To Be Or Not To Be, As In Ressurection

The life and teachings of Jesus present a profound model of presence and vulnerability. I believe the ability to be fully present and aware, to "be" in the moment, is the essence of Jesus' way of life.

He called others to embrace this way of being—not to hide or strive for perfection, but to live authentically.

Jesus' ministry was characterized by his remarkable ability to be fully present with those around him. Whether he was teaching a large crowd, healing the sick, or sharing a meal with friends, Jesus engaged deeply and authentically with people. He listened intently, responded with compassion, and met individuals where they were. This presence was not just physical but emotional and spiritual, creating a space where people felt seen, heard, and valued.

In the Gospels, we see numerous examples of Jesus' presence and vulnerability. One notable instance is his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-26). Despite cultural and social barriers, Jesus engaged with her in a deeply personal and transformative conversation.

In the story, He revealed his knowledge of her life, not to condemn, but to invite her into a deeper understanding of herself and her relationship with God. His willingness to be vulnerable and present with her led to her profound spiritual awakening and the transformation of her community.

The concept of sin, as traditionally understood, often involves a sense of binary thinking—categorizing actions and people as simply good or evil, right or wrong. This binary perspective can induce shame and create barriers to authentic living. Jesus challenged this understanding by emphasizing the importance of relationship and intention over rigid adherence to rules. His interactions with sinners and outcasts demonstrated his commitment to seeing the person beyond their actions, offering grace and calling them to a transformed life rooted in love and truth.

In Jesus' way of life, sin is understood as how shame and fear distort our perception of God and ourselves. This distortion leads us to hide, to wear masks, and to live inauthentically. Jesus' ministry aimed to dispel these lies and reveal the true nature of God as loving, compassionate, and welcoming. He invited people to step out of the shadows of shame and into the light of God's unconditional love and acceptance.

Self-sacrifice in the light of non-duality is very different from the concept of penal substitutionary atonement. The latter portrays God as an angry, vengeful judge who demands a payment for sin. In contrast, the non-dual understanding of self-sacrifice sees God as the whole of which we are a part. This perspective emphasizes unity and interconnectedness, suggesting that harming another is ultimately harming oneself. If we are all part of the same whole, then when one person kills another, that person's consciousness merely folds back into the whole, no longer manifested in that body. This view challenges the notion of God as a separate entity demanding retribution, instead presenting a God who is integrally connected to all of creation.

The awakening to non-duality encourages us to live authentically, with 100% honesty, integrity, and sincerity. Self-actualization in this context means becoming more and more aware that at the core of us is God, and at the core of God is us. God is all in all. When we self-actualize, we realize that we gain nothing from another person's loss. This realization can inform radical ethics, guiding us to act in ways that promote collective well-being rather than individual gain.

This understanding has profound implications for how we live and interact with others. Recognizing that we are all interconnected leads us to support one another's growth and actualization. It calls us to use our resources and gifts to invite others into the process of becoming fully themselves. Instead of competing for limited resources, we see the value in fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

Self-actualization results in collective unfolding. When we move past the shame and fear that cause us to fight, flee, or freeze, we come to know that we belong and that God is not a judge. This realization causes us to lay down our arms and turn our weapons into plowshares. It is a powerful transformation that shifts our approach to life from one of defense and survival to one of growth and flourishing. Knowing that we are inherently connected and supported by a loving, inclusive God enables us to live vulnerably and authentically without shame. This freedom allows us to support the actualization of others, using our resources to uplift those around us and fostering communities where everyone can flourish.

In a world marked by empire and inequality, where we will always have the poor among us, this approach challenges us to live vulnerably and authentically without shame. It calls us to support the actualization of others, particularly those marginalized by societal structures. We are invited to use our resources to uplift those around us, ensuring that our actions contribute to the flourishing of the whole community.