You may be wondering why I am going to link baptism with the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. The answer is because both the Red Sea crossing and baptism represent one and the same thing, each of which has nothing to do with literal water.
The scripture makes this clear, and to try and say that the Bible actually supports dunking your body in water in order to bury the lower / sin nature of man is incorrect. Being dunked in water doesn’t change you. It can’t get rid of the sin nature. It simply makes you wet and is no different than swimming or taking a bath.
So did the Biblical authors have something else in mind when they spoke of baptism? Absolutely! They are speaking of something that truly has the power to renew your mind. Baptism actually represents a holy act that harbors and manifests the Christ nature within you!
In order to illustrate the above truth for you, let’s start with the Apostle Paul’s comment on the Red Sea crossing and how it relates to baptism. He states:
“…our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Cor. 10:1-2).
In the above verse, Paul clearly links baptism with the Red Sea crossing. But what’s Paul talking about? Traditionally, the church has taught that Paul thought of this event as God foreshadowing what was to come for the church, and that literal baptism is now part of God’s commandment. But the Israelites remained dry as they crossed the sea. Likewise, being dunked, sprinkled, or submerged in actual water is not the true meaning of baptism, even in the New Testament.
There is only one true way to become the new creature when the mind is transformed and renewed, and it is the same holy act that has been practiced by ancient cultures from around the world. That act is meditation.
Baptism is meditation. It’s that simple. And it’s for this reason that Paul is able to link the Red Sea crossing with baptism. Let’s review the details.
In recalling the story of the Exodus we see the Israelites camped by the sea when the Egyptians suddenly arrive on the horizon. God had hardened pharaoh’s heart once again and he was coming to destroy them. When the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians coming, they became afraid and started complaining. Moses’ then gives the Israelites a command. The scripture states:
“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord…The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace” (Exodus 14:13-14).
Keep in mind that Moses is commanding the Israelites to stand still even as they are supposed to be walking across the Red Sea floor!
This aspect of standing still and holding our peace is the very act of meditation itself. This is the way to salvation!
The Psalmist reiterates this truth much later when he states:
“Be still and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10).
Can it be any plainer? The Bible is not a literal book. It’s a profound spiritual tool that teaches us how to transform individual consciousness.
But there’s more to this story, so let’s consider the verse directly before Moses tells the Israelites to stand still. This one deals with the complaining of the Israelites when they see the Egyptians coming. They state:
“Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness” (Exodus 14:12).
It is certainly easier to serve the ego than it is to crucify it. The Israelites were not ready to begin to metaphorically die in the wilderness.
By the way, the wilderness experience is synonymous with meditation, for to go into the wilderness is to stay in meditation. And that’s how we die metaphorically. We can be said to die because the old mind (ego) is laid to rest and the new mind rises from the act of meditation.
Now you may understand Jesus when he said:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
Think! Jesus said the Kingdom of God is within you! If this is so, then how do you enter the kingdom? How do you go within yourself? By meditation! Once you enter deep meditation (baptism) with no thought, you then are born a second time of spirit (the higher mind and pure light of consciousness).
How does this happen? How can something as simple as meditation produce the higher mind?
In our former blog post we discussed that before Moses entered Egypt, he threw down his rod and it became a serpent. When God told him to pick the serpent up again, it turned back into a rod. That process is symbolic of Kundalini energy (serpent energy) rising through the seven chakras on the spinal column that finally reaches special glands in the brain opening spiritual gateways.
So do we have any other imagery in this story that illustrates this process? Does Moses do anything with the rod of God (serpent energy) that tells us this is what this story is really about? Yes! Consider what the LORD tells Moses to do:
“But lift thou up thy rod and stretch out thine hand over the sea…” (Exodus 14:16).
When Moses lifts the rod, the waters of the Red Sea become parted. When kundalini is raised up the spinal column, the division between the lower man and your higher nature takes place, literally transforming our old way of thinking.
Is this enlightenment process quick and easy? No! The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. That’s an entire generation where they constantly battled the Canaanites. Canaanites are symbolic of the thoughts we must battle and subdue in the meditation process. In other words, for most people, it takes years of meditating to cultivate kundalini energy and the opening of your pineal gland.
The popes have missed it!
At the opening of a pastoral convention at the Diocese of Rome, Pope Benedict XVI once stated the words below about baptism:
In baptism, “…we are immersed in God himself.”
It would seem that the Pope understands very well that baptism is supposed to represent merging with God. But what he doesn’t seem to understand is how! One becomes immersed in God not through literal water, but rather by stilling the mind.
John the Baptizer
Since we are speaking of baptism, I thought it would only be proper to mention John the Baptist (who wasn’t literal either).
Remember the scripture below?
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30).
Think! John is the baptizer. What happens during the meditation process? The Christ nature increases and the old nature decreases!
John is symbolic of one starting meditation. During deep meditation, something extraordinary happens. John said:
“I indeed baptize you with water…but…he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matt. 3:11).
The Christ nature is always represented by a bright light or fire. Jesus is said to come and baptize us with fire because the fire is symbolic of the pineal gland awakening.
Even as we travel back to the Exodus story and the crossing of the Red Sea, we see a pertinent scripture illustrating these points:
“And it came to pass that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire… (Exodus 14: 24).
In scripture, the morning watch also symbolizes meditation. And the pillar of fire is kundalini energy burning up the ego.
How can this knowledge help you?
First of all, you can forget about being baptized in some baptismal pool at the front of your church. There is nothing wrong with doing this, but don’t expect to rise up out of the waters with your sins forgiven. You’re the same person when you go under the water, and you’ll be the same person when you come up from the water.
Second of all realize that you should be meditating regularly. But as I have said before, meditation is a very holy act. It’s not some cheap Jedi mind trick to ease stress and become a healthier person (although this is part of it). Serious meditation is going to take perseverance, patience, surrender, abandonment, and especially letting go of judgment.
