Foci
The most popular and influential mystic tradition in Europe is as
follows:
Native Europeans believe that oneness with the spirit is best achieved
through meditation, a belief common to many mystic traditions. The most
spiritual amongst them will practice this every day, sometimes for many
hours at a time or with the help of prayer beads to help them concentrate on
the mantras. They also have regular community meetings in elaborate teepees
where they chant and perform rituals whilst incense and candles burn. At
these meetings, the natives believe the body and blood of the Noble Warrior
is reincarnated in the form of ritual foods and they can be imbued with
spirit by consuming these foods.
According to the mythology in the beginning there was a Great Spirit and
this spirit created the world so that the people might live in peace.
But the people did not live with the spirit in their hearts, so the Great
Spirit sent his child, the Noble Warrior, to be born amongst humans. A star
as bright as the moon shone in the sky, and when this child was born he was
was both wholly human and wholly spirit.
When the noble warrior grew up he learned of his fate and he was afraid. He
set off on a vision quest in the desert. Here he was tempted for 40 days and
nights by the Great Serpent. Yet he fasted and meditated and the Great
Spirit revealed itself to him and so he gave his life up to the spirit and
defeated the serpent.
Then the Noble Warrior became a teacher so that others might follow his
path. He taught that birth and death are passing stages. He taught people to
follow the truth in their hearts and not to be bound by the rules of men,
and he taught them to give up their own egos and to let the spirit live
through them so that they might be at one with the universe.
Some of the natives were afraid of the power of the Noble Warrior
so they crucified him. But the warrior transcended death and returned
to inspire his followers to continue to live with the spirit.
Sound familiar yet?
Diana
MOQ.org - http://www.moq.org
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