The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ. Levi
God unfolds. Man’s God today, tomorrow is not God.
17 The nations of the earth see God from different points of view, and so he does not seem the same to every one.
18 Man names the part of God he sees, and this to him is all of God; and every nation sees a part of God, and every nation has a name for God.
19 You Brahmans call him Parabrahm; in Egypt he is Thoth; and Zeus is his name in Greece; Jehovah is his Hebrew name; but everywhere he is the causeless Cause, the rootless Root from which all things have grown.
20 When men become afraid of God, and take him for a foe, they dress up other men in fancy garbs and call them priests,
21 And charge them to restrain the wrath of God by prayers; and when they fail to win his favor by their prayers, to buy him off with sacrifice of animal, or bird,
22 When man sees God as one with him, as Father-God, he needs no middle man, no priest to intercede;
23 He goes straight up to him and says, My Father-God! and then he lays his hand in God’s own hand, and all is well.
24 And this is God. You are, each one, a priest, just for yourself; and sacrifice of blood God does not want.
25 Just give your life in sacrificial service to the all of life, and God is pleased.
26 When Jesus had thus said he stood aside; the people were amazed, but strove among themselves.
27 Some said, He is inspired by Holy Brahm; and others said, He is insane; and others said, He is obsessed; he speaks as devils speak.
28 But Jesus tarried not. Among the guests was one, a tiller of the soil, a generous soul, a seeker after truth, who loved the words that Jesus spoke; and Jesus went with him, and in his home abode.
CHAPTER 29
Ajainin, a priest from Lahore, comes to Benares to see Jesus, and abides in the temple. Jesus refuses an invitation to visit the temple. Ajainin visits him at night in the farmer’s home, and accepts his philosophy.
Among Benares’ temple priests was one, a guest, Ajainin, from Lahore.
2 By merchantmen Ajainin heard about the Jewish boy, about his words of wisdom, and he girt himself and journeyed from Lahore that he might see the boy, and hear him speak.
3 The Brahmic priests did not accept the truth that Jesus brought, and they were angered much by what he said at the Udraka feast.
4 But they had never seen the boy, and they desired much to hear him speak, and they invited him to be a temple guest.
5 But Jesus said to them, The light is most abundant, and it shines for all; if you would see the light come to the light.
6 If you would hear the message that the Holy One has given me to give to men, come unto me.
7 Now, when the priests were told what Jesus said they were enraged.
8 Ajainin did not share their wrath, and he sent forth another messenger with costly gifts to Jesus at the farmer’s home; he sent this message with the gifts:
9 I pray you, master, listen to my words; The Brahmic law forbids that any priest shall go into the home of any one of low estate; but you can come to us;
10 And I am sure these priests will gladly hear you speak. I pray that you will come and dine with us this day.
11 And Jesus said, The Holy One regards all men alike; the dwelling of my host is good enough for any council of the sons of men.
12 If pride of caste keeps you away, you are not worthy of the light. My Father-God does not regard the laws of man.
13 Your presents I return; you cannot buy the knowledge of the Lord with gold, or precious gifts.
14 These words of Jesus angered more and more the priests, and they began to plot and plan how they might drive him from the land.
15 Ajainin did not join with them in plot and plan; he left the temple in the night, and sought the home where Jesus dwelt.
16 And Jesus said, There is no night where shines the sun; I have no secret messages to give; in light all secrets are revealed.
17 Ajainin said, I came from far-away Lahore, that I might learn about this ancient wisdom, and this kingdom of the Holy One of which you speak.
18 Where is the kingdom? where the king? Who are the subjects? what its laws?
19 And Jesus said, This kingdom is not far away, but man with mortal eyes can see it not; it is within the heart.
20 You need not seek the king in earth, or sea, or sky; he is not there, and yet is everywhere. He is the Christ of God; is universal love.
21 The gate of this dominion is not high, and he who enters it must fall down on his knees. It is not wide, and none can carry carnal bundles through.
22 The lower self must be transmuted into spirit-self; the body must be washed in living streams of purity.
23 Ajainin asked, Can I become a subject of this king?
24 And Jesus said, You are yourself a king, and you may enter through the gate and be a subject of the King of kings.
25 But you must lay aside your priestly robes; must cease to serve the Holy One for gold; must give your life, and all you have, in willing service to the sons of men.
26 And Jesus said no more; Ajainin went his way; and while he could not comprehend the truth that Jesus spoke, he saw what he had never seen before.
27 The realm of faith he never had explored; but in his heart the seeds of faith and universal brotherhood had found good soil.
28 And as he journeyed to his home he seemed to sleep, to pass through darkest night, and when he woke the Sun of Righteousness had arisen; he had found the king.
29 Now, in Benares Jesus tarried many days and taught.
CHAPTER 30
Jesus receives news of the death of his father. He writes a letter to his mother. The letter. He sends it on its way by a merchant.
One day as Jesus stood beside the Ganges busy with his work, a caravan, returning from the West, drew near.
2 And one, approaching Jesus, said, We come to you just from your native land and bring unwelcome news.
3 Your father is no more on earth; your mother grieves; and none can comfort her. She wonders whether you are still alive or not; she longs to see you once again.
4 And Jesus bowed his head in silent thought; and then he wrote. Of what he wrote this is the sum:
5 My mother, noblest of woman kind; A man just from my native land has brought me word that father is no more in flesh, and that you grieve, and are disconsolate.
6 My mother, all is well; is well for father and is well for you.
7 His work in this earth-round is done, and it is nobly done.
8 In all the walks of life men cannot charge him with deceit, dishonesty, nor wrong intent.
9 Here in this round he finished many heavy tasks, and he has gone from hence prepared to solve the problems of the round of soul.
10 Our Father-God is with him there, as he was with him here; and there his angel guards his footsteps lest he goes astray.
11 Why should you weep? Tears cannot conquer grief. There is no power in grief to mend a broken heart.
12 The plane of grief is idleness; the busy soul can never grieve; it has no time for grief.
13 When grief comes trooping through the heart, just lose yourself; plunge deep into the ministry of love, and grief is not.
14 Yours is a ministry of love, and all the world is calling out for love.
15 Then let the past go with the past; rise from the cares of carnal things and give your life for those who live.
16 And if you lose your life in serving life you will be sure to find in it the morning sun, the evening dews, in song of bird, in flowers,