Most of us are familiar with the scene in John chapter 21 where Jesus tells the disciples to cast their net on the right side of the boat to catch a bounty of fish. There’s a great deal of symbolic meaning here that I believe is missed. In today’s post we’ll look at this scene in detail and dissect its deeper, esoteric meanings, and how it relates to the journey of the soul.
Chapter 21 is the last chapter of the Gospel of John. Jesus has already been crucified and resurrected, and he decides to show himself to his disciples on a few occasions before the final ascension. Chapter 21 concludes the Gospel of John with Jesus’ third and final appearance (at least according to this gospel). It’s as if Jesus was coming to give his farewell address to the disciples and give them the encouragement they needed to carry on, especially Peter, who, as we already know from a former blog post, represents man’s lower nature and ego that has evolved so much. He becomes the focal point in this last chapter of John for good reason—it is the lower ego that must be united with the higher, spiritual ego for the ascension. In order for this to happen, we must go through a myriad of new experiences, constantly interpreting and assimilating new thoughts and emotions. Such is the meaning of life and the evolution of our consciousness.
Let’s look at a couple of verses in detail to Biblically prove this point, beginning when the disciples decide to go fishing after Jesus has been absent from them:
“Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They [the other disciples] say unto him, We go along with thee. They went forth, and entered into the ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing” (John 21:3).
I need to point out a few important symbols here. Peter represents the lower nature. The other disciples are qualities of the soul that compel the lower nature and ego to evolve through time and experience. That is why Peter is emphasized in the text as the one who decides to go fishing and the other disciples promise to go with him; the lower ego leads us when we are young and spiritually immature.
The ship is a symbol of the lower mind, which tosses on the waves and seas (turmoil of life) to learn and grow. The fact that they fished at “night” is also significant. The night represents our potential for growth, and it is during the night hours that we struggle. And finally, fish symbolize the emotions, ideas, and concepts we experience in life.
With that being explained, let’s move on to the greater meaning of this scene.
“But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus” (John 21:4).
Jesus, shortly to become the ascended Christ, comes in the morning. As you might have guessed, the morning is time for refreshing. It symbolizes moving energy and spiritual growth. The ascended Jesus here is the power of the Christ within, which is now the power that the disciples (soul qualities) and Peter (natural man, ego) need to bear a multitude of fish (higher emotions and ideas) to blossom and evolve. At first Jesus is hidden from them, just as the Christ within is hidden from the ego and natural mind. All of this is further evidenced by what Jesus asks and does in the following scenes:
“Then Jesus [the power of the Christ within] said, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, no” (John 21:5).
I have bolded two key words which will help us in our final conclusions. Notice how Jesus calls them children. Children represent the new higher mental faculties and emotions which only the Christ can bear within us. The text is setting us up for a development in the soul. I have also bolded the word “meat.” Meat is a symbol for higher knowledge and emotions which are directly responsible for the soul’s growth. Thus far, the disciples have walked with Jesus throughout his ministry. They have witnessed his power through the crucifixion and resurrection (potential for the higher, or spiritual ego). They are now ready to evolve, and eat meat. But they can’t do it alone. They need the power of the Christ within, or the spiritual energy, to bring them to the next phases in spiritual growth.
Next Jesus then tells them:
“…Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes” (John 21:6).
Notice that the text emphasizes throwing the net onto the right side of the boat. The right side, or our intuitive side of the brain, is what we must engage to birth the Christ within. This is also the side of the brain that is affected in meditation and when we go within. In order to draw in a multitude of new growth, of higher emotions and thoughts, we must engage the right side of the brain, which also signifies the outgoing energy of the Christ within.
This is effectively what the disciples have done when they symbolically cast the net on the right side of the boat.
The “net” is also a very important symbol. Let’s go directly to Gaskell’s dictionary to get a concrete definition:
Net for the Catching of Fish: A symbol of the astral mechanism which lies behind the physical organs of the five senses, and serves to collect and differentiate the facts of sensation, passing them on as modes of vibration to the mental plane, whereon they become interpreted to the ego as thoughts and feelings of different kinds of qualities.
In other words, the net symbolizes the astral body, which receives or catches the vibrations given off in the physical world. The astral body is the seat of the lower ego, containing our desires, sensations, and lower emotions, which are relayed to the mental body, and interpreted by our mind. This is some pretty heavy information! This Biblical scene is giving us the key to how we evolve the soul and help birth the Christ within. If the fish symbolize the emotions and ideas of life, we must learn to cast our nets on the right side, meaning we must engage in the types of activities that are conducive to birthing the Christ within, or that potential spiritual energy of a higher vibration and plane in order to evolve mentally and emotionally as physical beings. This Bible scene is telling us that there cannot be any shortcuts here. We develop according to how we process and interpret our experiences in the sea of life!
More thoughts about the development of the soul
In a comment on the second to last article, I spoke about “the love of God.” This is symbolic of the constant, stead-fast belief that everything works together for good for those who have “the love of God.” It doesn’t mean we won’t experience pain, for pain is necessary for growth. The mother may tell the child that the stove is hot, but until he or she touches it, they can’t truly incorporate the feeling of everything that touching a hot stove entails. Once it is touched, not only do they experience the sensation and learn not to do it again, but they recognize the benefit of listening to another’s more advance knowledge and experience, thereby developing the faculty to incorporate knowledge by new methods based on communication and the sharing of ideas.
This is the reality of how we learn through experience. Sometimes the experience ends very painfully, sometimes less so. The point is the experience itself, and then the growth we gain. Think about this in relation to Eve and the Serpent, the subsequent fall, and the growth period back to the Christ.
When we being to incorporate “the love of God” into our lives, we have truly let go and our willing to accept what the higher self already knows, but still must be experienced by the lower nature so that both can come together in unification and agreement.
If you’re interested in a more practical guide to the different levels of consciousness humanity exhibits, check the link below from my new blog, Content From Within:
http://www.contentfromwithin.com/a-gauge-to-determine-your-level-of-conscious-development
In it I discuss Lee Bladon’s classification of the five levels of conscious development based off of esoteric study and religious texts as well as the integration of science, psychology, and science. You can use it as a gauge to see where you fit in if you so desire.
Blessings!
In the last section of this article, “More thoughts about the development of the soul,” Joshua wrote, “It doesn’t mean we won’t experience pain, for pain is necessary for growth.” This reminded me of an article I wrote during the early time of coming out of my previous religious indoctrination. It had to do with looking for better understanding in places other than what I had been told. We had been told many times to “Stick to the Trunk of the Tree”. Below is that article.
Stick To the Trunk of the Tree?
