yuvgotmel
Well-Known Member
The Greek understanding of immortality did not necessarily exist in the physical nature of man (although it seemed semi-connected) rather it existed in the interactive relations on a cosmic scale. Just as seen with Minerva, the daughter of Jove, slipping in and out of multiple persons taking on their likeness, to speak through them, so too, the people viewed their own heroes immortal. Therefore, life after death was understood to be connected with their own lifes experiences, evidenced by their realities (as their loved ones spoke through other persons, animals and natural occurrences).
Reference above to "The Odyssey"
An example of this (spiritual understanding of life after death) can be seen throughout the Bible for the reader who is aware of the perceptions of the people of that era. Here is one example from the New Testament taken from John which concerns Mary Magdalenes visit to the tomb after Jesus death.
Notice that the text saws that she saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize it was him, and then after states that she thought he was the gardener. In my opinion, I have no doubt that who Mary Magdalene had seen was indeed the gardener.
That is in fact how the people of that time in history viewed the quintessence and the interchange of spirit.I believe the people, of that time, were more attuned to the cosmic movements, even on a quantum level, or what Einstein would have called Spooky actions at a distance.
Though it would be too long to list each occurrence in the Bible which reflects this, here is another example from the New Testament. The story is taken from Luke. It is apparently an example of Jesus resurrection. However it is not necessarily in the same body, but instead he comes in the form of a stranger.
It was not only in the form of another human host that the spirit of the gods were said to be able to travel to and fro through, but also in the natural behavior of animals and anomalous occurrences, as seen below an excerpt from "The Odyssey".
The above excerpt reminds me of the text in the New Testament were the Holy Spirit was said to descend upon Jesus at the time of his baptism by John the Baptist. The omens of seeing (certain) birds apparently meant specific things to the people of the Hellenistic world. At the same time, the behavior of animals, such as birds, is yet another example of how the people of that era viewed the interconnectedness of all things and their movements.
But the spirit which speaks through man is not limited to a specific form or identity. As seen in The Odyssey, Ulysses, while he was still known to be alive, was able to change forms and disguise himself in the form of a beggar.
Reference above to "The Odyssey"
An example of this (spiritual understanding of life after death) can be seen throughout the Bible for the reader who is aware of the perceptions of the people of that era. Here is one example from the New Testament taken from John which concerns Mary Magdalenes visit to the tomb after Jesus death.
John 20:13~15:
"They asked her, 'Woman, why are you crying?'
'They have taken my Lord away,' she said,
'and I don't know where they have put him.'
At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing
there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
'Woman,' he said, 'why are you crying? Who is it you
are looking for?'
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, 'Sire, if you
have carried him away, tell me where you have put him,
and I will get him.'
"They asked her, 'Woman, why are you crying?'
'They have taken my Lord away,' she said,
'and I don't know where they have put him.'
At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing
there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
'Woman,' he said, 'why are you crying? Who is it you
are looking for?'
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, 'Sire, if you
have carried him away, tell me where you have put him,
and I will get him.'
Notice that the text saws that she saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize it was him, and then after states that she thought he was the gardener. In my opinion, I have no doubt that who Mary Magdalene had seen was indeed the gardener.
That is in fact how the people of that time in history viewed the quintessence and the interchange of spirit.I believe the people, of that time, were more attuned to the cosmic movements, even on a quantum level, or what Einstein would have called Spooky actions at a distance.
Though it would be too long to list each occurrence in the Bible which reflects this, here is another example from the New Testament. The story is taken from Luke. It is apparently an example of Jesus resurrection. However it is not necessarily in the same body, but instead he comes in the form of a stranger.
Luke 24:13~19:
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus,
about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other
about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these
things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with
them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
He asked them, What are you discussing together as you walk along?
They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas,
asked him, Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things
that have happened there in these days?
What things? he (Jesus) asked.
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus,
about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other
about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these
things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with
them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
He asked them, What are you discussing together as you walk along?
They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas,
asked him, Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things
that have happened there in these days?
What things? he (Jesus) asked.
It was not only in the form of another human host that the spirit of the gods were said to be able to travel to and fro through, but also in the natural behavior of animals and anomalous occurrences, as seen below an excerpt from "The Odyssey".
Then Minerva answered, "Sir, you have spoken well,
and it will be much better that Telemachus should do as you have said;
he, therefore, shall return with you and sleep at your house, but I must
go back to give orders to my crew, and keep them in good heart.
I am the only older person among them; the rest are all young men of
Telemachus' own age, who have taken this voyage out of
friendship; so I must return to the ship and sleep there. Moreover
to-morrow I must go to the Cauconians where I have a large sum of
money long owing to me. As for Telemachus, now that he is your guest,
send him to Lacedaemon in a chariot, and let one of your sons go with
him. Be pleased also to provide him with your best and fleetest horses."
