Mystical Christianity: lesson 6 (assignement)

1.    How would you define the polarities of feminine and masculine? I agree entirely with the idea that "feminine" and "masculine" in this case refers not to physical maleness or femaleness, but to essential aspects of everyone (even everything). In fact, the preponderance of one or the other polarity may not coincide with physical sex at all (and by this I'm not necessarily referring to transgendered or homosexual people necessarily, but rather to men more in tune with the emotional, intuitive, reflective, creative or artistic side [we might say "right brained"] or women more in tune with the analytical, mathematical, logical, expressive side [or "left brained"]). 2.    Do you agree with Riane Eisler's theory of "Cultural Transformation" that posits an ancient partnership society that is usurped by a dominator mentality? In your opinion is matriarchy part of the dominator mentality? It depends on the definition one gives to matriarchy. If by matriarchy we simply mean a society ruled by women, then such a society would not necessarily mean an egalitarian partnership society – i.e. a society ruled by women could exhibit masculine traits ("warrior women" such as the Amazons come to mind). However if we give "matriarchy" the meaning of a society organized on feminine spiritual attributes, then yes, such a society could not be a dominator society based on force and violence. 3.    How does the history of the Goddess and its symbology impact the story of the Garden of Eden? Do you see the tree and the serpent any differently? Seeing the Tree as representing the Goddess sheds a whole new light on the story. It is forbidden to approach the Goddess (as lifting the veil of Isis was forbidden), yet it must be done – it's a necessary step towards maturity. Of course the male God forbids eating the "fruit of the Goddess" – but it's a rule made to be broken. J.P. Amis

Mystical Christianity: lesson 5 (assignment)

1.    What is Truth for you? For me, Truth is different from fact. As I adhere to an esoteric interpretation of religion, historical events are not particularly important as far as spirituality is concerned. The resurrection of Christ, for example, represents a spiritual truth whether or not it is historical objective fact. 2.    How do you respond to the possibility that what we know about the history of Christianity may be at the very least incomplete, if not outright wrong? I felt this to be the case already, so it is not only not a shock for me, but rather a relief.  The traditional message of original sin, substitutionary redemption, heaven/hell, physical resurrection, etc., was one I had difficulty accepting.  Knowing that what has come down to us as "orthodoxy" is not in fact the only truth, but the version of Christianity that won out politically in the late Roman period, allows me to rediscover a more balanced, mystical view of the Christ myth. 3.    Do you believe our thoughts can affect our lives and our world as Gregg Braden theorizes in The Isaiah Effect? How can you make a difference? Absolutely. "Thoughts are things".  Thought is the source of all creation, all action – both good and bad. Therefore we must practice "thought hygiene" – being careful to avoid negative, critical and destructive thoughts, and focus on positive, benevolent and creative thoughts. J.P. Amis