Quotes taken from "The Coming of the Cosmic Christ"

This page is a collection of quotes from mostly Western and Christian sources, taken from the book ("The Coming of the Cosmic Christ", by Mathew Fox, Harper & Row, 1988). These quotes relate to many aspects of the nature of reality, with perspectives ranging from mystic to scientific. The book itself discusses the primacy of the mystic paradigm, the implications of our estrangement from the mystic dimension of life and the path toward reconnecting with our deepest roots.

General Topics:
Mysticism,
Science,
Global Awakening,
The Creator,
The Word of God,
God in All Things.

Mysticism

Normal consciousness is a state of stupor, in which the sensibility to the wholly real and responsiveness to the stimuli of the spirit are reduced. The mystics, knowing that man is involved in a hidden history of the cosmos, endeavor to awake from the drowsiness and apathy and to regain the state of wakefulness for their enchanted souls.” (Abraham Heschel)

In orthodox Christianity there is a dangerous inclination to abandon the ecstatic dimension of our relatedness to God... By contrast, the great saints kept the fire of ecstacy alive and understood our capacity to praise God in creation as a form of participation in life's ecstacy.” (Dorothy Soelle)

O seekers, remember, all distances are traversed by those who yearn to be near the source of their being.” (Kabir)

It is easier to sail many thousands of miles through cold and storm and cannibals, in a government ship, with five hundred men and boys to assist one, than it is to explore the private sea, the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean of one's being alone.” (Henry David Thoreau)

In each generation she [wisdom] passes into holy souls,
she makes them friends of God and prophets.
” (Bible, Wisdom 7:27)

Science

The concepts of science show strong similarities to the concepts of the mystics... The philosophy of mystical traditions, the perenial philosophy, is the most consistent philosphical background to modern science.” (Fritjof Capra)

The reception of a new paradigm often necessitates a redefinition of the corresponding science. Some old problems may be relegated to another science or declared entirely "unscientific". Others that were previously non-existent or trivial may, with a new paradigm, become the very archetypes of significant scientific achievement.” (Thomas Kuhn)

Mere purposive rationality unaided by such phenomena as art, religion, dreams, and the like, is necessarily pathologic and destructive to life.” (Gregory Bateson)

The Creator

Also see Computational Paradigm and Other Metaphysical Paradigms.

I came forth from the mouth of the Most High
and I covered the earth like mist.
I had my tent in the heights,
and my throne in a pillar of cloud.
Alone I encircle the vault of the sky,
and I walk on the bottom of the deeps.
Over the waves of the sea and over the whole earth,
and over every people and nation I have held sway
.............
From eternity, in the beginning, he created me,
and from eternity I shall remain.
.............
Approach me, you who desire me,
and take your fill of my fruits.
” (Bible, Sirach. 24:5-6, 9, 26)

I have often said God is creating this entire world full and entire in this present now... There where time never penetrates, where no image shines in, in the innermost and highest aspect of the soul God creates the entire cosmos.” (Meister Eckhart)

The whole world... [is] a certain representation of the divine wisdom conceived within the mind of the Father.” (Thomas Aquinas)

The absolute, Divine Mind, is all that is in everything that is... Divinity is the enfolding and unfolding of everything that is. Divintiy is in all things in such a way that all things are in divinity... There is only one mirror without flaw: the Divine, in whom what is revealed is received as it is. For this mirror is not essentially different from any existing thing. Rather in every existing thing it is that which is: it is the universal form of being.” (Nicholas of Cusa)

God loves all creatures as God... God enjoys all creatures, not as creatures, but enjoys the creatures as God. In the same enjoyment in which God enjoys the Godself, God enjoys all things.” (Meister Eckhart)

“[Wisdom] pervades and permeates all things...
[She is] a breath of the power of God [and] a reflection of the eternal light,
untarnished mirror of God's active power, image of his goodness...
Although alone, she can do all;
herself unchanging, she makes all things new.
” (Bible, Wisdom 7:24-26)

Wisdom is eternal, for it precedes every beginning and all created reality... [It is] everywhere... in every tastable thing... burning in all things... the animating power of things... [Wisdom] tastes us. And there is nothing more delicious to comprehend.” (Nicholas of Cusa)

Its source I do not know because it has none.
And yet from this, I know, all sources come,
Although by night.

