-
Proud man
Dressed in a little weak authority,
Most ignorant of what he’s most assuredHis glassy essence, like an angry apePlays such fantastic tricks before high heaven
As make the angels weep.William Shakespeare
Measure for Measure
Keys to the Door of Truth
Metaphysical Musing of a Born-Yet-Again
Jim Young
Book Three: My Spiritual Awareness Series
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Where Are We Going?
- And Where Have We Been?
- The Two Shall Become One
- From Whence It Comes?
- Beginning at the Beginning
- Overcoming the Lie
- Upward and Onward
- The First Signs
- Out of the Night Let There Be Light
- From the War Comes Peace
- One is One, No Matter How You Look At It
- Is There a Better Way?
- The Teacher Speaks
- Truth Shall Indeed Reign
- Will the Blind Finally See?
- Bah, Bah, Black Sheep, Have You Any Wool?
- Crossing Over the Bridge
- To Believe or Not to Believe; That is the Question
- The Time Has Come; The Hour is Now
- You Gotta Have Heart
- From the Vine Comes the Fruit
- On to Self-Reliance
- And So We Pray
- The Passion
- The End in Sight
- Life Anew
- To Commit or Not to Commit
- Off, Off, and Away
- Postscript: E-mail from Christo to All
- SPIRIT NOODLES
- Endnotes
Introduction
This third part of a trilogy involving the metaphysical treatment of Life as seen through the eyes of an itinerant metaphysician, Christo Sahbays, comes from a foundation of thought previously expressed by him during gatherings with interested participants. Evolved from Life experience, the wisdom offered by Christo speaks not as the only authority on any meaning. Rather, it speaks as but one more way of seeing Life–an often overlooked, but very important way of opening perspective, nevertheless.Christo is careful in all his presentations, as I am in all that comes through me, to only take responsibility for the viewpoint offered as being the one that works for me, but not for what anyone else chooses to do with it. That is their choice and theirs alone. I declare this in the form that says that it is my responsibility only to deliver; it is yours to decipher any application for you, determined by its resonance with its Truth for you. In this sense, if it works for you, use it. If not, don’t. Just be assured that any meaning you give it is exactly that: the meaning you give to it. No one else can determine that for you. Meaning is your inalienable right; the right guaranteed to each of us. And no one can take that from us–or give it to us. It is ours alone to discern within.
This is an especially important point to make as we embark together on this third entry in the series. Why, you ask? Largely because what Christo Sahbays conveys in this offering is one purely metaphysical mediation of what is generally respected as holy writ: in this case, the Gospel of John. Given the nature of metaphysics, and its root translator, metaphor, it would be easy for someone to misinterpret the intent of this “translation” of the Gospels to mean that they are either literally or historical untrue. Be assured that it is not my intent to discredit the validity of such persons or events. Rather, my intent is to provide another mediation of such treasures so that you can expand your understanding of their meaning from a metaphysical and metaphorical intent. Thus you can add to your storehouse of information the symbolic meaning of what has been offered through the ages. Without the symbolic meaning, from which the Master Jesus so frequently taught, his intent is often lost.
There are many levels of meaning that we can give to what comes before us. For example, there is the obvious meaning taken from history, and yet again the literal interpretation of the word. Then there is the moral and ethical value of the word. Yet another level of understanding is afforded by discernment in the realm of consciousness, both personal and cosmic in nature.
As frequently taught, religious doctrine deals with the intellectual-literal meaning of Scripture. As though this doesn’t stir up enough debate, dealing with the Bible as a historical document only adds fuel to the combative fire. This current presentation is not about denying the potential for truth in both of these facets of understanding, along with all the others. Rather, it is saying that treating Scriptural meaning metaphorically and metaphysically also deserves consideration as one in a set of keys that can unlock meaning or Truth for us–not only about Scripture, but also for Life itself.
KEYS TO THE DOOR OF TRUTH, then, is to be taken with this intent: it is offered simply as one key that can unlock the metaphysical meaning of Scripture. I have found it to be one more useful means of guiding our lives from the foundation of our own inner Truth, making us free to appreciate the amazing gift of Life with peace of mind and a joy-filled heart.