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Happy meditating!
Hi Josh — Can you recommend a previous blog post of yours that talks about a process for how to meditate? As always, your insights and explanations connect with me on a deep level of truth. Thank you for such good work!
Janet,
My pleasure. I love to get into the scripture and dig out the wonderful information contained beneath the literal text.
As for recommending a particular type of meditation, start by becoming the observer of your thoughts. It’s very basic but very powerful if you are just beginning. Fully place yourself in every moment and just observe that moment without any judgement of any kind. Soon you will realize that there is an observer (the true you) behind who you thought you were. Whenever you fully immerse yourself in the moment, you become more conscious as well.
Once you have made some headway here, I would recommend daily meditation alone in a place where you feel comfortable. Learn to observe your thoughts without judging them. With practice, you’ll be able to do this longer. Then you’ll be ready to do something more serious. Usually this is where a good teacher or master comes in. Traditionally, someone who is already enlightened is used as a teacher, but I know this can’t be accessed by everyone. Nor is everyone ready for this, either!
Personally, I have found Zazen, also called Zen meditation to be very beneficial. Do a little research on it and shoot me an e-mail if you get stuck. Also, check out the meditation page on my blog. It’s basic, but I plan on putting more stuff up in the future.
As always, it’s good to hear from you Janet.
Blessings.
I don’t think Zen meditation is Christian and kundalini energy is definitely not the pillar of fire in the bible! I don’t understand why you mix scripture with new age! God is only one in the bible and biblical meditation is meditate on God’s word not Zen or other kind of meditation. I think the method you teach a reader to know the self as an observer is teaching how to detach oneself in consciousness which is not biblical or scriptural and if is not recommended if one is a real Christian believing salvation thru Jesus Christ and God’s word is infallible. If one talks about scripture like a Christian, one will not describe chankra energy. May I ask you some questions, 1) if you are to leave this world one day, where will you go as your eternal home?
2) if you stand at the gate of heaven and an angel asks why He should let you in, what will you tell him?
Thanks for your comment JD.
I definitely do not have have the answers to everything, no man does. But as to your questions, I will answer with scripture and common sense. You and everyone else here can weigh for themselves. I will begin with your first question:
You stated: “If you stand at the gate of heaven and an angel asks why He should let you in, what will you tell him?”
This question makes some assumptions which are not supported in scripture.
1) Luke 17:21 – Jesus tells us the kingdom of Heaven and God is WITHIN you. Now before you make another assumption, the real kicker to this statement by Jesus is actually stated in the verses before. Jesus says, do not look here nor there for the kingdom. In other words, heaven is not a “place” that one goes to when one dies. This is an erroneous religious idea that has been put forth by fairy tales for hundreds of years. The kingdom can only be accessed through stillness, within you, beyond the noise of the outside world.
The Psalmist states, “Be still and KNOW that I am God.
One cannot know the divine through outward observation of anything, because it is all changing. If one gets still, in the mind, what’s left? The divine nature that you actually are, not the personality that you “think” you are through names, title, indoctrination, and life in the physical. Your question presumes that when the body dies the soul appears at some outward manifestation of heaven. You also made another pretty bold assumption in an earlier part of your comment which must be addressed here. You stated that meditation in the Bible is about meditating on His word, which I assume you mean the words written in the Bible from the page. No, no, my friend. The word of God is the LIVING WORD, Christ. It has never been and never will be the words on the page. YOU are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and Christ is manifested in the FLESH, the flesh of your temple. While it is good to meditate on the words of the page also, these words are not the Word of God, but they are a sign, a pointer, and a marker, of how to meditate to the kingdom WITHIN, which is where divinity is. If you do not believe this, consider the Gospel of John which clearly tells us that ALL things, including your body, was made through Christ, and He (the power) is in everything that was made. There is not one atom in the entire universe that was made that was not made through Christ.
The problem is people want to look “out there, or over there” for heaven, when in reality it has always been within as a state of mind. Just as the spirit of God does not dwell in a temple made with human hands, so he does not dwell in an imaginary place somewhere “out there” called heaven. Fear is an outside agent that can only manifest if you allow it from within first, and it is the opposite of love.
Now for some common sense: Paul the apostle tells us that all scripture is for reproof, instruction, etc. He wrote these words before the Gospels were ever written. Every Christian scholar will agree with this. So if anything could be considered the word of God it would be the Torah and the prophets, which Paul would be thinking of. The Torah is a parable and a dark saying says the Psalmists, and it is the job of a king to figure it out. Not it’s outward, letter of the law meaning, but’s it’s spiritual meaning, and one must develop the spiritual MIND to understand it. Decoding esoteric symbols is done by the intellect, but the Holy Spirit, which is the intuition that comes from the “inner spiritual man” will begin to tear down the outward meanings and reveal the “dark sayings” as this – the living word, and all the stories, is about what happens inside of you. You are building up the temple and preparing the way for the Christ to manifest in your flesh.
As to your first question…
You state: ” If you leave this world this world one day, where will you go as your eternal home?
To answer this question properly would take an entire blog post because it also presumes many things. Where do YOU go every night when you fall into dreamless sleep? Can you say with certainty where you were when you are not dreaming? Why do you wake up with no memory of such moments, even though someone next to you could say your body was laying in bed all night. But where were YOU? Unconscious? Were you aware of anything, and if not, where were you then?
Have you considered Solomon who says at death a man’s thoughts are no more?
Your question is a very limited one, and presumes that at death every soul goes to some exact place. But every place is eternally changing form. Jesus even said in my father’s house there are many mansions.
Your questions need to be expanded. Such as, Why does Paul say some people sleep at death and others do not? What is the MIND? What is the Divine Mind? If everything, including my individual mind, was made by and through Christ, what does that mean, and where is Christ? What did Job mean when he said that he came into this world from his mother’s womb and thither shall he return? Have you pondered these things?
