YouTube: Voice of the Mystic
Part 1
Biblical scholars have worked extensively to identify Jesus’ genuine sayings, separating them from those modified by the Gospel authors or subsequent scribes. Many appear to base their decision on their interpretation of Jesus’ ministry. What was the focus of his message? While many see him as an apocalyptic prophet, preaching the end is near, I believe he was a mystic teaching the kingdom of God, not as a coming event, but as a present, internally accessed spiritual dimension.
When I read passages attributed to him, I ask this simple question: Does this sound like something a mystic would say? To address this question, I look for sayings that include any of these four elements:
- God and the kingdom of God are understood as an omnipresent spiritual dimension that is present and intuitively rather than intellectually grasped.
- The soul is an expression of God. God and the soul exist in a relationship of oneness.
- Communication with God is an internal experience accessed through the narrow gate of the contemplative process. As the prophet Jeremiah stated, “I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts.” Jeremiah 31:33
- One’s thinking influences the nature of one’s experience. The beginning of change is a change of faith and affirmative thinking.
In this series, I’ll demonstrate this selection process using the story of the Pharisee Nicodemus visiting Jesus in the night. From this conversation, I have identified six passages that sound like something a mystic would say. I will also explain why this approach is different from that of a standard metaphysical interpretation.
It is almost certain that the encounter between this Pharisee and Jesus is the creation of the author. Understanding how he did this and why, will shed much light on how the gospels were developed. It is believed that these authors were working from collections of sayings and stories that circulated orally for decades before they were written down. These ancient story tellers worked much like story tellers work today, creating scenes and linking them together to follow a plot. The spiritual gems contained in these scenes are the treasure we seek.
J Douglas Bottorff 
Hello Rev. Doug, my name is rev tomas (tommy) de leon. I have been following your work for some ten years now. i had not listened lately but there have been times when what you are saying is right in sync with what i am saying or studying during a given week. I was drawn to this message today, and seriously it is so in line with what i talked about yesterday (the same day you did). that sure felt like a quantum entanglement moment hearing you talk.
anyway just wanted to let you know that. i appreciate your insight and your work. congrats.
rev. tommy
unity spiritual center
georgetown tx.
you tube….unitygeorgetown…….
Thank you Tommy. I’d love to connect and learn your story of how you came to Unity Spiritual Center in Georgetown TX. I’ll send you my email address. Blessings, Rev Doug
i used to be at Unity of the Valley (rio Grande Valley) with sister grumpy who has also followed for a long time……i was ordained this job came up and came here.
awesome spritual community here…very forward thinking which suits me to a tee……i also have a study group i call Let’s Get Metaphysical , we watch leading edge videos on all kinds of subjects, a lot about consciousness, but everything and we meet at the park and have wonderful discussions