect Harmony. In this way, we will fulfill the opportunities of 2010, this New Year, East meets West, As is Above so Below – in the Center – NOW.
Reference: The Parallel Sayings of Jesus and Buddha Edited by Marcus Borg with Introduction by Jack Kornfield, 2002, Ulysses Press, Berkley, CA