I cannot answer your question as to where my eternal home will be at my physical death after this short physical life because to say I know exactly would be quite arrogant unless I had gone through the esoteric baptism, resurrection, and ascension spoken about through the life of Christ. Until one has experienced the divine marriage, where the personality is completely united with the Christ, I don’t think anyone has that experiential knowledge. But some say they KNOW because of what they believe, all based on what someone else told them because they know what the Bible means, even though they are basing their conclusions on the traditions of men.
I mean none of this negatively, but only to get you to think. God gave you that brain of yours not to blindly follow what you have been “told” by others who are happy to follow what they have been told beforehand.
Blessings.
We should all thanks the universe (God) for bring too the masses of people the inner meaning of The Scriptures in The Bible….You are helping to save the world and bring peace to it. Again I say Peace and Blessing to you.
Nate Caine
Nate,
I do appreciate your kind words. It is a blessing to be able to bring the deeper spiritual meanings of the scripture into the open. There are many others doing the same thing, and we are all dedicated to getting it done. Blessings to you as well!
Hi Josh,
Do you think the Popes do not know the esoteric meanings of the holy scriptures? Of cause they know and practice the suppressed secrets/truth to attain enlightenment to the detriment of the mass. The world it self has been turned upside down.
“Truth is often very subtle and not so obvious, therefore it has always been the case that only very few sensitive sharp and intelligence members of humanity have been able to recognize and use it to attain enlightenment” on the other hand,
“Ignorance is dark, gross, heavy and noisy so it is easy for a lot of people to fall into it and be trapped by it and mistake it for Truth. Why am i making such references, i have spoken to a lot of people of different religious caliber and in the mainstream churches regarding the truth meaning of scriptures and they tell me i am totally lost. What can we do to make the truth known since we cannot keep it to ourselves?
Bernhardt,
You’re right. Many do and did know, especially from the very early church. But most are not guilty of this. As regards to your question, you can’t change someone’s mind through a discussion unless they’re open. Usually the people who are really seeking aren’t afraid to ask the hard questions, and when they get unsatisfactory answers, they press in more until they discover mainstream religion is a dead end. Just keep studying and be willing to talk to those who have questions.
Hi Josh, thanks for another great interpretation. Meditation is so important, as well as integrating the insights you get from meditation into your daily life. And as I have shared in my latest blog post, coming from that “sacred space” the “vertical connection” with God/Source more and more…
You bet, Christine. Looking forward to reading that blog post as well. Blessings.
I couldn’t agree more. I never liked the idea that Baptism was only for members of a particular group, and only after taking classes to be indoctrinated. It is meant for all, regardless of race, affiliation, etc. The way you present it here, it makes it open to anyone and everyone, as it should be.
Absolutley!
Just had to share. Last night I underwent baptism my water. I lay there with my ego creating feelings of restlessness, I must say I was about to give up because of that. Then I decided no matter what I would bare it and keep moving forward. I did not realize when exactly it happened, but my whole mind and body shut off for a few seconds. I re awoke with this mind almost empty as a vase, with every living cell in my body vibrating like they have only vibrated once before, infact they vibrated more this time. I could barely feel my body it was as if I looked through the eyes of someone else. There in the darkness of my mind, the faint colours become bright, they made shapes, they did some amazing things until it finally took the shape of my third eye. I rested there observed and fell asleep with a calm mind. :))
Miky,
Thanks for sharing this experience. I was hoping that someone would eventually come forward and share events like this. Meditation is so important. Blessings!
Thank you for this information. I enjoyed reading this post.
Lily,
You’re very welcome.
So let me get this straight in MY mind. Jesus was Baptized in his mind? Are you serious?
Baptism means total submersion, Baptism is an act of obedience in water just exactly like it says in Acts 2:38, unless you want to change that part of scripture, or why not just take that part out too?
Mark,
The entire process is an allegory for a deeper truth. Sure, people were baptized in literal water all the time in the ancient world. It still happens today. But if it’s all simply about a literal act of obedience, what for? How does getting your head wet help you in the process of salvation? A wet head never changed anyone. No offense, but the Bible scriptures ALWAYS have a deeper meaning.
You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make them drink…
It is hard for people to understand or even accept things about Jesus because he has become their god. Only a sincere yearning for the truth leads to the truth AND no matter how hard or unbelievable it is IT can stand on its own whether accepted or refuted.
Very true, Tonya!
Tonya..Jesus is my lord, God and saviour .Jesus also says that HE is THE way, THE truth and THE life..some of these articles indicate to me that we are making ourselves our own “Gods’….As regards obedience with baptism, it was because of DISOBEDIENCE that this world is a mess… God said Dont do one thing, so what do Adam/Eve do??the very thing they were told NOT to do, because Satan beguiled them …I do try and meditate on God’s word btw…one such thing I meditate on is this… BE still and know that I am God…that God is the God of the universe.
Jesus said ———– “I AM” ————the way – meaning YOU are the way – God is within YOU ————– I AM ———- with YOU always !!! God Bless and keep you !!!
“I indeed baptize you with water…but…he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matt. 3:11).
Also remember Jeremiah 20:9 “But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”
I ‘ve been thinking and I told my husband…”all the knowledge I have from reading these books, something is blocking me from moving to the next level a higher level”. I told him I knew it was my ego but for some reason I am scared to meditate, I keep thinking I’m going to unlock “something”…dunno
I am Muslimah (converted from Christianity) once I started really “thinking” and studying and wondering I too have realize some of what these text (Bible, Qu’ran, Gita, Te Ching, etc) are saying. There is another blogger out there (Muslim) his work is similar except it talks about the symbolism, language and meanings in the Qu’ran. Check him out if you like http://www.mentalbondageinthenameofgod.com. Peace and Blessings
Thanks for the resource. I will check it out.
