The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore
by Deepak Chopra
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Book Summary Information
Author: Deepak ChopraEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Format: Deckle Edge
Published: 2008-02-19
ISBN: 0307338312
Number of pages: 256
Publisher: Harmony
Product features:
- jesus
- Deepak Chopra
- The Christ We Cannot Ignore
- referenced book
- spiritual
Book Reviews of The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore
Book Review: Spirituality
Summary: 5 Stars
This book seems well written and it resonates well with me. Aside from what has been taught by religious doctrine and supported by many scriptures, Deepak talks about what he believes Jesus really meant when he said many of the things we remember and quote all the time. At 234 pages + index, the book is broken down into plain language, so it is easy to understand the opinions expressed by the writer. Copyright is 2008, so it is freshly written.
The Third Jesus indicates that there are 3 Jesus(es), the first being the historical Jesus of 2000 years ago. This is the Jesus whose teachings are the foundation of Christianity as thought and as theology. The second Jesus is the Son of God, who embodied an institutional religion, with its specific dogma, priesthood, and millions of devout believers. The third Jesus is the Cosmic Christ, a term being used often these days. The writer refers to the Cosmic Christ as the Jesus who embraces ALL humanity, not just those covered by the church built in his name. As a spiritual guide, the Cosmic Christ speaks to all who will listen, to help them access the God within and as a personal experience (without the middle man). This is the Christ who helps us to attain enlightenment or God-consciousness, or grace, as some call it. This book is dedicated to the Irish Christian Brothers in India who introduced Deepak to Jesus when he was a little boy.
Much of the book looks at sayings attributed to Jesus with an eye on the analysis of what he may have REALLY meant. For example, "you have been taught an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but I say don't resist evil. If someone hits you, let him hit you twice . . ."(Matthew 5:38-42) Many of us want revenge for the evil doers, but Jesus would have us "resist not evil" and forgive them. Did Jesus not submit himself to unjust trial, persecution, torture, and a horrible agonizing death? And what did he say on the cross? (Hint: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.") (Come on now--how many people do you know that would be screaming and cursing out the maggot-infested dogs to their last breath? But FORGIVE THEM? that takes somebody really special.) Anyway, the author tells us that when we live in a higher state of consciousness/awareness/vibration, "evil" does not hang around as it does when you are more susceptible to it. In other words, when you learn to find the peace within yourself, and NOT attach yourself to revenge or righteous indignation, you master anger and evil begins to release its hold on you. (and I thoroughly agree) Deepak goes to explain a great deal more on the subject.
This book is full of scriptures and passages and what Deepak believes to be the intended message of Jesus for each one, and for ALL people of all beliefs. Some of the many concepts addressed are: The Golden Rule, Karma (reeping and sowing), praying with faith, why you should pray if God already knows what you want, being in a state of higher awareness/consciousness at the soul level, judgement, materialism, etc. The book addresses common arguments of who the "real" Jesus is and the pros and cons of each (to help you consider the possibilities so you can make up your own mind). (Remember that about 313 AD, Emporer Constantine officially adopted Christianity but then banned many religious documents, such as the Gospel of Thomas. Now why would he go and do such a thing?)
The book includes a section on contemplation, similar to meditation, explaining what contemplation is and providing some scriptures to practice this deeper form of thinking with, where you go within yourself to seek a deeper meaning.
I met Deepak in the early 1990s at a Satellite television studio in Washington DC. He was doing a presentation on one of his earlier works and I was fortunate to be able to speak with him personally for a few minutes. Although I was not at the stage of awareness that I am now, I certainly sensed something very special about this man--a sort of knowledgeable peace. He was a pleasure to listen to and speak with. Today he is the author of over 50 books, translated into more than 35 languages. He has some excellent material out there on spirituality topics. One of my favorites is his 2-CD gold cover chakra balancing CD (check my other reviews for more info on that one.) I believe the man to be a well-educated spiritual being in human form.
I highly recommend this book and certainly agree with what I've read in it. I do not believe the concepts should be earth-shattering to anyone. Most likely, you know these things already, at your soul consciousness level if not at your conscious awareness level, but sometimes we need to be reminded. This would be a good book to share with friends and to re-read every so often. I do not believe bible-readers would be offended by its contents. It just encourages people to look more within themselves for deeper meaning and to hold others in love in your heart--complicated concepts broken down for easy reading. Remember that Jesus said to love one another.
Approximately 2/3rds through the book are "15 Steps to God-Consciousness: Lessons and Exercises". An example is #8 "resist not evil". Applying the Teaching: explains that it means overcoming evil without resisting it (and more detail). An exercise follows, explaining how to practice the concept by making a perception change. It involves facing your fears and hidden feelings. Evil has power over you ONLY WHEN YOU GIVE IT POWER. (This concept alone is priceless, once you really get it.)
Throughout the book, there are a lot of comments similar to ". . .as you progress on the spiritual path, you begin to see/feel/experience X/Y/Z, etc." I have personally experienced many of these, as he says them to be true. Some examples: as you begin to achieve a higher level of consciousness: you feel more secure and positive about yourself, you exist in peace with others, you drop the habits of criticizing and complaining, life is no longer a competition "me" against "them", obsessive and compulsive thoughts lose their grip, negative thoughts are replaced by positive ones, you improve the atmosphere around you (by your presence), and many many more. (Personally, I have found it EXTREMELY difficult to be around negative people or people who disrespect others or themselves.)
Summary of The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore
Who is Jesus Christ?In The Third Jesus, bestselling author and spiritual leader Deepak Chopra provides an answer to this question that is both a challenge to current systems of belief and a fresh perspective on what Jesus can teach us all, regardless of our religious background. There is not one Jesus, Chopra writes, but three.
First, there is the historical Jesus, the man who lived more than two thousand years ago and whose teachings are the foundation of Christian theology and thought. Next there is Jesus the Son of God, who has come to embody an institutional religion with specific dogma, a priesthood, and devout believers. And finally, there is the third Jesus, the cosmic Christ, the spiritual guide whose teaching embraces all humanity, not just the church built in his name. He speaks to the individual who wants to find God as a personal experience, to attain what some might call grace, or God-consciousness, or enlightenment.
When we take Jesus literally, we are faced with the impossible. How can we truly ?love thy neighbor as thyself?? But when we see the exhortations of Jesus as invitations to join him on a higher spiritual plane, his words suddenly make sense.
Ultimately, Chopra argues, Christianity needs to overcome its tendency to be exclusionary and refocus on being a religion of personal insight and spiritual growth. In this way Jesus can be seen for the universal teacher he truly is?someone whose teachings of compassion, tolerance, and understanding can embrace and be embraced by all of us.
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