Christ Consciousness Archetype

Throughout my life, I've ventured down various paths that have led me to conclusions I firmly embrace. I draw inspiration from scientific principles like the first law of thermodynamics to suggest that we humans are more than just flesh and blood; we are conduits for energy transformation. This perspective reinforces my belief that our external world directly reflects our internal state, aligning seamlessly with Christian doctrines that portray Jesus as God and man. Just like Jesus, who accessed higher levels of consciousness to alter his perception of reality, I felt a compelling urge to delve deeper into these concepts to see what I might uncover.

My viewpoints have been molded not just by intellectual pursuits, but also by experiential learning. Whether it's through meditation, lucid dreams, or even losing myself in the trance-like beats of desert raves, I've found that these experiences share characteristics commonly associated with traditional shamans. Identified as neo-shamans, individuals like myself are instinctively drawn to altered states of consciousness, which often result in transformative insights. While these experiences can initially be overwhelming, focused internal work can guide one through a meaningful transformation. I must add that I believe the drive toward these altered states may be part of humanity's evolutionary journey toward a broader, Christ-like higher state of consciousness.

According to scholars like Romarheim (1992), Jesus represents a prototype for human spiritual evolution, having undergone stages of initiation to realize his Christ-like state. This makes Christ not just an individual but a level of consciousness that can be accessed by anyone prepared to undertake the journey. Such an idea fundamentally contrasts with views that restrict divinity solely to Jesus Christ. I could not get far from the idea that the awakening many seek may just be waiting to occur within their hearts and minds.

Traditional religious frameworks often serve more to limit our spiritual growth rather than expand it. Some experts propose spirituality as a more individualistic alternative that promotes internal reflection and personal responsibility. Research even substantiates the mental and emotional benefits of focusing one's meditation or prayer practices on the concept of Christ consciousness, underlining its importance for psychophysiological coherence.

Understanding the interconnectedness of spirituality, consciousness, and our day-to-day existence can open doors to living a more fulfilled life. By embracing practices that encourage self-exploration, like meditation or even more unconventional methods like music and dance, you can tap into a higher level of consciousness. This not only offers transformative personal insights but also contributes to a more harmonious external world. At the end of the day, the key to living your best life might just lie in understanding and embodying these higher states of awareness.

So, whether you're a seasoned spiritual seeker or someone just starting to question the nature of existence, this journey towards understanding could offer the tools you need for personal transformation. After all, if we aim to change the world for the better, perhaps we should start by looking within.

The idea of Christ isn't unique to just Christianity. In fact, a famous Hindu guru named Paramahansa Yogananda blended Hindu teachings and the story of Christ to create a spiritual movement that's still going strong today. Yogananda thought Christ was a way to bring different religions together. But what does Christ mean, really? Some people say it's more than just a name; it's a state of being or a level of awareness. That's what I'm exploring.

What's super fascinating is how similar the life stories of Christ, Buddha, and Krishna are. All three are said to have been born in miraculous ways and were recognized as special from the get-go. Even ancient legends from different cultures have similar tales: gods and heroes born from virgins, dying, and then coming back to life. So, it's not crazy to think these stories capture something important about the human experience.

I found a range of views on Christ. Some traditional religious groups stick strictly to the idea that Christ is God. But some people, including myself, think the idea of Christ could mean different things to different cultures or individual spiritual journeys. Even some leaders in the Roman Catholic Church acknowledge that understanding what Christ means is really important, although they don't talk about it much. This might have something to do with the deeply rooted beliefs and unwillingness to entertain alternative viewpoints. 

Usually, people think Jesus and Christ are the same thing. But some believe you can consider them separately. Let's take a deep dive into this, exploring who or what Christ is, how it relates to awareness or consciousness, and I'll share what it means to me personally.

Some people are confused about whether Jesus, Yeshua Ben Yosef, was a man, a god, or both. A guy named Drum (2010) thinks it's weird to say Jesus was both a man and God. But maybe he's missing the point that being conscious—knowing and experiencing—can take many forms. Drum does say that we might need to change our language to truly understand Jesus. So, let's not lock ourselves into rigid ways of thinking.

Now, my take is that Jesus was a really advanced, highly conscious guy who lived way back in the day. "Christ" on the other hand, is more like a super-aware state of mind that anyone can aim for. Some even say Jesus mastered Christ Consciousness and that "Christ Consciousness" existed way before Jesus was born. This concept has been noted in various traditions; it’s not just a Christian thing.

