Beatitudes Part 1 - Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit

I have received many messages asking why I have not continued my series on decoding the inner secrets of the Bible of late.

One reason is that it is clear from messages received that some people have confused my writings as being an endorsement of the theological, religious, dogmatic interpretation of the Bible.

This concerns me because the Bible is anything but theological - it is a book - in particular the Gospels - on Spiritual Growth and Metaphysics originally to prepare people for the end of the age that we are fast approaching - Jesus made this clear several times.

My writings on the Bible are specifically to reveal these inner teachings that people may benefit Spiritually, and not to endorse the erroneous theological doctrines that have been perpetuated over the centuries.

That said - in response to the many requests for which I thank everyone, this week we will continue our look at the inner secrets of the Bible with an aspect that we have not looked at previously, but which are nevertheless very important - the "Beatitudes":

"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:
for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you". -- Matthew 5:1 - 12

Although the Beatitudes are among the most well known of Bible passages along with The Lord's Prayer, they are, as with The Lord's Prayer, almost completely misunderstood by orthodox religion.

They are usually recited mechanically and verbatim without any true understanding of the great significance of these teachings of Yeshua aka Jesus.

Taken as a whole the eight Beatitudes are a summary of the inner teachings of Jesus, and may be compared to the Eightfold Path of the Buddhists in that respect.

It is particularly crucial therefore to understand the true meanings of these eightfold teachings of Jesus.

These Beatitudes commenced an event that came to be known as "The Sermon on the Mount", which include many very important teachings, the first group of which we will discuss today in the context of the first Beatitude:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven".

Let us begin by clarifying what this does not mean since it is so misunderstood. To be "poor in Spirit" does not mean to be "poor Spirited" which has negative connotations.

To be "poor in Spirit" really means to be void of all selfishness and pre-conceptions and the desire to conform to the expectations of others, in favour of a totally open-Minded orientation towards the inner path to God.

To be "Poor in Spirit" means an unconditional willingness to set aside all creeds, dogma, indoctrination and all ideas of what life should be like in accordance with others, instead looking within, and thereby seek and find the Kingdom of God.

To be "poor in Spirit" therefore means to set aside, without question or fear, all that stands in the way of the inner path to perfection, the path of return to our Divine Creator from Whence we came in the beginning, the same path that every single person must, sooner or later embark upon.

Such a person is indeed, without question "Blessed".

One of the biggest trappings - I would not say "failings" because at the final analysis all is Experience - is the relentless quest for material possessions and gratification. This is the single biggest obstacle to being "poor in Spirit" and accordingly Blessed.

It is fine to experience Abundance as our natural state as discussed at the beginning of this newsletter, but not to be obsessed with riches at all costs. Abundance is a natural and blessed state of Being, whereas an obsession for riches and power is not - it is the opposite in fact.

Make no mistake - those who seek the trappings of material riches at the expense of the Kingdom of Heaven are rejecting the salvation that Jesus came here to offer humanity.

By "salvation" I do not mean this in any dogmatic, theological sense, but in the context of the transition of the ages that we are now facing, which Jesus came here to prepare humanity for.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was filled, they drew up on the beach; and they sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but the bad they cast away. So shall it be in the end of the age: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the righteous, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. -- Matthew 13:49 - 51

This is particularly relevant in the context of the first Beatitude which teaches that the context of "poor in Spirit" as opposed to those craving material possessions the "wicked" shall be severed from the righteous - and make no mistake - the poor in Spirit are among the righteous.

In conclusion therefore the first Beatitude may be summarised thus:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven".

Meaning:

Blessed are those who have rid themselves of the craving of material possession and the need to conform to the expectations and demands of others, for they shall find the inner path back to Source, Our "Father", God on the path to Divine Perfection and unimaginable glories far beyond anything Earth has to offer.