As portrayed herein, Christo Sahbays’ wisdom speaks from the seat of metaphor, woven through the meaning gained by the intersection of Life with its metaphorical interpretation. As such, Christo’s intent is merely to assist others in seeing Life from a variety of perspectives that can then be juxtaposed with the norm of everyday living. The principles upon which his treatise is grounded are the teachings Jesus treated metaphysically through the use of metaphor, from which is gained spiritual meaning of practical life circumstances and happenings. Such an approach leads any interested participant to the potential for engaging Life with informed understanding as to how one can frame and reframe Life. The ultimate choice thus becomes one of choosing which perspective affords them, and all those around them, the path of highest good.
Because the previous two works formed the foundation for getting to this third part of the trilogy, in the early chapters Christo uses the occasion of his initial regional meeting to briefly review the main elements of those metaphysical entries. Should you feel the desire or necessity to become more familiar with their meaning for everyday use, then by all means simply return to CREATION SPIRIT; Expressing Your Divinity in Everyday Life, and A LABOR OF LOVE; Weaving Your Own Virgin Births on the Loom of Life. I suggest that they be read in the order given, as Christo was careful to build this foundation in such a way as to lead you to the threshold of your own Truth, meaning, and power in a multidimensional manner.
As is usual in this series of writings, I use an upper-case beginning on words meant to connote a synonym for God or sacredness, such as: God, Idea, Truth, Love, Compassion, Principle, and Life.
Now, on with the next! Let yourself relax and simply go with the flow: reading, contemplating, digesting and assimilating at your own pace. How something resonates within is a good means of discerning its intent for you. There’s no hurrying the creation process. Each element takes its own time to reach completion, so the very next can also come to fruition, as it must for you. As you are ready for each meaning to show up as Inspiration and Insight, the teacher in you will show up. Just be patiently persistent. And trust in Truth being there for you when you are ready for it to show its face. Transformation and Transcendence are sure to follow. In the final analysis, then, your only job will be to stay aware of the various ways meaning will surely present itself to you. And, by all means, remember to enjoy yourSelf all along the way.
Jim Young
A Special Note: Should you wish to penetrate the veil of illusion around Life, you might well want to exercise the Spirit Noodles section at the end of the book. A series of spiritually-related questions and such appear for each chapter. If you consider these at the end of each chapter before going on to the next, your sincerity of purpose will carry you to great depths of meaning within. I encourage you to honor your divinity in this way.
I. Where Are We Going?
When we last saw Christo Sahbays he had concluded his second lengthy retreat with interested participants. He had promised them that he would soon begin regional meetings so that the smaller group configuration could then offer the potential for greater interaction with him as he engaged them in further application of metaphysical meaning in their lives.
In planning for this new format, Christo is meeting with a single representative from each regional configuration–seven in all–across the state of Arkansas. Their task is to discern the next steps in the process of opening up interested participants to means of allowing metaphysics to flow with even greater potential for individual meaning of Life. Consensus is quickly reached regarding the necessity of beginning the regional sessions with a brief, but nonetheless comprehensive, review of the teachings imparted thus far. Consensus also determines that the review should be conducted primarily by soliciting the remembrances from the gatherings, yet guided in a way that places the results in the appropriate metaphysical framework as the foundation for the next steps of application.
We now find ourselves in the midst of the last bit of conversation with Christo and his planning team, where the revelation of next steps becomes clear to one and all. Christo, always careful to tune in to his intuition for guidance, is ready now to issue forth the key question: “Well,” he begins, “it appears that we are now ready to consider what is the necessary next step we need to take in order to unlock the exciting potential for metaphysical meaning to show its way for living with peace of mind and joy-filled hearts. So far, we have spoken frequently about First cause and its unqualified Truth as that which begins every act of Loving Creation. Is there anything that has troubled any of you in this regard? For instance, even though we have engaged in conversation that applies this principle to every-day Life, is there anything about this claim that fails to ring True to you?” Christo pauses for effect and waits for any kind of response from the group.
It is important to know that by this time those present have developed great respect for Christo’s leadership. He returns that respect in kind, for the participants have advanced beyond belief, both in their ability to expand understanding from this perspective and also in the freedom they exercise in challenging Christo when they feel it’s necessary. Christo is absolutely delighted at both prospects, for it shows him that their inner confidence is at a high level. And, because this is so, that they can be pushed to greater depths of meaning.
