5 Responses to “the first set of tablets”

1.  segovius  on 8/30/2005  

   I'm not sure what it is/was but it is a fascinating topic.
   
   There is a very similar thing in Islam (cannot find the reference at the moment) where someone went to Muhammad and spoke to him in his tent. When this person came out some others from the Muslim community there asked him what M had said and he replied 'if I told you that you would kill me/us'.
   
   In many traditions there is this suggestion that somehow the 'outer form' of the religion applies only to the 'barbarians' to keep them in order and is not perhaps spiritual at all.
   
   The Prophets initially perhaps make a mistake and assume that their message will transform everyone - perhaps they learn their mistake and from that point apply a rigid law to keep the unregenerate in order and teach their inner disciples something else.
   
   This is even implicit in Christianity where the 12 disciples are clearly on a different level to the multitudes that Jesus preached to and the purpose of his sermons was never to gain more than the 12 disciples - he didn't choose them that way.
   
   Personally I think that these hints in various Scriptures are just 'signposts' to the discerning that there is an inner secret teaching that may be at variance with the outer one. That (again imo) is why these books contain contradictions - they are intentional and sign to the real thinkers.
   
   This ties in with your discernment post below maybe - that's a great post btw.

2.  Trev Diesel  on 8/30/2005  

   This is fascinating, Mark. It reminds me of the line from the Tao te Ching that says
   
   "When they lose their sense of awe, people turn to religion."
   
   In other words, in absence of peace and awareness, we set up RULES.
   
   I guess it has to be that way?

3.  Neal  on 8/30/2005  

   fascinating post, and comments! welcome back Mark!

4.  Mark Walter  on 8/30/2005  

   Segovius, there is a similar saying in the Christian Gnostic Gospel of Thomas.
   
   V.13 Jesus said to his disciples, "Compare me to something and tell me what I am like."
   
   Simon Peter said to him, "You are like a just messenger."
   
   Matthew said to him, "You are like a wise philosopher."
   
   Thomas said to him, "Teacher, my mouth is utterly unable to say what you are like."
   
   Jesus said, "I am not your teacher. Because you have drunk, you have become intoxicated from the bubbling spring that I have tended."
   
   And he took him, and withdrew, and spoke three sayings to him. When Thomas came back to his friends they asked him, "What did Jesus say to you?"
   
   Thomas said to them, "If I tell you one of the sayings he spoke to me, you will pick up rocks and stone me, and fire will come from the rocks and devour you."
   
   ___________________
   
   Trev, yes I believe historically it has been that way. This is the time that we are supposed to change that (IMO).
   
   ___________________
   
   Thanks, Neal.

5.  segovius  on 8/31/2005  

   Mark - wow, I didn't know that saying of Jesus. It's really very close.
   
   Fascinating stuff.

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