Now, before 800 BC, people felt connected to a higher power through art, music, and nature. They felt like everything was magical and divine. But then, around 500 BC, some deep thinkers tried to make sense of this magic—and maybe lost a bit of it in the process. As for me, I grew up Catholic but always felt that some things taught in the traditional doctrine were off. The teachings didn’t resonate with me and I always felt compelled to seek the truth. You know that gut feeling when something doesn't sit right? I had that while growing up in the Catholic church. 

My own journey made me feel more aligned with the idea that we're like waves in a vast ocean, a sea of electromagnetic energy—that we're all a part of something bigger. Some say that we're actually spiritual beings currently residing in a physical form. We are not here, in human form, for long, perhaps we live for 100 years, but no one is getting out of here with this meat suit we call our bodies in tact. 

Think about your body for a moment. Do you know that the body you have today is different from the one you had seven years ago? It appears that through the act of breathing and eating, we replace every cell of our body many times over the course of our life. So we get new bodies every few years, but somehow, we hold on to those stories filled with pains and suppressing beliefs. What's up with that? I'd rather keep the older body and dump the baggage. Nevertheless, this makes me think we're more than just physical beings, that our bodies are the equivalent of space suites used to house consciousness while we navigate our time here on Earth. I know....crazy. 

Some deep thinkers like Yogananda (1979) suggest that thoughts are like magnets; they attract stuff into our lives. So, if you think you're blessed, you're more likely to notice the good stuff around you. If you believe you opperate from love, you're more likely to experience love. It's like we're all connected to an energy field, and all of our thoughts and actions contribute to the field of energy. Jesus, according to Yogananda, was like a super-magnet who understood this law really well. A simple way to sum this up might be this: where your mind goes, your life follows. But if you believe that, then you'll have to start taking responsibility for all that comes into your life. Could it be that our external world reflects the internal world and that the focus of our attention is guiding our future?  That would make you a creator. I guess the next thing you need to ask yourself is this "What am I creating, and how can I maximize this to step into my full potential?"  

Traditional religious dogmas often limit rather than expand consciousness. Some propose spirituality as an alternative that encourages individual responsibility and internal reflection. Research supports the benefits of a meditation or prayer practice focused on Christ consciousness, indicating its role in psychophysiological coherence. This approach could be key to the exploration and understanding of Christ consciousness.

References

Ali, S. (2020, September 9). The fading divinity of Jesus Christ. The Review of Religions. https://www.reviewofreligions.org/24599/the-fading-divinity-of-jesus-christ/

Drum, P. (2010). Were there two Consciousnesses in Christ? Ars Disputandi, 10(1), 150-153. https://doi.org/10.1080/15665399.2010.10820035

Edwards, S. D., & Edwards, D. J. (2017). Contemplative investigation into Christ consciousness with heart prayer and HeartMath practices. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 73(3). https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v73i3.4537

Frazier, M. (2014, October 10). Christianity vs. Christ Consciousness: Putting the Christ back in Christianity. [Unpublished doctoral dissertation] the University of Metaphysics. https://universityofmetaphysics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Michel-Frazier-Thesis.pdf

Freedom Code. (2021, January 15). Spirituality as a viable alternative to religion. https://freedomcode.com.au/spirituality-as-a-viable-alternative-to-religion/

Jackson, J. G. (2019). Pagan origins of the Christ myth. https://www.bethanyipcmm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Jackson-Pagan-Origins-of-the-Christ-Myth-1941.pdf

Yenson, M., L. (2010). Existence as prayer: The consciousness of Christ in the theology of Hans urs von Balthasar. The Heythrop Journal, 56(6), 1061-1062. https://doi.org/10.1111/heyj.29_12271

Rohr, F. R., & OFM. (2017, October 17). The evolution of consciousness. Center for Action and Contemplation. https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-evolution-of-consciousness-2017-09-25/

Romarheim, A. (1992). The aquarian Christ: Jesus Christ as portrayed by new religious movements.

Wilber, K. (2002). The spectrum of consciousness. Motilal Banarsidass Publ.

Yogananda, P. (1979). The second coming of Christ: From the original unchanged writings of Paramhansa Yogananda's interpretations of the sayings of Jesus Christ. http://devotionalindia.com/yogies-mahatmas-seersofindia/internal/paramhansa/The-Second-Coming-of-Christ-1st-Volume.pdf