Scriptures
The Urantia
Fellowship
The Urantia Book: Fifth Epochal Revelation P825.4 Paper 73:6.
“When the plans of
the Material Son went astray, Adam and his family were not permitted to carry
the core of the tree away from the Garden. When the Nodites
invaded
They became enraged at their inability to benefit from the tree of life, and in connection with one of their internal wars, the temple and the tree were both destroyed by fire; only the stone wall stood until the Garden was subsequently submerged. This was the second temple of the Father to perish.”
The papers of what is now called the Urantia
Book began to be delivered under the auspices of Dr. William Sadler, one of the
first writers in
The group widened its membership in the mid 1920’s and eventually the collection of papers was considered complete enough to publish in 1954-55. There remains great controversy over how much editorial control Dr. Sadler had over the textual content of the papers, the identity of the “sleeping subject” (who is/was reputed to have been a member of the famous Kellogg family…of cereal fame), as well as which of the several organizations that have sprung up in the wake of Sadler’s death, each claiming direct lineage, should retain copyright control over the Urantia Book.
No matter: in 2001 a Texas court declared the text to be public domain, since no organization was willing to claim that Sadler was the “author” (one must have an author to obtain a copyright), and now the text can be accessed on the internet in several locations.
The significance of Urantia is only now becoming clear. It is a foundational text of several new Age and UFO communities, it stands in a clear American tradition of prophetic transmission that can be traced to the Book of Mormon, and it is the basis for subsequent prophetic work by a variety of occultists, American mystics and science fiction writers (I consider science fiction to be a form of prophetic endeavor). In the above text, the story of Adam and Eve in the garden is linked to an increasingly common narrative of human life originating on earth due to the intervention of what we would call “extraterrestrial” or at least “ultra-terrestrial” beings.
In this understanding, the Tree of Life carries a kind of “genetic” code (although that language isn’t used here) which permits the original inhabitants of Urantia (Earth) to prosper and develop. The original garden was destroyed by invaders who did not understand the properties of the Tree or the garden, and were of a different material origin, so could not benefit from it in any case.
Urantia is a potent example of prophetic revelation creatively conjoining the seemingly desperate disciplines of science, psychiatry and biblical religion. Although there isn’t a “church” or set of practices, people who consider themselves to be adherents to the tenets of this text have told me that meditation on the stories in Urantia can open one up to the personal “Thought Adjuster,” the guide for the soul.
Church of the Apostle (Manichaean Church, 3rd Century CE)
Recorded by Salmaios, an early disciple of Mani the prophet, Apostle of Jesus, who recorded his master’s teachings (3rd century CE). This text became the basis for the Kephalaia, a canonized account of Mani’s life among Manichaeans.
“Then that baptist rebuked me saying: ‘Get up and come with me to the place where there is wood, take it and bring it.” We went to the palm and climbed it….(the palm tree spoke)…. ‘if you spare us the pain, you will not die along with the murderer.’ Then that baptist, overwhelmed by fear, leapt out of the tree in confusion and fell at my feet saying: ‘I did not know that this secret mystery is in your power. How was the (great pain of the palm) revealed to you.?’((Mani spoke)): ‘Why did you take fright and change color (when the palm said) this to you? How much more should he, with whom all the plants speak, be disturbed? He said to me: ‘Guard this mystery, tell it to nobody lest anyone becomes jealous and kills you.’”
The Church of the Apostle, or the Manichaean community, was
established in the 3rd century by Mani, the Persian prophet (d. 276
CE). It continued to flourish in parts
of
Manichaeism was similar to Gnosticism in many ways, but also had important differences. Mani did not view the creator of the physical world as evil, but merely flawed and deluded. Mani also believed that while the physical body was limited and was often the seat upon which evil could grow, it was not evil in and of itself, and in fact, careful attention to the body, to food, and other components of physical life would enable one to rise above it and liberate the particles of light trapped in every phase and portion of matter.
Thus, the task of the Manichaean was not only to purify him/herself (as most Gnostics might) but to work toward the liberation of all other particles of light, from plants, animals, rocks, the body, etc. This text became a famous story, probably first told by Mani to his followers and later incorporated into a “Gospel” life narrative of the prophet. It is an account of how Mani refused to injure a tree when ordered to by his Gnostic master (Mani was raised in an ascetic Gnostic community-the Elkasites- they were known for practices involving extreme mortifications of the flesh and contempt for physical life).
In the story, the Palm Tree shows its own life by speaking to Mani, thus proving that it too has a soul that feels, thinks and is worthy of salvation. Manichaeans repudiated all forms of violence and learned to eat in very particular ways, allowing for life to continue, while liberating the light from the food. It was a difficult balance.
It is worth noting that I have located a community on the web who are dedicated to re-constructing Mani’s Church, have begun to re-administer the rites of communion and prayer, and seem willing to bring his revelation into a modern (21st) century re-interpretation. Perhaps the time for Mani’s best ideas has almost arrived.
