Sunday, March 18, 2012
-The Flow of Love is Waiting for You
~ Rev. William M. Heller
This week’s lesson is derived from the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, found in the Gospel of John, chapter 4, 1-42. We find two lessons here that are worth a deeper inquiry. I’ll paraphrase key aspects of this story that relate to these.
• Jesus is resting at the well in Sychar (in Samaria); a well dug by Jacob, Abraham’s son. A Samaritan woman comes to draw water, and Jesus asked her for a drink.
• “How is it you, a Jew, asks me, a Samaritan woman for a drink?” Jesus states, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying this to you, you would have asked him, and he would give you the living water.” Later he states “Everyone who drinks of this [your] water will be thirsty again. But those who drink my water will never be thirsty. The water I give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” She states, “Sir, give me this water, so that I many never be thirsty…”
• Jesus says, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” She says, “I have no husband.” Jesus states “You’re right, because you’ve had 5 husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband.” The woman now recognizes him as a prophet.
• The disciples return, and are astonished he is speaking with a woman. They wondered why, but did not ask.
• The woman returned to her village, and brought back her community, who hosted Jesus for two days. The story ends with the men of the village saying, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know he is truly the savior of the world.”
“I have water that when accepted, one will never thirst again.” The message is given to the woman that uplifts the entire discussion. She offers that water of this world, needed for the body. And in return, she is provided the awareness he Messiah is with her: “I am he.” His water represents the truth of our Spiritual reality. Whoever he’s with, Jesus delivers this message in a manner that can be received. She begins her transition from a belief in this world to life beyond.
From the Metaphysical Bible Dictionary, based on Charles Fillmore’s writings, we read:
The woman at the well represents the psychic or soul nature. The physical realm is not the true source of wisdom, although many searchers for truth fail to distinguish the difference between its revelations and those of the spiritual.
“The soul in its natural state draws its life from the earthly side of existence (Jacob’s Well), but is destined to draw from a higher fount, omnipotent life. Jesus asked the woman for a drink—indicating the universality of Spirit. From there gushes forth a never failing stream- eternal life.
Further, as to her five husbands, and the current one she does not have, Fillmore states:
The five husbands represent the 5 senses; the current one represents the sense of Truth, of which she doesn’t have. This is the truth of Spirit, of God.
The story represents her transition from her belief in the world as she has sensed it to being open to the higher state of being; her movement upwards to a new consciousness.
In his interpretation, Rev Ed Townley states:
Jesus recognizes in this woman Christ energy eager to express, and he treats her as a spiritual equal. … God is an energy of Spirit, and we are beings of that same Spirit. So our relationship with God must be in the realm of Spirit.
She shares her moment with her community, who in turn accept the direction of the teachings as well, hosting Jesus for 2 additional days. We also learn of their accepting his words; this is their own transition to a higher state. The Samaritans can be seen as those willing to listen, to hear. We celebrate that message, that lesson.
Here’s another aspect of this story useful to us today. When the woman joins Jesus at the well, he asks for water. She wonders, how can he do this when he’s a Jew and she’s a Samaritan? Just the same, their conversation continues. We hear no separation, no exclusion, no special treatment on Jesus’ part. When the disciples find her with Jesus, they are upset. She leaves for a while, then returns. Throughout the entire story, there is no reference to Jesus treating anyone separate in any way. Instead, he shares only his universal message of love.
The land of Samaria is part of the land of Abraham, going way back to the story of Abraham. Samaritans were a combination of Hebrews and Assyrians, and claimed their heritage as that of Jacob/ Abraham. Metaphysically, Samaritans represented beliefs that were mixed between the Truth (Judaic teachings) and error teachings were mixed. Because of these mixed teachings, the Jews viewed the Samaritans as separate, apart. Thus Jews considered them “less than” or not equivalent to themselves.
Were the disciples to spread the message only to the Jews? Are Jews the only one to receive this water of life? Hardly! Further, note they are meeting at, and drinking water from, Jacobs well. A well over 1500 years old, dug by their common ancestor. Yet because of their mixed heritage, the Samaritans were not expected to receive the lesson? Jesus shows them an entirely different message; the teaching, like this well, is for everyone!
Welcome to race mind or race consciousness. Fillmore defines race mind as “Totality of beliefs, thoughts, memories, feelings, and experiences of the race.” These are our cultural differences, they are decisions passed through generations, or from early life. This consciousness is in error, because it perpetuates separation thinking rather than healing and wholeness.
We find this in the consciousness we apply to the world today. And as we do this, we perpetuate a belief system that does not welcome or see the divinity in one another, or in ourselves. Each one of us has some form of race consciousness within our thinking. It can be applied towards races, towards nationalities, towards religions, towards gender, towards sexual preferences, towards economic status. It can be applied towards neighbors, co-workers, fellow students, towards age, belief in being separate from one another.
The error lies not in being different! For we are different, on the level of world, we are each different from one another. No, the error is not being different! The error is in the thought process that perpetuates the thoughts that differences are important, or that pre-judged thoughts are used to rule our lives. What correction is called for? What thoughts from the past, what thinking activity that separates, needs to be corrected? We have accepted a consciousness of separation, and have perpetuated this throughout history.
All the love God has for you is experienced when you extend your love! It’s the only way you will experience it! If you have any doubt about this, what is it like when you are with an infant, or your children, or your grandchildren? Or your partner? As you extend love to another, that is what you experience inside.
The light bearers of this world continuously experience love! Because they are extending their love, that is what they are experiencing! This is the love of God flowing through them. It’s no wonder Jesus walked around so lightly—he was continuously extending love to everyone; and this is what he received as well! Cause & Effect, extraordinaire…..
Race consciousness is the idea, “I need to hold back.” In so doing, we hold back the love we have to give; we also cut off the experience of God’s love flowing into and through us. Can you see that? I need only look at my life and see the distinction! When I reserve it, I don’t get it either! I think of a political persuasion, and I feel that restriction. I think of economic systems and levels, and I feel judgment and anger. As I feel that judgment, I am blocking the flow once again.
Jesus saw only the light in the Samaritan woman. There was no discussion of separation of any part by him. That light is here for us to discover within ourselves. It is realized as we discard any notion of separation.
We are special. Each one of us is special, but not in the worldly manner-that which you have (accomplishments, money, relationships, etc). Early in A Course in Miracles, we read, “your specialness comes from inclusion, not exclusion.” Accepting everyone as God’s creation is the only specialness that is real, that matters. Everyone you think of exists in the reality you do- Everyone is God’s Divine Creation. And this same everyone provides the opportunity for you learn of any form of race consciousness you carry that restricts you!
We have a mission to remove race consciousness. Not externally, but internally--From our own consciousness. We may not be willing to remove all of this now. But our awareness is the start. I invite you to look for those experiences to release such beliefs. And as you see someone in a different light, look within—do you find a deeper experience of love inside? We are pursuing a greater awareness, a more awakened state. I ask you to carry this forward into this Easter season- discover what separation thoughts you hold that you are now willing to revisit, forgive, and release. For this is your, and our, journey of awakening. The flow of Love is waiting for you.
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