Monday, November 27, 2006

The Passion of the Christ

For a long time I wondered why the Christ archetype has the effect on people that he does. Perhaps the following passage by Eckhart Tolle explains it:

"Why is the suffering body of Christ, his face distorted in agony and his body bleeding from countless wounds, such a significant image in the collective consciousness of humanity? Millions of people, particularly in medieval times, would not have related to it as deeply as they did if something within themselves had not resonated with it, if they had not unconsciously recognized it as an outer representation of their own inner reality---pain. They were not yet conscious enough to recognize it directly within themselves, but it was the beginning of their becoming aware of it. Christ can be seen as the archetypal human, embodying both the pain and the possibility of transcendence."

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice post. It is true that people look upto the Christ for his willful sacrifice, ability to carry his pain, as well as his release from this world. This attracts people to him.

Ethan Raine said...

I don't think Christian theologians would have any problem with that statement by Tolle. Part of the notion of the incarnation was that Christ took upon himself flesh, not just corporeality, but what it means to be human. So, the emotions, suffering, hunger, rejection, weakness, etc.

Prior to the bubonic plague (i.e., Black Death) sweeping Europe in the Middle Ages, the dominate concept of Christ was as king and conqueror. But after the devastation and up to a 3rd of the population dying in the epidemic, people began to think of Christ as the suffering king who could emphasize with them in their pain and broken humanity.

Callie said...

There are so many variations of responses that can be given, and yet He does say: that if any man wants to know all he has to do is ask.

So..ask.

:)

callie

Vikram M said...

Hi Callie,

People do not ask for blessings in a genuine manner. I do not pray, I have never prayed, nor do I intend to pray--prayer is a path that I do NOT disrespect, but it is not for me.

I have studied people who pray. They do not pray with their heart.

Further, there is always the question whether the one a person is praying to actually exists or not.

I have no proof that the Christ exists, I have no proof that the Christ does NOT exist.

So I choose to opt out of prayer. To anyone. Be it the Christ, Shiva, God, anyone.

Vikram

Callie said...

*smiles....Vikram...At least you can say what you feel and not be sidelined into- should I say this for fear of..... Or should I remain silent to avoid this comment or that.....

That is courageous of you and awesome.. May I expand on *my* views if I may...?

1.People do not ask for blessings in a genuine manner. (what you speak here is true. Alot of people use prayer as a gimme route...a slot machine per se', and yet it is hard to start with because you have so many thoughts going on in your mind.. When I started in prayer- it was like... Wow, how do I do this? Feels weird..especially aloud.. I started as anyone does...

"Lord..I don't know if you are real or not...prove it..."

*laughs*
and he did...So..I kept going..And then it was as if he said..Ok...Now, let's really get you to speaking from your heart..And voila...Circumstances...and when those started to really hit me, I found myself pleading, crying, praying from my heart....Not often...BUT it taught me the difference of *lip prayer* and *heart prayer*

2. You said:I have studied people who pray. They do not pray with their heart.
* ahhh my sweet friend... Keep studying me...*

3.You said: Further, there is always the question whether the one a person is praying to actually exists or not.

*and yet what we breathe is known as air but we cannot see it. We choose to believe it and accept..Same for you or anyone else..It is your choice...*

4.You said:I have no proof that the Christ exists, I have no proof that the Christ does NOT exist.

The proof is there...The question is...Do you want to believe it...It is your choice..free will....

But I understand.. I often tell God "I would like the burning bush method from time to time..." *laughs*

5. You said: So I choose to opt out of prayer. To anyone. Be it the Christ, Shiva, God, anyone.

*smiles* and though you choose to opt out, I graciously do so for you because I want too....*winks

-me