dharmatalks

It’s rather easy to recognise fundamentalism, whether Christian, Islamic, or a fundamentalism based on any other spiritual tradition as being unhealthy, detrimental and illegitimate. We may not be as readily aware of the subtle forms of fundamentalism and intolerant supremacist mentalities that arise in our every day dealings with others, however. These are equally unhealthy, and like all baseless spiritual criticism, arise from arrogance and ignorance.

When someone criticises your spiritual practice or path, it’s best to gently remind them that you are following your interior path, and are disinterested in their approval or disapproval. Admit that your path is a humble and lowly path, and that your path is simply love and compassion.

I would suggest that you seek only three things from your spiritual practice:

First, seek authenticity. Be sure that the path you follow is the one that resonates deeply with you, and which withstands examination and reasoning. For this reason, most practices that are based on superstition, doctrine, dogma and hierarchical authority may prove troublesome. Believe only that which your reasoning and heart have found to be true.

Second seek a path rooted in compassion. Your principal, if not sole motivation for spiritual practice ought to be the desire to alleviate suffering, and end self-cherishing, fears and those things which cause attachments. That means your path should be one free of judgment, and filled with forgiveness – for yourself and others.

Third, ensure that your spiritual practice is relevant. It’s fine to subscribe to the ancient and honoured traditions of our spiritual heritage. But we must work to keep those traditions relevant, dynamic and accessible. If you find yourself drawing from various traditions, don’t let anyone intimidate or ridicule your decision to do so, simply because they are too ignorant to appreciate the limitless possibility for authentic spirituality that exists for those mature enough to do so.

There have been those who continue to attack and ridicule members of our community, because we adapted our spirituality, our rule of life, our monastic (or lay) vows, and our traditions to reflect more authentically the message of the Buddha and the Christ, as it speaks to us.

For the petty, small minded and vitriolic imbeciles of the world, it’s unfathomable for someone to faithfully uphold their vows as a Catholic contemplative, and Successor to the Apostles, while faithfully living the vows of a postmodern Buddhist monastic. Even more impossible, in their minds, is the idea that one could freely celebrate the spiritual traditions of the Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers… the rich heritage of Eastern (esoteric) Catholic spirituality and Vajrayana Buddhism – from an entirely non-theistic approach.

Central to the spiritual of the Contemplative Monks of the Eightfold Path is a text that my Refuge Guru, Swami Abishiktananda (Fr. Henri Le Saux, OSB) shared with me when I was seven years old – a teaching that was given to both arhats and bodhisattvas by the layman, Vimalakirti, which particularly focuses on non-duality.

In the eighth stanza of the sutra, there is a passage which spoke deeply to me as a seven year-old child, and both inspired and informed my future spiritual path ever since. It describes the path I would take… the path which would be confirmed later, as my Root Guru, Tenzin Yangchen Ma, would receive from her Guru Neem Karoli Baba… the path which Swami Bede Griffiths understood, as did Thomas Merton, Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Master Thich Nhat Hanh. For some, it was a passage which metaphorically spoke of an inclusiveness and tolerance that should be held by every spiritual practitioner. For me, it was a literally affirmation of the path I would choose:

He becomes a monk in all the different religions of the world so that he might free others from delusion and save them from falling into false views.

Vimalakirti Sutra 8

It has been a liberating path for me, while certainly not a path for most folks, to be sure. It allows me to live the teaching in a way that is more authentic for me.

I don’t believe that Buddha Sakyamuni intended for people to become “Buddhists”, nor do I believe Rabbi Jesus intended for his disciples to convert people to “Christianity” (or Judaism for that matter). Instead, they intended for people to live joyfully and without attachment… without self-cherishing… without fear or the delusional sense of “separateness” we know as the ego.

Let this new week be an opportunity for you to sever those ties with those who bring toxicity to your daily experiences and relationships. When you allow toxic people to continue to interact with you in ways that create further conflict, you become culpable for the conflict itself. Engaging someone, who continues to attack or disparage you, and then getting angry about their sophomoric attacks is about as sensible and becoming angry with fire because it burns.

Sometimes, the best way for forgiveness to transform a relationship that is damaged is to allow space to exist for a period of time, in which the egocentric mechanisms of all parties can lose their focus and power. By gently letting go, and preventing further toxic interactions, we make room for that miracle in which the broken can once again become whole. The “miracle” of reconciliation and understanding.

Thank you to everyone who sent their well wishes, prayers and expressions of support this past week, following my surgery. The pain in my arm and shoulder remains very intense, but I grow stronger each day, and chose, over the weekend, to stop using the pain medications, so that I could function this week, and return to my work teaching, consulting and counseling.

I will be working fewer hours, and taking breaks as needed. But I am happy to be back, and grateful for the wonderful job the orthopaedic surgeon did once again.

May your week be filled with mindfulness and awareness of the breath, and may love light your way.

Namasté

khenpo gurudas sunyatananda

_____________________________________________

“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa –
Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”

_____________________________________________

Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Khenpo Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

Copyright ©2008, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.

When there is little substance behind one’s claims of grandeur… when one is posing as someone they are not… they are easily threatened by those who legitimately come to do the work they have failed to do.

Often, I am confronted with the sophomoric digs made by self-important “teachers” and sectarian supremacists, who attempt to secure their foothold with those they like to refer to as “their followers” by criticising our path as syncretistic. Because I have been legitimately ordained in more than one spiritual tradition, and have historically held irrefutably “higher offices” in those traditions, I choose to honour those traditions by not setting one religious habit or set of robes as being any more important than the other. So these petty and childish fools scoff at us, and claim that I like to “show off as many different costumes as possible”. In their abject ignorance, they fail to provide any substance to their insinuations, because they’re too busy making a living off the pronouncements their students make on a daily basis about their lineage, their teacher, their caste, etc.

Had any one of those students done their homework, they would:

• recognise when there is considerable disparity between a teacher’s behaviour and the office they are supposed to uphold.
• pay more attention to the Dharma, than to these petty games of sectarian bullshit and supremacy.

If you have to run around impressing upon everyone that your teacher or lineage or organisation is so wonderful, you have a problem! People should be able to see all of that in your works. Period.

I’ve often said, “Thirty-some years of contemplative life, leaves plenty of ‘evidence’, so those who wish to investigate the veracity of my path will have no problems validating that what I teach is wholly consistent with what I live.”