Many Manichaean prayer practices required prostration, up to 12 times per prayer session. A prayer was said during each prostration, praising the different components of the spiritual life, the various deities and beings ruling the eons and the teachings of the masters. One of these directly links Mani to the Tree of Life, echoing the praise of the Palm Tree who gave thanks to Mani for sparing its life: Praise be to thee, O thou shining one, Mani our guide, source of light and branch of the living, the great tree which gives healing.” Say this, and know that every Tree of Life has One Source, coming from One Light and One Ground.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Book of Mormon 1
Nephi 8:20-21
“And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world. And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were ‘pressing forward,’ that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.”
The Book of Mormon, a principle revelation of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints, was translated from a set of golden plates that prophet Joseph Smith said he was directed to find by the angel
Smith could not decide which church to join, and after asking God to help
him, was informed that none of the available options represented the church
that God had intended on earth. Since
Smith was open to God, he was chosen as the apostle that would restore the true
The Book of Mormon is a collection of stories that tell a hidden history of the Americas, in which a family of Israelites who made their way across the ocean, meet and often have conflicts with the native peoples.
One of the most important early immigrants, a man named Lehi, becomes the focus of God’s grace and favor in the new world, and from him descends the Nephites, a people who remember God’s promise and who become witnesses of Christ’s coming when he appears to the inhabitants of the Western hemisphere between the time of his resurrection and final ascension into heaven.
One of the most striking characteristics of the Book of Mormon is its emphasis on the need to resolve family conflicts, and as the Church evolved its structure and cosmology, the framework of the family became one of the most important characteristics of Saint (Mormon) spirituality.
This excerpt is from a portion of the book of Nephi in which Lehi is actually shown the Tree of Life and allowed to eat from it. He is given a vision in which he sees, rather like Abraham, all the descendents that will follow in his wake.
The immortality that he has been granted by eating of the Tree is not physical-i.e., not of this world. It is an immortality that guarantees a permanent family relationship between himself and all his physical and spiritual progeny—an eternal family in time and space. This is one of the most important values to Saints: that bonds of love, fellowship and family are guaranteed by the communion of the faithful.
There are many prayers and practices enjoined by the Church of Latter Day Saints, however, one of the most intriguing is that of the monthly family tithe fasting. At least once a month, all Saints are asked to fast for one day. Families are encouraged to fast together. The money that would have been used to feed the family for the day are to be put aside and given to a Saint charity, or the food can be given to a Saint family that is poor. So, sometime this month, fast for a day, or even for a meal, and give those resources to someone who really needs them. Give it a try, make of humanity a family.
The Mandaeans
The Haran Gawitha
“And they mounted up towards Parwan, the white mountain... (a place where) fruit and sky is (are?) large. There they set down Yahia near the Tree which nourisheth nurslings... Then Sufnai the lilith returned to her place. When thirty days had passed, Hibil-Ziwa came at the command of the great first Father of Glory, and he came to the Median hill-country and sent Anus'-'Uthra to Bihram, son of 'uthras and to the Median mountains. And they took Bihram from the Median hills and went... (to Parwan?) and performed baptism and baptised the child beside the Tree that nourisheth nurslings. And (when) he was seven years old, Anus'-'Uthra came and wrote for him the A, Ba, Ga, Da .’”
The Mandaeans are an ancient people of faith whose culture is generally traced to the first century CE, along with Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism. However, it is believed that some of their practices are much older and may reflect virtually undatably ancient elements of Semitic and Middle Eastern tradition.
Mandaean’s are “Gnostics” in the broad sense of the term, believing this world to be a reflection of a diabolic creator god. Only death frees the soul that it may ascend to the heavenly realms beyond, but the Father of Light has provided for his chosen ones by sending them messengers who can instruct them in the rituals of cleansing and purification.
For the Mandaeans, John the Baptist, or Yahia ( as he is called in this text) is the most perfect teacher. Mandaeans believe that John was privy to the secrets of the Father of Light and Glory, having been sent directly from the One. The Haran Gawaitha, a principle Mandaean text that tells the story of John the Baptist from this perspective, sees John as being directly sent from the Father of Light. He is almost immediately challenged by a lillith, a desert demon, but is spirited away to be sheltered by a Tree of Life which offers milk to newborns. He is later taught the sacred sounds of devotion by a teacher skilled in bestowing the mantic secrets of divine knowledge.
The Mandaeans are known for their practices of baptism (ideally, no Mandaean community can exist without access to fresh running water) and for an amazing death bed ritual in which a dying individual recognized as righteous is cleansed and asked to take a prayer with him/her to the other world right at the moment of last breath. Mandaeans are asked to make of every action a prayerful choice between what is pure and impure in order that they may steer their ways past the entrapments of the world.
The world community of Mandaeans is currently in danger of complete collapse as the bulk of the followers of John the Baptist, traditionally located in Iraq, have been targets of both Sunni and Shia insurgencies. They are a link to a spiritual lineage that is beyond Judaism, Christianity and Islam yet has informed each one, and Sufis have a special understanding and resonance to that sense of “extra” tradition.