Sorry the correct website is http://www.mentalbondageinthenameofgod.wordpress.com
Okay sorry one more site that I think you would enjoy of the same mindset but Muslim…hope you don’t mind…www.servantofthelight.com
Thanks for your patience. Peace and Blessings
Tonay,
Of course I don’t mind. Always interested in reading other perspectives. I am always willing to learn. 🙂 Any religion, when looked at from it’s esoteric origins will yield great insight. Thanks.
I’ve got to say I don’t think there is anything wrong with baptism. i dont think not doing it willkeep you out of heaven.Rising out of the water is a symoblism of being reborn. But if you never change you mind set, then don’t bother doing it.
I also wanted to mention how you said the bible is all figurative. sorry but that’s as bad as saying its all literal. What about all the numbers in it? What about all the zodiac constellations? God said its all written in the stars.
The gold calf- Tarus
Blowing of the rams horn – Aries
Jesus/ the 2 fish – Pisces
The man carrying a pitcher of water- Aquarius
This all flows in order. There is a lot more constellations. all I’m getting at, is to read the bible only one way still misses out.
Stephen,
The Zodiac is definitely a part of Biblical teachings. Jesus’ life story follows the zodiac. I also agree that there is nothing wrong with baptism. But there is something wrong with the way it is taught in most religion today.
Blessings!
Stephen,
You sound a bit convincing in the later part of your comment however, like how the mainstream churches preaches baptism, what spiritual difference/benefit do you see in your life when you are deepen and brought out of literal waters…….. all you get is wet head, body and panties including extra working hours of washing yourself and panties and battered with time wasting. One need to have a key to decode the biblical meaning of “baptism” and go through a process of personal “initiation” to meet Jesus in the “air” and after that you will never be the same in your understanding of biblical symbolism. Doctrines of religions have robbed us by the egotistic, conventional mind, not allowing the fundamental mind to be functioning.
First, let’s take a look at the true meaning of baptism from a Biblical perspective. Without question, the best explanation is given to us in Romans 6. In order to get the context, let’s begin in verse 1, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection” (Romans 6:1-5).
We find that baptism is full of significance! Paul teaches us that the Christian is supposed to go through a similar experience to what Jesus went through in His death, burial, and resurrection. The difference is that Jesus died physically and actually came back to life; we’re to die to our sin, self, and old ways, and then rise again to live a holy life through the power of Jesus. As Paul said in verses 6-13 of that same chapter, “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” (Romans 6:6-13)
In other words, baptism is an outward symbol of an inner change and transformation that is supposed to take place beforehand. It’s very important to emphasize the fact that this can only be accomplished through the power and strength of Jesus! It’s not that we have to completely overcome sin before we can be baptized, but we need to repent of our past sins (Acts 2:28) and have our mind made up that we want to overcome sin, as we will allow God to give us the victory.
In the same way that Jesus went down into that grave, we go down into the water of baptism, which represents our death to sin and the burial of our old life. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (1 Corinthians 5:17) Sin needs to “die” and “pass away” in our life and Jesus will take it’s place. This doesn’t mean that we’ll never sin again, because sin has a way of coming back to life, but it does mean, like Paul said, “that we should no longer be slaves of sin” and that we should “reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.” Sin will no longer dominate or control our lives and we will strive to “be holy even as He is holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16), as the Lord works in us “both to will and to do His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)
Here are some more verses that speak of “dying” to a sinful lifestyle:
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Jesus said “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)
“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors — not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (Romans 8:12-14)
“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5)
Nellie..that is TRUTH from the Spirit of God..glad u wrote it so well. I am not a catholic but a born again believer.
Hi nellie,
I read your posting very slowly and carefully. What I believed about all areas of your posting were the teaching of the Catholic Church that can also be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Would you kindly email me at : josesamilin181@yahoo.com I am also interested to know the reply of the author Joshua Tilghman about the details of your posting. Thank you so much.
Joes and Nellie,
Water is a symbol for truth. Being baptized in one sense symbolizes the soul being purified by truth, which is developed through the moral nature.
Thanks Joshua. But look, Joshua just commented on what is water as symbol for truth and in its sense symbolizes as the souls being purified by truth. Out of long elucidated explanation of baptism taken with proper authority from Scriptures by Nellie. Here is my take. Joshua is very unique in his approach. He is so gifted with highly critical analysis of scriptures. I like that. I am amazed by that. It’s my very first time to read a very sensible symbolism. I am not the one to judge what is lacking. But I could feel there were some, but I am not so sure. I would rather ask Joshua the things that seems lacking. Here, firstly, Joshua in his critical analysis of scriptures it always hold symbol/symbols that ultimately and necessarily end up to the prescription of meditation. I am saying this in a general way. If I may, could I kindly have Joshua’s thoughts about this as there are other few things that I may ask further. Thanks.
Joshua, I have so enjoyed your teachings, about eleven months ago I reached nosis. It can be a wonderous and frightening experience, as I believed the litteral interpretation of the bible. The last several months have been challenging to say the least. My comment to you is that meditation isnt always about having no thought, but having no thought in the analytical side of the brain. The higher self knows us so well the last thing I was shown before going within to my imagination was its time to build. Our God or higher consciousness lives in the imagination, I lived many lifetimes in that seven years going deep almost trancelike it changed me and eventually woke me. Never put youself in a box. I love your teachings so much wisdom there. But remember we are like a dream to the higher self we are never closer or more like God than when we go within the imagination, behold I stand at the door and knock…. Come dance with me.
Thanks Valori. Yes, in the ancient world the imagination was valued more than the material world, and considered more real. Even Plato would agree with you and state that the imagination is true place of our individual expression.