What’s more, I am just a simple monk… a monk who considers it a privilege and honour to wear the robes of a Franciscan and a Buddhist equally… a monk who considers his role as the refuge/root lama on equal par with his role as the retired exarch and archbishop of a spiritually progressive Catholic community. Yes, I am disgusted by the suggestions that my sacred habits/robes are “collecting costumes”, but not surprised by those remarks, given the source.

It’s unfortunate that such persons have nothing more important to do with their time and effort, but I pity them. More importantly, I refuse to engage in their sophomoric banter, and instead continue to bow with respect to their indwelling (though presently obscured) nature – which is the nature of all sentient beings. I will therefore bow, as a simple, unremarkable monk, to their Buddha/Christ nature, and know that eventually, that nature will overcome their egomania, and allow them to grow and grow-up.

Namasté

khenpo gurudas sunyatananda

_____________________________________________

“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa –
Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”

_____________________________________________

Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Khenpo Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

Copyright ©2008, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.

David Pearson writes: “Dharmacharya, could you explain where your teaching fits in overall in the Buddhist world? From what lineage and tradition are your monks associated? And have you not been expelled from that lineage, since your approach to the vinaya is ‘non-traditional’ at best? I mean no disrespect, but find it troubling that you are referred to by so many as a lama and Buddhist monk, yet your path seems to break with Buddhist tradition.”

Thank you for your patience, in waiting for a response, David. (David’s question was received in early December, but I asked him if he would kindly wait until January 18th for my response, and he was kind enough to oblige.)

One of my teachers said that I would know when the time was right to freely discuss my path, and told me that I should wait until I had served for thirty years as a Buddhist contemplative, and at least five years as the shepherd of the progressive Catholic contemplatives entrusted to my pastoral care.

Today marks six years since I was consecrated as a successor to the apostles, and is a White Tara Day in the Tibetan tradition. Since I took my vows as a Buddhist monk on a White Tara Day as well, over 30 years ago, I have chosen this auspicious day to answer David’s question, because I believe it is a question many have wanted to know about for some time.

There have been critics, as many know, from various camps, concerning the teaching, the tradition of our intentional community and our way of life. These critics have, from the very start, struggled to understand where we “fit in” in the overall scheme of things. And for thirty years now, there have been those who questioned whether or not I was suited to teach the path I have shared.

I don’t expect any of that to change.

My lineage is derived from as diverse a tapestry of beloved teachers as the tradition itself. My lineage includes transmission of the Advaita Vedanta and Buddha Dharma from Swami Abishiktananda (Father Henri LeSaux, OSB) of Santivinam (Saccidananda Ashram) in Tamil Nadu (Madras), India.  The transmission of Japanese Zen in the Omoto-kyo lineage was given by Robert Danza Sensei, who received transmission directly from Morehei Ueshiba-san and his Master Onisaburu Deguchi-san. While I have been fortunate to receive Kalachakra empowerment from His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, I must consider my Root Guru to be Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati (who was named Tenzin Yangchen by the Dalai Lama), whose lineage is derived from our Satguru Sri Neem Karoli Baba, Swami Muktananda, Swami Nityananda and Ramana Maharishi. And my apostolic lineage can be directly traced, in unbroken succession to the original disciples, James, John, Judas-the-Twin (Mar Thoma of India), Thaddeus and Bartholomew.

A Word About Lineages

There are frequent discussions online about lineage, and often, it is suggested that one ensure the pedigree of one’s guru or teacher, based on “approved” lineages, as an alleged means of ensuring that one is receiving the Dharma accurately. This type of approach is particularly espoused by some of the Tibetan traditions, and frequently results in students engaging in somewhat questionable banter about how “qualified” this teacher or that is, based on lineage.

Now I understand that recognising a particular lineage can serve as something of a superficial assurance, when seeking a potential teacher or sectarian affiliation, but it is never anything more than that – a superficial assurance.

The Buddha did not tell students to seek out a pure lineage or superior lineage, but rather to test and question everything they were taught, using reasoning, logic and the internal compass as a guide.

When my Root Guru was unable to teach me certain Tibetan and Bon practices, I sought permission to be released to study with other teachers, qualified and adept in such aspects of the Dharma. And I am grateful for having received the permission to study elsewhere, as much as I am to those teachers who taught (and some who continue to teach) me.

But I would never condescend by arrogantly bandying about that I hold this lineage or that. I hold nothing but a desire to alleviate suffering. If a student is looking to accumulate prestigious lineages, I will tell them that I cannot give that to them, despite the fact that many would consider the lineages of transmission I hold to be admirable or “qualified” by their temporal standards.  I am not in the business of lineage brokerage. I am a Dharma teacher.

But What About the Purity of the Tradition?

I am troubled by the sectarianism that I see in Buddhism. While it is natural and beautiful for the Dharma to have developed such diversity throughout the East, in no small part, due to the efforts of Guru Rinpoche and the Great Lama Je Tsongkhapa, Milarepa and Nagarjuna; it saddens me when I find practitioners becoming so attached to the traditions, sadhanas and interpretations of texts that they begin to have disdain for those from other traditions. Such attitudes are the attitudes of religion, and Buddha surely did not come to start a religion.

I draw deeply from the Tibetan tradition, because there is an affinity for Je Tsongkhapa which arose in me at a very early age, for reasons I cannot explain. And therefore, certain sadhanas have become part of my practice and path. But my path is most influenced by the Dzogchen tradition, not because I believe it is superior to any other, but because it organically felt like a continuation of the work I came here to complete.

Similarly, my tradition as a teacher of the Christ Dharma is influenced by Zen and Dzogchen, because these paths express the life the Master led, and can be found in the dharma transmission of Mar Thoma of India (the brother and disciple of Rav Yeshua/Jesus). Again, I feel no compulsion toward a particular religion, because I do not believe Yeshua, like Buddha, wished to start a religion in any way; nor do I subscribe to the legends and errant notions that any of his apostles set out to do so either.

Traditions were not intended to be pure, but rather to be celebrated. And a celebration is dynamic, living, changing. Therefore I dismiss the idea of preserving the “purity” of a tradition, because such things are ego-driven pursuits, which have distracted even the greatest of Dharma masters and throne holders throughout time.

