He Is Risen! Now What? (Part 2 of 2)
Building upon last Sunday's message on how spiritual growth toward enlightenment or awakening is a matter of continued reflection, we will navigate the idea of living a life in Divine Perfection by chopping wood and carrying water within the flawed world we often perceive.
Join us for a revealing contemplation of our own spiritual journey while enjoying some inspiring music and great fellowship after service.
Listen & Watch
Sermon Notes
Main Scripture
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Supporting Scriptures (on Enlightenment)
Buddhism
Since all Dharmas are immanent in our mind there is no reason why we should not realize intuitively the real nature of Suchness. The Bodhisattva Sila Sutra says, “Our Essence of Mind is intrinsically pure, and if we knew our mind and realized what our nature is, all of us would attain Buddhahood.” (Sutra of Hui Neng 2)
Christianity
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10)
Hinduism
The Atman is the light:
The light is covered by darkness:
This darkness is delusion:
That is why we dream.
When the light of Atman
Drives out our darkness
That light shines forth from us,
A sun in splendor,
The revealed Brahman.
(Bhagavad Gita 5.15-16)
Brahman is all in all. He is action, knowledge, goodness supreme.
To know him, hidden in the lotus of the heart, is to untie the knot of ignorance.
(Mundaka Upanishad 2.1.10)
Jainism
Perfect knowledge is attained on the destruction of deluding karmas, of karmas which obscure knowledge and perception, and of karmas which obstruct. With the absence of the cause of bondage, the annihilation of all karmas is liberation. (Tattvarthasutra 10.1-2)
Judaism
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)
Native American Religions
I am blind and do not see the things of this world; but when the light comes from above, it enlightens my heart and I can see, for the Eye of my heart sees everything; and through this vision I can help my people. The heart is a sanctuary at the center of which there is a little space, wherein the Great Spirit dwells, and this is the Eye. This is the Eye of the Great Spirit by which He sees all things, and through which we see Him. If the heart is not pure, the Great Spirit cannot be seen. (Black Elk, Sioux Tradition)
Taoism
To know the eternal is called enlightenment
Not to know the eternal is to act blindly, to result in disaster.
He who knows the eternal is all-embracing.
Being all-embracing, he is impartial.
Being impartial, he is kingly.
Being kingly, he is one with Nature.
Being one with nature, he is in accord with Tao.
Being in accord with Tao, he is everlasting,
And is free from danger throughout his lifetime.
(Tao Te Ching 16)
Zoroastrianism
For support, O Far-sighted One,
reveal unto me that which is unique:
That of Thy Kingdom, O Lord,
which are blessings of Good Thought,
Forth, O Beneficent Right-mindedness,
dost Thou reveal Religious commands!
(Avesta, Yasna 33.13)
Slide
Related Text
“After the Ecstasy, the Laundry” by Jack Kornfield
