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Ok, thanks. “Spiritual Gnostic type investigation” is accomplished by entering into a trance and obtaining information or understanding while interacting within a spiritual realm. Is that an accurate description?
In Bible, the most encounters with spirit is in trance, dreams, trance is entering higher levels of consciousness. Other way , sometimes information just 'deposited' into minds without any effort of person receiving information.
Many wonderful, inspiring writings were produced in old theosophical magazines. Here is how one begins from 1897:
Quote:
THE UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD OF MAN — E. A. Neresheimer
This ideal when first approached from an intellectual standpoint presents no great encouragement for the realization of its truth; its consideration must be accompanied by the receptive faculty which lies in the heart, that feeling of natural unrestrained sympathy which arises out of the inner nature of man when not tainted by selfish motives. Even a superficial investigation, however, leads us into a labyrinth of thought in which there is no logical escape from the conclusion that somehow a unity exists between all human beings.
If we once begin to analyze the feelings we experience in our daily contact with our fellow-men; and take into consideration the natural promptings of the heart, we find ourselves possessed of much brotherly sympathy with the welfare of others. A scene of affliction instantly quickens the tender fellow-feeling; see how people rush to the assistance of a falling child; how they shudder at an accident; the unfailing pity — deep down — with the diseased; why, who would say the world is so depraved as not to recognize this? Only the rush for personal joys and pleasures causes us to forget it.
See some of them under the Magazines heading here:
Another example of understanding scripture at a deeper level:
Quote:
A small cup cannot hold an ocean within itself. Likewise, the cup
of human consciousness, limited by the physical and mental instrumentalities
of material perceptions, cannot grasp the universal Christ
Consciousness, no matter how desirous one may be of doing so. By
the definite science of meditation known for millenniums to the yogis
and sages of India, and to Jesus, any seeker of God can enlarge the caliber
of his consciousness to omniscience—to receive within himself
the Universal Intelligence of God.
What Jesus gave as chronicled in the New Testament of the Bible
very few people understand. They just read what he said and quote it;
and because it is written in the biblical Scripture
they believe it blindly, with little effort to realize the
wisdom therein through personal experience. Realization
is to attune one's consciousness with Christ;
then the right comprehension will come. When persons
try to deduce the meaning of Jesus' words by
intellectual analysis alone, or from the perspective
of a specific dogma, they inevitably distort his sayings to suit their purpose—
however well-intentioned—or to comfortably accommodate
their level of understanding. Christ-wisdom has to be grasped by communion,
not by rationalization.
The only reliable standard of scriptural interpretation is the testimony
of actual perception—to go into that state of consciousness in
which the prophets perceived the truths they expounded and thereby witness
the meaning they intended. The words of Jesus fully unfold their wisdom
only to those who meditate deeply on the Christ Consciousness that
Jesus possessed. Then one understands Jesus in the light of his spiritual
experience of the Cosmic Consciousness of the Heavenly Father, realized
through the Father's Christ-Intelligence reflection present in all creation.
From Swami Yogananda's Second Coming of Christ, I:xxii
Even the Return of Christ can be understood non-literally:
Quote:
In titling this work The Second Coming of Christ, I am not referring
to a literal return of Jesus to earth. He came two thousand years ago
and, after imparting a universal path to God's kingdom, was crucified
and resurrected; his reappearance to the masses now is not necessary for
the fulfillment of his teachings. What is necessary is for the cosmic wisdom
and divine perception of Jesus to speak again through each one's
own experience and understanding of the infinite Christ Consciousness
that was incarnate in Jesus. That will be his true Second Coming.
There is a distinguishing difference of meaning between Jesus and Christ. His given name was Jesus; his honorific title was "Christ." In
his little human body called Jesus was born the vast
Christ Consciousness, the omniscient Intelligence of
God omnipresent in every part and particle of creation.
This Consciousness is the "only begotten Son
of God," so designated because it is the sole perfect
reflection in creation of the Transcendental Absolute,
Spirit or God the Father.
Even the Return of Christ can be understood non-literally:
it is non-literal, but some would not understand unless in literal way, as Paul said when soul nature grows into spiritual them understanding will come.
it is non-literal, but some would not understand unless in literal way, as Paul said when soul nature grows into spiritual them understanding will come.
Right, some passage about speaking in parables to the many and truth to the few.
Since according to Jesus: knowledge (education) about God only comes through Scripture (John 17:17) as religious truth, then what is outside of Scripture can be blamed for the New Age movement.
Even the Return of Christ can be understood non-literally:
And in Scripture the Return of Christ can be understood as 'literal' because of what Jesus will accomplish for Earth:
* Jesus will come to subdue enemies according to Psalm 110: Isaiah 11:3-4; Rev. 19:14-16
* Jesus will come to usher in global Peace on Earth - Isaiah 54:13; Micah 4:3-4
* Jesus will come to establish a healthy environment for us - Isaiah 33:24; Rev. 22:2; Isaiah 35th chapter.
* Jesus will come in order that we have enjoyable work to do - Isaiah 65:22-23
* Jesus will come and bring an end to ' enemy death ' on Earth for us - 1st Corinthians 15:26; Isaiah 25:8
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