Theodore’s Reviews > Meditations on the Tarot: A Journey into Christian Hermeticism > Status Update

How are you liking it so far?

I like it. Some chapters more than others.

Tomberg himself is of more interest to me than some of the topics he covers.

It seems clear to me that he made great spiritual progress in his life, and some of the insights he has gained are not compatible with modern Roman Catholicism(or Christianity in general), which he identifies with over and over in the book.

This is most likely why the book was published posthumously. So I wonder, who to believe?

After reading Robin Amis' 'A Different Christianity' one thing that stuck with me was, although outer traditions/religions differ, the inner tradition (spiritual development of both Eastern, Middle Eastern, and Western man) are the same.

So I always wonder what Buddha would have said about Christ, what Christ would have said about Buddha or yoga, and how does this line up with the Church today?

This is something I really haven't reconciled. What do you think?

Thanks for commenting.

My view and current experience that the essence of all the teaching is the same, since the essence of being itself is unchangeable, unaffected, not tied to anything. Since every philosophy and religion aims at removing obstacles which don't allow for direct experience of this immortal essence, they all have the same goal.

Now, every person's Karma is diffrent, so is their character and the Path should be chosen with that in mind. A person has to believe that the Path they're on is right, so he can have faith before he gets confirmation by personal experience, which can take a long time.

It's important to choose and focus on one Path, be it Buddhist, Christian, Sufi or whatever else, ideally with a realized Guru. This is easier said than done in my case, first because I was unable to find a teacher who's methods I am fully on-board with and have faith in, second - because I tend to deeply analyze every teaching, practice, ritual and in these contemplations I reach the conclusion that many of them are just filler and that I don't have faith in them.

This is not to say that I'm right, but I have to have full faith in something in order to fully dedicate myself to it. For example, I have full faith in the Path outlined in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, but I'm unable to find a teacher that bases his practice strictly on it, without cultural colorings such as Puja rituals, chanting etc.

Since you've mentioned Buddha - Christ relation, my stance is that Buddha and Lord Jesus Christ would have an understanding, respectful relationship, but the students would debate each other to death and wouldn't accept the other as legitimate.

Also, I have to mention that the Church for me doesn't reflect the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ fully, much of it is simply developed by other people, some of them Saints, that built the Church up. I consider Trinity non-Biblical, believe that Arian Christianity is closer to real teachings of the Lord, I don't believe in the virgin birth and have a complex view on Mary.

A good book about this is "The Real Christ" by Bernadette Roberts, it really confirmed many things that I've come to by myself. History of the Church is one of political usefulness, Roman emperors picked and choose the theologians who had the ideas that are the most useful to the emperor and empire.

So, I'm still searching for a teacher that I can fully dedicate myself to, without second-guesses. At the moment, I "only" have God as my guide :) But my understanding of the messages and situations that God reveals to me is seen "through a glass, darkly" as St. Paul wrote, so it's important to have a teacher who's higher up the hill, so to say, to interpret things for us.

I'm currently trying to find one, but for someone with my character it's a very difficult thing. But I know that when I do find one, it will lead to great things.

Aleksandar, thank you for the thoughtful reply.

I have benefited much from being connected to you thru Good reads.

I tend to share the same opinion as you in regards to the fundamental similarities between the different spiritual paths.

I hope you are able to climb as high as possible on the path individually, for I am in the same boat.

I also wish you find the teacher you're looking for to expedite the path. It seems to me the best teachers have come thru books, where methods can then be applied individually.

But I live in a culture where the teacher/student relationship is not that prevalent.

I look forward to communicating with you moving forward.

Thank you again,
Teddy

Theodore, I'm glad you feel that way, I've also been exposed to many good books by you here as well.

I might start exploring the Traditionalist thought this year, which focuses on the Essence of all teachings - Guenon, Evola, Schuon, Eliade... This might be interesting to you as well.

Books can take you only so far, my current stance is that a period of 100% dedication to the spiritual path is essential, since that's what everyone who's spiritually advanced did. Also, it's very important to have a teacher who teaches you by example, when you're in his presence and studying his actions and words, it gives you strength to persevere.

We will continue our communication, if I'm not banned from Goodreads for my comments :)

God bless,

Alex