The Tao of Christ

Today I look at the twelfth saying in the Gospel of Thomas. This saying is different from all the previous ones in that it deals with leadership in the early church. But it also contains some spiritual truth, which we will see in a moment. It reads: “The disciples said to Jesus, ‘We know that you are going to leave us. Who will be our leader?’ Jesus said to them, ‘No matter where you are you are to go to James the Just, for whose sake heaven and earth came into being.’"View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU

Dive into thought-provoking themes like the dual nature of heaven and the profound distinction between life and death. Explore the journey from darkness to enlightenment, drawing parallels with Plato's allegory of the cave. Discover how figures like Jesus and the Buddha inspire the quest for spiritual awakening. Engage with the transformative ideas of oneness and the challenges of navigating duality in our search for truth.

Explore the powerful symbolism of fire in spiritual awakening and its role in transformation. Discover how this fiery metaphor connects to the themes of destruction and purification in the Gospel of Thomas. Dive into the concept of awakening as a seedling's growth, reflecting on Jesus' radical teachings about the kingdom of God. Uncover how his message challenges authority and inspires those seeking genuine spiritual connection.

Discover a fresh take on the Parable of the Sower, revealing how its interpretation in the Gospel of Thomas offers profound insights into spiritual awakening. Dive into the unpredictable essence of divine grace, likening it to resilient dandelions thriving in unlikeliest of places. Embrace the idea that spiritual journeys can be complex and beautifully messy, prompting listeners to explore their own awakening in ways they never expected.

The eighth saying in the Gospel of Thomas is a big fish story. Jesus said, "The man is like a wise fisherman who cast his net into the sea and drew it up from the sea full of little fish. Among them the wise fisherman discovered a fine large fish. He threw all the little fish back into the sea, and easily chose the large fish. Anyone here with two good ears had better listen!" View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU

Explore a fascinating parable from the Gospel of Thomas that contrasts primal instincts with higher consciousness. Delve into the meaning behind a lion becoming a man, highlighting the integration of our animal nature with divine essence. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between the true self and the false self for spiritual fulfillment. Discover how embracing your authentic essence can lead to a transformative experience and a deeper understanding of life's complexities.

Dive into the intriguing insights of the Gospel of Thomas, where disciples question Jesus on fasting, prayer, and charity. Discover his profound answer about authenticity in spiritual practices, highlighting the importance of being true to oneself. Explore the parallels between the Gospel of Thomas and the New Testament, revealing how different texts approach similar themes. This episode encourages self-discovery over ritual and emphasizes that nothing remains hidden from the divine.

Explore the profound insights of the Gospel of Thomas, focusing on the idea that both hidden and obvious truths coexist. The discussion emphasizes the journey towards spiritual awakening through understanding non-duality. Listeners are invited to recognize deeper realities within themselves and the universe, with intriguing metaphors like seeds and resurrection painting a picture of revelation. It’s a thought-provoking dive into the nature of belief and enlightenment.

This episode looks at the fourth saying in the Gospel of Thomas. Jesus says, “A person old in days will not hesitate to ask a little child seven days old about the place of life, and the person will live. For many of the first will be last and become a single one.” Anyone who is familiar with the New Testament gospels will hear similarities to the biblical sayings of Jesus that center on children. It is well-established that Jesus used children as examples of what it means to be in the Kingdom of Heaven – the Spiritual Realm, the Presence of God. The saying in the Gospel of Thomas adds a couple of details that bring us further into this teaching. Here he clearly teaches nonduality.This saying in the Gospel of Thomas is Jesus’ equivalent to the famous Zen koan about your original face. “What is your original face before you were born?” Jesus is directing our attention to what Buddhists call the Buddha Nature. What we might call our divine nature or the image of God. He is saying that we all know this original nature. Every child knows this. The spiritual search is rediscovering what we used to know.View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU

The journey through biblical sites reveals profound insights into self-inquiry. Discover how the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas emphasize that true understanding of the Kingdom of God lies within us. The idea of 'Know thyself' is crucial for transcending spiritual poverty. By recognizing our true identity, we connect to the divine and enrich our spiritual lives. Dive into the paradox of seeking outward versus the treasure of inner wisdom.