Labels… Labels… Labels…

Labels can be useful for helping us to communicate. But they are no substitution for understanding.

I can speak to you of “fire”, but unless you’ve experienced fire, you only hold a rough conceptual idea of it. I must first define fire for you, and then offer some sort of demonstration to affirm that what I suggest is physically “real”.  Then you can comprehend more fully what fire is.

Our understanding of the Dharma is no different. We must begin with what we call pramana in Sanskrit, or valid cognition. We learn the qualities and function of the Buddha and the Buddha Mind, just as we learn the qualities and functions of fire. And once we’ve attained this valid cognition, we can begin to build upon that so that understanding gives rise to wisdom and integration, and wisdom gives rise to realisation.

So how do I label myself and my community?

Well, the fact is that for the past thirty years, we felt no need to consider ourselves as anything other than monks. Some would call themselves Buddhist-Catholic monks, others would say Catholic-Buddhist monks.

But beginning in 2001, when we formally severed our ties with the Roman Catholic Church, and then again in 2006, when we severed our ties with institutional religion and sectarianism altogether, some significant distinctions arose, which I believe may have unintentionally caused discomfort for members of the Buddhist and Catholic contemplative communities at-large.

Our monks take refuge vows, like any other Buddhist practitioner, upon entering the Order. They commit to living according to our Rule of Life, and according to the precepts of the Order. The Rule of Life our monks live by can be found on the web here: http://www.orderofcompassion.com/rule_of_life.html and the precepts can be found on the Order’s website as well, by first going here and choosing the various links: http://www.orderofcompassion.com/about_the_dharma_of_compassion.html.

What? No celibacy?

That is correct. Notably absent from the lives of our monks is a prescription for or against celibacy. We recognise that attachments can arise due to sexual intimacy, but that they can also arise as a result of vowing to avoid sexual intimacy. Therefore, we chose to work a little harder, and more diligently, to become mindful of attachments, rather than seeking the “quick fix” that had become the custom in both the Buddhist and Catholic monastic environments. We also recognise that primitive attitudes toward sexuality in the ancient times influenced such prescriptions, and that a healthier attitude toward sexuality need not present barriers or obstacles to one’s path.

Now, given that important distinction, along with the fact that in the West, it is less acceptable for monks to beg for their food, shelter and sustenance, we developed an intentional community that operates from a postmodern, culturally relevant perspective, without diluting the essential message of the Dharma – that is, the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the Eight Verses of Mind Training, etc.

Which brings us to the question of whether or not we’ve unintentionally caused our sisters and brothers in the Sangha discomfort, anxiety or even anger.

And because it is clear to me that we have, I am asking all members of our Order, from this point forward, to stop referring to themselves as Buddhist monks or Catholic monks and nuns. Instead, we will identify ourselves as “contemplatives, drawing deeply from the Buddhist, Franciscan, Benedictine and Quaker traditions”. It would be acceptable, I think, to still refer to oneself as a Buddhist contemplative, or Buddhist-Catholic contemplative, etc. but to omit the use of the word monk, when prefacing it with Buddhist or Catholic.

I am not saying that we are no longer monks, because like it or not, with or without the approval of any particular sect, we are monks. Period. We are postmodern monks… non-sectarian monks… emergent monks. And no one has a right to take that from us.

What About Liturgy?

Every contemplative is free to express their spirituality in ways that they personally find appropriate, sacred and “right”. This may or may not include drawing from the wealth of Tibetan, Zen, Catholic, Celtic, Hindu or Bon traditions, or any other spiritual path, so long as those practices do not conflict with the essential nature, understanding and pursuit of the Dharma.

When a group gathers for darshan or Dharma instruction, we do not follow a strict “prescribed liturgy”. The type of liturgy we enjoy depends on the group itself, on the focus of that particular teaching, and on being present in the moment.

Isn’t that Syncretism?

Perhaps it can be called syncretism, for all spirituality has been influenced by various degrees of syncretism throughout human history.

Our tradition freely draws on other traditions, because we choose not to see the imaginary lines drawn in the sand separating one from another. We recognise and celebrate the truths of the great Teachers and Holy Ones, the Heroes and Heroines, both from this life and realm, and those from other realms. We recognise that some of these great ones have been perceived as “gods” and “goddesses” by other traditions, and have no qualms with that. Whether such beings are “real” or metaphors makes no difference either, since the ultimate reality of all phenomena is inherent emptiness.

We do not recognise nor affirm the existence of a “creator” or supreme god or goddess, since the purpose of our spiritual practice is to alleviate suffering, and such notions do nothing to alleviate suffering or realise enlightenment. We do not feel compelled to argue for or against the existence of such beings, simply finding such notions to be less than useful for our own personal spiritual journeys. Since everything is created in our minds, it is possible that some being could create an entire universe in their minds, and trapped by ego and delusion, imagine that they are “in charge” of the entire cosmos. Such possibilities are not our concern. (we have our hands full with gaining control over our own delusions and ego-minds!)

We’re Simply Not Evangelical…

Our purpose as an intentional spiritual community is to provide a safe space in which like-minded people can come together to work toward eliminating suffering for all sentient beings. We have no recruitment agendas. Therefore, we don’t go trying to make converts, because we fundamentally have no use for religion itself. Therefore, there is nothing to convert to!

If someone is part of a particular religious tradition, and wishes to be part of our intentional community, they are welcome to do so. We don’t ask that they give up any religious affiliations. We simply require that no one ever try to convert, persuade or influence anyone else to join, leave or otherwise become part of any religion or religious group.

So maybe we’re Buddhist in your opinion. Maybe not. Maybe we’re Catholic in your opinion. Maybe not.

From my perspective, none of it matters. I am a contemplative monk. And my spiritual path is guided by the teachings of the Buddha and the Christ. But I choose no labels… no distinctions… no titles.

When my students were arguing for the right to refer to me as their lama, I cleverly suggested that they simply call me Khenpo (abbot) or Dharmacharya. The reason was that Dharmacharya, when written in Sanskrit can either mean “teacher of the Dharma” (Dharma Acharya) or “one who lives according to the Dharma” (Dharma charya). At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter… because if you do one, you do the other.

Taking my lead from my Spiritual Father, His Holiness, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, and from my Satguru Sri Neem Karoli Baba Santa Maharaj, I profess no religion but compassion… I recognise no god but love… and I follow no path but service to others.