Through the years encouragement has been given to stick to the trunk of the tree and to avoid going out on a limb. The idea behind this has been to stick to what that trunk has to offer. If the trunk we are clinging to has all that we need to know, then maybe that is good. However, if that trunk doesn’t have everything we need or everything that is offered, then there is a void. If we are to cling to the trunk of the tree, how can we see the forest? How can we know what the forest has to offer? As the following is read, consider the trunk of the tree as the truth as we know it and the forest an expansion of truth and understanding.
By sticking to the trunk of the tree, we can’t even get to all the fruit that the tree has to offer, unless it falls to the ground close to the trunk. If we wait for the fruit to fall, it may be rotten by the time we get to it. If we do eat some rotten fruit we can regurgitate it and rid ourselves of it. It isn’t pleasant to “throw up” but we are better off than to leave it inside where it can putrefy and make us sick. We shouldn’t have to experience that more than once.
Sometimes we have to go out on a limb or venture away from the trunk to get to the fruit. If we venture out on a limb we may fall. If we fall, we don’t float away into space. We fall to the ground. Sure, it may hurt. But we become “grounded” and we learn from the experience. But unless we venture out on the limbs of the tree or get away from the trunk we will never benefit from all the fruit that the tree has to offer or see what the forest has to offer. Should we never venture out on a limb for fruit or back away from the tree for a better view of the forest? If so, we can become very nearsighted because we are not exercising our vision.
By sticking to the trunk of the tree where we are, we only see that one tree and what it has to offer. If that tree has been infected with disease, parasites or worms, we will be affected by that infection. That problem will be removed from the tree in one-way or another. If the tree survives the problem, it will be scarred in one way or another. That is OK. Scarring indicates that healing took place. If the tree does not heal, it will die. Some trees in the forest die for various reasons. They fall to the ground and decay and return to ground. Even though a tree may die, it’s base elements will return to the earth.
When a tree in the forest is cut for lumber, the logs are milled into lumber for different purposes. The parts of the trees that have been damaged are cut away and discarded. The good wood is then used to build homes, make fine pieces of furniture or fine pieces of art. All trees have something to offer to the forest and to mankind. Even if that tree provides nothing more than taking in carbon dioxide and giving off oxygen. But that of course is a very important function. Mankind can’t survive without oxygen.
This doesn’t mean that the trunk we are clinging to isn’t a part of the forest. Nor does it mean other trees are more perfect than the one at hand. Actually, there is no perfect tree in a forest. How can we know whether or not there is another tree that also has something to offer? Another tree, or several trees, that may have “good” roots, “good” wood, or “good” fruit. Some trees offer more than others. Each individual must choose if a tree in the forest offers a root system for good growth, which wood is best for the purpose at hand, and which fruit is good to eat. That choice must be made after careful and thorough examination of the instructions given by the Maker of the forest.
Just a thought.
Thanks for sharing, Homer. Sometimes we just can’t get around the fact that when there’s no pain there’s no game. Blessings.
the net symbolizes blood flowing to right side of the human brain
Hi Homer,
This is a lovely analogy, Thanks for sharing here!
The tree has so many magical and fruitful offerings for us, both spiritually and physically.
…and the Tree of Life continues on.
I sometimes like to think or imagine that for every Star in the sky a tree is rooted on Earth.
Be Blessed,
Sparks
I very much appreciate your intellectual view of the forest.It opened my mind to so many things I’ve been trying to understand.You have helped me in more ways than I have words to explain.Thank you be Blessed and I’m going to look more into your intellectual views of the bible and,world.
Sincerely/Darrell Henry
There’s more to this story. From the get-go Peter is referred to as Simon Peter, symbolizing a regression. “Jesus” calls him Simon throughout. What is more, note how Simon is naked, and after putting on his garment jumps into the water. This has a far deeper meaning that relates to the occult initiation given to Joseph in Genesis 37 when his brothers take off his coat and throw him into a DRY well.
Does anyone really believe the ghost on the shore mentioned in John 21 is Jesus? Why is it that simple logic fails to connect the dots here? After having just spent every day with Jesus for anywhere from 1-3 years, depending on your interpretation of the myth, no one recognizes their beloved master shortly after his death. And do you really believe Jesus would sell his love to the highest bidder by asking Simon, “Do you love me more than these?” Why are these ridiculous words overlooked?
A name change in the Bible indicates a mutation. The examples are many and have been written about here at length. Why does no one catch the change from Peter back to Simon? In the search for meanings about the boat, the water, the fish and the time of day, the most important words in this chapter go unnoticed. How aware are you of the barriers your psyche has erected? I’ll give another example from John 13.
“I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.
Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
Judas is Jesus’ alter ego, and just as in Genesis 25 when Jacob gives communion to Esau and receives his birthright, Jesus communes ONLY with Judas during the Last Supper and then speaks to him like a master to his servant. (Think of how the ego is to be made the servant of the spirit instead of trying to master everything, including Nature.) Jesus puts Satan into Judas, and while Paul has a lot to say about this Satan character, Satan is a formula that is represented by both Peter and Judas, TWO Satans. (Matthew 16:23 means exactly what it says.) Satan is Shiyn-Theyt-Nuwn OR Nuwn Sophiyt, which means that in numbers it can end in either 50 or 700, which makes an enormous difference. The Light must be delivered unto the darkness, just as the shadow of your personality must be integrated into your being instead of being projected onto others – you know, the way our guilt makes us blame Judas for being a traitor instead of recognizing him as the most trusted apostle of Jesus who carries out the most important task in the entire Bible – a task you and only you must carry out in your own life. Remember this merger of opposites every time you see the yin-yang. Life is a paradox, the light and darkness are of ONE energy, Jesus and Judas are ONE, God and Satan are ONE. As Jung said, “The darkness must be made conscious.” Did you ever wonder why in Genesis 1 the night and the morning were the first, second, third… day? Did you really think integration was something less than the merger of your two poles?
Interesting thoughts, Pedro. I definitely agree with you about Judas. But how do you interpret Jesus asking Peter the question about loving him three times? I see this as a follow-up scene from where Peter denies Christ three times before the rooster crows. If we return to Peter running into the water naked, I see it as Peter finally ready to give himself over to God.
Eckhart once said: “In order to bring back the soul to God, man is required to strip off all that pertains to the creature.”
Simon, also related to Simeon, can mean one who has purified the mind, and has realized that the lower qualities of the soul have to be uplifted. The entire scene screams of the stubbornness of the natural man being released in order to realize something higher.
Jesus tells Peter to “feed his sheep,” which brings us back to the ego being transcended. While lost Sheep are the sparks of divinity sent into the world, who must learn and experience individuality, Jesus refers to sheep which are the truths of the soul. It is Peter’s job to live these truths. The next verse, John 21:18 solidifies it. Jesus is speaking of Peter’s own transformation, the merging of the two poles as you put it.