“Okay then, any takers?” Christo reposes the question.
John, a bright, articulate man of color, opens the foray. “Are you looking for something you already know the answer to, or is this one open as fair game?” he inquires. There is a collective smile on the group’s face, and Christo joins them in appreciation of John’s ironically placed challenge.
“Actually, John, that’s a perfect question–the answer to which is this: you will find that they are one and the same,” Christo rejoins with that now familiar twinkle in his eye.
Mary, a middle-aged lesbian from central Arkansas, quickly asks: “Whatever can that mean? How can they be one and the same? How can the answer to your question be an answer you already know and yet be authentically open to all?”
Paul, a born-again Christian from southeast Arkansas, speaks out: “That’s an easy one, I think. Well, maybe it isn’t so easy after all, or even correct,” Paul ponders momentarily, “but if we are all checking into our intuition, isn’t it just possible that some influence on what we’ll hear there will come from the collective consciousness of Truth?”
“Wow!” Joan, a widow and grandmother to twelve, contends. “Is that a good one or not? You know, from time to time I’ve given credence to that same idea, Paul. So I think that’s a very good question for us to consider.”
Christo continues to prod. “Well, what do the rest of you think about Paul’s offering? What do you think about the fatted calf he’s offered up on the altar of Truth?” he jokes.
James, a basketball coach from Fayetteville, chimes in: “Yes, I agree. At this stage of development, recognizing that this in only a continuum and not the final piece, I, for one, have also felt the impact of a much deeper knowing than simply my own. I just hadn’t yet gotten to the point of labeling it as collective consciousness. It rings True for me now, though, so I could go with Paul’s declaration as the exact reason why Christo’s answer is also true.”
“Is there anyone who has a different perspective?” queries Christo. The air is pregnant with pause. “Well,” Christo inquires, “could it not also be that there is not just a single approach that would be fitting? Yes, the one I find in Intuition could be right for me, but does that mean it’s also right for you right now?”
“Aw, no way, Christo,” responds Sarah, a school teacher from southwest Arkansas, “you’re not going to pull that one on us! So far, what you have heard and followed has taken at least me on a path I didn’t imagine possible. It’s taken me to a point where I can now hear that still small voice within and be confident that when I follow it, it is surely the Truth for me. In every instance this has been True, and continues to be, without end. Frankly, what I think you’re getting at here is that you have an overall view of what your intuition is speaking to in this regard, while we–probably for the most part– are tapping our intuition only for our individual purpose.”
“That’s neat, Sarah,” offers Penelope, a psychologist and a single parent from southwest Arkansas. “This rings true for me, too. In that way, wouldn’t our process be to ask Christo what he thinks and then see if his answer rings true for each of us? Or, if we just leave him to his own devices, he’ll more than likely ask us just the right question that will elicit the collective meaning from our midst,” she concludes with amusement. The gathering responds with the kind of laughter that affirms the accuracy of her intuitive response to all this.
Christo is so tickled by the high level of inquiry shown by the discussion he can hardly contain himself. “All right then, what’s the consensus? What’s the next step?”
“I think Penelope’s hit the nail on the head,” says Joseph, a rabbinical intern from northwest Arkansas. “Go ahead, Christo,” he continues, “Ask your question.”
“Not so fast,” reconsiders Penelope. “Maybe it’s one of us that’s to ask the ‘right’ question. Otherwise, how does Christo get to know if we’ve learned how to ferret this out when he’s not around to guide us? Isn’t this what we’ve learned about the Paraclete and going within to our inner Authority? Okay, the heck with it! Here’s the question: Metaphysically speaking, what’s the next, best step to bring us to deeper meaning? Or, said another way, what’s keeping us from such discernment?” The gathering is wowed with both her chutzpah and the depth of her understanding of the issue. Christo is thoroughly pleased with Penelope’s appreciation of, and respect for, her intuitive knowledge, as well as her obedience to acting out on its power to move mountains.
“Well,” begins Christo, “Penelope has asked a piercing question from two perspectives. First she asked what is our necessary next step. Then she posits the same inquiry from the other side of the coin: what is lacking in our understanding that prevents us from moving forward? Does either way penetrate the need we have?” he concludes. Again, the air is pregnant with pause. You can almost hear the wheels of progress churning within the group.
