Cosmic Awareness - 1977 25 - shroud of turin religion christianity jesus god paul shockley washington biblical christ heaven

Magazine Overview

Title: Revelations of Awareness
Issue: #77-25
Publisher: Cosmic Awareness Communications
Date: Not specified
Content Type: Cosmic newsletter addressing spiritual and metaphysical questions.

Main Content: The Shroud of Turin

The primary focus of this issue is a question posed by W.S. of Auburn, Washington, regarding the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin as the burial cloth of Christ. Cosmic Awareness provides a detailed response, stating that while the shroud is authentic, it does not belong to the entity known as Jesus, but rather to another individual who was crucified.

The communication explains that the shroud's significance is minimal in the current age. It suggests that individuals who seek contact with the cloth may benefit from this belief according to their needs, finding assurance that Jesus was indeed crucified, which serves as their physical proof. This is likened to Iago's use of a handkerchief to deceive Othello, where the object becomes proof of a fabricated story.

Cosmic Awareness posits that for those needing validation for their beliefs, the shroud offers a sense of supplied proof. However, it reiterates that the shroud was not Jesus's but belonged to someone else. The newsletter points out that thousands were crucified during that era, and Jesus's crucifixion went largely unnoticed until the Roman Empire, centuries later, adopted Christianity as its official religion and began accumulating religious artifacts to establish authenticity.

The communication emphasizes that a shroud as a "security blanket" for one's beliefs holds little interest for Cosmic Awareness. It suggests that if individuals need this comfort, they may have it, but there is no need to dispute its authenticity as there are far more significant issues in the universe and on Earth.

Greater Urgencies and Spiritual Service

Cosmic Awareness redirects attention from the Shroud of Turin to more pressing global concerns. These include hunger, starvation, war, and violence, highlighting the "great urgencies which face this planet." The newsletter calls for a focus on service, sharing understanding and wisdom with those who wish to know, and tending to those who are lonely, afraid, or desire companionship.

It further emphasizes the urgency of assisting those who are misled, helping them to understand their true nature and to become "One with their creator." This is contrasted with merely searching for a physical object like the shroud to act as a mediator. The core message advocates for a direct relationship with the Spirit within each entity, recognizing the "Kingdom of Heaven which is within yourself."

The communication encourages individuals to "put away your crutch," referring to external objects of faith, and to "lift yourself up and to stand in your Divine Body," which is described as a reference to spiritual needs and the spiritual body.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of belief, the search for proof, and the relative importance of physical artifacts versus spiritual connection. The editorial stance, as conveyed by Cosmic Awareness, prioritizes direct spiritual experience and service to humanity over reliance on external validation or symbolic objects. It encourages a shift in focus from historical relics to present-day global issues and the cultivation of inner spiritual awareness and connection with the divine.