Serie D brev nr 17

Magazine Overview

This issue of Brevcirkeln, titled "Kristi Lära - Österns Religioner" (Christ's Teachings - Eastern Religions), explores the relationship between Christian doctrine and various Eastern spiritual traditions. The publication, identified as "BREVCIRKELN. SERIE D -- BREV NR 17", presents a critical perspective on the exclusivity often associated with Christianity, advocating for a more inclusive understanding of spirituality.

The Claim of Christian Superiority and the Need for Broader Understanding

The article begins by addressing the common Christian assertion that their religion is uniquely superior and must be defended at all costs. The author notes that attempts to argue against this viewpoint often fail to resonate with those holding such strong convictions. The core issue, it is argued, is not to abandon Christ but to understand that the Christian church has historically limited its perspective by focusing solely on the Jewish background of Christianity, neglecting the broader context of world religions.

This narrow focus, the author contends, has led the church to dismiss other religions as "primitive" and "inferior." However, for those who seek to understand the motivations behind Eastern faiths, a wider perspective emerges, revealing that the Christian approach may have misled individuals. The text challenges the notion that Christ alone preached the gospel of love, suggesting that a deeper look into Eastern spiritual life would reveal a profound wisdom and love that contradicts this exclusive claim.

Eastern Wisdom and the Universal Nature of Love

The author highlights the immense value and beauty found in Eastern scriptures, particularly those from India. While acknowledging that Westerners may need guidance to navigate the vastness of these texts, the article points out that original scriptures like the Vedas are ancient and may not directly apply to modern life. Nevertheless, the people who recorded these wisdoms have not stagnated. Unlike the Christian church's belief that ancient pronouncements hold eternal validity, Eastern traditions, particularly Indian ones, understand that religion evolves with human development.

This evolution is exemplified by the development from the Vedas to the Upanishads, and further to texts like the Bhagavad-Gita. The Bhagavad-Gita is presented as a scripture that remarkably aligns with Christian teachings, particularly in its depiction of Krishna as a divine figure in human form, akin to Christ. The author suggests that by replacing the name "Krishna" with "Christ" in the Bhagavad-Gita, one can discover a profound resonance, particularly concerning the path of love as a means to reach the ultimate goal.

Reincarnation, Karma, and the Christian Church's Stance

The article touches upon the concept of reincarnation, noting that it was once a part of Christian belief but was later removed by church councils. The author suggests that remnants of this belief can still be found in biblical texts, despite efforts to erase them.

The text also discusses karma, explaining it as the principle of sowing and reaping, which provides a sense of security for individuals in Eastern cultures, offering hope for better circumstances in future lives if they live righteously. This contrasts with the Christian emphasis on a single life and judgment.

Buddhism and Religious Tolerance

Buddhism is presented as a religion that, while diverse, fundamentally seeks to reach the spiritual world through transcendent experiences, distinguishing it from the dogmatic nature of Christianity. Buddhists are described as possessing wisdom and knowledge about humanity's true nature and its connection to spiritual realms. The religious tolerance within Buddhism is exemplified by the words of Asoka, the first Buddhist monarch of India, who advocated for respecting all religions.

The Evolution of Religions and the Limitations of the Christian Church

The article posits that religions should adapt to humanity's needs, a principle that has been followed in Eastern lands. This has led to Buddhism evolving into various forms as it spread to different cultures, adapting to local beliefs. In contrast, the author criticizes the Christian church for demanding submission and for the conflicts that have arisen in its missionary endeavors. While divisions within Christianity have occurred internally, the development of Buddhist sects has been a more organic process of adaptation.

The author criticizes the Christian church for its insular worldview and its "jealous guarding" of its teachings, preventing people from exploring other spiritual paths. The article questions whether it is not time for individuals to exercise their right to explore these paths freely.

The Call for a New Crusade of Truth

The piece suggests that the church's decline necessitates a revitalization, urging people to find what they are entitled to from their religion. It laments the lack of "heroes" willing to engage in the struggle for spiritual truth, noting that many who have attempted to fight have been defeated. However, the author expresses hope that if the movement grows and people are willing to sacrifice, they might eventually be able to preach "Christ's Teachings" in a way that uncovers valuable insights, using Christ's life as a bridge to the wisdom found in Eastern traditions.