Pedro,
Interesting points you bring out about the alter-ego. I never thought of it that way. That I have to integrate the Judas (shadow of my being) “into” me and not project that “out” onto others. How do we do this?
Pedro,
I was really wondering about this integration of light and dark that Peter also asked you about the “how to”. I have been struggling the last few days because I have been able to go off antidepressants and this makes me more proactive in problem solving, but also it is bringing out a lot of my controlling nature when I get impatient with others who are fumbling with issues, especially that effect me, and so I want to step in and take over, which scares people who are not used to me being proactive, and upsets the comfortable balance others have in the status quo of fumbling inefficiently. So I now recognize this proactive part of me as something good but caught in the shadows of this monster controller alter ego screaming “get out of my way, idiots, so I can fix this”. I think this is essentially what Judas did when he decided he had had enough of everyone fumbling and went to the Pharisees (relied on left brain reasoning) to sell Jesus (his ascending consciousness) out.
So I woke up feeling sad about this problem of mine in offending inefficient people when I get pushy, and my inner voice told me to finish reading Josh’s article….. and here I am.
I’m not sure of this, but I think that integration might just happen slowly but surely as we continue to seek the light. Just keep meditating and growing in the intuitive, which will direct us.
Am I on the right rack here, Pedro?
Robert,
I cannot speak for Pedro, but I know that I face the same impatience that you are describing (right down to the “get out of my way idiot, so i can fix this” feeling). One thing that helps me is to question every action before it occurs. I find this does two things: 1) it forces you look at the actions before the occur so you can determine if they fall into line with love, 2) it forces you to slow down. One of the issues with modern society is that we are so focused on getting the job done and being efficient that we roll over people and miss out on the much of the joy in life. By slowing down and allowing ourselves to be patient and forgiving with others we open ourselves up to the moment, instead of letting it rush past.
Justin
Josh
Two words come to mind about this article : absolutely brilliant!!!
Blessings,
Raymond
Thanks, Raymond! Gaskell certainly helps!
Josh
Such refreshing reading. Lifts the heart into the realm of delight. I really encourage you to write a book and share your insights with the wider world. I absolutely adore your contribution to Christian teachings. So blessed to have found your writings and your heart sharing. In the words of the Irish singer song writer Van Morrison. “Rave on thy holy one – Rave on.”
I concur with Raymond. “Absolutely brilliant.”
Blessings
Tony Cuckson
Tony,
Thanks for the encouragement. I want so bad to write a book, even with my summer off it seems my plate is being filled up fast. Eventually:)
Blessings.
Hi Tony,
I too am a fan of Van Morrison, glad he found his Bliss!!
Here’s one for Joshua!
Rock our Souls…Into the Mystic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpPSBzGEklE
mind blowing thoughts, Pedro. My question is, how do I integrate the light with the darkness ?
Peter,
This is an entire new essay/writing…very intense and encompassing.
I am hoping one of our talented writers will take to the task.
Although Pedro, did in fact address this in many ways comment here #26
One thing though Peter…have you asked from the depths of your heart? God/ universe/angels/guides? (so many new words in this Age of Aquarius)
I prefer Angels myself…
Remember: “Ask and you shall receive”
Gosh, we are all so here, hear…amazing grace!
Thank you Joshua!!
Sparks
Sparks,
You asked peter above, “…have you asked from the depths of heart?” I know the comment wasn’t meant for me, but I kinda needed to be reminded of that today.
Also, what you said above about hesitating to comment when you are spiritually/emotionally charged… I know the feeling lol. I always have something else to come to mind right after I comment, but I hesitate too.
Chris,
am so glad you shared this with me/us and my comment helped you in some way 🙂
I noticed your comment on Raymond’s latest writing that you were going to purchase his book, I highly recommend you do.
I myself purchased the book,but Robert has downloaded it to his Kindle
So either way, for you, I am donating 3,00 to Josh & SOS.
Thus far, since I made the pledge a few moons ago, I have counted 4 here, including myself.
You will surely enjoy Raymond’s “Transforming your Life”.
Personally, I am on my second read…
wow, just noticed how late it is!
Sleep well,
Sparks
Ok. I’ll go ahead and get it ordered. I prefer the ole’ fashion book over the kindle though. I have no doubt it’ll be great, and I sure need a little guidance right now.
Thanks Sparks!
Pedro,
It’s strange you discuss this here about Judas, because I just made a comment on Raymond’s previous article about someone explaining Judas and how he fit into the story.
When the Bible speaks of money or riches, I see spiritual riches. When we’re told that Judas used to keep the “money box,” and used to steal some of the money put in it, I always wondered about that. If it’s as you say, then would it be correct to assume that this “alter ego” always seeks to take the spiritual treasure and spend it on itself and its own selfish desires?
It has been said on this site that gold represents wisdom and silver represents knowledge. So I’m also assuming that with Judas selling out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (and I’m sure the number 30 has meaning but numerology is a subject I enjoy reading about from others, but do not care to venture myself), this means that the alter ego is the one that crucifys the Christ within due to his insatiable desire for more “knowledge” and the sweet taste of the desire that is fulfilled with it.
As the parable of the rich man shows (and not to mention Solomon) all of the knowledge and all of the wisdom in the world cannot do what we have to finally do all by ourselves, as Eckhart puts it, “live in total surrender.”
Please feel free, anyone, to correct me if I’m misguided on what I’ve said, and also feel free to add to it. I have to admit, I’ve surrendered in the past and the things I saw happen were nothing short of “the stars aligning” to help me proceed on my journey. However, I’ve hit a wall, and dare I say that it has been my own search and insatiable quest for the esoteric knowledge that has set the bricks in place. It could be said that I’m taking the silver and crucifying the Christ huh?
I’m the only one who can surrender, and no one can do it for me. I guess that can only happen by throwing the silver back.
Chris:
This is one of the most amazing comments I’ve seen, and you absolutely and 100% correct in your interpretation of “riches.” Revelation 3:18 actually sums up the matter: “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire that thou mayest be rich.”
This is very interesting that you bring this up, because I just finished writing an email to one of our dear sisters on this site (she knows who she is) about this very same subject. We cannot come to the knowledge of “God” through study, reading of books, listening to the opinions of others, etc. Not that these things don’t have any value, but we must experience the floods and fires of life and eventually come to the understanding that none of it can hurt us unless we believe it can. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
Very powerful comment. Thanks for sharing it with all of us.
Paul,
Very good points about not being able to come knowledge of God with study. It is part of being human to want to understand a topic before experiencing it, we all love a How-to; however, knowledge gained though study is just theory until you practice it.
