The Cross as a Message of Christian Non-Duality

We are well into what is considered the Holy weekend for Christians, and so what better time to post this contemplation?

Since I experienced what some would call a paradigm shift, a change in perspective in how I see God and spirituality, I am reluctant to give catharsis to any specific religious culture, including and perhaps even  more so the one that I was raised in and practiced most of my life.   Yet I pondered this more, especially after hearing a message that resonated with my inner being and experiences.

A few weeks ago, the diocese Bishop visited our church community and talked about how we have all been guilty of labeling people and thinking of others as being less than ourselves.  He went further to clarify that we are to have compassion and be careful to not condemn individuals, even those who have extreme behaviors and views that seem to be detrimental to society.   Not to say we do not speak truth of harmful actions or are not to take action  to ensure the safety and health of those around us.   But we are called not be slanderous, as we have all been guilty of holding ideas or even behaviors that are not any better than those we would criticize.  This was a refreshing message-- a message that is rarely preached or heard in Christendom, whether from the conservative or liberal view of those who would call themselves followers of Jesus.  And this is a message of non-duality.

What is non-duality?   It is the notion that there is no separateness--there are none any better nor none any less.   There is no "us" versus "them". There are no Christians versus non-Christians.   This concept is clearly mentioned in the Upanisads of the ancient Hindi  teachings.... "That is the Whole, this is Whole, from the Whole, the Whole becomes manifest.  From the Whole, when the Whole is negated, what remains  again is the Whole." (Isavasya Upanisad).  Yet when one takes a step back from traditions, theological discussions and culture, this message also resonates in the Judea-Christian words:  "Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One."

Jesus began with this scripture and went on to quote, "You are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all of your mind and all of your strength (aka body[sic]) ".  He went on further to quote "Love your neighbor as yourself,"   If one truly loves another as his or herself is there any room to consider another as different or higher or lower in status?   Does this not take us to the non-dualistic conclusion that all are equal and are to be loved equally?

So what of the cross?  How is it significant as a message of non-duality?  Jesus was convicted and hung to die for crimes he did not commit.  Yet even so, while undergoing the brutal torture of crucifixion, Jesus said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."    If Jesus asked this of the Father, does it not mean ALL are forgiven?  Is one able to ask for forgiveness, if one does not know what one is doing?  We all are plagued by a lack of awareness, and it seems contrary to what Jesus said on the cross that anyone would be condemned to an eternal hell for the only "sin" mentioned, which is ignorance.  If all are forgiven, there is no duality nor notion that one has a higher standing aka bound for heaven than any other.

So perhaps, one meaning of the resurrection was knowing we are all elevated to be called sons of God.  We are all equal, we are all one.  And above all of the condemnations, rantings, and labels, we are risen indeed.


And that's Penny's two cents.



So what are your thoughts on the notion of non-duality?   Please share your comments, as I would love to hear from you!

The Big Win

A couple of months ago, there was a lot of excitement over the prospect of the Power Ball lottery jackpot reaching an all-time high of $1.5 billion,  I repeat 1.5  BILLION dollars!  And like most optimistic Americans, I went out and purchased one of the tickets, thinking why not me?   And amazingly, I was a winner--I  matched the Power number which meant I won a total of $4, which doubled my $2 investment.

Yet even if one does not win the jackpot, one does imagine what one would do with all of that money.  As far as myself, I know I would NOT spend it on $1,000 dollar purses or Jimmy Choo shoes because I am way too practical and I already see a chiropractor.   So what good use could I put to that kind of money?  There's the everyday things.  Perhaps I would buy a modest size home but in an expensive neighborhood because I'd want it on a beach.  It would be nice to have a brand new plug-in hybrid car, because I really don't like wasting my millions on something that contributes to air pollution.

Then, I would spend a little for something a bit more radical.   I could send my daughter with her Dad to Europe.  I could stay in the South of France for a year.  I could send my daughter who I did not give birth to with her family out here to visit and go to Disneyland.   I could get a weekly massage a a at a nice day spa.

But what is the primary thing one considers of doing most of all when one has the possibility of having so much money?  Helping others of course!  I could help that friend or two or three who has been really struggling for so long.  I could finance the church so that it can sustain and expand it's outreach to the community.    I could help others I know who struggle with chronic illnhouess get the healthcare items they need that insurance companies don't cover.  Heck, with a billion dollars I could feed and clothe all of the homeless in the county for 10 years!!!

So, why then, is it that a well-intentioned person such as myself did not win the jackpot?  Perhaps because G-d and the Universe knew that some of these people I would help would be hindered. Perhaps they need the struggle for their own personal growth.  Maybe that friend will rise above himself and allow G-d to show him a path he never imagined possible.  Maybe the members of the church need to stretch themselves as a community so that they can fully demonstrate their faith and practice G-d's love as they never would have dreamed.  Maybe as a society we will decide that it is worth it to give every person the healthcare they really need, because it saves more money in the long run.

Should I ever win big, G-d grant me the discretion to dispense the wealth that was given me in a way that is healthy for all.  And may I do that now with the abundance I already have.

And that's Penny's two cents.


So what are your two cents?  What would you do if you won 1.5 billion dollars?  Please do comment.  I would love to hear from you.