After what seems like a lifetime of waiting, which Christo has taught them is often necessary if they are to just step away from the wonderment and wait in awe, Joseph speaks out from his place of nakedness before God and all: “I’m not sure how this will come out, but bear with me so we can all see it for what it is. I’d be interested to see if anyone but me has this feeling, this resonance with what we’ve been learning. I have a sense that all of it is True, and no doubt at all about its usefulness and Truth for me.
“The thing that keeps coming up for me, though,” Joseph continues, “–and it has just resurfaced big time as a result of letting Penelope’s perceptive question to us go on its own way–is this: What’s behind it all? What is the great teaching–the overarching Truth–that, when divulged to all, will afford everyone the opportunity of seeing how they can lead a Life from a vastly more Loving perspective than has been possible heretofore? Exactly what is the authority for penetrating the meaning and living of Life from a metaphysical perspective? This has been haunting me almost from the very beginning. And this is the very first time I have had the opportunity to ask it this way. Thanks, Penelope, for providing the stimulus. I feel greatly relieved just for letting it out into the open.”
The group is thunderstruck by Joseph’s piercing observation. Christo only smiles within at yet another affirmation of his choice of participants for this session. Once again, their readiness for leadership in their various regions shows its way. Christo hasn’t shared this purpose with them yet, for his sense is that they need a bit more confidence before launching out in that direction. “The time will be soon in coming” he hears himself saying within.
“Well, you sure are an impressive bunch of grapes,” Christo responds. “Your wine is saging nicely,” he adds playing with metaphor. “And I just Love filling my cup with your rich offerings. Well done! Now, has anyone else had this same revelation, this same, marvelous virgin birth? Or are you going to let Joseph stand here naked, all alone in his honesty?”
“No, not at all,” chimes John and James, almost in unison. James bows to John, and he proceeds: “I’ve had exactly the same question pricking my conscience, if I may put it that way. I’ve also wanted to ask it, but didn’t want it to appear to challenge Christo’s authority on the matter.”
“Me neither,” adds James.
“Count me in,” proclaims Joan. All the rest nod in unison.
“Really?” inquires Christo. “All of you have had this exact same burr under your saddle–this same pea under your mattress–and you didn’t raise it our of fear that I’d be offended?”
“No, that’s not it, at least on my part, Christo,” says Joseph. “It’s out of respect for you and all you’ve taught us that kept me from raising it,” Joseph closes.
“That’s not it for me,” adds Paul. “I was afraid of appearing stupid or contrary, as simple as that. I don’t like that about myself, but that’s the Truth of it for me.”
“Now that all this wash is out on the line, what is the sole determinant of the question from within that begs an answer?” Christo asks. “Is it that you respect me rather than your own inner need? That you’re afraid of appearing as this or that? That it’s more important not to appear impudent than to seek Truth for yourself? What is the real determinant?” Christo challenges in a non-judgmental way. “What is the sole, and soul–the only real–determinant?” he concludes.
“What is for our highest good?” asks Penelope hesitatingly.
“Not a bad answer, that one,” Christo responds. “What is for your highest good? Is it your highest good to delay finding the Truth of what you’re feeling or sensing or needing to penetrate? Is it in your highest good to be concerned with how I feel or think about something that’s none of my business to think or feel about? What’s our guiding principle here?”
“Our only job is to deliver, not to decipher,” blurts out James, as others nod in agreement.
“Yes, that’s exactly correct,” affirms Christo. “Spiritually speaking, our only job is to deliver out into the space of consideration. It’s not to decipher the message for anyone. That would be depriving us of our inalienable right to discern the message for ourselves, by testing it within, wondering with awe about it’s meaning for each of us. And if I, or anyone else for that matter, is judgmental toward either you or your posit, then all that shows is one’s need to be judgmental. That act of judgment has nothing whatsoever to do with you and thus needs not to be given the dignity of having taken it personally. You are learning some hard-fought lessons beautifully, my dear friends. You are learning the true definition of leadership, the definition of leadership spoken most eloquently when it is said that leadership is taking someone to the threshold of his or her own Truth and power. I am so proud of you and so pleased for you that you are reaching this level of highest good for you and all who will be touched by your leadership.”