An invocation that is commonly used to introduce blessings and important texts is the practice here. Find out about these blessed people and with them say:
“In the name of the great Life, the most high Light be praised.”
The United Society of Believer’s in Christ’s Second Appearing (The Shakers)
Shaker Laboring Song
Composed during the period of Mother Ann’s Work
New
1847.
Willow
“I will bow and be simple,
I will bow and be free,
I will bow and be humble
Yea be like the willow tree.
I will bow, this is the token
I will wear the easy yoke
I will bow and be broken
Yea, I’ll fall upon the rock.”
The United Society, or Shakers as they have often been
called, were founded in 1772 by a prophetess named Ann
Lee in
Throughout much of the 19th century, the Shakers were known for their music, their unique form of worship (which involved ritual dancing), their healing, farming arts and technologies, their superior craftsmanship and their sincere and deeply enforced celibacy. The second and third generation of Shakers ushered in what would become the practice of ‘spiritualism’ in the 1830’s-40’s, as Mother Ann, long departed from the earthly plane, began to appear to various of her faithful.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the Shakers contributed a great deal to the growth and development of a unique American approach to spirituality since their communities, scattered throughout New York, Ohio and Kentucky, were often way stations for spiritual seekers who set out into the frontier to get away from traditional churches and sought spiritual guidance as much as they did territory.
Shakers were practical people, who invented things like the rotary machine washer, the clothes pin, the flat broom and the circular saw. But they were also deeply mystical people whose members were said to receive visions from murdered Indian leaders, prophets from various traditions and even past political leaders who wanted to convey messages to the living.
The Shakers closed their membership books in 1965, now there are only four of them. These last members have said they believe that Mother Ann will reappear, in another place and time, and renew the Society once more….for now, their precious songs and the writings they’ve left behind are what they have bequeathed to us.
The Shakers left a legacy of between 8000-10,000 songs, many not catalogued or examined yet. This song was one of their best known. Shaker songs are known for their simplicity and often startling reversals. Each song was received in a state of revelation, so they were regarded as prophecy. Sing this song in your mind…even if you don’t know the melody. Let a melody come to you. That’s how the Shakers say they opened themselves up to the sweet music of Christ’s spirit.
The Baha’i Fellowship
Baha’u’llah-Gems of Divine Mysteries
(image
based on Qur’an 24: 35)
“Through the power of God and His might, I shall now relate certain passages revealed in the Books of old, and mention some of the signs heralding the appearance of the manifestation of God in the sanctified persons of His chosen ones, that thou mayest recognize the Dayspring of this everlasting morn and behold this Fire that blazeth in the Tree which is neither of the East nor of the West.”
Most readers of this text will have heard of the Baha’i, but I am taking this opportunity to reintroduce them. The three Middle Eastern religious traditions presented here, share, despite their many variant features, a cultural moment: when Mesopotamian/Semitic spiritual heritage met, bonded with and married elements of Persian/Zoroastrian religion. This rich mix has given the world an immense religious treasure, forging the elements of Jewish, Christian and Islamic mysticism, Gnosticism, endless mystery religions, and many other distinct traditions.
Baha’u’llah, the supreme prophet of the Baha’i, understood this cultural marriage instinctively. Imprisoned in a succession of dungeons, moved from the realm of the Iranian shah to that of the Ottomans, Baha’u’llah used the scriptures of the worlds religions as a prism by which to re-cast his grief and isolation into a doctrine of endless and universal redemption. This passage is one such dramatic recasting.
Baha’u’allah takes a familiar image from the Qur’an, one known to his many formerly Shia and Sunni followers, and re-invests it with a new charge: by the prophetic spirit within him, he will illuminate how the divine truth, which eternally burns, without consuming the tree of life, reveals that God is not the property of the colonial West, which has been seeking to control the fortunes of the ancient East, nor is God the province of this struggling, victimized and compromised East. Rather the Divine has invested the souls of his “chosen” to become the light of that universal ‘morning,’ to live it and proclaim it.
It is not enough that Allah is the light, that light must be seen throughout the world, it must be brought to earth and enacted in moments of true and universal tolerance and justice and such must be available to all people of every faith, race and creed, else it is no justice at all.
While the Baha’i in
In November 2006, the government of Iran issued new guidelines in order to police the movement of Baha’i and other religious minorities in Iran and have used the law as a pretext for seizing personal property. Please know that I do not consider these governmental actions in either case to be a reflection on either the Iranian or Egyptian people, who are generally much more tolerant than their governments, or an expression of Islam (hope this reminds you of something….). These realities are indicators of the difficulties always faced by some of the most beautiful trees in the forest.
This practice is taken from one of the obligatory prayers revealed by Baha’u’llah. The name of God is any Name, is all Names:
Thy Name is my healing.
The Baha’i
New Year, Naw Ruz (it is
also the Zoroastrian New Year, and the New Year in