The Gospel of Thomas is one of the sacred books of early Christianity recording some of the deepest insights Yeshua shared with his disciples. It is composed solely of Wisdom Sayings (Logia) of Yeshua. These are similar to the parables and aphorisms of Jesus found in the Canonical New Testament Gospels.
When you spend time with the Gospel of Thomas you notice that is not so much a text you master as a text you live into in greater depth. In the upcoming program, A Topical Study into the Depth of the Gospel of Thomas, we'll focus on the sayings bring insight into a transformation of awareness and presence to the level a Consciousness Yeshua called "the Kingdom of Heaven."
Tau Malachi, a modern Christian Gnostic Master who has written about the Gospel of Thomas states:
Holy Scriptures have many levels of meaning, from the surface and literal meaning to the metaphorical level, and deeper still, to the secret and mystical level. At each level, there are many different spiritual teachings that can be drawn out of any verse of Holy Scripture, all according to the inspiration of the Spirit in the moment and one’s own capacity to receive. In effect, each verse is like an endless well of Wisdom into which one can dip one’s cup again and again, continually bringing forth new Wisdom – the very living waters of which Jesus spoke… While we may look at the depth contained in a verse… we can also seek what the verse draws out from the depths of our own being… The process of seeking knowledge, understanding and wisdom must be more than merely the formation of mental concepts. While the mind and mental-being needs to be involved in the process, the heart and soul-being needs to be primary… The heart with its capacity to feel and intuit, and the soul-being, with its capacity in metaphysical dimensions through interior senses, are crucial to making the process experiential. When it is experiential, we restore our own Spirit-connectedness and are transformed in the process. We thus progress in the gospel.
Abbot George Burke, a Commentator on the Gospel of Thomas states that "it was made clear in the Gospels that Jesus had two levels of teaching; one for those dedicated to attain the highest ideals of the spiritual path and the other for ordinary people whose capacity for understanding and interest in spiritual things was limited." In our work together we'll focus on the first level of Jesus' teaching and seek to draw out the depths from the Gospel of Thomas as well as from ourselves. We'll explore the ties with Christian Nonduality, No-self, Christ-Consciousness, Unitive- Awareness, Christian Mystical Understanding and the Practice of Presence.
When you spend time with the Gospel of Thomas you notice that is not so much a text you master as a text you live into in greater depth. In the upcoming program, A Topical Study into the Depth of the Gospel of Thomas, we'll focus on the sayings bring insight into a transformation of awareness and presence to the level a Consciousness Yeshua called "the Kingdom of Heaven."
Tau Malachi, a modern Christian Gnostic Master who has written about the Gospel of Thomas states:
Holy Scriptures have many levels of meaning, from the surface and literal meaning to the metaphorical level, and deeper still, to the secret and mystical level. At each level, there are many different spiritual teachings that can be drawn out of any verse of Holy Scripture, all according to the inspiration of the Spirit in the moment and one’s own capacity to receive. In effect, each verse is like an endless well of Wisdom into which one can dip one’s cup again and again, continually bringing forth new Wisdom – the very living waters of which Jesus spoke… While we may look at the depth contained in a verse… we can also seek what the verse draws out from the depths of our own being… The process of seeking knowledge, understanding and wisdom must be more than merely the formation of mental concepts. While the mind and mental-being needs to be involved in the process, the heart and soul-being needs to be primary… The heart with its capacity to feel and intuit, and the soul-being, with its capacity in metaphysical dimensions through interior senses, are crucial to making the process experiential. When it is experiential, we restore our own Spirit-connectedness and are transformed in the process. We thus progress in the gospel.
Abbot George Burke, a Commentator on the Gospel of Thomas states that "it was made clear in the Gospels that Jesus had two levels of teaching; one for those dedicated to attain the highest ideals of the spiritual path and the other for ordinary people whose capacity for understanding and interest in spiritual things was limited." In our work together we'll focus on the first level of Jesus' teaching and seek to draw out the depths from the Gospel of Thomas as well as from ourselves. We'll explore the ties with Christian Nonduality, No-self, Christ-Consciousness, Unitive- Awareness, Christian Mystical Understanding and the Practice of Presence.
Various Contemplative Study groups have been offered over Zoom since 2020 and continue in the Fall, Winter and Spring. Please check the Home Page and Featured Programs pages for the latest study group or contact [email protected] directly!
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Presented and Facilitated by Mike Smoolca:
Nearly a decade ago Mike Smoolca retired from a nearly 30 year career in Business and Technology to focus on deepening his relationships, spirituality, teaching and service to others. Mike is a practicing Spiritual Director, Spiritual Director Supervisor and BioSpiritual Focusing Companion as well as a leader and teacher in the area's Christian Contemplative Community. Mike has been facilitating Spiritual groups for over 10 years and, in particular, Gospel of Thomas study groups for three years. |