The picture displays an ancient Aramaic amulet in lapis circa 50-100 CE (Common Era in predilection to AD). The obverse engraving is that of Ahura Mazda, the high god of the Zoroastrian pantheon. The reverse side shows a three line inscription in Aramaic. The design of the amulet was intended as a display of mystical import. The lapis stone had been sent for examination to various academics including professors of Ancient Semitic history at BYU and the University of Chicago. A Dominican Monk, Dale Johnson, a noted translator led the effort to evaluate the amulet and determine a translation for the inscription. The amulet had been procured from a British Auction House which also had the piece studied by experts in the UK some years prior to the study led by Friar Johnson. As it happened, all of the relevant parties were in agreement as to the amulet’s age (dated 50-100 CE) and the translation of the Aramaic inscription. The top inscribed line was that of Ahura Mazda the ancient Persian Lord of Wisdom and Creation (picture on obverse). The second line was a representation for the god, Mithras also of Persian origins but well known throughout the ancient Roman world. The Roman Legions stationed in the region had taken very strongly to the belief of Mithras and would carry this belief with them everywhere throughout the Roman Empire. The third line of the inscription was the most profound as it translated to the name of “Jesus”. There was a general consensus of opinion that the amulet had been inscribed by an illiterate craftsman which was the norm for the ancient Middle East at the time. The scholars were able to determine a translation but agreed the spelling of the top two lines were jumbled. However, such was not the problem with the third line, the word for Jesus. What we have is an implication of profound meaning with the idea of equating the Christian “Jesus” with the Zoroastrian gods, Ahura Mazda and his son, Mithras. There had long been an ongoing rivalry for dominance in the Roman Empire for monotheistic belief which last several centuries before Christianity was to achieve ascendancy. For some time, the sun god, Sol was dominant and could very well have displaced Christianity. Christianity had one very important quality in its early years. It was a very personal religion, something the poor and rich alike could relate too. The time of the later first century was undefined in regards to Christianity and many locals equated Jesus with Mithras.
Having Words with Alus (continued from a prior time)
MJ: But how, Alus?
Alus:
The degradation of the Soul happens as it becomes so ensnared by base passions that beings lose sight of their purpose in their respective life experience. The extremes of passion are risky even for enlightened Souls when over extension brings the necessary pitfalls for the purpose of re-stabilization. We need to always remember that balance brings stability. We invite change. We need change. We need conflicting ideas, feelings, and thinking. How else can we experience growth? How else can we "see" as to grow? But why must our extremes take us to such horrid apathies where we continue to self incriminate or self destruct.Or do we simply prefer incarnation of some outer influence while trying to sustain the facade of innocence but in actuality it is well suited foolhardiness. What truly sustains us? Is it our ignorance? What protects us? Is it our ignorance? What angers us? Indeed, it is our ignorance. MJ: and the damage to our souls?
Alus: What about the damage caused to our souls?How is this to provide us with the means of discovering ourselves? Do we fool ourselves into thinking we have an abundance of time available to us for this task. Time? But is time endless? It would be foolish for us to believe so. However, does it really matter in the final outcome? And is there a final outcome for us to concern ourselves with? The Soul has many powers. The Soul is the Self. Man uses rational thinking which is based upon the nature of the individual. As a result we tend to cripple ourselves with preconceived conceptions. It is intuitive exploration which provides the willingness for potential change. And what is truly needed is the establishment of a basis for belief. The foundation from which to build not a church, not a religion but a faith. A belief that draws its strength from within the Soul and not an external source.
MJ: Is not prayer the surest way to express faith?
Alus: Prayer is blessed of itself but the communion of Spirit with Soul should always take precedence. The connection of Spirit and Soul is the truest of purposes. This again makes clear that dogma must never dictate or control and should be put aside as necessary. The opportunities for the spirit-soul connection are fleeting especially on earthly ground. It is this connection we seek. How many times have you squandered the opportunity to take yourself one step closer? All because of conditioning. Secular religions (such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam) do not allow for independent thinking. God is kept separate from the Self (at a safe distance).
MJ: So what does one do without a religion?
Alus:Do not presume. Do not assume. In presuming your faith will always lead to disappointment and failure then this in turn leads to despair, anger and or sorrow. Accept and flow with your faith (belief) and it shall always be there for you. The Soul is our Identity. We feel as Soul, we respond as a human. We can only perceive God through the Soul which opens the doorway to Spirit. This is not about religion but existence…not time, but existence.
MJ:So, is there change to come?
Alus: Change is always happening even if one cannot see it. It must be one step at a time. The establishment of something new. Basic, fundamental; where belief is lived with the opportunity to understand without the bonds of prejudice which prevent thinking as well as pervert it. To build a dogma which is free and flexible where the question becomes the answer not the restriction. The freedom to express doubts where the strength of faith in knowing is more than knowing. It is the mandate to hold up your belief into the light and feel the blessedness of truth.
