The worthy seeker
“Among Benares’ temple priests was one, a guest, Ajainin, from Lahore. By merchantmen Ajainin heard about the Jewish boy, about his words of wisdom, and he girt himself and journeyed from Lahore that he might see the boy, and hear him speak” (Aquarian Gospel 29:1, 2).
First we are given the example of a seeker who would journey far to see and hear the Lord Jesus–though having only heard about him. If you look on a map you will see that Lahore is a great distance from Benares. Why would someone go to such great trouble with no more stimulus than the words of others? Because of the deep intuition Ajainin had developed through seeking spiritual wisdom. We see this ourselves. Sometimes at the mere mention of a name, someone becomes eager to see the person spoken about. A name or a word can touch off a life-changing response. I have known of people buying a book about which they knew nothing but the title, the conviction having arisen that the book had great significance for them. In each instance they were right. Even in esoteric life “a word to the wise is sufficient.”
Now the contrast:
The unworthy curious
“The Brahmic priests did not accept the truth that Jesus brought, and they were angered much by what he said at the Udraka feast. But they had never seen the boy, and they desired much to hear him speak, and they invited him to be a temple guest” (Aquarian Gospel 29:3, 4).
They detested the words of Jesus and had no interest at all in learning from him–but they wanted see and hear him. Why? They are mirror-images of Ajainin–but backwards. Their intuition tells them that Jesus has great power of truth, that what he has to say would dissolve their power over people and ruin their business–for priestcraft is nothing but a business. So they call him in order to accuse, mock, and cast him from them. It is perverse; but they are perverse. Evil often has a twisted attraction to good that is almost involuntary. Besides that, people of the priests’ ilk are filled with idle curiosity.
For most of my life I have experienced this myself. Over fifty years ago when I was a beginning yogi and the word went around that I was interested in “that kooky stuff from India” there were plenty of people who would invite me to their house or to a restaurant so they and their friends could get a look at “the weirdo,” poke fun and embarrass him, and get a good laugh to assure themselves that they were sane and normal. This never worked for them, because Sanatana Dharma completely flummoxed them, and our encounters would end with them lapsing into sullen silence, glowering at me as I left–for I even had the temerity to be smiling! Then they set about erasing the memory of the debacle and the possibility that I might be right.
When I became a monk with orange clothes and a long Sanskrit name this increased markedly. Whereas before my erstwhile interrogator-mockers had been drawn from fellow university students and ordinary church members, now the rich became intrigued. Why not have the monk(ey) over and let him dance for their amusement? My reaction to these overtures was different from my non-monastic days. Previously I would go and entertain myself by seeing how intelligently I could answer their silly questions or accusations. Now my response was more simple: I refused the invitations. In the past my inviters had at least been wanting to make a point. The idle-minded rich just wanted to pass some time with minimal effort and thought. My non-yogi friends were appalled that I would happily dismiss the Summons From On High. “But he/she is worth X million dollars!” they would lament, “and if he/she is interested in you he/she might bankroll you in getting something started!” Since I had no plans to “get something started” this was not much of an inducement. Why, one multimillionaire who lived far from where I was, even hinted that if I visited him he might pay my way back home on the train. How could I refuse? One Mister Bucks called from about two thousand miles away and invited me to a beach party he was giving, saying that I would be very sorry and miss out if I did not attend. Money-hungry friends lamented that I would not even go to the phone when he called. I will admit that once I considered visiting a very wealthy man who had evinced an interest in metaphysical things and had even travelled some in quest of esoteric experience. To save myself time talking about basics, I sent word that I would come to see him after he had read a certain book that gave an excellent background in Sanatana Dharma. Every time he would call I would ask if he had read the book. The answer was always No. Finally I sent word that I had no interest in pursuing this ring-around-the-rosy. Things were varied a bit when an internationally known composer invited me to his house so I could explain to him why his former boyfriend had become a Buddhist monk in Burma. Again: no sale.
I am telling you this, because if you are serious about spiritual life you will run into the same nonsense. If you are bored and need a diversion, go ahead to the gapefest, but otherwise say No and hang up the phone. And be assured that you are under no obligation to explain yourself to anyone–including your reasons for not being made a spectacle for shallow and empty heads and souls. There was a time in the early twentieth century when the idle-minded would invite in a spiritualist medium so they and their equally inane friends could get a snicker and a chill. As a yogi you will be much more exotic and in demand.
