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Practical Wisdom

Commentaries on various scriptures and other wisdom

What Is the Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit?

Dove-blasphemy against the Holy SpiritQ: What exactly is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit which cannot be forgiven?

First we should look at the Bible references to the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit:

“All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come” (Matthew 12:31-32, Luke 12:10).

The word translated “blasphemy” is blasfemia, which means to villify and rave against someone–even to curse and defame them. Intense hatred of the target is implied, also. The word translated “forgive” is afiemi, which means to banish, leave behind, omit, remit. It implies separation from, cessation or reversal. So this means to hate and work or speak against something and for the slate not to ever be wiped clean or the penalty cancelled.

Karma not to be neutralized

In a nutshell: whoever actively and intentionally defames or denounces the action of the Holy Spirit will suffer the consequences, the negative karma–not that they will be damned forever, but that they will absolutely pay off the karmic debt they created by their negativity.

All other karma can be neutralized by positive words and deeds, but not that karma, for it is self-destruction.

How do we blaspheme the Holy Spirit? It is not doing or speaking evil of a saint or master, because Jesus says:

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Why You Should Have a Dharmic Approach to Religion

The Christ of India book cover-a dharmic approachQ: I have read much of your site and The Christ of India and am interested in the dharmic approach taken by the Saint Thomas school–most of which seems natural to me.

While there is documentation on Hindu acceptance and worship of Christ, how can a follower of Christ respectfully and meaningfully engage with Hindu aspects, from specific helpers such as Ganesha to omnipotent archetypes like Shiva?

I attend a Tamil Mariamman temple from time to time and experience no inconsistency but am still reserved in my engagement.

Any pointers will be much appreciated.

Sanatana Dharma did not come out of the mind and ideas of some individual who then persuaded others to follow him. Rather, it is a revelation given to many sages (rishis), who were master yogis, in their superconscious experience. That is why there is no founder claimed by Sanatana Dharma.

Also, that revelation can be confirmed by yogis who purify themselves and become able to enter the same superconscious state.

Sanatana Dharma is based on realization, not intellectual philosophy. Consequently, only the adept yogi can really understand its nature and meaning. Yoga Sadhana is the key to really “becoming” a Sanatana Dharma. I say this from experience. There were many aspects of Sanatana Dharma that upon first encounter seemed utterly silly to me. But as I persisted in meditation and yogic discipline I literally saw the reality and value of them.

I will share with you some experiences I had.

An elephant headed God

One day I went with some yogi friends to the now extinct Wil Wright’s Ice Cream Parlor in Westwood, California. In a niche to one side of the door there was a white marble statue with the head of an elephant. One of my friends pointed to it and said: “That is the Indian Elephant-headed God, Ganesha. I don’t know what it’s doing here.” Neither did I, for I was thinking: “Elephant-headed God! Whoever thought that up? How stupid.” But some weeks later in meditation I saw Ganesha and knew he really was a form of God. And more than that: I loved him. I not only believed in him, I got an image of him and put it on my meditation altar.

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