Marriage In Cana

(The following comes from a post/exchange between myself and John Bailey..in the Gnosis1 Forum..Yahoogroups) "The incidents of the marriage feast of Cana may thus be taken to refer to this interior union achieved by those who have awakened the power of the Christ Presence which is within every man, allegorically indicated by the physical presence of the Master. After this attainment the coarser desires of the emotional nature (water) are transmuted into wisdom and spiritual intuitiveness (wine). Marriages of heroes and heroines in Mythologies and scriptures, as we have seen, indicate that the all-essential blending of the mortal personality with the divine Self and life of the Universe as a whole,"the Mystic Identity" or cosmic consciousness, have both been attained. The presence of the Christ in this story, as in all narratives in which He appears, including those which describe the "miracles", implies that the phase of the evolutionary journey of the Soul has been entered at which spiritual wisdom, spiritual intuitiveness and a Christlike love and compassion are already well developed and active throughout the personal nature. The changing of water into wine at such "marriages" is not a miracle, but rather a natural process which occurs when a steadfast aspirant finds and successfully treads the narrow way. The grape and the wine also symbolize knowledge, wisdom and comprehension of the spirit of things. As fermentation gives a certain "strength" to wine, so the action of the intellect upon accumulated esoteric knowledge turns it into pure wisdom, implicit insight and deeply penetrative intuitiveness. Thus the third key is that many Scriptural stories allegorically describe phases of man's evolutionary journey and their accompanying mystical experiences." -Geoffrey Hodson "The Hidden Wisdom In The Holy Bible" vol.ll" Dear John, Hi, how's it going today? Good I hope.. Before going into sharing in-sight regarding to the Wedding in Cana... I wanted to touch on deeper interpretation concerning Jesus' miracles recorded in the New Testament. When Jesus is present..we have the "center" ..or "soul" directly involved....and depending on the wording, the miracle is alluding to aspects of the Initiate's Self. A miracle regarding restoration of sight..or curing blindness.....is reflective of the Initiate's own spiritual sights being renewed. Those referring to paralyzation...are reflective of the Initiate's "intellect" finding freedom from the confinement and restraints of orthodox views. This goes well with what I was saying about allowing the miracle to work within the moment. Shaking off historicity...is a crucial step... Much like one of the great teachers of the Rosicrucian Order....upon finishing his lessons..was told not to divulge any of the secret teachings to the public......that the mysteries were meant to be kept secret... He chose to do otherwise.....and share them all...and in doing so..passed his final lesson. There are certain minds that hold the historical and factual aspects as truths...but upon reaching a certain point...such a claim has no usefulness....other than to divert those who are either not ready..or not willing... to empty themSelves..and be-come light-er. Note this has nothing to do with "knowing" more than anyone else... Cuz the more you know...the more information you retain... The more information you retain, the less empty you are... And on that note...let's look into the Wedding at Cana... This is the first "miracle" mentioned in the Gospel of John..which sorta sets the tone.... We immediately find ourSelves in a diiferent awarenss than the three prior gospels.... We enter with the mother of Jesus already at the Wedding... She represents the "bearer"...the "nurturer"..and assures us we are in safe hands... as she approves of this Initial transformation... Not only is Jesus "invited" but so are his disciple... All represent aspects of the Self or Initiate about to be transformed. Nottice how, Jesus claims his hour has not come..yet his mother "initiates" the process... Much like one would receive at an actual wedding...this is the "blessing" for what's about to occur.."spiritually".. John uses the word "mother" not Mary... not just because it's a non-historical occurance or event.... It's all allegorized..but to emphasize...motherly qualities of God that oversee and bless the soul during Initiations. Now, verse 6..is awesome! Here we find 6 waterpots set for the Feast of Purification...which are "empty".. This would indicate 6 aspects of Self about to be transformed. I mentioned Jesus and the disciples were "invited" and that they represented aspects of Self, correct? Jesus..as center does not completely empty...but figuratively...to emphasize a "total" change... Interestingly enough...in chapter 1 of John's gospel...verses 35-51...which pertain to Jesus' converting of the disciples...there is only mention of five. Two that left John the Baptist to follow Jesus (v37) One of whom named Andrew went and got his own brother Simon Peter. This makes three. Then Jesus found Philip (v43) And Philip found