The right response
“But Jesus said to them, The light is most abundant, and it shines for all; if you would see the light come to the light. If you would hear the message that the Holy One has given me to give to men, come unto me” (Aquarian Gospel 29:5, 6).
There are two aspects to this response, one universal, and one particular.
Jesus is not, as his followers later would be, interested in claiming some exclusive spiritual value–just the opposite, for he says: “The light is most abundant, and it shines for all.” There is nothing here about believing in a particular deity, teacher, or teaching. Rather, the Light is everywhere and is shining abundantly for all. Why do people not see it? Because It shines within and they never look there. Or if they do, they have no idea how to open their inner eyes to see the Light. For we must “come to the light,” not just desire to see It. If anyone wills (not just wishes) to see the Inner Light he must turn within–the Light Itself can teach him how to find It. Otherwise we should seek out a teacher or written teaching based on illumination that has come from the Light and will tell him how to go within with opened eyes and unite with the Light.
It is also important to realize that Jesus is an ever-living, ever-present teacher for those who seek him out with sincere aspiration. He has never left this world. That is why he told his disciples: “I will not leave you desolate, but in the Christ, which is the love of God made manifest to men, I will be with you all the way” (Aquarian Gospel 38:161. “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:20). Anyone who so wills can become as truly a disciple of Jesus as the Twelve Apostles themselves. For Jesus cannot be limited to one era of time, but is ever present with all sentient beings in eternity, in their own spirits. The same is true of Krishna and Buddha as well.
The responses
Now we are going to see two wrong responses–one utterly and bitterly wrong, and the other sincerely naive.
“Now, when the priests were told what Jesus said they were enraged” (Aquarian Gospel 29:7).
Of course; there could be no other honest response. “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (John 3:20, 21).
Since Ajainin was good of heart he made the mistake that is so common even to true seekers. He wanted to be a reconciler of Light with darkness–of course in hope that the darkness would be turned into light. As we say colloquially, he wanted to “make nice.” So:
“Ajainin did not share their wrath, and he sent forth another messenger with costly gifts to Jesus at the farmer’s home; he sent this message with the gifts: I pray you master, listen to my words; The Brahmic law forbids that any priest shall go into the home of any one of low estate; but you can come to us; and I am sure these priests will gladly hear you speak. I pray that you will come and dine with us this day” (Aquarian Gospel 29:8-10).
His motives were pure though mistaken, and he spoke from a positive attitude toward those incapable of coming to the light–incapable by their own choice. For those “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).
Since Jesus “knew what was in man” (John 2:25), his response to both Ajainin and the priests was clear and direct.
No “sale”
“And Jesus said, The Holy One regards all men alike; the dwelling of my host is good enough for any council of the sons of men. If pride of caste keeps you away, you are not worthy of the light. My Father-God does not regard the laws of man. Your presents I return; you cannot buy the knowledge of the Lord with gold, or precious gifts” (Aquarian Gospel 29:11-13).
Neither social standing nor wealth can have any influence on those who are worthy teachers of divine things–what to say of Divinity Itself. (“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34.) Those who identify with any external conditions render themselves unfit to communicate with God, unless they see their error and seek to free themselves from such delusional ways. I urge you as a friend to remember these words of Jesus and keep yourself from falling into the deep pit of worldly considerations. Remember Moses, the friend of God (Exodus 33:11), who chose the Hebrew slaves above the royal family and aristocracy of Egypt. Not only can you not take wealth and position with you–it often keeps you from going at all.
More response–also characteristic
“These words of Jesus angered more and more the priests, and they began to plot and plan how they might drive him from the land” (Aquarian Gospel 29:14).
Of course! We must learn from this. In relation to the material-minded it is particularly true that “the least said the better.” And sometimes the best is to say nothing–ever. However, in contrast with them:
“Ajainin did not join with them in plot and plan; he left the temple in the night, and sought the home where Jesus dwelt” (Aquarian Gospel 29:15).
We all need to leave the temples of our egoic and social idols and seek out the dwellingplace of Jesus: our own Christ Self, to “walk in the light, as he is in the light” (I John 1:7).
Read the next section in the Aquarian Gospel for Yogis: The Kingdom Revealed