The Gospel of Thomas
"If those who lead you say to you, 'See, the kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty."
The Kingdom of Heaven (God, Eternity) is everywhere, but unnoticeable by the human eye, or by anything made out of particles, it’s completely invisible and undetectable. The Soul being part of the same Eternal principle provides the only doorway for your use, this gains visible access to this Eternal realm called the Kingdom of Heaven or God. When you come to know your Soul, then you really know your Self, and you become part of the whole and are known. You realize you have always been the son or the daughter of the living (Eternal) Father (God).
But, if you do not know this then you dwell in poverty, because you’re identifying with a commodity that must perish. Great wealth belongs to those who know their soul, thus know their worth, for they know the Kingdom of Heaven is with them, and they will never perish. The wealth of knowledge and confidence that comes from knowing the Source firsthand comes from Enlightenment or Self-realization, and then you become an open conduit for the information. There is only the Source to answer to from now on for its everywhere and everlasting, our true Home and now your only concern, because you know the way Home and can help others.
We are all like Jesus, made up with the same ingredients, and all of us are infused with the same ingredient as the living Father (God, Eternity, Purity, The Whole, The Source, The Almighty, The Kingdom of Heaven), which is the Soul. The ability to know the Father (via Enlightenment or Self-realization) as the Ultimate Pure Source of all things is to know your Soul, for it is made of the same properties, and although tainted by individuality as the sons and daughters are, it still coexists Eternally as the Almighty (the all-inclusive Whole). The Father can’t give you anything more or anything less than the Eternal Purity of the Soul, it is the ultimate gift, there is nothing greater than That. All other attributes come with pain and death, and the word poverty refers to the Soul mistakenly identifying with this crumbling mass of contradiction. The mind thinking it’s a lowly human impoverishes the Soul to unwanted and unnecessary torment, binding the Unlimited Eternal identity to personal conditions and characteristics down here. Instead of knowing your Self as the Source, you know your Self as that, and that’s an impoverish way of looking at something as great as your Soul. Your new temporary identity that came with the body and mind stands in the way of your Real one, which is Everlasting and a Part of the Almighty, so you stand in the way of You!
"Whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings will not experience death."
He doesn’t mean that figuratively as when someone tells you the meaning, but literally by going in and finding the answer yourself. Finding the interpretation is when you dive deep into the Soul (meditation) and uncover Reality (God or Eternity) firsthand, thereby understand unconditionally that you are a piece of the Source and will never die.
"Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the All."
The seeker should never quit, because it takes a significant and relentless effort to find yourself, and you should never give up. When finally you are ripe for discovery you shall find your true Self, and when you do, worry not, for it will be a mind blowing experience and a troubling predicament as well. You will be astonished to know the ultimate truth and not know where to start or who will believe you.
When Realization reveals Eternity and you see the majesty of the Almighty, you will be shocked into submission and into acceptance of what truly ‘IS’, it’s unavoidable. This can be troublesome, because finding out that you are nothing but Pure Space is amazing, and a daunting discovery altogether, for who would understand? This is a troubling start especially during ancient times, and at the same time astonishing to know that God is knowable and you are a part of That, and you have That ultimate knowledge, which all beings in the universe want and so few have. To know the Source is to be the Source and the Source rules over all, however this information is unappreciable and unacceptable by many, which is troublesome for the carrier. All of this crucial information in one being yet facing a daunting task at relating it, and so few will understand causing an uphill climb that’ll be relentless and unproductive in most cases. Knowing there will be the onslaught of disbelievers that will fight you to the end (as in his case), it’ll require a creative and unique approach to get the word across, hence the metaphors and parables in his teachings.
"If the flesh came into being because of spirit, it is a wonder. But if spirit came into being because of the body, it is a wonder of wonders. Indeed, I am amazed at how this great wealth has made its home in this poverty."
It is amazing; because of the existence of an Aware Spirit in space that in turn created the universe and the human flesh. Now because of the presence of humans, that in turn created the autonomous Soul, which was extracted from the Almighty Spirit for our benefit, giving us eternal life. What a gift to receive eternal life just from existing as an impoverished human for a short while, and then inherit all of manifestation as your wayward child, just from being a part, simply amazing! That this place has a redeeming quality that will proceed it, after all this disharmony and destruction it still has a redeeming quality that is absolutely priceless, wonder of wonders. Indeed, this great wealth lies under a place where so much pain and strife abound, and a Soul is procured by this process, simply amazing!
Posted by Kurt at 9/15/2010 7:25 AM 
Categories: Spirituality
Tags: the Source the Soul Enlightenment The Living Father Self-realization the Spirit God The Almighty The seeker The Kingdom of Heaven Eternal life New Testament disciples Jesus the Self
Categories: Spirituality
Tags: the Source the Soul Enlightenment The Living Father Self-realization the Spirit God The Almighty The seeker The Kingdom of Heaven Eternal life New Testament disciples Jesus the Self
This is really good to know since I was wondering why they didn't speak of their experiences. Such a path has to be beyond words. And there are so many words out there it's difficult to find the ones that truly make sense and add-up!
What is your opinion of people (monks etc.) who are on this path full-time versus people who have jobs/families to take care of ? I find it personally difficult to put the mind aside and witness and wonder how it is reached and sustained full-time.
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Thankyou.
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Its right on. I feel as an astonished man being overwhelmed by light and allowing it to possess me. I feel the need to surrender. This is the most significant thing that need be done. I'm deeply inspired. Thank you
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