Personally and professionally I am enlightened and informed
by the lives and leadership of many historical figures - both
secular and religious - from the Buddha and Thomas Jefferson,
to Mahatma Gandhi and Jesus, just to name a few.
While I am genuinely enriched by their great works, it is
their spirit that inspires and enlightens me. They each possessed an
inner certainty and intimacy that supported them to meet great challenges and to facilitate great changes.
So, it seems appropriate in an evolving conversation about spirit and spirituality during Christian holy week, to talk about Jesus.
Jesus the man.*
For me, the most powerful message of the life of Jesus Christ
is not about struggling or suffering or sacrifice...
it is about the acceptance of self.Jesus accepted himself fully and embraced himself freely. He consciously pursued becoming
more of himself and he
willingly shared that "more" with others. He helped people who were
willing to help themselves. He plumbed the depths of his
own "physics" to facilitate what we now call "miracles."
When he was criticized for who he was, he did not deny his self. When he was demonized for his gifts and abilities, he did not
deny his self. When he was persecuted for his powerful,
provocative, paradigm-shifting teachings, he did not deny his self.
When his closest brothers denied and betrayed him, he stood firm.
Pretty powerful stuff.
Knowing who you are, becoming
more of who you are, sharing
your self freely with others, developing a deep inner intimacy
that supports you...and
never denying who you are in the face
of enormous challenge and change...
some tools you could use, maybe?Whether you believe Jesus Christ was a master, a prophet, a
savior, or simply a man...there's no denying he was a deeply spiritual person who possessed a powerful, indefatigable, and indomitable spirit.
Perhaps the life of Jesus is truth; perhaps it is just a story.
Perhaps we have misinterpreted the point, the purpose, and
the message of Jesus Christ all along.
Regardless, even if you view Jesus simply as a secular, symbolic figure...the story of his life exemplifies the
purpose of spirit and
the
power of spirituality.
Whether you are a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Jew, an atheist, or an agnostic...the spirit of Jesus can inform, inspire,
and enlighten you.
Jesus faced life full-on. Jesus was conscious, awake, and aware. Jesus never denied the truth, bypassed reality, or side-stepped
his issues. Jesus didn't judge, exclude, malign, or label others. Jesus expanded who he was - chose to become more of himself -
in order to better meet life's challenges.Jesus didn't complain, blame, shame or expect life to change
for him. Jesus stood in full responsibility and accountability for himself. Jesus didn't suffer fools gladly or allow evil to go unchallenged.
Instead, Jesus chose to empower himself
so he could rise to meet the challenges life brought him. He was neither a victim, nor a persecutor.
No matter who you are - or what you believe in - if you want to better understand what spirit is and how
your own spirituality can tangibly support you to face the challenges and changes of a very uncertain world
every day...Jesus is "da man."
Peace. Namaste. Shalom. As-Salamu Alaykum.
(P.S. If you have a few minutes, I recommend you also read the article
at this link: "words: Words have power" it may open up a new perspective about your life and our world.)
(For more about the concepts in this message, go to "words: Words have
power," "why?: kgs," "Mastery: the quantum path to your heart" & "The
Certainty of Intimacy: being more of you" at www.kellygracesmith.com.)
Copyright © 2011 kelly grace smith All rights reserved.
*(A shout out to my daughter for inspiring me a long time ago with..."Jesus, the man.")
