His disciples asked him: Is circumcision useful or not? He replied: If it were useful, then they would be born already circumcised. On the other hand, true circumcision in the spirit is entirely beneficial. Saying 53, The Gospel of Thomas.
Jesus was never one to waste a metaphor. Circum means all the way around (circle). Cision means cut. An incision is a cutting into. An excision is a cutting out. Circumcision is cutting all the way around. He says that physical circumcision is not useful. It is true circumcision in the spirit that is more than useful, is "entirely beneficial," is "profitable in every respect" (Pagels).
We are to be in the world but not of the world. We are to be "passersby." This is cutting all the way around. As long as we have one piece of spiritual foreskin attached to the world of desire, the realm of samsara, we are in danger of infection. In fact, the attachment is the infection. We are to make the cut all the way around. No attachment.
Letting go of our attachments is painful but essential. If we wish to launch into the consciousness that Jesus knew and represented, we must cast off all lines that hold our spiritual vehicle to the earth. This is entirely beneficial. As Seung Sahn said, you don't want to be centering in your body when you die.
Jesus was never one to waste a metaphor. Circum means all the way around (circle). Cision means cut. An incision is a cutting into. An excision is a cutting out. Circumcision is cutting all the way around. He says that physical circumcision is not useful. It is true circumcision in the spirit that is more than useful, is "entirely beneficial," is "profitable in every respect" (Pagels).
We are to be in the world but not of the world. We are to be "passersby." This is cutting all the way around. As long as we have one piece of spiritual foreskin attached to the world of desire, the realm of samsara, we are in danger of infection. In fact, the attachment is the infection. We are to make the cut all the way around. No attachment.
Letting go of our attachments is painful but essential. If we wish to launch into the consciousness that Jesus knew and represented, we must cast off all lines that hold our spiritual vehicle to the earth. This is entirely beneficial. As Seung Sahn said, you don't want to be centering in your body when you die.
George--Very powerful. The ouch factor is there, too. To commit to the Imitateo Dei, to be focused on fully one's spiritual goals, is a cutting. But we are told that the benefit is a simplicity and clarity that bring joy. Thank you , once again. Steve F.
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