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April 2007 Newsletter
“It was now about the sixth hour and the sun’s light failed, so that darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The veil of the Sanctuary was torn right down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice saying, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ With these words he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:44-46)
The time of Easter is upon us. Whenever these significant rituals arise it is an invitation for us all to look and see if they hold any importance for us. No matter what our spiritual practice may be, we still have our archetypal Christian roots somewhere deep within our souls. And of course, these rituals are based on pre-Christian concepts so they are speaking to an even deeper part of our nature and spiritual heritage.
Easter was a mistranslation from the Hebrew pascha or Passover. The word Easter is, in fact, another form of Astarte, one of the titles of the Chaldean goddess, the queen of heaven. The festival of Pasch held by Christians in post-apostolic times was a continuation of the Jewish feast, but was not instituted by Christ. From this Pasch the pagan festival of “Easter” was quite distinct and was introduced into the apostate Western religion, as part of an attempt to adapt pagan festivals to Christianity. Here we have a very brief historical overview, but was does Easter, and more particularly, what does the death of Christ on the cross and his resurrection mean for us today?
I turn to our modern-day depth psychologists to come to a renewed and deeper understanding and appreciation of the possibilities surrounding both the life and death of Christ. Robert Johnson, in his book Balancing Heaven and Earth, describes sacrifice as a transformation of life and energy from a lower level of nature into a higher or more pure form of existence. Sacrifice is one of the most common associations with Christ, and perhaps that was his gift to us – showing us through the way he lived his life that we are all from the same Divine Mother and Father and that we have the same inherent power. In this way, he was enabling the transformation of our lower natures into the greater possibility of our spiritual natures, embodied here on earth. What has been commonly understood, as Christ’s life sacrificed for our sins, is in a way then correct, for our sins are nothing more than when we turn aside from the truth of our nature. Christ came to help us turn back.
Carl Jung put forward an interesting thesis on the cross. He perceived it as representing the polar opposites and duality of our nature. With Christ dying on this cross, Jung postulated that he brought together the polarities into unification, that is, he unified our human and divine selves, putting an end to the need for living in separation. This unity was evident in both Christ’s living and his dying, and yet still he felt the anguish of separation at times. In these times he prayed even more fervently and cried out to his divine origins. Just as we all do.
One of the most beautiful moments of Christ’s forecoming death was when one of the criminals hanging beside him recognized him for who he was. He said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Christ answered him, ‘In truth I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise’(Luke 23:42-43). Jesus is saying this to us every day. This is the resurrection here and now. Are we able to hear him?
Meditation:
Come into a place of quiet and let your heart settle into love. Feel the dualities within your nature coming to rest in this love. Let all conflict reside in this love. Open your heart to the Christ within and breathe into the paradise that is already in existence. Breathe into the paradise within.
WORKSHOPS:
FINDING HOME ON EARTH
Sunday May 20th - 10.00 - 4.30 p.m.
Leapin' Lizards, Freeport, Maine $85
"These things I have spoken to you,
that My joy may remain in you,
and that your joy may be full." John. 15:11
For many, finding one's place and living one's authentic self in this world is a difficult task. In this workshop we will explore why this is so, and what fears stop us from coming into our earthly happiness and fulfillment. Looking at the lives of the Western mystics we will seek a pathway to allow our interior and exterior beings to come together in harmony and joy.
We will learn how to become fully grounded in our earthly presence, and yet simultaneously able to live completely from Spirit, bringing forth the "mystic within" to embrace the fullness of our lives.
This one-day workshop will include meditation practices, movement, chanting and journaling.
July 20-22nd - Weekend Retreat at Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY
"Falling Into the Arms of Love"
Intimacy! How are we intimate with ourselves, with God and with others? Releasing outdated paradigms of relationship, we will step into the greater love of sacred companionship.
TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS:
As we move forward on our journey we all need confirmation that we are walking in the right direction. Guided by the Spirit, these sessions support the unfolding of your journey and your own soul's needs. Using meditation, psycho-spiritual integration practices and compassionate listening, Megan facilitates bringing your soul more fully into its own wisdom and love.
Sliding Scale - $65-90 per hour
Personal Consultations, Sound Healing, and Voice Exploration Sessions are available for those in the Maine/Massachussets area or when Megan is traveling in your area.
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