Namasté

dharmacharya gurudas sunyatananda

_____________________________________________

“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa —
Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”

_____________________________________________

Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Dharmacharya Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

Copyright ©2008, His Eminence Dharmacharya Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.

On January 18th, 2004, I was consecrated as the bishop-protector of the Franciscan Community (Servitores Franciscan Immacolatae), and became the exarchos (highest ranking patriarch) of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Congregational Church, then operating throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the European Union.

In accordance with the Maronite Rite, I was consecrated at the hands of Bishop Carlos Harvin and Archbishop Michael J. Carroll, OSP, at the Cathedral Church of the African-American Catholic Congregation (Imani Temple) in Washington, D.C.

The weather was cold, with intermittent rain and sleet, on Capitol Hill, that night. But it was an important night for me, because it represented the confidence that my congregation – the flock entrusted to my pastoral and spiritual care – had in me to lead them and protect them in the years to come.

Six years later, many of you know the rest of the story… (and for those who don’t, a quick visit to: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com will bring them up to speed).

From 1983, when I began my contemplative life as a vowed monastic, until 2006, I was fortunate to be able to financially provide for the vast majority of the Order’s needs, and many of the expenses of the church itself. Until 2001, I personally covered the rent or mortgage on six convents/monastic houses, and our only fundraising outreach was to cover the growing costs of feeding the poor on the streets of the cities in which we were present.

Today, of course, with a much smaller number of contemplatives involved in our work and mission, I am no longer in a position of being able to support even the most modest of our expenses.  I sold off nearly all of the finer ecclesiastical vestments, my episcopal ring, even some of the items I received as ordination gifts, in the past six months, just to keep from being evicted from the cramped, unhealthy and ill-suited space we currently rent in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in which my office has been relegated to space in the corner of our walk-in closet, and my altar space a tiny corner therein.

And so as I contemplated the past six years, I realised that there was part of the story I could and should share with the thousands of students around the world, who come to our blogs for inspiration, information, guidance and support.

Now that the effects of living with full-blown AIDS for 26 years and my recent battle for the past several years with Parkinsonism (neurological problems similar in nature and linked to Parkinson’s Disease, although less serious), it has become very difficult for me to “pull rabbits out of my monastic zucchetto” financially.

I am now faced with a difficult decision. I could walk away from the medical coverage I’ve fought (in and out of court) for the past seven years to get back, and attempt to find work in the non-profit sector, so that we could have a steady and stable income… which would make it possible for us to get out of this terrible living situation and relocate back to the Greater Washington, D.C. area, where contacts and the culture itself lend itself to greater support for our work. Or I can figure out another way to make it.

If I try going back to work, particularly with an arm that remains badly broken due to the neuro problems, which will likely require another reconstructive/reparative surgery this spring, then that surgery will not be done. It will also necessitate going off the HIV treatment and treatment for Parkinsonism, since the co-pays for those meds exceeds $1600/month – something I could never afford with a traditional non-profit job. There is also a slim chance of finding a non-profit position which would be flexible enough to allow for the days when I spend six to eight hours in the morning sick, or too weak to move… or the periods of 4-5 hours of intense pain, when I cannot function, let alone think straight.

So what are my alternatives?

I’d like to think that the service I offer the community at-large is a valuable one. I am aware of the unique qualifications that come from having lived for 30 years within the Buddhist monastic life, while simultaneously functioning in a progressive Western ethos, and ministering to members of a more traditional (but radically inclusive) faith community. And so I am going to turn to you and ask for input…

What can I do for you that would have some sort of value?

The idea is that if I could find just 15 people, who were able to use my help in some way – whether it was writing or editing blog copy, creating graphics, developing a website, or some other function – for which they would offer just $100/month, I would have the additional funds needed to sustain healthier living standards, groceries, and utilities. And I would be able to ensure that Craig, whose challenges with Parkinson’s Disease are far more severe than my own, doesn’t end up further damaging his health by trying to push himself at times when he should not be doing so.

Of course, it would be wonderful if someone were to see value enough in my work to be able to offer half the amount we need as a monthly rental stipend ($850) or even if someone were to be able to afford to underwrite the entire $1500/month. I am sure that given my skillset, there is someone out there who could use the tax write-off, and quality of services we can deliver.

So I am going to put it out there, and see what happens. I am confident that there will be ideas coming forth from the community-at-large. I’ve put feelers out for those who might have rental properties that could use a live-in property manager; as well as positions for Church groundskeepers, which might include a suitable groundskeepers house in lieu of payment.

I am hoping too that folks will be inspired by the admonition of Og Mandino, who encourages us:

Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight.  Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward.  Your life will never be the same again.

I remain deeply grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve as an historic successor to the Apostles John, James, Judas the Twin (Mar Thoma of India), Thaddeus and Bartholomew… in the lineage of Mar Thoma, Carlos Duarte-Costa, Dom Salomon Ferrez.

I am also profoundly grateful for those upon whom I have had the fortune of laying hands, who have taken up the responsibility as successors to the apostles themselves, including: Arcbhishop Michael Seneco (of the North American Old Catholic Church), Most Reverend Mother Jeanne Cortopassi (of the Franciscan Companions of Jesus & Mary), Bishop Hugh Strickland (of an independent sect within the Anglican Church), Bishop James Long and Bishop Stephen Delaney (both of the Universal Catholic Church), Bishop Kevin Crowell (of the Spiritus Project), Bishop Ken Young (of the Order of Servant Franciscans, now a Protestant Methodist/Episcopal sect) and Archbishop Roger LaRade (of the Eucharistic Catholic Church of Canada). Your continued work in the vineyard keeps the message of compassion alive!

Most importantly, as I offer thanks for the past six years of episcopal service and for the entire body of 30 years’ service in monastic life, I am grateful for all of those who have given me the privilege of serving them… for those who listen… those who ask for help… those who hunger for a way to free themselves and others from suffering and attachment.

It is for each of you that getting out of bed, no matter how much pain there is, becomes worth it.

Namasté

dharmacharya gurudas sunyatananda

(archbishop francis-maria of the immaculata, o.c.)

_____________________________________________

“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa —
Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”

_____________________________________________

Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Dharmacharya Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

Copyright ©2008, His Eminence Dharmacharya Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.