Joshua, just wanted to add, you must become like a little child to enter the kingdom. Its not thru innocents or even purity, but thru the feminine side of the brain. Children live to imagine and daydream. You have to build up that side of you. Dream more think less. I read things on the internet from people who love to tell you all they know, Im living it. Its way way harder than it sounds. You are a blessing to me because I was led to you and those beautiful and Mystikal words I thougjt I had lost came alive for me again. Blessings to you.
Good points, Valori.
Thanks for commenting!
i love reading articles like this. i had a mystical awareness in 1988 that changed me forever, and shocked me as well, because i was a fundamental Christian at that time. This awakening went against just about everything i had learned in church. (i haven’t been a Christian since the awakening). My experience showed me how changing prepositions gave a new perspective to things for instance, i was taught the Bible is the word of “god.” When the word “of” is changed to “about”, a different interpretation came to me: The Bible is words “about” “god”, interpreted by the minds of people….thus, many different denominations. Christ died on the cross “for” our sins was changed to Christ died on the cross “because” of sin”, (ego) such a fear and jealously. Due, to my awakening it caused me to lose part of my family, and friends. i also learned about the kundalini (sp) i had soaring hot heat go up my spine and stopped at my waste. i could lay my hand over an object and tell what had occurred with that object, and many things too numerous to mention. i finally come to find i was an universal mystic, which was odd for me as well. i thought mystics only had hallucinations and smoked whacky tobacky. Also, I do not use the word, “god” as that is a male noun in regarding the Bible because the Divine (which is male and female) and according to the gospel of John, described “god” as a Spirit, and to be worshiped in Spirit. i also believe in reincarnation, because due to all the stress i was going through i became very angry at people casting me aside because they called me of the ‘devil.’ So, 3:00 in the morning I awoke and sat straight up in the bed with both arms raised above my head screaming, Kali, Kali. i wondered, who in the world is Kali? I found out she was a “goddess, worshiped in ancient times. This is becoming too lengthy. I will stop now! Thank you Joshua, for all of your information you have shared, and your time.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Levon. The mystical experience for me is certainly better than the religious one for me too.
Hello Joshua,
I dont know how to Thank you, you re answering many questions i have. I googled kundalini snake in Bible and i ended up on your web site ! A ” pépite d’or ” we would say in French ( my native langage) You are really helping/ healing people with your work, i cant stop reading your articles. I would love to write more but its hard to express myself in english better in understanding 🙂
Anyway the purpose of my post is just THANK YOU.
Keep doing this.
Peace, blessing and love
Thanks, Johanna. Your comments are much appreciated.
I listen to Mrastrotheology. He has a lot of your ideas. He was talking about the parting of the red sea was the Corpus Collosum. When the liquid spinal fluid reaches the brain it passes through the the 2 hemispheres if bridge consciousness. Thus looking just like it’s coming up with the liquid, parts the waters of the 2 hemispheres passing the Corpus Collosum to the other side of the waters. To me it seams it has a specific path it takes, what do you think? I’m just speculating but maybe that joins the two making the union, because right now, it’s split. That would be very interesting to see the way it travels through aligning the Pineal n’ Pituitary for this is the land of milk and honey. Pineal gland contains the Cristo’s Sacred oil and Pituitary giving of milk (even in men)
Hi Josh and those commenting.
New to the site and so far enjoying what I am reading.
Josh my question to you is this
Where did you get your understanding , who guided you
Emma Curtis Hopkins the filmores ?
Thanks in advance
Kevin,
I have gotten my information from years of study in philosophy, Eastern religion, the Bible, ancient history, science, psychiatry, and Christian mysticism. I have also studied many esoteric writers of the past.
Hi all
I have a perplexing question. Why do the church insist on calling the bible the word of god when the bible states quite clearly that the word of god is god and the word was made flesh in Jesus Christ. I understand the word of god is the Holy Spirit and not a book of words paper and ink no matter how holy. I cannot find any reference in the bible associating the word of god with the written word. Maybe someone can help me. I have been shouted at and cursed for saying that the bible is not the word of god and can never be. Am I wrong in this approach.?.
Regards
Bernard
Bernanrd,
No, I do not believe you are wrong. In fact, I believe you are right on. The true word lies within us, however, the written word is the road map through understanding the mythical and symbolic meaning.
Water is the sexual energy which is transmuted by the fire of the spirit through tantra. When the sexual energy is transmuted it rises through the spine upon which the ego dies and one becomes a christ. That is the true awakening of Kundalini. As Kundalini arises it hisses like a snake. Actually in the quranic version (some of us know that quran is partly a result of a christian monk) when moses threw down his staff (the spine), it transformed into a real snake (the upper going kundalini). That way he could prove to the pharao who also was initiated into the same mysteries, that moses was a true master. For that Moses had to get a wife. This is the big secret that most of todays mankind refuses to accept. Cause sexaul chastity through tanta is the greatest sacrifice which very few are willing to make (that including me).
Jay, thanks for the comment. I’ve done some study on tantric sex as well. I am still undecided on how far the benefits really go, but I agree with you that I’m not quite willing to make that sacrifice either! Blessings.
it is not a chastity it is transformation.
sexual union is partly a release of built-up energy, you see that depicted in most porn videos.
if that energy has nowhere to go it goes into unconcious manifestations, and seen as bad luck, luck, wonders and whatnot ( see CGJung on ‘parcipation muystique’ and transferential chimera).
the yearning of release and the act are both part of a habit that restrict us. once a habit becomes hardened it is called addiction.
sacrificing is an act of giving up for the sake of . . .
sexual abundance is the act of shooting away of energy that could well be spend in improving the quality of life. but then we need to face that and that choice is riddled with misconceptions about what it gives in return.
I thought there was something here, until you said baptism is meditation. Doesn’t the Word tell us of baptizm by the Holy Spirit? I see you’re quite liberal also, new-age spiritualism. Mhm, well Christ is the Way, the Truth, The Life. No one goes to the Father except through Him. Only Him, not any other religion.
