dharmatalks

Transfiguration. The motif is a common one, often appearing in the wisdom traditions and mystery school mythos. In the Buddhist tradition, we are told that Buddha Sakyamuni was transfigured twice – at the moment of his Enlightenment and when he passed away. In the Judaic tradition, Enoch was transfigured, revealing himself as the angelic Metatron, and Elijah was transfigured to reveal his true nature as the angelic Sandalphon. And in the Christian tradition, we read the account of Jesus’ transfiguration (appearing with Moses, who was said to have also been transfigured upon his assumption from this world) and Elijah/Sandalphon.

Although traditionalists and fundamentalists of these traditions often misinterpret the accounts as being literal events, what we have in these stories is a representation of something far more important than any literal interpretation can provide.

For example, in the Christ Dharma, the transfiguration account is meant to point to a personal transformation and spiritual evolution or awakening for the disciples said to have witnessed it. The figures of Moses and Elijah are representative of the two pillars of the Judaic tradition – the Law and the Prophets. Thus, the Christ Consciousness – the Dharma of Compassion or “Way” revealed in the person of Rav Yeshua ben Yusef transcends and fulfills all that the Jewish people hoped to accomplish through the Mosaic Law and Prophetic Tradition. Again, this was something that was accomplished entirely within oneself… not an external event.

Of course, our own egos and prejudicial opinions, doctrine and institutional manipulation (obscuration) of the truth often cause us to ignore the parallels that exist within the wisdom traditions. If we admit that there is a common theme, even common mythos from which the stories of Krsna, Buddha, Mithra, Jesus and other archetypes of Spiritual Awakening/Enlightenment/Liberation are derived, then we have to give up our notions of supremacy over other systems, traditions and cultures.

Still the fact remains that we find this tradition and these legends repeating themselves in all of the Wisdom Traditions: from Krsna to Buddha, Ceres, Isis and Mitra; in the stories of Attis, Isis and Yeshua (Jesus).

When we are willing to let go of our prejudices and fears, and embrace the truth, we can see where these resemblances point to timeless truths and the potential for all of humanity to transform itself through compassion, wisdom and forgiveness.

The only true transfiguration occurs when we realise and awaken the Creator within ourselves, and recognise that both Creator and Creation are one. It is then that the Buddha-Mind or Christ-Consciousness – the Wisdom manifest as Sophia-Christ or Shiva-Shakti – becomes freed from the self-imposed, dualistic and delusional ideas impressed upon us by the ego.

Then, in the moment of realisation, we experience that same transfiguration that the disciples experienced. We release ourselves from all binding energies, and ideas. We realise our True Nature as Enlightened/Anointed Ones (Buddhas/Christs), yet we are unbound and unaffected by the egocentric tendency to “personalise” or “identify”.

The miracle of transfiguration is not that something outside of us is transformed, but that we are transformed, and as a result, begin to see things as they truly are.

Namasté

khenpo gurudas sunyatananda

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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, 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.