As we contemplate Jesus as our central reference point, we are struck by the paradoxical nature of his life and teachings. He was a figure both utterly human and yet somehow divine – the incarnation of God made flesh. This principle of incarnation challenges us to see the sacred in the ordinary, the transcendent within the immanent. No aspect of human existence was foreign or abhorrent to Jesus. Rather, he immersed himself fully in the gritty reality of life.
And yet, from within that immersion, Jesus also modeled a path of profound contemplative depth. He frequently stole away from the crowds to spend time in silent communion with the Source. His words flowed not from dry theology but from a wellspring of intimate spiritual experience. The parables and paradoxes he spoke pointedly subverted conventional dualistic thinking, inviting us into a more integrated, non-dual way of seeing.
Jesus was no lofty guru safe in an ivory tower, but a spiritual revolutionary engaged in the struggles of his time. He fearlessly challenged the religious and political powers, centering those who were marginalized and excluded. At his core was a radical ethos of love – a love that transcended tribal boundaries to encompass even the outsider and enemy. Love was not merely a feeling, but a lived reality, embodied in concrete actions of compassion and care.
As we traverse our own spiritual journeys, mirroring the path of Jesus as an engaged contemplative is our lodestar. We are called to plumb the depths through contemplative practice while simultaneously showing up wholeheartedly for the joys and sufferings of the world. There is no enlightenment to be found in transcending our human embodiment – rather, the way ahead is to fully inhabit and consecrate this flesh and bone existence as Jesus did.
The specifics of what we believe about Jesus matter less than our willingness to be cracked open by his example. Our ideas about God, about ourselves, about everything will inevitably be edited and evolving throughout our lives. What remains constant is the invitation to surrender to the way of wisdom that Jesus embodied – a path of contemplative love in action. May we have the courage to walk it.
Summary
Jesus is presented as the central reference point, with his life and teachings serving as a model to learn from and be inspired by. However, cultural biases can shape how he is perceived, so recognizing one’s own biases is important. As a first-century Palestinian Jew, Jesus both respected and critiqued his religious tradition. He taught through paradoxes, parables, and stories rather than systematic theology, inviting non-dual thinking. Jesus can be viewed as a prophet who warned against destructive paths and promised a better future through change. One’s understanding of Jesus can evolve over a lifetime through personal experiences and wrestling with his teachings. He embodied engaged contemplation, combining inner depth with outward engagement, especially with the marginalized. No specific beliefs about Jesus are required for the program, but openness to taking him seriously is encouraged. The principle of incarnation, God becoming human, is seen as key to authentically understanding Jesus, who challenged existing ideas about God through his extraordinarily human yet divine life.
Key Points
1. Jesus is seen as the central reference point, with his life and teachings serving as a model to learn from and be inspired by.
2. Cultural biases can shape how Jesus is perceived and understood, so it’s important to recognize one’s own biases.
3. Jesus is described as a first-century Palestinian Jew who both respected and critiqued his religious tradition.
4. Jesus taught through paradoxes, parables, and stories rather than systematic theology, inviting non-dual thinking.
5. Jesus can be seen as a prophet who warned against destructive paths and promised a better future through change.
6. Understanding of Jesus can evolve over a lifetime through personal experiences and wrestling with his teachings.
7. Jesus embodied engaged contemplation, combining inner depth with outward engagement with others, especially the marginalized.
8. No specific beliefs about Jesus are required to participate in the program, but openness to taking him seriously is encouraged.
9. The principle of incarnation, God becoming human, is seen as key to authentically understanding Jesus.
10. Jesus challenged existing ideas about God through his extraordinarily human yet divine life.
