Mystical Christianity: lesson 18 (assignment)

Do you believe that the soul of Jesus of Nazareth had previous incarnations, and if so, how does this change your view of traditional Christianity? Yes, although I'm hesitant to wholeheartedly subscribe to the term "incarnation" with respect to Jesus and the Christ Spirit. Incarnation suggests that the individual soul of Jesus (the human being) is the Christ which was incarnate in other individuals previously. This is, of course, one possibility. This scenario coincides perfectly with the Christmas story, i.e. that Jesus was the Christ from birth. Nonetheless there is another possibility: that Jesus was a highly evolved individual (meaning he had undergone many incarnations and had attained an advanced spiritual level) who attained Christhood in his lifetime. This scenario could be illustrated by the descent of the dove (Holy Spirit) upon Jesus at his baptism. So, we must ask ourselves whether the Christ is a being that incarnated in various individuals throughout history, or whether the Christ is a condition (comparable with Nirvana) that one attains at the culmination of one's spiritual evolution (meaning Christhood and Buddhahood are essentially the same). In other words, once you've attained a certain point in your spiritual evolution, the Christ Nature becomes manifest in you. Of course, I've felt for some time now that Jesus was not (is not) the sole manifestation of the Christ. But when I realized this, it radically changed my view of Christianity: I no longer so Christianity as a unique revelation that must be preached to those of other faiths in order for them to be "saved".  It is just one of many revelations, suitable to a particular time or place (or culture or temperament of people). What other incarnations, masculine or feminine, would you suggest for the Christ energy?             In addition to those mentioned in the lesson, the first that I would add is the Buddha (I was rather surprized that Buddha was not mentioned) – including not only the 'historical Buddha', but also other possible buddhas and bodhisattvas. I would also include both Mary Magdalene and Mother Mary (although I leave the door open to other interpretations of Mother Mary – perhaps as the feminine face of the Father, i.e. the Great Mother). What is the significance of proposing that Jesus of Nazareth was one of several incarnations of the Christ? This proposition has huge implications for religious unity. The Christ has manifested at various places and times under various forms and in ways culturally appropriate for the people in question. If we recognize this truth, that all religions spring from the same Source, all religious conflict will cease.   What are your beliefs regarding heaven and hell? For me, heaven and hell are metaphors for conditions created by human beings in this life. As for the afterlife, I believe that between incarnations souls spend a period of education (and possibly purification) in the Spirit World. For some this may resemble something like heaven or hell (or, purgatory), but this condition is only temporary (comparable to Buddhist ideas of heaven and hell – temporary states of rest or purification between incarnations). J.P.A.