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Yeshua (Jesus) and his disciples “spoke a form of ancient Aramaic, a language including elements originating in what is now the Middle East, in particular of Babylonian, Phoenician, Assyrian, Akkadian origin - and most likely others as well. During the first century BCE when the person known as Jesus most probably lived, Aramaic was also influenced by Ancient Hebrew, although Aramaic is not directly related.” (i)
“Aramaic is not a “literal” language that can be translated word for word as with most modern languages, but was rather a more poetic or “graphic,” “descriptive” language which was typical of that era as also seen for example in the hieroglyphics of Ancient Egypt and the Maya of Mesoamerica and so on.” (ii)
We know that the Gospels were originally written in Greek before being transcribed into Latin, followed by medieval English. In addition, the original texts were further corrupted when Constantine created the Roman (Catholic) religion, giving “power and control to the 'new religion' through the invocation of fear and guilt.” (iii)As centuries passed, the words of these Gospels were frequently transformed so as to maintain this power and control. One was simply not allowed to question the so-called word of God.
With that having been said, how much of the Bible can be said to represent accurate messages and teachings?
Given that Aramaic is a poetic, artistic, interpretive script, and one that cannot be translated literally, in revisiting various translations of The Kadish, which later became the construct for The Lord’s Prayer, Adrian Cooper has written a more modern and understandable version.
Based upon the original texts, it might be said that he has also been able to maintain the truth, purity and wisdom of the original.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Source, of whom all realms of the universe are eternally expressed.
May we experience your Love and Light in the purest way, at the highest vibration as you express your glory through us, as us.
May we thus express and experience our personal universe within, as we express our experience, and through the greater universe without.
Inspire us to seek only genuine, virtuous needs while liberating us from all negative thoughts, feelings and emotions that physically bind us, just as we likewise unconditionally forgive others.
Let us not be attracted to illusory, transient, material possessions or relent to the demands of the ego, that we may, through your infinite mind, freely and joyfully experience Oneness with our true divine path and being.
You are the one eternal expression of divine inspiration, unconditional love and spiritual energy through which the glory of the universe perpetuates.
Affirmed in Love, Light, Faith, Trust and Truth.
In essence, this makes me wonder even further about the Cathars.
In keeping with Cathari beliefs, there were some who believed that the “purpose of man’s life on Earth was to transcend matter, perpetually renouncing anything connected with the principle of power, and thereby attaining union with the principle of love.”(iv) According to others, “man’s purpose was to reclaim or redeem matter, spiritualising and transforming it.” (v)
In addition, they also believed that “there existed within mankind a spark of divine light. This light, or spirit, had fallen into captivity within a realm of corruption identified with the physical body and world.”(vi) The God of the Old Testament had nothing whatsoever in common with the God of Love known to the Cathars. Many today would also find themselves agreeing with this statement.
Accepting the doctrine of reincarnation, the Cathars believed that what could not be accomplished within the time span of one life time would merit their return at another time. This has also been called the transmigration of souls.
Regarded as a dangerously heretical sect, for more than just these beliefs, of course, the Roman Catholic church sought to eradicate them through what has come to be known as the Albigensian Crusade, as led by Simon de Montfort (ironically, another ancestor of mine).
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i Cooper, Adrian. (2010). Ultimate Reality Newsletter dated June 6, 2010 and accessed on August 28, 2010 from http://www.ourultimatereality.com/newsletters/060610.pdf
ii Ibid.
iii Ibid.
iv Catharism article located on Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catharism
v Ibid.
vi Ibid.
By Michele Doucette |
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