When the Roman Vicar of Hatemongering, Benedict XVI, spewed his recent vitriolic diatribe, at the end of 2008, he made a complete and utter fool of himself, and those of like-minded intolerance everywhere, by stating that the existence of gay persons threatens humanity as much as the destruction of the rainforest, adding that “blurring genders” through the acceptance of transgender people would kill-off the human race.

I resisted the temptation to remind him of his earlier life as a Hitler Youth, and how he’s already contributed greatly to the killing-off of the human race.  And we simply shook our heads, wondering when the Roman Catholic institution was going to remember the essential message of the Christ, and return to its roots as a people devoted to that message. In its present state, we expect an intercommunion agreement with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – the only other hatemongering institution of its size, representing a warped political action committee, disguised as a church, much like its Roman counterpart.

The Roman Pontiff, however, continues to drive the stakes of hatred and homophobia deep, addressing the Vatican diplomatic corps (from deep in his own closet) in a message that was supposed to be focused on environmental issues.

And in fact, Der Führer Katholische, did just that initially…

According to the AFP, Der Führer spoke superficially about the responsibility of protecting species, and not allowing them to become endangered. This was only a segue for his hate speech to begin, however as he quickly manipulated the subject to become about “protecting or endangering the human species” stating: "One such attack comes from laws or proposals which, in the name of fighting discrimination, strike at the biological basis of the difference between the sexes."

Citing "certain countries in Europe or North and South America", the Pontiff continued his diatribe and attacks.  The comments were clearly references to Mexico City and Portugal, which legalised gay marriage recently.

This only further underscores the illegitimacy of the Roman Catholic claim to hold the teachings of the Christ. Absent are all signs of compassion, loving-kindness, forgiveness, equanimity and humility. Instead, we find an institution which readily abuses its perceived authority as a means of extortion, as was evidenced in Washington, D.C., where the archbishop attempted to use threats to prevent the D.C. Council from passing equal access to marriage laws.

Now I am not personally inclined to see any value whatsoever in the institution of marriage. But I do believe that those who wish to celebrate and solemnise their relationships in such a way ought to have the same rights and privileges as anyone else.

When will Roman Catholic wake up and realise that every time they donate a dime in their collection baskets, they are funding hatred, intolerance and violence? I don’t care how they justify their actions, claiming to only be supporting “the people” or their “local parish”… the bottom line is that when you continue to support an institution which spreads hatred, intolerance and incites violence toward people based on their gender or sexual orientation, you are equally culpable.

When will Roman Catholics realise that the rhetoric of their church is becoming less and less consistent with intelligence, science and reasoning, and more superstitious, archaic and irrelevant? On a recent trip to Africa, Der Führer Katholische, Benedict XVI, claimed that condoms “aggravate the spread of disease”! This statement was even decried by Lancet, the respected medical journal, which stated in an editorial:

"By saying that condoms exacerbate the problem of HIV/AIDS, the Pope has publicly distorted scientific evidence to promote Catholic doctrine on this issue.

"Whether the Pope’s error was due to ignorance or a deliberate attempt to manipulate science to support Catholic ideology is unclear.

"But the comment still stands, and the Vatican’s attempts to tweak the Pope’s words, further tampering with the truth, is not the way forward…

"When any influential person, be it a religious or political figure, makes a false scientific statement that could be devastating to the health of millions of people, they should retract or correct the public record.

"Anything less from Pope Benedict would be an immense disservice to the public and health advocates, including many thousands of Catholics, who work tirelessly to try and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS worldwide."

The Roman Catholic Church represents hatred, homophobia, oppression of women, transgendered persons, and as a result of the language used by its leaders, incites violence toward those who do not fit into its archaic and narrow window of culturally acceptable persons.

My heart aches for the religious sisters, brothers and clergy who represent a more compassionate, loving and inclusive understanding of the apostolic tradition – the real champions of the spiritual tradition – whose voices are stifled by the oppressive Roman Reich.

I believe the time must come when the people take a stand, refuse to support the hatred, the intolerance, the scandals and cover-ups, the duplicity and injustice, and demand that Benedict come out of his closet and do the right thing.

Until then, he’s nothing more than another hateful, bitchy queen in Prada shoes.

Namasté

dharmacharya gurudas sunyatananda

_____________________________________________

“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa —
Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”

_____________________________________________

Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Dharmacharya Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

Copyright ©2008, His Eminence Dharmacharya Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.

I know a lot of folks are preparing for their families’ holiday gatherings, and the next few days will be hectic for them.

But if you’re feeling the need to dig a little deeper into the “reason for the season”…

The Tragedy Continues…

On Thursday evening, and Friday morning, in churches around the world, adherents to the religion started by Paul of Tarsus (more commonly known as Christians) will hear the retelling of the nativity story. Their preachers will often, with the best of intentions, interpret the details of the story as literal events, and the focus will be how this Holy Child, born without the “dirtiness” of human sexual intercourse, by His mere birth alone, “saved the world”.

It’s a story that began to emerge about a century into the history of the Early Church, based on the mythos of the Middle Eastern and Roman cultures, in which nearly identical tales were told of Horus, Mithras and Osiris, for thousands of years before. Into the mythic tale of Mithras and Horus was weaved the Jewish context of a meshiach — an anointed one, who would free them from (physical/political) captivity forever.

The original context was not one of redemption from the later innovation of “hell”, but one of being saved from one’s enemies and oppressors.

It’s a romantic story… a nostalgic account… and because not only whole churches, but other big businesses have been built on that account, it’s one few of us are willing to easily dismiss or rationally investigate. Yet amusingly, it’s one of the focal points for those of us who wish to point out that the bible cannot possibly be taken as an historic or inerrant, literally-interpreted document, because the accounts that tell of the so-called saviour’s birth contradict one another immensely.

What most people “think” the Bible says about the birth of Christ is actually an aggregation of what the synoptic texts say, with various conflicting details eliminated or muddled into new details — the trip from Nazareth, no room at the inn, three “kings” (Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar), the mythic flight into Egypt, Silent Night and angels singing the “Gloria”.

At about this time, on Christmas Eve, when I share these thoughts with my congregation, people generally grow uneasy and visibly uncomfortable. “What is he saying? He’s a bishop, for God’s sake! Is he saying that Christmas never happened?”

