The Nazarene Way of Essenic Studies
~ THE HIGHER GROUND MOVEMENT ~
A Social Justice Movement based on the Core Principles of all Great Religions

"For ever and ever the influx of this better and more universal self is new and unsearchable.

Within us is the soul of the whole; the wise silence, the universal beauty, to which every part and particle is equally related; the Eternal One.

When it breaks through our intellect, it is genius; when it breathes through our will, it is virtue; when it flows through our affections, it is Love."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Oversoul

How many of us have spent much of our lives reading, searching, studying, hoping to find “the answer” to a nagging intuition that “something is missing” in our lives?

 

After reading all the books on Self-Help, World Religions, Biblical Studies, The Rise and Fall of Great Empires, Biographies of Great People - everything that might provide “the answer” - most of us remain with the nagging feeling that “something’s missing.”

 

Our web site was created to be an Internet Reference Library of Spiritual Works found in ancient documents from around the world. It has served as a reference source for hundreds of students of all ages – high school, college, and self-taught. It covers subjects from Agnosticism to Zen – with virtually all spiritual topics that fall between the two. Our almost-daily Communications suggest techniques for reaching higher levels of enlightenment and understanding of ancient sacred texts. We’ve shared the Wisdom of Pythagoras, Philo, Solomon, and Yeshua/Jesus.

 

But what does it mean to study, discourse, and meditate if we don’t act on what we find? The current political climate turns most of us off – if not worse (some get sucked into the heated debates). Does our “understanding” mean we reject the divisive politics of the time? Does it mean we jump into the fray? Or does it offer the opportunity to ACT on what we’ve learned?

 

Recently, an immensely popular radio and TV personality attacked churches that use the words, “Social Justice” in descriptions of their goals. This statement most likely contributed to a rather rapid decline in his ratings - even the most conservative of Christians knows full well that Jesus’ most important words were NOT that he died for the remission of sins (He never made that claim) but that all of those who profess to follow him are to seek Justice for all classes of society.

 

Jesus’ first words, according to Luke, were read from Isaiah 58:6-9 and repeated, in essence, at 61:1-2. What follows the verses Jesus read aloud from Luke is worth quoting, as well:  

 

Isaiah 61:1-11:

 

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the slaves, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Jerusalem – to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

 

“Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, foreigners shall till your land and dress your vines; but you shall be called priests of the Lord, you shall be named ministers of our God; you shall enjoy the wealth of the nations, and in their riches you shall glory. Because their shame was double, and dishonor was proclaimed as their lot, therefore they shall possess a double portion; everlasting joy shall be theirs.

 

“For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and inequity; I will faithfully give them their reward, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.

 

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.”

 

Isaiah 58:6-12

 

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed to free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.

 

“If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.”

 

Of all the choices within the Torah that Jesus could have opened his ministry with, he chose to read from Isaiah 58, repeated at Isaiah 6l. He concluded the scripture reading with these words:

 

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

 

This “Social Justice” agenda was repeated throughout Jesus’ ministry:

 

“I say to you who listen, Love (even your enemies), do good (even for those who hate you), bless (even those who curse you), pray (even for those who abuse you). If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. DO TO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO TO YOU.” (Luke 6:27-31)

 

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you.” (Luke 6:37-38)

 

The news media seems obsessed with the “Tea Party Movement” but remains unaware of another equally important movement, probably because a short, catchy name hasn’t yet been attached to it. It’s known variously as “Progressive Christianity,” “Social Justice Christianity,” and “Red Letter Christians.” Some Jews call their movement, “Tikkun Olam” (healing the world); Catholics, “Catholic Ecological Awareness, Spirituality & Action,” et. al; Buddhists, “The Way of the Bodhisattva”; Muslims “Progressive Islam” and “Islamic Humanism.”

 

Our personal preference would be an all-inclusive term that describes the common ground of all the great religions of the world, as well as those people who subscribe to none. Perhaps:

 

“The Higher Ground Movement”

 

If a single, all-inclusive, catchy name can be attached to this movement, and it can be spread throughout the world, perhaps it will overtake, encompass, and embrace those in the U.S. who call themselves “Tea Partiers” and others around the world who preach division and promote fear. Perhaps some of them will see the wisdom of embracing the common goals of those who work for Social Justice by seeking accurate information, acting on that information with wisdom, and becoming non-judgmental of the differences between cultures and philosophies.

 

The core desire of all people is simple and basic:

 

A means to provide for their families without fear of oppression, domestic or foreign,  by those motivated by excessive greed and an unquenchable thirst for power.

 

Here are some brief excerpts from the "Progressive Arms" of the largest of the “Great Religions” and their work to uplift the Planet and its People:

 

CHRISTIANS

 

Excerpted from: http://www.sojo.net/?action=about_us.redletterchristians

 

Who We Are

 

"The Red Letter Christians are a network of effective, progressive, Christian communicators urging an open, honest and public dialogue on issues of faith and politics. We believe and seek to put in to action the red letter words in the Holy Bible spoken by Jesus. The goal of the group is to advance the message that our faith cannot be reduced to only two hot button social issues - abortion and homosexuality. Fighting poverty, caring for the environment, advancing peace, promoting strong families, and supporting a consistent ethic of life are all critical moral and biblical values.”

 

“Our nation is hungry for an open dialogue on moral values and its role in the public square. God is not a Republican or a Democrat, and candidates should be measured by examining an array of social and economic issues.”