Success,
I understand the reluctance, especially if you interpret the Bible literally. It’s easy to say Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, but explaining what that means is a little harder. Simple faith in a creed doesn’t get much results. Blessings.
so only super intelligent/super faith people get results??.. pity the majority of the human race. What results are you getting with super faith??? I really am curious……………my faith is strong, but it is also simple,,just curious
Karin,
Without intuition super intelligence can never see truth. And even by your standards of faith, didn’t Jesus say few there be that find the narrow gate of life? Most of humanity is in a mess. Sometimes I am in a mess. You say your faith is simple, and so it should be. It is our varied experiences of both joy and pain that grow us. Faith that everything works out to the good for those who love God is THE simple faith we need.
Blessings.
Joshua Tilghman
I want to express my deepest gratitude for the magnificent amount of insight you have bestowed upon me, as well as other I’m sure. I have felt more connected to the Kingdom of God (within me) by referring to your post, while reading the bible consecutively for the first time, then I have since I was a seven. I cannot describe in detail what I had experienced then but I do know I felt the presence of God within me so predominately that I had lost consciousness. My church described it has seeing someone experience the Holy ghost. They attributed it to thier literal baptism of me the month or so before, but I felt their accreditation to their act as sinning (missing the mark). I truly believe that I felt the love of God so deeply within me that I was able to spiritualy survive the next few turbulent years of my life. Through your blog I have found solace within my soul again. Thank you for your dedication in doing this for others. It is evident this is not for your personal gain (ego). Your perspective is like breath of fresh air in a smog.
Thanks Bonnie. I enjoy writing about the learning process I have been through, and I look forward to learning more. I appreciate the kind words.
Interesting thoughts Joshua …
It may also be that water symbolises the astral, so the meditative journey within on a certain level, as in fact water does symbolise the astral in esoteric thought. Meditation on this level brings visions and understanding of the spiritual nature of the structure of the lower spiritual self and the universe, eg the nuts and bolts of how to master ourselves. It is the place of dreams, visions and guidance that can be translated through mind and develops the skills we need to become masterful multi-dimensional beings, particularly learning to discern finer aspects of the false light, evil, because the experience indeed brings terror as well as insight, leading to expanded awareness and the ability to hold the borders of Israel in balance within. As such, water represents interaction with the feminine in the sense she is the manifest process of creation. It is her substance we engage with as she gives form to all things, subtle and material. The marriage between the Holy Spirit and Christ light is indeed the glorious higher initiation, the marriage in heaven made possible through the purification and transformation of baptism.
Nice thoughts and great comment.
Here’s something interesting I found on baptism in the OT. I always like to go into the Hebrew because the secrets are folded into the language… I also think that sometimes we think the literal meaning is kinda ridiculous but, then again, the traditions speak of the importance of ritual in the physical world as a way to anchor in the spiritual experience. If you take a ritual bath before meditation your subconscious knows you are clean. The gorgeous sensations of the water in a nature setting or a beautiful marble bath enjoyed with awareness easily prepares the mind for meditation/contemplation. http://www.haydid.org/ronimmer.htm
Sally, thanks for the link. It is true that the physical and spiritual are linked. In fact I believe they are two sides of the same coin.
Joshua, hello.
Some of the things you’ve written on your site are very interesting. However, I find myself often disagreeing with what you’ve written – some things seem to be taken out of context a little, and because of that to reach a conclusion that (to me at least) often does not ring completely true. Something often seems to be missing from the analysis, for me. But, I do appreciate your site – what you’ve written is very thought provoking and – (I’m not an expert) it seems you’ve come up with some highly original exegesis or eisegesis, depending on your point of view.
Regarding baptism: If baptism is meditation, then why is one to be baptized only once? In the Bible and in universal Christian practice through the ages (as far as I can tell), people are baptized only once. Meditation would seem to be something completely different – something done regularly, repeatedly, daily, like prayer.
Also, how can baptism mean “meditation” when in the Bible it (baptism) is associated with repentance/penance and forgiveness (by God) of sins? (That is, the action of God upon us – not the action of our self upon our self.) Meditation, again, would seem to be something of completely different nature and for a different purpose than baptism, and involving a different dynamic. Saying baptism is really mediation, given the NT context, also seems to deny a role to God, … or, possibly, to be based on some perhaps not explicitly stated conception of the self as being “God”, which would, again, be a considerable departure from Christian (or Jewish) understanding.
The New Testament says repeatedly that sins are forgiven by baptism. Baptism is presented as God doing something to us, by grace, to transform us. We are the object being acted upon by God who is the subject. It’s not about us transforming ourselves. (Again, we are not God, right?)
See, for example, Acts 2:38-39: “Peter told them, “You must repent and every one of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ, so that you may have your sins forgiven and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For this great promise is for you and your children—yes, and for all who are far away, for as many as the Lord our God shall call to himself!” (from J.B. Phillips New Testament translation) – or the Douay-Rheims text of the same verses: “38. But Peter said to them: Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins: and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are far off, whomsoever the Lord our God shall call.”
Thanks again for your very interesting site? Have you written any books? I find many of your ideas interesting. Best wishes to you.
KG,
Thank you very much for your comment. I appreciate that you are trying to connect the concept of baptism to meditation. I realize that may seem somewhat of a stretch, especially since, from a traditional Orthodox standpoint, most of the original knowledge has been lost of the sacred scriptures. I’ll try to make a better connection for you.
In the most ancient and original forms of Christian practice (which came way before Orthodox Christianity), baptism was one of the first initiations. Water represents God’s truth, and it is a cleaning ritual from sin, but sin means missing the mark, and it has to do with the ego’s hold over the higher self which is to miss the mark of the truth of higher spiritual reality.