Yes, that is exactly what I am saying!

Fortunately, I have yet to be burned at the stake, but each year, the murmur of “heretic” gains momentum among those unwilling to consider what I believe is the true message of Christmas, and redemptive value of Christ’s Life and Teaching.

You see… I don’t think Paul even came close to getting it right. And so those who crafted the accounts attributed to Matthew, Mark and Luke barely gleaned the essence of the message either. I’m a Catholic priest and bishop, but I do not subscribe to the anti-gnostic, oppressive and grossly misogynist theology of Paul of Tarsus — and so I hesitate to use the label “Christian”, since most Christians are followers of Paul… not Christ, and most Christians are (rabidly) theistic, and I am not.

My “calling”, as I understand it, was to carry out the “mission statement” of Christ… not the agenda of Peter and Paul.

But since so much of the Advent and Christmas Season is focused around the beautiful story of Mary’s surrender and realisation of the (indwelling) divine will, as told in Luke, I think we can refer to another passage, in which Christ Himself states the mission and purpose of his ministry — with no reference to imaginary concepts like original sin, virgin birth, or escaping the mythic “murder of innocents”:

“The Breath of the Sacred is upon me,
because Spirit has anointed me
to bring Good News to the poor.
The Spirit compels me to proclaim
the way of liberation to the captives,
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the time of divine favour.”

(cf. Luke 4:18-19)

If we read that profound “mission statement” before attempting to reflect on any other passage of Scripture, we find that our interpretation of the meaning and message becomes much more sharply focused, and resembles the popular teaching of the institutional church less and less.

On this Holy Night, Christ reminds us, through mythos and tradition, that we are so loved that the Divine Principle assumed the form of humanity, so that we could awaken and realise our divine nature. If we are truly followers of His Way, we must accept that like Him, each of us are anointed by Love, and are “other-Christs,” called to care for the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to become light for the blind, and to fight to end oppression.

A church that issues “instructions” that oppress and marginalise those who are called to serve at His Table is not faithful to Mission Statement of Christ. It is little more than a fascist representation of the mythical, judgmental and oppressive god introduced by Moses.

A church that threatens to divide itself over the ordination of a bishop, whose life-partner happens to be of the same gender, is not faithful to the Mission Statement of Christ. A church in which the preacher condemns all Muslims as terrorists, or refers to those who follow a different path of truth as “abominations”, is not faithful to the Mission Statement of Christ.

Such “churches” and their theologies are illegitimate.

Two thousand years after that Mission Statement was said to have been proclaimed, we are reminded that there are still poor among us… still oppressed and captive peoples… still those blinded by hatred, ignorance, greed, and intolerance…

While we sit comfortably in our churches and homes, there will be millions around the world for whom no “year of the Lord’s favour” will have come to forgive the crushing burden of poverty, hunger and war.

There’s no harm in the retelling of the nostalgic, romanticised and traditional story of the manger, because its retelling stirs something within our hearts. The challenge, however, is to take that stirring in our hearts and put it into action.

This Christmas, as we ponder the wonder of the Holy Child, who would show us the Way to Liberation, let us resolve to recall what He said His mission was… to make it our own missions… and to remember, there is much work to be done.

May our prayers be enjoined with those of all people, so that our world may be free of violence; protected from intolerance and separatism; that an end to diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders and AIDS might become a reality; that children never have to suffer from hunger, disease, poverty or ignorance; and that peace, unity and understanding among all people one day be achieved.

And regardless of your personal beliefs or traditions, may this Season of Light and Love be a bright, holy and mindful one, filled with peace. YOU are a gift for me, woven into the fabric of my life, and for that, I am grateful.

With love -

Namasté
dharmacharya gurudas sunyatananda
(archbishop francis-maria of the immaculata, oc)

_____________________________________________
“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa –
Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”
_____________________________________________

Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Dharmacharya Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

Copyright ©2008, His Eminence Dharmacharya Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.

Tags: mythos, dharma, christ, spirituality, christmas

With the shifting of our perspective, all things appear differently. If one were to look at the sky during a clear night, one might perceive all things being basked in the light of the moon. Highlights reflecting on the water, the leaves of the trees, and the earth itself, would delight us with the interplay between shadow and light.

In our minds, we may see that experience as different from our view of the same landscape during the middle of the day, when everything seems to be illuminated by the sun’s bright light.

This is but one small example of our dualistic mind, and the way it distorts ultimate reality, shaping our mistaken perceptions.

What we see at night is not at all separate from the light we

see during the day. In fact, the moon has no light of its own, reflecting only the light from the same sun that shines during the day.

So it is with our perceptions about many things in life… including our spirituality.

One of my spiritual brothers, Jayanata Paquette observed this morning:

Devotion is a direct route to gratitude, the most healing of emotions. People forego the subjective experience of devotion in favor of fighting over the various objects of devotion (i.e., religions).

Only when we cultivate this realisation of unity (yoga in Sanskrit), bringing together the inward and outward, will we begin to see with a clarity of mind that frees us from all mistaken notions and delusions. This awakened state, which we find in the stories of the lives of Buddha Sakyamuni and Rabbi Jesus, in the lives of Kuan Yin and Mary the Christotokos, and in the stories of countless illuminated teachers, saints, mystics and guides, brings with it inward and a restful heart.

From this place of pure devotion… a devotion which celebrates, honours and bows in reverence to all that exists, all that has existed and all that will one day exist, recognising the common nature of all phenomena as outward expressions – mirror images of our interior state… we draw together the subtle body of unified spirit, the physical body and all its senses, culminating in a simple unity of inward and outward powers, enclosed in the envelope of compassion and wisdom.

The Catholic mystic, Teresa d’Avila observed, “The spiritual marriage may also be compared to water running from the sky into a river or stream, where the waters are united, and it would no longer be possible to divide them, or to separate the water of the river from that which has fallen from the heavens.”

Just as the Indian mythos of the water of the sacred Ganga flows from Siva’s hair, and goes out to become part of the waters of the world… and as the Buddhist story of the great Lama Tsongkhapa’s spiritual union with Vajrayogini made it possible to restore the expedient path of liberation, we each have our own stories.

As this week unfolds, bringing with it still more tales of light and unity, passed down and adapted from legends that have been part of the human story for thousands upon thousands of years, let us not focus on our differences – on the “objects of devotion” that Jayanta spoke of, but instead on the act of devotion itself.