 

JEWS

 

Excerpted from: http://www.jewishnews2day.com/jnt/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=130#top

 

“Sustainable and transformative tikkun olam (healing the world) comes from the inside out. This is your opportunity to create change that grows from conviction, connection and enlivening power!

“Through daily workshops, panels, meditation and prayer, we’ll be actively exploring how Jewish spirituality informs activism and how activism informs spirituality. As a participant in this unique retreat, you’ll join a microcosmic community that will be creating a model of how we’d like to live in the world.

“The retreat schedule will include daily morning sessions with Roberta Wall, daily afternoon sessions with Rabbi Andrew Hahn, explorations with various guest teachers and two inspiring lectures with Dr. Joan Borysenko. There will also be time in the schedule for full access to Isabella Freedman's hiking trails, lake, pool, yoga classes and more…”

 

CATHOLICS

 

Excerpted from: http://catholicecology.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/catholic-ecological-awareness-spirituality-action/

 

Catholic Ecological Awareness, Spirituality & Action

By lynnvinc

 

“…below is a positive view of just a few things Catholics are doing regarding the environment (in addition to what the popes and bishops have stated regarding the environment – see http://catholicecology.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/what-doest-the-catholic-church-say-about-the-environment ):

 

MUSLIMS

 

Excerpted from: http://www.spiritofcordoba.org/articles/36-what-is-progressive-islam.html

 

Progressive Islam as an Islamic humanism

 

“At the heart of a progressive Muslim interpretation is a simple yet radical idea: every human individual, female or male, Muslim or non-Muslim, rich or poor, northerner or southerner, has exactly the same intrinsic worth. The essential value of human life is God-given, and is in no way connected to culture, geography, or privilege. A progressive Muslim is one who is committed to the strangely controversial idea that the true measure of a human being's worth is a person's character, and not the oil under their soil or their particular flag. A progressive Muslim agenda is concerned with the ramifications of the premise that all members of the human race have this same intrinsic worth because each of us has the breath of God breathed into our being: wa nafakhtu fihi min ruhi. (Qur'an 15:29 and 38:72). This identification with the full humanity of all human beings amounts to nothing short of an Islamic Humanism.

 

BUDDHISTS

 

Excerpted from: http://www.essortment.com/all/whatisbodhisat_rfld.htm

 

What is Bodhisattva?

 

“In Tibetan Buddhism, a Bodhisatztva is anyone who is motivated by compassion and seeks enlightenment not only for him/herself but also for everyone...”

 

 “A Bodhisattva is motivated by pure compassion and love. Their goal is to achieve the highest level of being: that of a Buddha. Bodhisattva is a Sanskrit term which translates as: Bodhi [enlightenment] and sattva [being]. And their reason for becoming a Buddha is to help others. The Bodhisattva will undergo any type of suffering to help another sentient being, whether a tiny insect or a huge mammal. In Shakyamuni Buddha’s 'Perfection of Wisdom in 8,000 Lines' it states: “I will become a savior to all those beings, I will release them from all their sufferings.” If this sounds familiar to anyone not acquainted with Buddhism, then you only need to think of the example of  Jesus Christ, a true Bodhisattva.

 

“When someone first enters the way of the Bodhisattva, they develop Bodhicitta, or, mind of enlightenment. Even as a person strives towards such an exalted goal, they feel as though they are limited by the fact that they, too, are suffering. So that they can be of aid to others, they decide to become Buddhas for a Buddha is capable of unlimited compassion and wisdom. Also, Buddhas are able to relate to all others at whatever level is needed. To those of lesser intelligence, a Buddha will use simpler words; and to those of great intelligence, a Buddha can explain answers in a more exalted language.”

 

Hindus

 

Choosing from rather sparse information via Google, I could not resist sharing this from an Oklahoma Unitarian Universalist congregation. They are putting into practice the goal of this project.

 

Excerpted from: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=73258145633&topic=7596

 

“We're mostly people who practice Eastern religions. We have two Hindus, a Buddhist, a person who looks to Taoism and Shinto for their practices and spiritual inspiration, a few Agnostics, one Atheist, a Sikh, a Jain, and three quasi-Christians who prefer to look at Jesus from the perspectives of Hinduism or Buddhism rather than through traditional Christianity. The Sikh, Jain, Atheist, and Agnostics don't attend regularly, but the others do. Thus we're more of an Eastern Religions UU. We sit on the floor, etc.”

 

We invite these and all other philosophies to join in The Higher Ground Movement! With YouTube, the Internet, and the creative minds among us,

WE CAN OVERCOME

the irrational fear, anger, and hatred that threatens to perpetually divide humankind from one another, and from its Highest Potential.

 

Links to others working from Common Ground toward Higher Ground.

 

http://www.theosophical.org/

 

http://theos-newzealand.ning.com/

 

http://www.christ-community.net/index.htm

 

http://www.stmatthews.org.nz/nav.php?sid=441

 

http://www.iunion.org/

 

http://www.hostdiva.com/liberalchristians/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=28

 

http://www.tcpc.org/template/index.cfm

 

 

Please let us know if you have a web site that you’d like to have linked here.

nazannia@yahoo.com

 

PAX AMO LUX 

Return to The Nazarene Way main menu

The Nazarene Way of Essenic Studies
Email us at: Comments@TheNazareneWay.com
Join our Essene Holy Communions email list
Visit The Essene Book Store
Sign our Guest Book!