Theos-Talk Archives (January 1998 Message tt00007)

Nicholas Weeks wrote:
>
> Mark K:
> >Are you saying that love, acceptance and understanding are not part of
> >your experience of the "sunlight of higher Nature?"
>
> Not at all.  "Compassion is no attribute, it is the Law of Laws." said the
> VOICE.  Your beaming love approach can be and is used by real Bodhisattvas
> towards other beings; but I have never heard it being used toward
> themselves. Perhaps there is more to your practice than just love
> towards your animal nature.

Bingo.

"Beaming love approach?" Geez, this is like pulling teeth!
It would seem odd to me that any "real Bodhisattva" would have
compassion for others but expect them to hate themselves.

>I think of Jesus saying, "Suffer the little children to come unto me."
>
> I recall "If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self,
> take up his cross, and follow in my steps." (MK, 8,34)

Why does "self-denial" have to mean contempt?
Can it not be an act of love?

> What is more loving than for Jesus to recommend that practice of
> self-denial which will take one to His abode?  If love is "long-suffering"
> does that only apply to putting up with outward trials?  Or could it also
> mean bearing the cross of our always protesting, demanding, craving and
> craven animal nature?  Eventually every soul must crucify the animal-man
> and only then can there be a Transfiguration.

Do you believe Jesus' submission to crucifixion was an inward act of
contempt or love?

Let me just say for the record that I understand the need for spiritual
discipline, but if fear or contempt of the lower nature is taught as the
dominating motivation for it, I'll have none of it.

Mark
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