The Second Birth of Man--In Spirit - Part 3

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The Second Birth of Man--In Spirit - Part 3

(Dialogue with Nicodemus, Part I)

 

Jesus' esoteric teachings

reveal the universality

of religion

 

(p.242) The " second birth, " the necessity of which Jesus speaks, admits us to

the land of intuitional perception of truth. The New Testament may not have been

scribed with the word " intuition, " but it is replete with references to

intuitive knowledge. Indeed, the twenty-one verses describing Nicodemus' visit

present, in condensed epigrammatic sayings so typical of Oriental scripture,

Jesus' comprehensive esoteric teachings relating to the practical attainment of

the infinite kingdom of blissful divine consciousness. These verses have been

largely interpreted in support of such doctrines as baptism of the body by water

as a prerequisite for entering God's kingdom after death (John 3:5); that Jesus

is the only " son of God " (John 3:16); that mere " belief " in Jesus is sufficient

for salvation, and that all are condemned who do not believe (John 3:17-18).

Such exoteric reading of scripture engulfs in dogma the universality of

religion. A panorama of unity unfolds in an understanding of esoteric truth.

 

Truth is one: exact correspondence with Reality. Divine incarnations do not come

to bring a new or exclusive religion, but to restore the One Religion of

God-realization. The great ones, like waves, all bathe in the same Eternal Sea

and become One with It. (p.243) The outwardly varying messages of the prophets

are part of the necessary relativity that accommodates human diversity. It is

narrow-mindedness that creates religious bigotry and divisive denominationalism,

constricting truth to ritualistic worship and sectarian dogma; the form is

mistaken for the spirit. The essential message of actual contact between man and

Maker is diluted with ignorance. Humanity drinks of the polluted waters,

understanding not at all why its spiritual thirst remains. Only pure waters can

quench a vexing thirst.

 

The undreamed-of technical advances in civilization made possible by the

splitting of the atom and the harnessing of subatomic energies will ultimately

bring all peoples into such close proximity in travel and communication that

humanity will have to reevaluate its attitudes. Either persistence in ignorant

intolerance will spawn mass suffering, or an openness to the common spiritual

link of souls will presage a global well-being of peace and amity. This is a

clarion call that the time has come to separate truth from spurious convictions,

knowledge from ignorance. The teachings of Jesus as understood in harmony with

the revelations of the Great Ones of India will revive the practical methods of

the intuitive knowing of truth through Self-realization. Realized truth and

scientific knowledge are the sure means to combat the shadowy doubts and

superstitions hedging humanity. Only a mighty flood of the light of truth

through actual communion with God can dispel the gathered darkness of the ages.

 

The Second Coming of Christ (The Resurrection of the Christ Within

You) Volume 1, Discourse 13, pg. 242-243

Paramahansa Yogananda

Printed in the United States of America 1434-J881

ISBN-13:978-0-87612-557-1

ISBN-10:0-87612-557-7

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