Whether your personal story is about a child, born in humble obscurity, who was the incarnation of Sacred Love, or the story of the Miracle of Lights… whether you’re celebrating the lengthening of daylight and coming of Spring, or the increase of the divinity among us, which enables us each to realise our own divine potential… let your celebration be full!

Take time to consider what you can do to positively and powerfully impact the world around you at this time. What can you do to alleviate the suffering of someone less fortunate? What can you do to ensure that someone is no longer hurting, no longer alone, no longer afraid?

Seize the opportunity to write new stories! Take time to listen to the stories of others! Let the coming weeks unfold with the potential of all that you are… where the light of the sun and the light of the moon merge to become simply light… and where you recognise the truth about your Emergent Nature.

Let there be peace on earth… especially in your heart!

Namasté

dharmacharya gurudas sunyatananda

_____________________________________________

“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa —
Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”

_____________________________________________

Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Dharmacharya Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

Copyright ©2008, His Eminence Dharmacharya Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.

It ultimately makes no difference whether or not any of us believes any of the biblical narratives were literal events. It doesn’t matter that some of us recognise that most of the text was adapted from earlier mythology and legends, and have nothing to do with the historical person of the Nazarene Rav Yeshua (Rabbi Jesus).

I’d make these points because I do not wish to debate pointless issues. Don’t waste your time or yours with your arguments concerning whether or not there ever was an historic person named Yeshua ben Yusef. (I personally believe there is reason to assume there was.)

Don’t waste my time or yours telling me why you believe the absurd myths and legends of virgin births, stars in the east, and such things. (I personally do not accept any of that as credible, rational, reasonable or intended to be literally accepted as historical fact.)

And please, do not insult my intelligence with claims of how 24, 66, or 73 separate texts, written by dozens of different authors; filled with contradictions, errors, plagiarised mythos, superstitions, violent and malicious intent, imaginary events and questionable interpretation of historic events, were somehow “inspired by”, “written by” or “authorised by” the Semitic God, Yahweh (Shema in Aramaic; and the gross mispronunciation, Jehovah). Such superstitions are best reserved for your personal blogs, correspondences and beliefs, and are frankly inappropriate for and unwelcomed in this forum.

Now that we’ve gotten all of that out of the way, you’re probably asking yourself, “Why?”

Simply because what does matter is that we open our hearts and minds to understand more fully the intended message (Dharma) within the sacred myths, legends and narratives.

At this time of year, it is part of the tradition of the Contemplative Monks of the Eightfold Path, and many members of the Spiritus Project, to reflect on the meaning behind the nativity narrative and particularly to look to Our Lady of Compassion, the Christotokos, as an example of the perfectly lived life.

Mary has been called “Seat of Wisdom”, and is referred to as the First Tabernacle. The Christian story of the Nativity is a tale of Sacred Love becoming Incarnate, and the vessel which held the Incarnation of this Sacred Love is called the Christotokos or Christ-bearer, the Blessed Mother Mary.

In the early Church, images painted of the Trinity always depicted the Ruach (Holy Spirit) as Shekinah – the feminine consort of Yahweh – who was considered to be the Bearer of Wisdom. So it is reasonable to see the link between the Hebrew tradition, in which Shekinah is represented as giving birth the wisdom, and the Christian adaptation in which Mary becomes the Seat of Wisdom (giving birth to the Wisdom and Love, represented by the person of the Enlightened Yeshua).

As students of the Dharma, we strive to find the seeds of this wisdom and love in all things. Mindfulness brings us to a place where we, like Mary, surrender to allow ourselves to become charitoo – filled with grace.

The Hebrew word that is often translated as “grace” in the Christian texts, chesed, actually means loving-kindness. This illuminated understanding of the original text now presents Mary in a context that makes more sense, and which inspires us to want to follow Her example.

“Hail Mary, filled with loving-kindness! Love dwells within you, and you dwell within Love. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the your Son, Yeshua. Holy Mary, Mother of Incarnate Love, remember us now and at the hour of our death. Let it be so!”

A dear friend, Carey Landry, wrote in the words to a song dedicated to the Blessed Mother, entitled Hail Mary, Gentle Woman:

Gentle woman, quiet Light, Morning star, so strong and bright,
Gentle Mother, peaceful dove,
Teach us wisdom, teach us love.

In the ancient East, the symbol of a dove was always used to represent the Divine Feminine (and was never used to represent the Divine Masculine). Therefore, as we recall the story of the Ruach (Holy Spirit) descending upon Jesus in the form of a dove, we must realise that this was a moment of the Divine Mother (Sophia/Shekinah) descending upon Him. Many progressive and enlightened theologians have come to realise that the Mystery of the Incarnation and indeed the whole biblical mythos surrounding Christ is one in which there is a masculine and feminine aspect co-existing, much like the androgyny of Chenrezig (the Buddha of Compassion) in Tibetan mythos. Viewed another way, along with the masculine aspect of Jesus (Love Incarnate), we have Mary (Wisdom Incarnate) acting as co-redeemers.

We recognise that the symbolism, descriptions and metaphor of the Divine Mother has existed throughout the aeons, with parallels in Egyptian, Persian, Sumeria, Syrian, Greek and Roman myths, from which much of the biblical legends draw their descriptions. Again, it’s not about the history of the mythos, but about the message it bears.

But all of this sacred legend and mythos is meaningless, unless we can make it applicable to our journey into mindful awakening.

In his book, Emblems of a Season of Fury, Thomas Merton writes this of “Sophia/Wisdom”:

There is in all visible things an invisible fecundity, a dimmed light, a meek namelessness, a hidden wholeness. This mysterious Unity and Integrity is Wisdom, the Mother of all, Natura naturans. There is in all things and inexhaustible sweetness and purity, a silence that is a fount of action and joy. It rises up in wordless gentleness and flows out to me from the unseen roots of all created being, welcoming me tenderly, saluting me with indescribable humility. This is at once my own being, my own nature, and the Gift of my Creator’s Thought and Art within me… speaking as my sister, Wisdom.

I am awakened, I am born again at the voice of this my Sister, sent to me from the depths of the divine fecundity.