When she [Minerva] had thus spoken, she flew away in the form
of an eagle, and all marvelled as they beheld it. Nestor was astonished,
and took Telemachus by the hand. "My friend," said he, "I see that you
are going to be a great hero some day, since the gods wait upon you thus
while you are still so young. This can have been none other of those who
dwell in heaven than Jove's redoubtable daughter, the Trito-born, who
showed such favour towards your brave father among the Argives."
"Holy queen," he continued, "vouchsafe to send down thy grace upon
myself, my good wife, and my children. In return, I will offer you in sacrifice a broad-browed heifer of a year old, unbroken, and never yet brought by man under the yoke. I will gild her horns, and will offer her up to you in sacrifice."
~~ The Odyssey (Book III)
and it will be much better that Telemachus should do as you have said;
he, therefore, shall return with you and sleep at your house, but I must
go back to give orders to my crew, and keep them in good heart.
I am the only older person among them; the rest are all young men of
Telemachus' own age, who have taken this voyage out of
friendship; so I must return to the ship and sleep there. Moreover
to-morrow I must go to the Cauconians where I have a large sum of
money long owing to me. As for Telemachus, now that he is your guest,
send him to Lacedaemon in a chariot, and let one of your sons go with
him. Be pleased also to provide him with your best and fleetest horses."
When she [Minerva] had thus spoken, she flew away in the form
of an eagle, and all marvelled as they beheld it. Nestor was astonished,
and took Telemachus by the hand. "My friend," said he, "I see that you
are going to be a great hero some day, since the gods wait upon you thus
while you are still so young. This can have been none other of those who
dwell in heaven than Jove's redoubtable daughter, the Trito-born, who
showed such favour towards your brave father among the Argives."
"Holy queen," he continued, "vouchsafe to send down thy grace upon
myself, my good wife, and my children. In return, I will offer you in sacrifice a broad-browed heifer of a year old, unbroken, and never yet brought by man under the yoke. I will gild her horns, and will offer her up to you in sacrifice."
~~ The Odyssey (Book III)
The above excerpt reminds me of the text in the New Testament were the Holy Spirit was said to descend upon Jesus at the time of his baptism by John the Baptist. The omens of seeing (certain) birds apparently meant specific things to the people of the Hellenistic world. At the same time, the behavior of animals, such as birds, is yet another example of how the people of that era viewed the interconnectedness of all things and their movements.
But the spirit which speaks through man is not limited to a specific form or identity. As seen in The Odyssey, Ulysses, while he was still known to be alive, was able to change forms and disguise himself in the form of a beggar.
When Helen had put this drug in the bowl, and had told the servants to serve the wine round, she said:
"Menelaus, son of Atreus, and you my good friends,
sons of honourable men (which is as Jove wills, for he
is the giver both of good and evil, and can do what he
chooses), feast here as you will, and listen while I
tell you a tale in season. I cannot indeed name every
single one of the exploits of Ulysses, but I can say
what he did when he was before Troy, and you Achaeans
were in all sorts of difficulties. He covered himself
with wounds and bruises, dressed himself all in rags,
and entered the enemy's city looking like a menial or a
beggar. and quite different from what he did when he
was among his own people. In this disguise he entered
the city of Troy, and no one said anything to him. I
alone recognized him and began to question him, but he
was too cunning for me. When, however, I had washed and
anointed him and had given him clothes, and after I had
sworn a solemn oath not to betray him to the Trojans
till he had got safely back to his own camp and to the
ships, he told me all that the Achaeans meant to do. He
killed many Trojans and got much information before he
reached the Argive camp, for all which things the
Trojan women made lamentation, but for my own part I
was glad, for my heart was beginning to oam after my
home, and I was unhappy about wrong that Venus had done
me in taking me over there, away from my country, my
girl, and my lawful wedded husband, who is indeed by no
means deficient either in person or understanding."
~~ The Odyssey (Book IV)
"Menelaus, son of Atreus, and you my good friends,
sons of honourable men (which is as Jove wills, for he
is the giver both of good and evil, and can do what he
chooses), feast here as you will, and listen while I
tell you a tale in season. I cannot indeed name every
single one of the exploits of Ulysses, but I can say
what he did when he was before Troy, and you Achaeans
were in all sorts of difficulties. He covered himself
with wounds and bruises, dressed himself all in rags,
and entered the enemy's city looking like a menial or a
beggar. and quite different from what he did when he
was among his own people. In this disguise he entered
the city of Troy, and no one said anything to him. I
alone recognized him and began to question him, but he
was too cunning for me. When, however, I had washed and
anointed him and had given him clothes, and after I had
sworn a solemn oath not to betray him to the Trojans
till he had got safely back to his own camp and to the
ships, he told me all that the Achaeans meant to do. He
killed many Trojans and got much information before he
reached the Argive camp, for all which things the
Trojan women made lamentation, but for my own part I
was glad, for my heart was beginning to oam after my
home, and I was unhappy about wrong that Venus had done
me in taking me over there, away from my country, my
girl, and my lawful wedded husband, who is indeed by no
means deficient either in person or understanding."
~~ The Odyssey (Book IV)
Matthew 25:34~36:
Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.