In the following article we will talk about Jesus as a spiritual master. We will discuss how his life has impacted the world, including other faiths. Then we will draw on 3 elements of his life that a Tantric can draw inspiration from.
Jesus as a Master
In this article we see Jesus as a spiritual master. In the West, many people are not so open to the idea of a spiritual master. Many Western seekers don’t want to confer to any source of authority and believe that they can have a personal relationship with the Divine. However, on the spiritual path, guidance and support are very important. The ultimate reflection you can receive on the spiritual path is from a master. Tantrics are always seeking for divine models to which they can align themselves. In some belief systems, avatars are considered direct Godly manifestations in human form. Krishna, Jesus, and Ramakrishna are all considered avatars, manifesting into this earthly realm to guide humanity on the spiritual path. These humans were Brahman incarnated into flesh. Society can feel threatened by great spiritual beings that may disrupt the social order because they are completely free inside. Jesus obviously received a lot of persecution in his lifetime. He received a whole feast of cruelty.
Jesus and Other Faiths
Today Jesus is closely associated with the followers of Christianity. Interestingly he is also worshipped as a great saint of the heart in India, and his image is found next to images of Shiva, Kali, and Ganesha. In Islam, Jesus is considered a great prophet. Many Buddhists will embrace Jesus as another figure who achieved enlightenment and guided others. This crossover of Jesus into other belief systems is quite unique. Vivekananda called Jesus one of the greatest men in history. Yogananda wrote an entire book about how the teachings of Jesus correlate with Yoga. He encouraged his disciples to worship God, and then Christ, and then all of the other gurus. Jesus is considered to have lived the model life of a yogi. He brought forth a lot of compassion and courage and aimed to live like God on earth. He brought forth many Godly attributes. Yogis can take the model of Jesus as a perfect embodiment of Godly transformation.
The Parable of the Lion
“Blessed is the lion which the man eats so that the lion becomes a man. But cursed is the man whom the lion eats, so the man becomes a lion.” This parable of Jesus can be equated with the processes of transmutation and sublimation. We can work with inner alchemy to transform our animalistic tendencies into the very highest. The distorted aspects of the first three chakras need to be harmonized. Lalla, the great mystic poet, talked about the necessity to control the five winds. Consuming the lion is a very Tantric approach. This means we totally consume our animalistic nature so that it dissolves into our humanity. A lion is an animal with immense force. By using sublimation we can harness a great force. Human nature is the part of us that is centered in the heart, that is connected with the soul. With a willingness to act from virtue and togetherness, we enter the level of the heart. We no longer act from chasing pleasure or seeking power, as we do at the lower charkas.
Turning The Other Cheek
Turning the other cheek is another well-known teaching of Jesus. The ego translates turning the other cheek into being a doormat. It is actually a direct translation of the wisdom of the heart. The heart always forgives. Turning the other cheek implies acting with a lot of courage. It implies leading with your own example of goodness. It implies that you see genuine hope that the other will find the goodness within themselves. In the face of the radiance of the human heart, the pettiness of lower human behavior can simply dissolve. Try to apply this principle within your relationships. Our close relationships can fall prey to the trappings of the ego, especially as we spend more time with someone. When your consciousness rises to the level of the heart, these tensions will fall away. Take an attitude of transfiguration and embrace the other one continuously, whilst staying centered in the virtues of the heart.
Crucifixion and Ressurection
Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, giving everything to his dharma. He gave everything to God, to his life path. He was totally aligned with God’s will. After this act of ultimate surrender, a few days later, he was resurrected. As a Tantric, you can die by constantly transforming and sacrificing your lower tendencies. Have the humility to take the cup that is yours, to take your part in life. Take your life lessons and integrate them with humility. You are free when you die before you die. You will be resurrected at a different level of your being. You will be sat by the side of your Father in heaven. Give up all your trivial considerations. Sacrifice the lower for the higher. The phoenix rises from the ashes. Burning up in the fire of transformation, you first become nothing, and then you become a glorious, golden bird. The Tantric must pass spiritual tests in order to transform. You must go through that which hurts the most. Letting go of limitations can be painful, but the result is always glorious.
Transcribed and edited by Charlie Wilson from