Christ Consciousness & Christmas

by Alan L. Pritz

"Bah Humbug"! What's that, you say? Isn't this supposed to be a spiritually reverent, seasonally relevant article? Yep, it sure is. Then why the dour Scroogesque quip? Because so many people find themselves frantically captive to the shop-'til-you-drop Santa mode during this otherwise glorious season. So "Bah Humbug!" seems an appropriate refrain to me. Okay, I'm done spouting off now.

Two thousand years ago the man called Jesus came on earth for a remarkable period and mission. While everyone knows this, if only theoretically, most people don't understand the true nature of a Christ, nor how to best commune with and become one themselves. Yes, I said become one themselves! For Christians, Jesus was the one and only Christ. That's understandable given a literal interpretation of his words without any comparative context or understanding. Yet other religious traditions have exalted ones of similar divine heritage, doctrine, and power. If unaware of this reality, simply read about various non-Christian spiritual leaders, mystics, and saints. The following excerpts from the New Testament and Bhagavad Gita provide a very quick example of what I mean.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men." John 1:1-5

"I make and unmake this universe. Apart from Me nothing exists, O Arjuna. All things, like the beads of a necklace, are strung together on the thread of my consciousness and are sustained by Me."
Bhagavad Gita 7:6-7

"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6

"Ah! Ye who into this ill world are come - fleeting and false - set your faith fast on Me! Fix heart and thought on Me…and undivided, unto My rest your spirits shall be guided." Bhagavad Gita 9:33-3

So, who's fibbing? Neither. Yet how could Jesus and Krishna make identical claims and remain truthful? Simple, they shared awareness. Consider this. If you and another person had radios capable of receiving the same station, you'd get identical broadcasts. Correct? Now apply this analogy to Jesus Christ and Bhagavan (Christna)/Krishna. Their names included the title of 'Anointed One' referring to attainment of God-consciousness. Both were fully awake in Spirit hence they spoke from a shared platform of divine wisdom.

There's another element to this explanation. In Christian tradition the triune aspect of God is termed Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Most people accept this construct but don't really know what it means nor how it relates to them individually. In Vedic tradition the identical divine triad is called Sat, Tat, and Om. One difference exists, however, in that the vedic interpretation also conveys a real sense of personal accessibility. Let's see.

Christian // Vedic Terms

Father/Sat
Refers to the Transcendent aspect of Spirit that exists beyond the sphere of creation.

Son/Tat
This is the omnipresent, universal intelligence of God imminent within and governing all creation. It is the Christ / Krishna consciousness, or Kutastha Chaitanya in India.

Holy Ghost/Om
Also known as the Word, it is the vibratory force of God that creates and sustains all life.

Well and good, but how does this apply to Jesus, Christmas, and you? While we typically think of ourselves as anything but exalted, the truth is we are souls, essential aspects of Spirit. Through body identification we have developed limited, faulty self/ego-awareness. By correct meditation we can shatter such delusions, expand perceptions beyond physical confinement, and reunite our consciousness with that of Spirit throughout all creation. When accomplished, Christ Consciousness is attained. Jesus achieved this as did Krishna, Buddha, and all other Enlightened Ones. In fact, this is the divine purpose and goal of all living souls, to reawaken fully in Spirit. Remember what Jesus said?…"ye too are Gods." Those who achieve this state may then lead others Home.

When such beings come on earth they are rightly called divine incarnations or Avatars. Paramhansa Yogananda said that when Jesus was born a great spiritual light flooded the ethers and at each Christmas a similar light manifests. Such is the value of being inwardly attuned during days of holy commemoration. At Christmas such uplifting vibrations are missed if ones consciousness is focused solely on Santa. To receive the true spiritual value of Christmas one must enter into silent meditation to experience this Christ vibration in their consciousness. For those able to fully receive and maintain the Christ consciousness, an identical spiritual status is conferred upon them. Hence we all share an opportunity to commune with and awaken into our own omnipresent Christ nature. So, consider re-evaluating Christmas. If you feel driven to wade through shops as quickly as possible, try a more fulfilling and respectful alternative. Take two days to celebrate the season, dedicating one to receiving Christ through meditation then another for enjoying traditional festivities. If a congregation member, submit this idea for group consideration. In my yogic path, this practice has been advocated for many years. Gathering with others for a day of spiritual communion fosters a joy that no material gift can bestow. Then, by silently sharing this joy during other social celebrations, you'll transmit a quiet blessing beneficial to all.