Consider the story of Noah and the ark. The ark is us. The literal interpretation is ridden with impossibilities, such as the ark rising above every mountain on earth which we know no human could survive. The cold and lack of oxygen alone would make it impossible. This is an allegory describing what happens during mediation. Consciousness rises into the air (3rd level) which in turn represents a separation from thought and ego where it is imbued with fire or spirit and the mind is transformed. This highest level (atop the mountain of Ararat) is the new mind. That’s also why the Baptism of John states first comes water and then the Christ baptizes with fire (the Holy Spirit).
Baptism is symbolic of what happens within the mind. Even in traditional Orthodox thought, baptism is symbolic of cleansing. This cleansing is of the mind, to transform and renew it. Baptism is about inner reflection and transformation.
You ask why baptism is only done once and never again, whereas the act of mediation is a daily practice which requires time. I see your point here, but it is more about what baptism is symbolic of then what it really does. Do you really believe that the physical act of submersing in water really takes away our sin? No. It’s a mind thing! In the article above God clearly says to be “still” and see his salvation. In the act of mediation, the ego is silenced.
You also reference the scripture in Acts where Peter states that the Holy Spirit is a gift for even the children. Children in scripture are representative of the fruit of the mind (man) and higher emotions (wife and women) which unite the soul. Genesis states that God’s image is both male and female. It’s all symbolic, and men, women, and children are symbolic of the attributes of the soul.
I have not written a book as of yet, but will have one ready in PDF format this summer (2016) which unveils Genesis chapter 1 and its. esoteric meaning of man. It is not about the physical earth, but about the physical and spiritual framework of man.
Thank you for your encouragement and kind words.
Many blessings to you.
I disagree. What about the thief on the road who went to paradise with the Lord? He was never baptized.
Thief on cross, not, road (auto correct)
Hi Joshua
Just a another thought on baptism. It is interesting to note that one denomination has spent millions of dollars on establishing ancestry records in order that living members can be baptised on their behalf. All this, it seems to me, is based on a misunderstanding of a single text: “Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf” (1Cor.15:29). Now, it would seem that they did not read on to the next verse for if they did they would have understood regarding as to which ‘baptism’ the former text was referring to. “Why am I in peril every hour? …. I die every day!” (v.30).
Looking back to Mark, the following verses stand out regarding the ‘baptism of fire’ that the figure of Jesus is about to enter into at the place of the skull. He states, “But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what your are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?’ And they said to him, ‘We are able.’ And Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized.'” (Mark 10:38.39). And then further on we have “He who believes and is baptized will be save, but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16) [“condemned” by his own egoic mind, I might add].
Now, if one looks closely at the words given Jesus to say in the garden of Gethsemane just prior to the undertaking of the crucifixion, the ‘cup’ he is referring to earlier is the very experience of going the crucifixion of the egoic self; the same as what Paul was referring to in 1Cor. In the garden experience, where the decision is made to take the path of the cross, Jesus utters the words, ““My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matt. 26:39) And further on, after going back and finding his disciples asleep, he again asks them to keep watch, and he goes back to his private prayer, and continues, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, thy will be done.”
The ‘cup’ and the ‘baptism’ are equated and they both refer to the ‘fiery’ experience of dying to the egoic will – an experience that Paul was going through and an experience that is said to be a ‘violent one’ (“the kingdom of heaven is taken with violence’ – metaphorically speaking.
So, I have the impression that the baptism of the Spirit is the baptism of ‘fire’. This is not meant to be a contraction of what you have written, but just another thought on the matter.
Namaste
Phil
Phil, you are exactly right, and I mention this in another article. Meditation is a part of this process, as true advanced meditation is a fiery experience for the ego where it is burned up in the metaphorical sense. Blessings.
Meditating is taking God’s word and taking your mind and continually thinking a going over and over what God is saying to me. I study God’s word until it shows in my heart and mind what Jesus is speaking to me. I think on it chew on it and pray about it? To me that is meditation. My mind is completely focusing on what God is saying and allowing other thoughts to take over my mind.
Mary, the Bible is so full of rich esoteric and symbolic meaning. Meditation goes way behind just thinking about scripture. Keep searching.
Joshua is taking God out of the world pand trying to convince you that you are God yourself. GOD is three parts Father Son Holy Spirit. You are three parts me myself And I. Now God made all things in the world and of the world and all things in it, including you. You cannot create yourself nor anything else without first given the articles the make it .GOD spoke all things into existence. There was nothing created that wasn’t created by GOD.
Joshua goes on to say in the original post., it’s all about YOU. you are not GOD nor can you attain that enlightenment. Don’t let false teachings sway you nor dismay you, you still need GOD in York Daily life. Yes, meditate in prayer to and with GOD and you will become much wiser for doing so., because the life is not about YOU. Life is about GOD and his glory, nothing about you and your glory. Lean not on your own understanding.
There are so many warnings in the Bible, which is GOD’S written word, not to make yourself nor any thing a God., for there is only one GOD , and His son, JESUS, is the only the way to salvation of Heaven.
Search for yourselves in His word. DO NOT take my word for it. Prove and read for yourselves and you to will find THE TRUTH AND THE LIGHT AND THE WAY to salvation from your sins and the path to Heaven and GOD’S kingdom.
When reading HIS words, ask GOD for the meaning and understanding, HE will show you the true meaning.
No I didn’t quote scripture, but want you to look for yourself the answers you seek.
Buy your own copy of the word of GOD. Not a Catholic version but a King James or a New King James version would be better to understand the wording. Read it daily, walk with GOD and meditate in prayer with HIM, and you too will be far more enlightened than you could ever imagine.