I had a thought come to me last night; I no longer need scripture to know the path to walk, I have the Holy Spirit for that. This is something that we all must come to accept, and even surrender to, there is no how-to manual outside of ourselves. The Bible, and many other holy scriptures, lead us to the Holy Spirit, but once that spirit is upon us the scriptures are only words containing knowledge (silver) but no wisdom (gold).
Its time for a Gold rush, its time to build the New Jerusalem from Revelations!
Justin
Hi Chris,
Great comment here, you bring to mind several aspects of our lives here and our eventual letting go or surrender. how many times over your lifetime have you surrendered?
Not only to the Christ within, but also in going about your daily life? I know I can think of many times I have just had to let it go, surrender it to the greater power.
In fact, I am going through this right now in this time of my life, many physical changes for me and also another level of how I see, accept and bless them.
Judas, I believe is highly misunderstood in Scripture.
In my view he is the overtaken by the conspiracy to destroy Jesus. The Pharisees in their self-serving ego selves were fearful of the Master and his teachings, after all Jesus was developing quite a following (which was not a part of his agenda or mission here), but they saw him as a threat to their own political/religious position.
Imagine the negative energy they were creating against Jesus, thus where does energy go?
Judas knew this instantaneously when he accepted the “dirty money”, and threw it back, but it was too late, they (the Pharisees) had captured their pawn.
It (negative energy) went into Judas, which the Master well knew and I believe he loved him for it, in other words, somebody’s got to do it, right?
If it was not Judas, one of the other’s would of taken the task, simply because it was already written and sealed in the heavens.
I can remember being a “little Judas”, when my sis and I were young, 7 year difference, she was older, so when mom and dad would go out for the day, it was party time for sis and all her friends. “Don’t tell mommy and daddy” was her command to me, so I at such a young age knew it was bargaining time…lol. She had a beautiful jewelry box, which I coveted, when you opened it a ballerina would dance and the music box would play, I was amused and remember wanting it to be mine. So, sis, f you don’t want me to tell then here’s the deal…she reluctantly gave it to me, and of course I later gave it back, feeling badly that I betrayed her. She has passed on now and guess who has the jewelry box? After all those years, it came back to me with her love.
If you can research the “Gospel of Judas”, and there is a book titled “The Judas Conspiracy” (interesting read). There may be some answers there for you.
Judas played a tremendous role in our redemption, he helped embed the Christ within us, without him our consciousness would be a flawed evolutionary process.
Chris, just my opinion here, your comment brought to heart the many mysterious and often misunderstood spiritual parts of our Christ within.
30-fyi
The number 30 can symbolize dedication to a particular task or calling. Aaronic priests were dedicated to serve at 30, in part because it was the age when a person reached both physical and mental maturity and could therefore handle major responsibilities. John the Baptist, who was of priestly descent (his mother was a descendant of the daughters of Aaron and his father was a priest), began his ministry at age thirty. In the Fall of 26 A.D., at the age of thirty, Christ began to publicly preach the gospel (Luke 3:23). His ministry lasted for three and one-half years.
The number thirty can also represent the sacrificial blood of Jesus. He was betrayed by Judas for 30 silver coins, which was a fulfillment of prophecy (Zechariah 11:12). When Judas flung the ‘blood money’ he was paid back into the temple, the priests did not accept it as an offering but rather decided to buy a potter’s field with it. Though they were not aware of it, what they did was also fulfilling prophecy (verse 13). In 30 A.D. Jesus suffered and shed His precious blood as God’s sacrificial Lamb for the world’s sins.
Love,
Sparks
Hi Sparks,
Thank you for this excellent contribution and for sharing your “little Judas” story about your beautiful sister’s jewelry box. You captured the “age of innocence” so well of that youth period of life. Sending you much love for healing at this time of letting go and change. Truly is total surrender and letting go our greatest act of faith. The age of innocence now blossoming to mature spiritual understanding. Beautiful!
Love,
Raymond
Raymond,
I have too admit reading your comment brought a tear to my eye and touched my heart and soul, which was the delay in my response.
My emotional self is at times overwhelming and I hesitate to respond when I am in such a grateful state of being.
Your words have such a healing effect on me and your book helped me so very much, it actually prepared me for a very narrow gate, little did I know what good medicine reading it would be for my soul. Thank you for my very treasured book, I carry it with me like a Bible.
If I was not looking after mom (87), and in a healing mode myself, I would be a student in one of your classes, plus get to take in the beauty of my ancestral home.
The closest I got to Ireland here in the US was having a dinner at “Tavern on the Green” in NYC, it was all Irish décor, table settings and flowers. The best was getting to see a live performance of Riverdance in Baltimore, MD. The BEST!
Like my Nana used to set the table, then after she would set up the table for the next meal.
Remembering now, I can almost smell the cabbage cooking!
For you: Enjoy!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8EXDtoGfrs
Wish Love,
Sparks
I also see there have been a few of our family here that have purchased your book since my pledge of donating 3.00 to SOS, so 12.00, plus my regular donation will be on the way to Josh for all his work & keeping our family together here.
You are distant in miles Raymond, but always close at heart!
A grateful heart for all that you have taught me…
With love,
Sparks
Hi Sparks
Great to hear from you!
For sure you can’t beat Riverdance for activating rightside brain activity. Historical “Peter” would have been delighted had there been a Bill Whelan (composer of Riverdance) around in his day.
I knew from the beginning you sounded of Irish decent. I was picking up all those little Irish phrases here and there in your comments, and particularly “the Irish blessing”. But more recently those to Perdro. And yes, I agree, like Josh and Paul’s, Pedro’s contributions to SOS are immense.
As we say in Ireland (as you know) : you can take the man/woman out of the Bog field, but you can’t take the Bog field out of the man / woman. You haven’t lost your ancestral “greening”, Sparks, bless you!
Thanks for your beautiful comments on my book, and your recommendation to Chris. I do appreciate that and your generous donations to Josh’s blog. I’m truly delighted the book is of help to you. I’m thankful also to those who have posted comments elsewhere on SOS and on Amazon.
Sadly, the bacon and cabbage is losing flavor with the young Irish these days. They’re now demanding their own separate “modern” menus : usually a mish-mash diet of burger, chips and pizza. Alas, the humble spud and Irish stew doesn’t get the respect it used to from hungry souls. But at least the tourist love it, particularly the Americans which helps the Irish economy hugely. Truly, God bless America, and all the welcome visitors to Ireland from all corners of the globe.
