The Bible, Reincarnation, Meditation and the Third Eye

Does the Bible teach us about reincarnation and meditation and the third eye?  Before we explore these important questions, it is important to understand how the bible of today came into existence. In the second and third centuries, Christianity was very diverse and different groups of Christians had different beliefs including the Gnostics; they debated and argued the nature of God and how many gods there were; about who Jesus was, whether he was human, or divine of the soul, or something else; some believed knowledge of our true selves as the way, the world we live in, the nature and extent of the scriptures, and on and on with every conceivable concept . There were, in fact, so many different groups of early Christians that believed so many differ things, that scholars today prefer to speak not of early Christianity but of Early Christianities, encompassing a wide varieties of different beliefs.

Constantine the Great, also known as Constantine I, became Roman Emperor in 306 CE and ruled until 337 CE. Many of his soldiers converted to Christianity, and in 312 CE he converted to Christianity. According to a biography of Constantine written by Eusebius, Constantine was deeply disturbed on the eve of a significant battle and wonder how he could receive divine assistance for his military cause. Constantine claimed that the night before the battle he had a dream of the cross and was told in his dream that this was the sign that would give him victory. He went into battle and emerged victorious. There are doubts this was genuine because Constantine continued to worship other divinities, the god of the sun.

The Roman empire was vast and was fragmented culturally, politically and religiously. Emperor Constantine saw Christianity as a unify force. In 325 CE, Constantine called for a council of 318 bishops from around the world to resolve the question. In what sense was Jesus God. Arius’s supporters maintained that Jesus was a subordinate divinity the creation of God the father and came into being at some point in time. After much debate of the issues, the council decided against the views of Arius and his followers. All but 20 bishops agreed with the decision and after Constantine twisted their arms, 17 of those 20 signed on the Nicene Creed. That was the first of the seven ecumenical councils of the church, the last being the Second Council of Nicaea in 787. The debating and arguing was much like today in the United States Congress and probably  in most governments around the world.

Before the 4th century, there is little or no evidence of all the biblical books appearing together in a single form.  Instead the biblical writings are found individually in scrolls or codexes  or in loose collections. Before the invention of printing in the 15th century, all productions was handwritten by scribes.

The theory of reincarnation is said to have been recorded in the Bible. But the proper interpretations were struck from it during an Ecumenical Council meeting of the Catholic Church in Constantinople sometime around 553 A.D.

There is a reference to reincarnation in Matthew 17:12, “But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.”

Meditation is mentioned in the old testament numerous times.  One should consider meditation and prayer are one in the same.

The third eye is mentioned in Matthew 6:22  when Jesus said, “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.”

Jesus also said in Luke 8:17 “For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be known and illuminated”  and again in Luke 12:2 “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed,or hidden that will not be made known”  and also in Matthew 10:26  “So do not be afraid of them.For nothing is concealed that will not be uncovered, or hidden that will not be made known”.

Was Jesus message about ourselves hidden in  ancient texts are being found around the world?  Perhaps one such finding was in 1945, when thirteen ancient texts called “codices” were discovered in upper Egypt untouched by scribes. They were translated during the 1970’s and can be found in the The Nag Hammadi Library. Scriptures such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Philip, and the Gospel of Truth were found, and label as Gnostic Gospels thought to be destroyed during the early Christian struggle to define “orthodoxy.”   Edgar Cayce said the Gnostics were the highest form of Christianity.  Is that why Scholars are now studying such text?

Perhaps we should not consider any one religion or concept,  but all world teachings.  Jesus taught the way of Love,  Buddha taught the way of Meditation, many  spiritual traditions the way of the third eye,  and Chakras our energy centers,   and the Law of One teaches unity, all providing a message and guidance from our Creator to find our way home.

We are all taking or final exam in life. I prefer not to put my fate in whether I pass or fail based on bickering and arguing men through the centuries. This is the time for enlightenment for those who are seeking. The world is at our fingertips for those who want to know the truth, simply use the gift of discernment.