What is Esoteric Christianity?
Teachings and practices that liberate consciousness are often called esoteric. 'Esoteric' is a perfectly good word that frequently carries the unfortunate meaning of exotic, exclusive, or hidden. Actually, the word 'esoteric' simply means 'inner.' Esoteric Christianity is used by us to mean the same thing as inner Christianity.
The focus of Inner Christianity is upon mind, heart, and psychology, rather than upon outward behavior or rules of conduct. The application of Inner Christianity is concerned with practical means to elevate, inspire, and enlighten consciousness. Inner Christianity is not much concerned with external rules of conduct or rigid dogmatic beliefs.
As an example, Inner Christianity takes the injunction "Thou shall not commit murder" as a given. The goal of Inner Christianity aims at eliminating the ultimate cause of all murder, which is the desire to kill and the erroneous belief that there may be some benefit from comitting murder.
Clearly, the idea of Inner Christianity is not a new idea. It is spoken of in the Gospels.
Inner Christianity takes the teachings and example of Jesus seriously, but in a way that may seem quite at odds with much of the mainstream Christian church. Mainstream, or external, Christianity today emphasizes control and resisting temptation. Inner Christianity focuses upon using a connection to spirit to heal temptation at its source, thus producing a genuine change of heart, and not merely change of behavoir. This change of heart is what Jesus taught.
So powerful is this light
Letters of the Scattered Brotherhood
Dear friends,
Hold, hold as you have never done before. Watch each word and mood, beware of scattering and spilling; do anything - fall flat on the floor and wait till your valiant soul lifts you to your feet. Be ashamed of quailing. No, no! It is easy to see this great fear gripping and squeezing men into dwarfs, but, oh, my children, do not get caught in the feeling of the sick. Now is the appointed time. Hold. Do things to remind you to stay where you belong, tie knots on your fingers, put things up, hang them about so that you may train your foolish heads to remember your Creator now, and so give life to your world. I tell you in no uncertain words that what you actually think now holds your world together. One wrong evil thought coming into your galaxies (of thoughts) could sweep everything you see into Timbuktu. Your only safety is to be within the center of your kingdom, living from within out, not from without in. Be there all the time, no compromise. You will find that it is glorious fun, and easier to be men than fearful pygmies in dark jungles, chased by wild animals-slaves to nature . . . . (read more)
Rev. Carmen's audio files.
A collection of Rev. Carmen's lectures and ACIM classes is available as mp3 audio files (here)
God in a box
Some time ago I was listening to someone discussing "A Course in Miracles" in connection with receiving guidance from spirit. He said, "You need to ask the Holy Spirit about your problem, and when you do, this is what the Holy Spirit will tell you . . . ." He then proceeded to repeat his carefully memorized two-minute elevator speech consisting of his condensed theoretical understanding of the Course.
At this point I tuned out. I have encountered this general attitude many times among certain fundamentalist Christians who are convinced they know what message spirit has for you . . . . (read more)
Identity of redemption
In the thinking of the world the words 'savior' and 'redeemer' are generally connected to individual identity. The words convey a status rather than describe a function, and they are commonly used to indicate a unique special status, as in "Jesus is savior and redeemer of the world, and you are not." . . . . (read more)