The Christ Concept: Meaning, and our Mystic Sensibilities

Excerpts of Richard Rohr from his book The Universal Christ

I've learned "On the Spiritual Journey or Spiritual Path (my favorite term)", hearing from a voice that aligns with the truths I've come to understand and then "re-presented" to clarify what I'm trying to understand - helps confirm I'm on the right Path.

Metaphorically as a candle - a Light - closely observed with its hot wax melting effortlessly and blending into my own "Spiritual Candle". 

One such voice for me comes from my brother Richard Rohr. I call him my Brother because the truths he shares confirms we have the same FATHER in God - who is revealing himself or "itself" while teaching his children the same Universal messages of Truth.

I can only say - of many, many books, and too many of my own writings, he has successfully congealed the concepts into a picture that as staring into a mirror dimly becomes clearer. More concise. Given Jesus's ideas of "eyes to see" and "ears to hear" we learn that SPIRITUAL TRUTHS present themselves in our inner world in similar manner to elements of our physical world; things we have seen and heard that meld into our being and our experience. 

As my Brother does in this book, the vital concepts of mysticism and of the Christ essence, is given form and explained by him as "a profound connection with the divine presence in all things."

Preface

If i were to summarize at the outset: Understanding, developing and bringing forward "Mystic sensibilities" is vital to recognize deeper, profound concepts of what the the term "Christ" means. Jesus communicated as a mystic and as such my "Eye to see (and ear to hear)" must be through a mystical lens. The bridge that Religion has trouble building is simpy to present Jesus and what he represented to humankind as the "Incarnate Christ" emphasized over "God incarnate". In other words, the Christ concept serves as our bridge to see Jesus as our Brother, our Friend (his words), and as GOD'S DIVINE EXAMPLE for us - versus the divine exception.

The statements below suggest our "parallel spiritual reality" with Jesus. 

John 14 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

The Universal Christ book themes:

1. The Essence of Religion and Connection:

“The essential function of religion is to radically connect us with everything.” 

This underscores the mystical idea of "Christ" and Christ presence as the spirit of divine presence within us all.

2. Contemplation and Perception:

“Contemplation is waiting patiently for the gaps to be filled in, and it does not insist on quick closure or easy answers.” 

Contemplation seems to be the mystical response to God connection in the West while Meditation is that of the East. Lao Tzu wrote "The mystic observes the outer world but "perceives" it from within".

The arc of contemplative spirituality, intersects the rainbow of mysticism. Leaning into those traits we posses that are "mystic", we then walk with a kind of equilibrium that balances us and  cuases us to see reality as: THE PHYSCIAL WORLD AND THE SPIRITUAL WORLD. (Unseen to the physical eye - seen by the spiritual "eye". 

Seeing life as such, while still occasionally painful - we nevertheless as "aspiring mystic’s" look to experience our reality, as: Embracing uncertainty; and remaining open to truths that exist just beyond our immediate understanding (but are there for us to reach for and on occasion successfully grasp). These occasions for me  can be as fleeting as the sighting of a rainbow. But regardless of how rare that occurs - I still have seen it - yet as vapor; potentially as "Spirit". But still with proof of its existence.

3. The Universal Christ and Oneness:

“The Universal Christ is trying to communicate at the deepest intuitive level that there is only One Life, One Death, and One Suffering on this earth. We are all invited to ride the one wave, which is the only wave there is. Call it Reality, if you wish. But we are all in this together.” 

The mystic’s recognition of the "interconnectedness of all life", which exists as a central theme in ALL mystical traditions - SHARED BY ALL PEOPLES.

4. Transformation Through Contemplation:

“Contemplation is really the change that changes everything—especially, first of all, the seer.” 

As a big league Pitcher would, this is Richard Rohr's strike zone! Communicating the transformative power of contemplative practice, which exists a cornerstone of mysticism, which alters one’s perception and experience of reality. For me, this walks back and forth across the "Affirmative, prayerful Meditation" practice and Pathway that I long to bring more and more forward in Life.

In closing -

"Mysticism" from Richard could be encapsulated as an "Experiential awareness of the divine presence permeating all aspects of life."

Jesus emphasized to his disciples - as you go into the world communicate the concepts of "The Kingdon of Heaven is in our presence and close at hand" and not in a faraway place or afterlife.  Hence, connection, being one with the Father - are to be understood and more importantly reached for and grasped as a mystical consciousness. This is a difficult undertaking on our Path - given the seemingly very real "physical 3D world" and our real (and imagined ideas) of SURVIVAL in the physical realm. 

Jesus's mystical teaching presents oneness and Unity with God as contemplation, prayer dialog and mediation to bring connection to the Universal God that exists for us all.

(Ai Assisted with book quotes and limited use of paraphrase)