Freedom from Dogma and the Embrace of Universal Wisdom

The church's argument that individuals are not mature enough for freedom is challenged. The author asserts that humanity has evolved beyond the need for blind obedience and is now capable of independent thought. The church is urged to relinquish its power and its right to dictate belief. The struggle for truth must be fought with "pure weapons" and "convincing clarity," employing methods similar to Christ's expulsion of money changers from the temple – a "holy righteous anger" born from a deep desire for truth and the right to live according to Christ's teachings.

The article concludes by advocating for the integration of Christ's teachings into daily life, urging readers to open their hearts to religions built on the same foundation of the "eternal Father's love for all His children." True Christianity, it suggests, will only be realized when all religions are recognized as equally valuable. The ultimate goal is to live by Christ's teachings so fully that one can say, "it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."

The Path to the Creator and Universal Unity

This spiritual evolution leads to a direct encounter with the Creator, not through intermediaries, but in clarity and majesty. It is through this direct connection that one can understand the meaning of finding God without mediation. The path is not to reject Christ but to follow His way towards the "King of Kings." The benefit of this step is unity with all those who seek the same goal through different religions. The author quotes Krishna from the Bhagavad-Gita: "In whatever way people come to me, I welcome them, for all ways are my ways."

This message is presented as a powerful call to humanity, capable of breaking down barriers and challenging any structure built on the desire for power. When the human heart's longing for liberation from the church's oppression can no longer be suppressed by threats of eternal punishment, it is time for the call of truth to resound.

Passive Resistance and Eastern Spirituality

In a separate section titled "PASSIVT MOTSTÅND" (Passive Resistance), Elisabeth Lansenor discusses the concept of non-violent resistance, which she argues is not fully appreciated in the West. She notes that this principle, exemplified by Gandhi, stems from the deeper spiritual traditions of Eastern countries.

Lansenor describes how, after China's fall to communism, a new form of passive resistance emerged in response to the disruption of ancient lifestyles. She posits that Gandhi's physical manifestation of this principle was the beginning of a spiritual resistance. Tibetan people, for instance, are described as possessing a deep conviction in their spiritual truths, led by figures like the Dalai Lama, who guides his displaced people. These spiritual leaders, through their superior knowledge, have mastered matter and exist on a higher vibrational frequency, making them inaccessible to ordinary energy impulses.

This spiritual elevation allows them to transform their physical bodies and surroundings, rendering them undetectable to enemies. This is likened to the "seal of God" mentioned in the Bible, protecting those He wishes to save from destruction. The author contrasts this with the West's lack of such spiritual defense, attributing it to the falling state of the church, which has failed to grasp spiritual truths and has become fixated on dogma rather than the essence of love.

Lansenor argues that concealing the path to true spiritual knowledge from Christians is a crime against humanity. She addresses the potential objection that Eastern people live in spiritual darkness by explaining that this is due to their own inability to fully grasp what is offered, hindered by karma. However, for those who seek to rise, Eastern traditions offer guidance for a way of life that leads to salvation through knowledge.

The Church's Inadequacy and the Rise of Wisdom

The Christian church, according to Lansenor, offers no answers to life's crucial questions. She questions when the West will realize it is no longer obligated to submit to the church's authority. Increasingly, church figures are recognizing that Christian doctrine can no longer serve as the foundation for human spiritual life. The passive resistance that many have practiced for so long will eventually give way to wisdom taking over spiritual leadership from the church. This will be achieved by understanding the superiority of our spiritual bodies over the material. At that point, "Love-Wisdom" will become everyone's guiding star.

The Battle for Truth

Lansenor concludes by reiterating the need for a spiritual awakening and a battle for truth fought with "pure weapons." She asserts that if this battle is guided by God and His highest spiritual forces, it will result in victory, overcoming the church's power, which is bound by "Lucifer's strong bands" – greed, literalism, and violence against the human spirit. The true victory lies in knowing the TRUTH.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the limitations of religious exclusivity, particularly within Christianity, and the universal nature of spiritual wisdom found in Eastern traditions. The publication advocates for a comparative approach to religion, emphasizing love, wisdom, and spiritual freedom over dogma and rigid institutional control. The editorial stance is critical of the established Christian church's perceived arrogance and its failure to embrace a broader, more inclusive understanding of spirituality. It champions the idea that true spiritual realization comes from seeking universal truths and living by principles of love and wisdom, regardless of religious labels. The concept of passive resistance as a spiritual tool is also a significant theme, highlighting its power as a means of overcoming material and spiritual oppression.