Terry…
Jesus quoted the Psalms where it states: “Ye are all gods and sons of the most high.” Paul clearly teaches that he travails in birth until Christ be formed “within” you, and Jesus states that the kingdom of God is “within” you. He even goes so far as to say, behold, look not here nor there, for the son of man is not coming from without, as you are suggesting, but from within. Jesus taught in parables because those with eyes and ears could not see or hear. The truth is that religion, formulated through doctrine and dogma, has blinded the masses from a deeper revelation. It is not my job to convince you of this or that. But it is my job to write about what mainstream religion cannot explain as more people wake up to the metaphorical and allegorical interpretation of what the original authors of Biblical text wrote.
Looks like someone’s been studying the teachings of Mr Bill Donahue of “Hidden Meanings”. Good for you, you’ve found and chosen the very best teacher of our generation. He’s truly a gift.
On the other hand, of none of you are familiar with Bill Donahue and Hidden Meanings, I urge you to go to YouTube and watch the uploads of his lectures. They seem to range from about 1986, or so, until present.
Perhaps start with this heading in the YouTube search box: Bill Donahue hidden meanings. The bible is not a literal book. Then, work your way through all of his early (Blue shirt era) videos. They’re a real treasure, and you will learn very many good and true lessons.
James N
James…
No doubt, Bill Donahue has made a very big contribution to Biblical interpretation. I first came across him a few years after starting this blog, and he helped me go deeper into the Bible, beyond spiritual giants like Joseph Campbell in understanding not only consciousness, but how the physiology of mankind is spread throughout the Biblical texts. His teachings are a simplified version of ancient Hebraic mystics whose writings are very complicated for the modern reader, but which Donahue explains in a way the modern reader can easily grasp. Blessings!
I like a lot of what you have to say here, and are not trying to be narrow so forgive me if I appear so. Baptism you are right is not about the water, it is however about repentance at least in the jewish/christian sense. The water is a symbolic act of getting clean before God , in a sense you are right you won’t come out a different person …but it is a public declaration that you are making a committment to become different and take on trying to live a new life ie live like Jesus. His life was death to his own ego but taking on the will of God.
(Your (God’s) Kingdom, Your will (God’s will) be done). The original audience of the scriptures are hebrew and christian and we must always remember that is who they were written to, not us. So while we cannot take all things literally, we must take it literal to the culture they were written to.Moses had no idea of the serpent spirit, kundalini or chadras etc and to imply this is to put things into the text that simply are not there. By all means point out the similarities in world religions and I can see this but sacred texts whether jewish, buddhist, islamic or hindu need to be left in their own contexts understanding them from their own original audiences. This is how to correctly exegete any literature. To not do this, is a very dangerous practice and how religious cults start up, which I am sure you will agree is not right when religious texts are used to manipulate others. Is meditation a christian and jewish practise yes…but it is not baptism. Psalm 48:9New International Version (NIV)
Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love.
Cathy, yes!!!
I believe this explains it clearly:
http://www.jonasclark.com/counterfeit-holyspirit-yoga-kundalini-demons/
Only the Holy Spirit (not Kundalini) can guide.
2 John 1:7-11
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
Read the Bible and PRAY to the Lord Jesus Christ for the Holy Spirit to guide you through the scriptures so that NO ONE WILL DECEIVE YOU!!!!!
As we psychologically evolve (ascension), the universe appears to control the flow. When synchronicities happen so regular and nothing goes wrong, I sometimes think that the parting of the sea is a metaphor for doors continually opening, anyone else think the same?
Interesting thoughts Joshua and meditation has a significant place in life and doctrine. David makes that clear in Psalm 1 – If I were to put it in geometric terms: Reading/hearing God’s Word is similar to 1 dimensional transformation – meditating/contemplating would be the two dimensional transformation – both those dimensions are lacking a key ingredient to building a solid life with “volume or depth” you don’t build a Christian life or any other for that matter without volume; the building blocks that are to stacked upon the foundational cornerstone of Jesus Christ. It is “obedience” that brings volume or depth to the Word of God. To “obey” is better than all the sacrifice in the world. Baptism is a step of obedience and after reading all the posts attached to this article – Nellie has the most biblical approach to baptism and since God is the one who instituted it; His Word is the only logical approach for apologetics. Gold star Nellie. I’m glad I ran across your article Joshua, you have a bright intellect and I’ve enjoyed this article.
Thank you for the comment, Scott. Meditation is key, and this has been lost from scripture for so long. Blessings, my friend.
Baptism has nothing to do with meditation. Baptism is a symbol of a Christian’s identification with Christ’s death and resurrection. In baptism, we symbolically die with Christ and are raised up as new creations. A baby in the watery womb and its subsequent birth through blood and water is also a type and symbol of Jesus death and resurrection, as well as the Christian’s. Physical birth is a shadow of spiritual birth, and neither has anything to do with meditation. It is about being born of the Spirit.
You have clearly been deceived.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
Todd…
Appreciate the response and thought. But what you have just described in the first paragraph is exactly what meditation is. Those who are looking at the subject from a worldly non-spiritual point of view will dissociate the info, but those who look deeper will see that there is no difference. A good analogy would be classical physics and quantum mechanics. Obviously both are true from one viewpoint, and from another they are diametrically opposed. Spiritually, a higher reality is discerned or not. The ego will decide for most. No condemnation either way.
Many blessings.
This too: http://www.biblemeanings.info/Words/Natural/Water.htm
It does a good job of showing many of the different meanings of water and the context dependent ways it’s used in the Bible. Likewise, when we analyze the meaning of serpents and snakes, we need to take the book in it’s entirety and look at what snake/serpent symbolism meant, and how it’s actually being used, now how one wants it to be used.
Sir, you have it totally wrong, Jesus is our example.and HE was baptized fully submerged in Water, and then Holy Spirit ascended on Him. Then in the Book of Acts are many examples, even Paul was baptized fully under water. Romans 6 clearly states what happens in the Spirit when you get baptized with Water. You die with Christ and you Rise with Christ. No meditation can do that. It is a Command and Requirement to be Born again. Mark 16;16