Nathanael(v45) Which brings us to 5 disciples... and Jesus makes 6. Now these pots are also.."stone"...as in "raw earthly" qualities about to be transformed...from the Center (Jesus)...outward.. Then we encounter two more numbers in verse 6..and that is...twenty (or) thirty... Some interpretations are as follows: 20=more refined emotions 30=the formal mind; third principle of the mortal personality The transformation commences with "water"..which sustains the physical life....and spiritual as well.. It cleanses...toxins..both physically and spiritually... But when the transformation happens.. this water which sustains life becomes something even "stronger"...which is symbolized by the change or fermentation into wine... Wine which was often used by Initiates as a symbol of the "intoxicating" feeling one experiences when filled with the Spirit of the Divine or Divinity... A common theme found in several Mysteries.... In verse 7, Jesus (Center) gives the order for the empty waterpots to be filled with water... Not only are they filled, but they are filled.."to the brim." This alludes to the head..and its reasoning, rationale, common sense, intellect..all the thinking capabilities are being re-set. This is where the transformation is acknowledged first.. Not where it happens..but where it is acknowledged. In verse 8...the transfer from (Center) outward commences...symbolized by the "drawing of water..." and taking it to the "Head-waiter". In verse 9...the Headwaiter tastes the water..he realizes it is wine..but does not know where it came from... In other words....the conscious mind cannot rationalize what has re-set it. It cannot reasonably explain the transformation and/or who or what is responsible. All it can really do..as we see toward the end of verse 9..is acknowledge that a change has occurred and that the change "spiritualy" ...also "mentally"..is better than before. The feeling is stronger... Now...we start to come away from the revelation knowing this experience is deeper...more profound..and there's more to come... Gratitude is expressed to Jesus who now takes the guise of the "bridegroom"..in verse 10...for the unusual way it came about.. We are reminded of the metaphors...regarding Yahweh..and Israel..and their marriage.. Here..Jesus is the Bridegroom...and the Initiate is the bride.. And we know..the bride "serves" the bridegroom.. The older reference regarded a whole people..but now in John's gospel we have a more personalize or intimate..marriage. Verse 10: "...Every man serves the good wine first, and when men have drunk freely, then that which is poorer; you have kept he good wine until now.." Starts off with making it clear that what we receive from "men" pales in comparison..to revelation in Jesus (Center).. Even the cost of the experinces....is compared..in that..those experiences coming by way of men..costs nothing.."drunk freely"..and afterwards is "poorer".... With Jesus (Center)..it only gets better.. ;0) And so ends the first of several "miracles" recorded only in John. I want to note also...that the word "Head-waiter..substituted in some scriptures the word "Steward".. This word brings to mind two references found in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians.. 1 Corinthians 4:1 "Steward of the Mysteries of God" 1 Corinthians 9:17 "For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me." The term itself has been found to refer to priests in the Mysteries of Serapis. Please know..this sharing of insights regarding the Marriage in Cana..was by no way..a lesson on how to read scriptures... It was my intention to share what I feel is a "deep realization" of scriptures.. What I experienced while reading this account in the gospel of John. The only aspect of this..which I did not go furher into..were the 6 earthly aspects transformed. This varies and depends upon the reader. Like one for me would be pride. There is also a means by which the disciples symbolize certain zodiac signs..which would give us the characteristics of the signs...to correlate to what undergoes transformation.. This however is a whole new in-sight.. It's an exciting process for me..the emptying..then receiving..then allowing it to manifest within me...then expressing the experience..which is not so easy.. IT will appear to many..you are reading an entirely different book... Their half right...because it is the same book....but a different language. At times I think about all the gospels that were written.... We have here..four. One could spend a lifetime "expeiencing " just one!! That's awesome.. With Greek Myths we have a similar type of experience..but far more "mental"... Their gods, heroes and villians..can all coincide with deeper aspects of the human psyche.. People often discard them as outlandish fables..but to "experience" them..is to explore the corners of your mind..both conscious..and subconscious... Anyways, John..I thank you again for allowing me to share this with you..and I'm looking forward to reading some of your own experiences and insights.. Your servant, Rev. Omar Khayyam Yeldell

`Marriage In Cana`

`by Rev. Omar Khayyam Yeldell`