My sister and her husband’s summer house is located on the windy, rugged, west coast of Ireland. It has a wild undulating meadow field out the back with steps leading down to the Atlantic’s rocky beach. The breakers in winter are enormous as they roar in thunderous joy (or possibly anger) : either way they speak to the soul wordlessly of calm. I spend lots of time throughout the year there. In fact most of my book was written while there. Gosh, Sparks, on a clear day, if the earth were flat, I’d be able to wave at you using my binnoculars if you made your way to Hudson Bay and “Liberty”.
Anyway, Sparks, sending you, and all the Philadelphia Irish gang, “slan go foel” (by for now) and “A cead mile failte” (hundred thousand welcomes) for anyone thinking of prodigal son(ing) it back to the Emerald Isle.
Much love and healing to you, and all @ SOS!
Raymond
Joshua:
Very powerful article, and on many levels. I must confess that I am still studying the aspect of the “right hand of God” and the “right side.” The phrase “right side” occurs 18 times in the KJV and returns some interesting results, if you want to take a look at that. Go here (it includes the Strong’s numbers):
http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?Criteria=%22right+side%22&t=KJV&ss=1#s=s_primary_0_1
I believe one of the meanings of “right side” has to do with the side out of which the woman was taken from man. In addition, the piercing of Jesus’ (who was Adam on the cross) side, out of which flowed blood and water, is not insignificant here, either. One of the dual aspects of Eve (as mankind) is that “she” represents the temple, or tabernacle, of God, which houses the seed of Christ (“you” are the temple of God), and is where Christ dwells — in the inner sanctuary, at the altar of incense (prayer) — as Paul indicates in Gal. 4:19 (“I labor in travail, until Christ be formed IN YOU).
This article has a lot of depth to it. Thanks a ton for sharing it.
Too many women have been grossly mistreated throughout the history of Christianity because of Eph 5:22; “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands.” Could it be because the vast majority of people read the bible literally? Is it possible there is an allegorical meaning? Consider this. Our brain has left and right sides. It is generally thought that men are left side thinkers and women are left & right side thinkers. It is also generally thought that the left side controls more of our logical, physical, carnal thinking and the right side controls more of the emotional, intuitive and spiritual thinking. Generally, men are more logical and women are more emotional. Could the allegory be that our emotions, male & female, should submit to our logic and reason? On the other hand, there may be more to understand about the left and right sides of the brain (and what is in between) than we may be aware of. Maybe the 18 uses of the phrase “right side” in the KJV is referring to our ability to consider with the right, spiritual side rather than the left, physical way of the left side.
There is another possibility of an allegory when considering the tithe principle. It has been said we use only 10% of our brain. That 10% is in the left or physical side. Maybe if we put that 10% left side physical thinking with the right side spiritual thinking part of our brain we may understand the kingdom of God more clearly. After all, Jesus is quoted as saying “Seek first the kingdom of God . . .” (Matthew 6:33) Then he follows up with “. . . The kingdom of God cometh not with observation . . . the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21-22) Could the “kingdom of God” be in our head, within our own Golgatha or Calvary, which are transliterated words from the Hebrew and Latin which means skull, not some hill outside Jerusalem?
Homer,
Excellent observation!
am thinking numbers here now…Hebrew meanings for your consideration
considering 1, (Aleph) Father/beginning/unity, 8 (Chet), infinity/wisdom/grace =9 (Tet), hidden goodness, truth, light.
The heart is aligned with the right side if the brain as well!
Love,
Sparks
Speaking of numbers, one may consider the following. In addition to what Sparks listed for the number 9 as hidden goodness, truth, and light, I found the following example.
Consider that the summing the digits of the numbers represented by the Hebrew letters of the name “Adam” (אדם), results in the number nine. Nine is called the mispar katan (literally, “small number”) of Adam, which alludes to the essential quality of man:
א = 1
ד = 4
ם = 40
——–
Total: 9
John 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
If one takes the number of fish caught by casting the net to the right side, i.e., 153, then adding the number of fish caught, in the same way as the numbers representing Adam, the same number 9 is realized (1+5+3); truth, light, the essential quality of man, or the positive aspect of life in all of mankind (the hidden goodness) if we would just realize it, rather than allowing religion to rule our lives.
Yes Sparks, the key to understanding the deeper meaning of the scriptures lies in the Hebrew letter/numbers. Carlos Suares cracked the code and tells us about his findings in his masterful “Cipher of Genesis.” This is must reading for anyone looking to penetrate into the mystery of Jesus’ life and teachings. I had always wondered what Jesus meant when he said “the one who receives who I sent receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.” Who was the one who Jesus “sent.” Of course it could never be Judas, right?! Pedro’s comment reflects Suares’ teaching. I highly recommend going to this link: http://www.psyche.com/psyche/suares/jesus_and_judas.html to read Suares’ exact exposition of the Jesus/Judas relationship. Mind blowing stuff indeed!
Paul, Sparks – Everyone
Thank you Paul for the kind words and thank you Sparks for sharing your personal story, and also the bit of numerology, which I am going to have to read again and take notes on.
As far as the left and the right go, in the book of Jonah, God is said to pity the great city of Ninevah because there were 120,000 persons who did not know the difference between their left and their right. So I would say it’s pretty imortant.
I wrote an article highlighting some of the passages in the NT that talk about the left and the right, and also why it may be possible that Jesus changes the saying to “anyone with ear(s),” in his teachings, to “anyone with AN ear” in Revelation.
In Two Worlds, Understanding the Left and Right in Scripture
Before you go to my site (if you choose to), you must understand that it does not go into near the detail that this one does, and there is only about six or seven articles for the time being. I used to have more, but I took many articles down, and even the entire site for awhile.
I was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness (as I think Paul was) until about 23 years of age, baptized in the church at 32, just read the Old Testament (and not even all the major prophets) at 33, and only about four years ago did I finally say, “ok, this stuff isn’t literal.” LOL. I’m 39 now, so this is why I said earlier that maybe my seeking the esoteric understanding of the scriptures with such zeal has become part of my problem.
Everybody has a website now-a-days, but I think that’s a good thing. It aggravates me when you type a biblical question into the search engine and you land on that site that took its name from “Got Milk?” I think most of you know which one I’m talking about. It has TONS of articles, and they are all so closed minded and just confuse the people all the more. But with more and more people looking beyond the literal interpretations, maybe some better sites with more guidance and insight into the “Spirit of the Scriptures” will start trumping the top of the list.
This site wasn’t available in 2009 when I typed into a search engine, “Did Jesus REALLY walk on water?” I guess the website that I did find taught me a great deal, and I was thrilled to find this one. I’ve just got to slow down on the gathering of the crops and storing them in the barn. The mind is like a field, and it needs a sabbath rest or else the soil will become unproductive.