Emblems of a Season of Fury, p. 61

Ultimately, it makes no difference whether your tradition celebrates the Christian Incarnation, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, the Enlightenment of the Buddha, the Solstice or Festivus. What matters is the mindfulness you bring to the observance, and to your celebration of life.

Intentionality is an important key. What is your intention during these days of celebration? Is it to strive to better emulate the surrender and awareness that the young Mary demonstrates in the Christmas mythos? Is it to embody the rebirth and awakening of the Sun in the Solstice? Is it to become Light for others?

Remember, we cannot affect how others react or act during the holidays, but we have total control over ourselves. Instead of asking yourself how you would like others to act, ask how you can act and think and feel, so that it puts others at ease to be in your presence.

Take time to reinforce the bonds of community, by reaching out to those in need. Remember that this is a time of wonder and awe. Allow youself to simply “be” in the moment, to experience that wonder for yourself!

Taking time to be intentional about preparing for and experiencing the holidays is a great way to create the conditions which make cultivating compassion easier, and will surely result in your in having a much better experience.

Namasté

dharmacharya gurudas sunyatananda

_____________________________________________

“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa —
Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”

_____________________________________________

Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Dharmacharya Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

Copyright ©2008, His Eminence Dharmacharya Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.

It never fails to amaze me that the season of Love and Light is so often obscured by such intolerance, ignorance, exclusivity and arrogance, all in the name of an absurd little legend that the early institutional Church co-opted from the ancient Egyptians, Persians and Assyrians.

One guy posted on this remarkably arrogant statement on his blog:

Are you scared to say Merry Christmas? When someone wishes me a happy holiday after I spend a lot of money on Christmas gifts, I never say thank you, I always respond by saying Merry Christmas. I haven’t met one person in my entire life that was offended by me saying Merry Christmas.

So let me get this straight… because you chose to spend money on gifts (which is part of your particularly distorted religious tradition), you feel you have no reason to thank someone for wishing you a “happy holiday”, but rather arrogantly assume it gives you the right to ignore whatever tradition that person might honour, and ram your superstitions down their throat. How charitable and Christian of you!

Let me begin my reminding my so-called Christian friends that their synoptic gospels are plagiarised repackaging of ancient myths and legends. None of the now-popular Christmas Tale was part of the beliefs or traditions of the authentic Christ-Community or Jesus Movement.

Instead, let’s look at what we find written in the only sensible and compassionate take on the Christ mythos, as recorded in the Gospel attributed to John. John’s message begins by stating:

“In the beginning was the Logos… the Logos was one with the Source. The Logos was the Source.”

The Greek word “Logos” means “Creative Intelligence”. In other words, John is affirming what the Perennialist Teachers (including Rav Yeshua the Nazarene) and Mystery Schools have taught for more than 5,000 years – that everything is created in Thought. That out of this Divine Intelligence, through interdependent origination, all phenomena are created.

The story of the Christ, as Athanasius pointed out, was that in the mythos of the Incarnation, “the Divine became human, so that humanity could become gods.”

Rav Yeshua reminds his disciples, “If you abide by my logos, the truth will set you free.” In other words, by living according to the Dharma of the Christ, understanding the Perfection of Wisdom and the Immeasurable qualities exemplified by his life, sometimes called “Christ Consciousness” or the “Buddha Mind”, one is liberated from suffering.

Rav Yeshua often referred to the Divine as “Ruach” (Pneuma in Greek). The word “ruach” in Aramaic means “breath”. In other words, the Divine was not the mythical “person” worshipped and feared by the ancient and primitive Jews of Jesus’ day, but rather the very breath we breathe. You breathe in, and you take in the Sacred. You exhale and release that Sacred back to the world around you, where it becomes One with everything that is.

What we celebrate during the Solemnity of the Nativity is actually much more important than the legends of the magi, manger scenes and virgin births. That motif has been part of the primitive superstitions and mythos of humanity for more than five thousand years. What we really celebrate is the concept of Love becoming incarnate… Love becoming one of us…

It is the story of realising our inherent Nature as Anointed and Enlightened Ones.

Now… back to the present day…

This incessant whining and complaining by the Fundie McNuggets™ about the secularisation of “their holiday” is baseless. They co-opted a secular holiday to begin with – the ancient Pagan celebrations of the Winter Solstice (on which the Christmas Legend is based) and the festivals of Saturnalia and the cult of Sol Invictus (which served as the basis for the institutional cult/sect now known as Roman Catholic Church).

The world doesn’t need less Santa or sparkling lights… it doesn’t need less holiday music or shopping specials…

It needs more compassion, inclusion and loving-kindness!

So when someone greets you with “Happy Holidays!”, I would think that unless you are certain of that person’s particular spiritual tradition, the most appropriate, compassionate and kind response would either be to say, “Thank you,” or to extend the same greeting to them.

The idea that you have a “right” to respond with “Merry Christmas” is disgraceful, disgusting and fully dishonours the teaching of the Christ, that you should hang your arrogant head in shame! you have no right to impose your notions of religious superiority on anyone else. Period.

Neither would Rav Yeshua (Jesus) approve of such intolerance. (Consider the story of the woman at the well, who was shunned by the “pious” Jews, but from whom Jesus took a cup of water, and extended a loving hand in healing and compassion.)

When I say, “Happy Holidays” in response to someone who greets me, I am acknowledging their right to celebrate life in whatever way works for them. It is no different than the greeting, “Namasté!”

My personal spiritual path is one dedicated to the parallel teachings of Buddha Sakyamuni and Rav Yeshua ben Yusef the Christed One. But it is a path which finds no particular need to engage in superstitious religious adherence to the notion that its scriptures were somehow inerrantly written by gods, or intended to be taken as literal, historical texts.

The meaning of the Incarnation resonates deeply with my path and practice, and is not threatened by someone extending their love and good wishes in a way that is inclusive and welcoming.

We should all strive to become more mindful of the subtle violence we perpetrate against others, through our acts of religious intolerance and superiority. We should return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of any scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain IS ILLEGITIMATE. Are you listening, Fundie McNuggets?

Of course not… they’re too busy shouting “Merry Christmas to All!”

…and to all, a good night!

~ dharmacharya gurudas sunyatananda
    The Contemplative Order of Compassion 

Namasté

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“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa —
Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”

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Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Dharmacharya Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

Copyright ©2008, His Eminence Dharmacharya Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.