In Christianity and Hinduism, both Jesus and the concept of maya address the illusionary nature of the material world. Where maya veils the soul from ultimate truth, Jesus teaches us to look beyond earthly attachments and find the kingdom of God within. He invites us to spiritual liberation, much like the Buddhist path away from suffering, by redirecting our focus from worldly distractions to divine reality.
Christ’s Resurrection Cycle and Samsara
In Hinduism, samsara represents the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, fueled by karma and attachment to the material world. However, this concept can also be paralleled with the cycle of Christ’s resurrection. In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Just as samsara keeps the soul in bondage to the cycle of rebirth, Jesus offers a way out—a path toward eternal life with the Father.
Jesus’ death and resurrection represent a transformative event, where the believer follows Christ through death and is reborn into eternal life. Romans 6:4 reflects this idea: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too may live a new life.” This mirrors the Hindu idea of liberation (moksha) from samsara—where believers are no longer bound to the cycles of birth and death, but enter into eternal union with God.
The key teaching here is that Jesus tells us not to seek attachment to anything earthly. He invites us, saying, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20). Our focus should always be on the Father, not the material world, much like Hinduism urges one to transcend maya and seek the divine.
Do Not Seek Comfort in the World, Seek the Father Alone
Jesus repeatedly emphasizes that worldly comforts and human recognition are fleeting, and believers should instead seek eternal truth in God. In Matthew 6:1-5, he warns against doing good deeds for public recognition, stating, “Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.” Jesus makes it clear that those who seek comfort and reward from the world will miss the greater reward of the Father.
Moreover, Christ explicitly instructs us to seek the Father through him and to regard only the Father once we have entered into divine union. John 14:28 reveals Jesus’ humility and dedication to God: “The Father is greater than I.” This reflects a deep spiritual truth, reminding believers that even the divine Son points to the Father as the ultimate destination. This teaching resonates with the Hindu concept of seeking moksha—where once you have attained liberation, the ultimate truth, you transcend attachment to material existence.
The Shepherd and the Spirits: Psalms and Revelation
In Psalm 23, the famous words “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” reflect the comforting guidance of Yahweh over His people, much like the path Jesus offers to salvation. This same shepherding imagery continues in Psalm 89:8-9, where it is written, “Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.” Here, the Lord is not only a shepherd but a ruler over the forces of nature and the spiritual realms.
These same spirits and divine forces are later addressed in Revelation 17, where seven mountains are mentioned, representing seven kings (or powers). This chapter describes the harlot seated on many waters, signifying the rule over nations, peoples, and multitudes. Interestingly, this can be interpreted as a reference to the spiritual forces governing different regions of the world. These other “mountains” symbolize the faiths and beliefs across continents, ruled by different spirits. Yet, above them all, Yahweh reigns supreme as the shepherd over His chosen flock. In Psalm 23, Yahweh’s staff and rod are symbols of divine protection, guiding believers away from the deception of other faiths and false spirits.
The spirits of the other mountains, though given dominion in their territories, ultimately serve under Yahweh, who rules above all. This echoes Jesus’ warning in Matthew 24:23-24: “At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Jesus cautions believers not to be misled by false prophets or teachings that attempt to divert their focus away from the true God.
Syncretism of Ayahuasca and Aleister Crowley’s Aiwass
As the New Age movement continues to grow, blending traditional spiritual practices with occult influences, there is a striking example in the use of ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic brew used in Amazonian shamanism. The spiritual experiences people report often parallel the practices Aleister Crowley espoused in his communications with his “Holy Guardian Angel,” Aiwass.
Crowley, one of the most notorious occult figures, claimed that Aiwass was a being who guided him into deeper spiritual knowledge. Many modern spiritual seekers have reported encountering similar “entities” during ayahuasca ceremonies, beings who offer insights and guidance that lead people away from traditional religious faiths—particularly Christianity. But as Jesus warns in John 10:1-5, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” The beings people encounter in such practices may seem enlightening, but they often deceive and lead people astray from the protection of God.
Jesus also warns about those who preach other forms of spirituality, saying, “Do not be deceived… when people say, ‘Here is the temple’ or ‘There is the temple,’ for we know that the temple is within” (Luke 17:21). The teachings of the New Age movement, including energy vampirism and astral projection, may seem like paths to spiritual freedom but ultimately distort the protection that Christ provides. Those who believe in such concepts, without faith in Christ, allow the enemy to “break in and steal” their spiritual inheritance.
A Schema for Liberation: Through Christ, Not the Illusions
Jesus provides a clear path for liberation, much like Buddha outlined a path to enlightenment. Yet, the focus of Christ’s teachings centers not on escaping samsara but on transcending the cycles of death through his resurrection and the eternal promise of life with the Father. Here’s a potential schema:
- Awareness of Illusion (Maya): Jesus calls us to see beyond the distractions of the world. “Do not store up treasures on earth” (Matthew 6:19-20), he says, pointing us toward heavenly treasure.
- Detachment from Materialism: Jesus teaches that earthly wealth and recognition will pass away, urging us to store spiritual treasures in heaven, much like transcending maya.
- Divine Union through Christ: Jesus says, “I am the way… No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Christ is the path to God and liberation from the illusions of this world.
- Following the Commandments: Much like Buddha’s moral precepts, Jesus’ commandments (and the Ten Commandments) direct us away from earthly attachments, toward a life rooted in love, humility, and faith.
- Resisting Deception: Jesus warns about false prophets, encouraging believers to recognize that the temple is within and not to be led astray by other spiritual paths.
Conclusion: The Eternal Temple Within
In both Hinduism and Christianity, the path to liberation is recognizing the illusion of materialism. But while Hinduism speaks of samsara and maya, Christ speaks of resurrection and eternal life. He offers a path to the Father, teaching that the kingdom of God is within and urging us not to be deceived by worldly illusions or false teachings. Jesus, like a shepherd, guides us away from the thief who would steal our spiritual inheritance. Through him, we find eternal life and liberation from the cycle of death.
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