Thanks again for all the wonderful insight and the love and respect that everyone displays here.
Kent,
That was a very beautiful and interesting link, especially “The Passion of Judas.” If any one hasn’t yet seen “The Gospel of Judas” you’re missing something unique. You should get the DVD. There’s some interesting and relevant interviews in the Special Features, including Elaine Pagels. – Bro. Vern
It’s important to understand that none of the characters in this myth are outside of you. Each and every one of them is alive in the human psyche. For this reason the Bible isn’t a book to be read, but rather one to be experienced.
The Bible hides things by describing them and describes things by hiding them. Ever wonder why the name LORD is always capitalized? Well, it’s pointing to the Tetragrammaton, whose pronunciation is unknown. However, who said that to “pronounce” the name had anything to do with vocalizing it? Maybe YHWH is a name to be activated within you and lived once you understand the concept of reality having a double life connected by Vav, which allows those two lives to penetrate and fecundate one another. Maybe you have to develop a resistance to the battle within you that takes observations for truth and your thoughts as the right interpretation of the sensory data conveyed to your brain. Of course, this would mean admitting that the belief that your senses give you an accurate representation of the world is a sign that you’re asleep. And this can only happen once you realize that the input your senses send to your brain reflect your expectations and that the emotions packed into the words you use create experiences that confirm them. When you understand that the human mind is a microcosm of the universe (Reysh means cosmic container and head) you then understand that every thought in your head is like a question sent out through the universe, and the universe responds to each and every signal, or vibration it receives. Your mind is a medium, and your reality is a projection of that medium composed of shape, sound and color.
When it says Yeshua was 30 when he began his ministry, died at 33, and that Yehouda (Judas) turned him over for 30 pieces of silver, it’s giving you a mathematical formula to solve couched in ordinary language. Yeshua is twice in 30 (Lammed) and dies in twice 3 (Gimmel). In Qabalah this points to Gulgulet (Golgotha), which in the number-letters is 3.30.3.30.400 and means skull in Hebrew. The 400 is the Tav, or cosmic resistance and opposite of Aleph, and Tav means sign, cross and calamity in Hebrew, among other things. What is more, take a look at what the number-letters tell us about Yeshua and Yehouda:
Yeshua – 10.5.300.6.5
Yehouda – 10.5.6.4.5
YHWH – 10.5.6.5
Note how the Sheen (cosmic metabolism or active principle) in YHWH for Jesus and the Dallet in YHWH for Judas are placed in inverse order. Note also that Yehoudi in Hebrew means Jew, which in the number-letters is Yod-Hay-Vav-Dallet-Yod, which turns one of YHWH’s lifes or Hay into an existential resistance, Dallet-Yod. Yet another equation that’s been staring at you in plain sight. This is a very important revelation about the relationship between life and existence…
The secret is out: all of us, no exceptions, have qualities we won’t let anyone see, including ourselves – our Shadow. If we face up to our dark side, our life can be energized. If not, there is the devil to pay. This is one of life’s most urgent projects. – Larry Dossey
Beneath the social mask we wear every day, we have a hidden shadow side: an impulsive, wounded, sad, or isolated part that we generally try to ignore. The Shadow can be a source of emotional richness and vitality, and acknowledging it can be a pathway to healing and an authentic life. We meet our dark side, accept it for what it is, and we learn to use its powerful energies in productive ways. – Connie Zwieg
Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate… There is no coming to consciousness without pain. People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own Soul. One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious. – Carl Jung
Who has not at one time or another felt a sourness, wrath, selfishness, envy and pride, which he could not tell what to do with, or how to bear, rising up in him without his consent, casting a blackness over all his thoughts, and then as suddenly going off again, either by the cheerfulness of the sun or air, or some agreeable accident, and again at times as suddenly returning upon him? Sufficient indications are these to every man that there is a dark guest within him, concealed under the cover of flesh and blood, often lulled asleep by worldly light and amusements, yet such as will, in spite of everything, show itself… It is exceeding good and beneficial to us to discover this dark, disordered fire of our soul; because when rightly known and rightly dealt with, it can as well be made the foundation of heaven as it is of hell. – William Law
Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love. – Rainer Maria Rilke
If you hate a person, you hate something in him that is part of yourself. What isn’t part of ourselves doesn’t disturb us. – Herman Hesse
How to get rid of ego as dictator and turn it into messenger and servant and scout, to be in your service, is the trick. – Joseph Campbell
In Jesus-Yhshwh, the Sheen is a cosmic action. The Hebrew root Sheen-Dallet (Shed) means violence, ruin, and devil. This is one of the many evidences of the forgotten cabalistic origin of the Hebrew language.
The necessary resistance to life, without which life cannot evolve its structures, has become, by the ever-static will of the psyche, a “traitor”. In fact, that which gives Judas his impulse is none other than Jesus’ Daimon: his active principle.
Recall how Jesus is the second person of a Trinity like Isaac. Remember how Isaac was unable to act as well, which is why he pretended to be blind while Jacob pretended to be Esau so as to insert what he represented into Canaan? (Didn’t you ever notice that Isaac wasn’t on his deathbed after all, and that his sight returns to him later after giving the blessing to Jacob?) And Jacob wrestling a whole “night” (integration of the darkness of the mind) to avoid being killed by Elohim? But he was wounded by him in Kaf-Yerekh: 20.800-10.200.500 (translated as the socket of his hip) which means that in his “container” (20) the totality of undifferentiated cosmic energy — or unconscious darkness — (800) came into existence (10) and became cosmically (200) alive (500).
Notice how the name Yehouda (Judas) contains the word Yadah, which means to praise – when you overcome (Yod) your inner resistance (Dallet) against what is, your internal door opens, and you attain life (Hah). This is the meaning of the name – and formula – Yehouda; to wit, (The LORD will be) praised. And what did we say the capitalization of LORD points to? Note also that Judah is the fourth son of Jacob, and Dallet (door, resistance, interpretation) is the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Words have inner and outer lives, just like YHWH. Can you guess what the Vav between them is?
So getting back to Chris’ comments, you must accept, understand and love Judas, just as Jesus does. After all, Judas is the only one with whom Jesus has communion by giving him the morsel dipped in wine. What is communed is the power called Satan, another formula (Sheen-Tayt-Nuwn). And as Jesus says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me, and he that receiveth me, receives him that sent me.” The instruction clearly states that we must receive Judas, and by doing so we receive God. (It is important that Qahalah is derived from the verb qabal, which means to recieve.)
