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!