The other apostles were half-asleep, then totally asleep in Gethsemane. Peter rejected Jesus, but Judas accepted the mission to the darkness. This communion between them ought to remind you of the scene between Jacob and Esau with the lentils and selling of the birthright. Integration is impossible so long as you believe Judas to be a traitor and Satan to be something separate from God. Think DOUBLE life, think paradox, think union of opposites into ONE. What happens when you turn the light on in a darkened room? The darkness becomes light. You’ve done this symbolically so many times without understanding that it must occur within you just the same. Darkness symbolizes unstructured, undifferentiated energy. That energy is an infinite source of powerful energy, but you can only access it by dying to all your illusions, misconceptions and erroneous identifications about who and what you are so you can then structure that energy. Look at the word one in Hebrew – it is Echad, or Aleph-Cheyt-Dallet, 1.8.4. The ego (Aleph) must die (Cheyt) and be resurrected or restructured (Dallet). The unknowable power of life-death (Aleph) through death (Cheyt) must be reinterpreted (Dallet). Notice how the Hebrew word for life is Chay (Cheyt-Yod), which points to a constant transition of existence. Chay says that dead matter flows into existence. And the name for Eve is Chavvah (Cheyt-Vav-Hay), which not only states that death connects to and copulates life, but it only differs from YHWH by replacing the yah (YH), an affirmation of life, with Cheyt, taking that positive affirmation from within and substituting the undifferentiated energy of Cheyt, which also means fence. Eve has no inner life but retains the outer life. Eve isn’t a person but a symbol of the unconscious nature of our outer life. That outer life is constantly calling out to us for awareness, always giving us signs to connect with the conscious nature of our inner life. This is why you must understand the name Adam, and see why when you open the door or Dallet, you’re left with em (Aleph-Mem), which in Hebrew means mother. Chavvah, or Eve is the mother of all living, no?
“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and will go in and out, and find pasture.”
Dallet is Dallet-Lammed-Tav, or 4.30.400. Notice how Dallet, the door, also contains the Lammed (30), which is a physiological action. Dallet is the archetype of resistance, a force that pushes or pulls. Dallet transforms the organic action Lammed (of Aleph) into a cosmic resistance against life in Tav, or cross. Doors block entrances until they are opened. Religious interpretations of Scripture are closed doors. Calling Judas a traitor is locking your inner door. Believing Satan and the Devil are real powers independent of “God” is to cover that locked door with a wall of bricks. No one but you can open the Dallet. No one but you can awaken you from death into life and become echad, ONE…
Thanks Pedro for your entire reply, which I said below will take some time to decipher. Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but I do not believe in a historical Jesus, nor do I think any of the events are literal. I think it is the entire Old Testament summed up in four gospels that describe the spiritual walk of one man, every man, and that all of the characters are within us.
I personally do not think it’s beneficial to keep telling ourselves that Jesus was literal. If he was, then that is fine also, but on the other hand, if he was real flesh and blood, then we know nothing of the “man,” because the gospels describe us.
Pedro,
For all its worth, this comment/essay is by far the most unequivocal of all for myself.
The quotes you chose to clarify the essence of it are unique to the very core of the entire writing. I love them all, as if I were looking at crystal clear waters of your words and theirs.
This is your premier writing, although I admit having to check in at my Hebrew language site for clarifications, other than that I sailed through on the bow of the boat, soaking in the sun/value of your words.
Also, I am finding that vocalizing the words has a resonance that engulfs the entire physical being. It seems as though once it is vocalized the cells carry it, picking up dormant nuggets along the way.
I am a big fan of religious art, there is quite the collection here at the Philadelphia Art Museum, and one of my favorite’s is the one of Jesus standing at the door knocking, I always seem to get lost in the beauty of it.
Shall we all open the door?
Here’s to safe journeys Pedro (where are you now?)
Thanks for being here too, Gracias, Gracias!!
Stay Thirsty, my friend…
Sparks
Wow. This has turned into a treasure trove of information. Maybe I will be looking into numerology and the Hebrew alphabet a little more in-depth after all. That, and learning how to re-enter the world and live again. It’s a delicate balancing act that I have not perfected.
Chris,
You may want to check this site:
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/index.html
I found it interesting as I was reading how the several loops were added in different words/letters.
there is a reason for it, but I won’t spoil it for you!
You are perfect, you were born perfect, its the navigation of information we are perfecting.
Keep creating!!
Love,
Sparks
Thank you Sparks. I will certainly bookmark the site and look into it. You hit the nail on the head when you said that it’s the navigation of information we are perfecting. That is an interesting way to look at it.
Thank you for the link and for sharing your own story. You are a true loving soul.
Chris
Hi Josh,
I’ve been contemplating your article. I love this Gospel more than others. Relying on your insight as a foundation, I began to see the fish as Gnosis, Christ consciousness, available only through the right side of the brain, or boat in this case. I suppose the net could represent the astral mechanism through which Gnosis is possible for a person, but I’m not deep enough to understand that level of esotericism.
As their leader, Peter as the natural man, lower nature, the ego, the literal mind, what have you, directed the disciples to fish all night on the left side of the boat. There they do not find any fish, no Gnosis, no Christ consciousness. As you point out, fishing at night is significant. Gnosis is represented as Light, while ignorance is represented as darkness.
Jesus’ nearly unrecognizable spirit gives the disciples wisdom to fish on the right side of the boat. As you point out he calls them ‘children’. In Gnostic parlance, ‘children’ are those receptive to Gnosis and begin to follow the path, or Way, as it is called in this Gospel.
It’s telling that Peter puts on a garment and dives from the boat as the other disciples attempt to haul in the heavy net. The garment is the outer man he still clings to. By diving overboard, does Peter receive the Gnosis being offered or is he rejecting it as something beyond his left-brain dominated mind?
There is an odd contradiction in verses 8 and 11 I haven’t worked out yet. First, the disciples drag the net to shore by boat without the deserting Peter’s help in verse 8. Then Peter is depicted as super human and drags it in a second time by himself in verse 11. Perhaps the tide carried it back out and the author forgot to mention it. I’m suspicious of Roman church interpolations improving the reputation of its “first Pope.” I have a simple rule of thumb. If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t belong.
It’s important to note that the author has Jesus’ spirit cooking a meal of fish over hot coals for the disciples – perhaps as spiritual nourishment and the consuming of Gnosis. The hot coals are significant as fire represents the Holy Spirit. The inclination toward and the reception of Gnosis is not possible without the intercession of the Holy Spirit.
Of course esoteric insight and Gnosis is a very personal experience. There are many layers and esoteric interpretations for the same passage of scripture. That’s the beauty of it.
As an aside, the fish became the secret symbol of early Gnostic Christians to identify themselves to one another during a time of great persecution. The fish sign among others preceded the cross as a Christian symbol. Christians today don’t realize they are displaying the revival of a Gnostic symbol. I smile every time I see one on the back of a car.
Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful interpretation, Josh. I learned a lot from it.
Tommy
Tommy,
Really enjoyed your comments here. I also love the Gospel of John the most. As I think we’ve talked about before, the Gnostics used this text quite a bit. Your question regarding Peter diving overboard is a good one. I take it to mean Peter is receptive. Peter has certainly evolved quite a bit up to this point.
I’m also glad you pointed out the contradiction in verses 8 and 11. I never noticed this! I’m going to go back and give this another look.
What really piques my interest in your comment is about Jesus cooking the fish over the coals. I think I will try to do a post on this soon. Maybe a part 2. This post really wouldn’t be finished without it, because there so many more important symbols that finish the story at the end of the chapter 21 I didn’t have time to get to in this post.
I have also been thinking a lot about Pedro’s comment. I think he’s on to a few things, but I’m trying to work out few other things in the overall chapter to put it all together.
Thanks for your insightful comments, my friend.
Blessings.
You’re right, Josh. There are so many esoteric meanings and contemplations in this one chapter alone. By breaking down each symbol, you could write an entire book. Look forward to part 2, and thanks for the answer about Peter’s diving into the water. If verse 11 isn’t a later interpelation, Peter certainly redeemed himself.
Thank you,
Tommy
Tommy,
Am thinking here too about the jumping overboard and that Peter was cleansing himself, nothing like a jump in the sea to refresh the body and soul. Plus, the salt water is healing!
I know every time I feel yucky, I want to run and jump into the ocean. Unfortunately, its too far away!
Always enjoy your Gnostic interpretations, thank you for being here with us
Love,
Sparks
Thank you Sparks. I always enjoy the wit and wisdom of your comments. Your love shines through.
Tommy
Hi Josh!
We all have heard the best one:
“You can feed a man a fish for a day, but teach a man to fish and you feed him for his lifetime!”
The Master already gave his lesson on “how to fish”, now his work was done.
Chef Jesus now went the extra mile and prepared it for them to feast on.
How incredibly humble & loving Jesus was and is!
Most would probably say, I taught you how to find the fish, cook them yourself…
Love,
Sparks
In light of the duality of personality and our dialectical nature, I’m replying to myself. : ) After further contemplation. The fish are not Gnosis per se. The fish are those who are receptive to and receive Gnosis. I started thinking about Jesus telling his students he would make them “fishers of men.” By casting the net on the right side, the fishermen as Gnostic teachers following in the great Master Jesus’ footsteps sparked the awakening of 153. Not being a student of numerology, I don’t know the significance of the number of fish caught.
Yours in Christ,
Tommy
Tommy,
Yes! Receptive, willing…
You hit the nail on the head there concerning the fish, imo
153=9 Completion
The lesson was completed, Peter received the gold star on that outing!
Love,
Sparks
Hi Sparks,
Lovely reading your free-flow comments and the humor included, thank you. Did you read comment 20?
Love,
Raymond
sorry raymond meant to send this to sparks.. new to this blog
sparks there is also a symbol for the 153 and completion is one of them.also the one 153 represents the Vesica Piscis which is the radius of two a joining circles,also represents the fish symbol and the womb.. hope this helps …. peace love and light
Gerald Massey – and quoted by the polymath Alvin Boyd Kuhn – commented that Ra had 75 names and Osiris (the Egyptian equivalent of the Christos) had 153 names – so I wonder whether the precise number of 153 fishes is symbolic of the ‘gathering’ in of ‘the Christos’ Mind through the intuitive function as indicated?
I could also add that the ‘boat’ seems to always point to our body-based life as it traverses the ‘troubled sea’ of egoic consciousness, and as in the allegory of calming of the stormy sea when ‘the Christos’ identity is awakened, when this is completed for the whole Sonship they will no longer need a ‘material boat’ but will stand on a sea of glass – tranquil and transparent and of One Mind realised. Like Alice in Wonderland they ‘awaken’ to the same moment they went ‘asleep’ and all the insane events in ‘wonderland’ will never have actually happened in timeless Reality. The Alpha and the Omega will be the same infinite Singularity. The final act in the cosmic stage play there is a new basis for Life and no more egoic sea of consciousnes.
Hi James,
Yes, that is correct and lovely, the almond shape. if you like art Google images of the Vescia Piscis, they are astoundingly beautiful!
As you look at the “halos” on the various enlightened ones, you can also see this, with the head being the center of the 2 circles meeting? My interpretation there James, as I look beyond the actual art and see so many hidden messages.
Actually, I have always wanted a home with the architecture of a circle, it just makes more sense to me than our usual overly square homes. Imagine, think of all the money saved on heating and air, etc., the circle would move the energy a bit more conducive.
If we were inclined more to the circle, gee, we would have to change “Think outside the box” to “See inside the circle”.
What I did do here, outside a square home that I can see everyday is create a Native American medicine wheel garden, which is home to many herbs. They love it in there and grow so abundantly.
If you like gardening here is some info on creating one, it can also be used for mediation as well….
http://www.mesacreativearts.com/html/medicinewheel.html
With Love,
Sparks
great ty my grandmother was full blooded Cherokee.will do ty again fir the garden tip
Wow…so far off. Please forgive the appearance of an insult. But this article does not accurately reflect the teaching of the casting of the net on the right side of the boat. It has nothing to do with the ego, and everything to do with a practice for bringing others to salvation through Jesus.
The net is Grace.
The right hand side of the boat is mercy (The left hand, biblically, is always judgment, and the right hand is always mercy).
Jesus is teaching Peter that the way to catch fish (people….see biblical referance of Jesus telling Peter that he will make Peter a fisher of men). The way to catch fish (cause them to believe in Jesus) is to explain to them the magnitude of God’s Grace.
Grace, as I said, is a net. It is a safety net. It does not break, no matter how much sin is committed, or even continued to be committed (though a person should do their best to not sin). The net which is cast on the right hand side of the boat, cast in mercy, is said to have been filled to the max (souls saved) and did not break (the weight of the sins of the souls was not enough to break Grace).
Summary Point:
Jesus is teaching Peter (and all of us) that if we cast our nets on the left hand side of the boat (stating that we must repent of our sins, do a laundry list, etc)….then we shall go throughout the entire night never having caught a single fish.
But if we cast our nets on the right hand side of the boat (stating that although repentance from sin is good, and many other acts are good, but NONE are necessary, for Grace and Mercy are sufficient if we believe in Him)….then our nets shall be full, and we will have done the work of God.
Aron, I appreciate your thoughts, but I still believe it goes much deeper than that. Thanks for commenting.
Awesome enlightment everyone.It Go Hand In Hand.