I know that no created thing could be so fair
And that both earth and heaven drink from there,
Although by night.

Its radiance is never clouded and in this
I know that all light has its genesis,
Although by night.
......................

The current welling from this fountain's source
I know to be as mighty as its force,
Although by night.
” (John of the Cross)

The being of things is itself their light and the measure of the being of a thing is the measure of its light.” (Thomas Aquinas)

Before creation a presence existed
Self-contained, complete, formless, voiceless, mateless
Changeless
Which yet pervaded itself
With unending motherhood.
” (Lao-Tzu)

Everything is full and pure at its source and precisely there, not outside.” (Meister Eckhart)

In Christ were created all things in heaven and earth: everything visible and invisible... Before anything was created, Christ existed, and Christ holds all things in unity.” (Bible, Colossians 1:15-17)

Yahweh created me when his purpose first unfolded,
before the oldest of his works.
From everlasting I was firmly set,
from the beginning, before earth came into being.
The deep was not, when I was born,
there were no springs to gush with water
Before the mountains were settled,
before the hills, I came to birth;
before he made the earth, the countryside,
or the first grains of the world's dust.
When he fixed the heavens firm, I was there
” (Bible, Proverbs. 8:22-26)

See! I am God. See! I am in everything. See! I never lift my hands from my works, nor will I ever. See! I lead everything toward the purpose for which I ordained it, without beginning, by the same Power, Wisdom and Love by which I created it. How could anything be amiss?” (Julian of Norwich)

“[Moses said to God]If they ask me what your name is, what am I to tell them? [And God said] I AM who I AM. [This] is what you must say to the children of Israel: ... I AM has sent me to you.” (Bible, Exodus, 3:13-14)

I who am the Ancient of Days, do declare that I am the day by myself alone. I am the day that does not shine by the sun; rather by me the sun is ignited... I have created mirrors in which I consider all the wonders of my originality which will never cease. I have prepared for myself these mirror forms so that they may resonate in a song of praise. For I have a voice like the thunderbolt by which I keep in motion the entire universe in the living sounds of all creation. This I have done, I who am the Ancient of Days.” (Hildegard of Bingen)

The Word of God

Also see Cognitive Theoretic Model of the Universe and SMN and Self-Configuring Self-Processing Language.

In the beginning was the Word:
the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
This Word was with God in the beginning.
Through it all things came to be,
not one thing had its being but through it.
All that came to be had life in it
and that life was the light of the people,
a light that shines in the dark
a light that darkness could not overpower.
..................
But to all who did accept this Word
it gave the power to become children of God
” (Bible, John. 1:1-5,12)

Without the Word of God no creature has meaning.
God's Word is in all creation, visible and invisible.
The Word is living, being, spirit, all verdant greening, all creativity.
This Word manifests in every creature.
Now this is how the spirit is in the flesh - the Word is indivisible from God.
” (Hildegard of Bingen)

God is constantly speaking only one thing. God's speaking is one thing. In this one utterance God speaks the Son and at the same time the Holy Spirit and all creatures.” (Meister Eckhart)

Creatures can be called God's Words... [they] manifest God's mind just like effects manifest their causes.” (Thomas Aquinas)

In this Word the Creator speaks my spirit, your spirit, and the spirit of every person who resembles the Word. And in this utterance you and I are true sons and daughters of God, as the Word itself is child of the Creator.” (Meister Eckhart)

Your human nature and that of the divine Word are no different.” (Meister Eckhart)

The spirit of the Lord, indeed, fills the whole world, and that which holds all things together knows every word that is said.” (Bible, Wisdom, 1:7)

The Logos of creation in whom all things were created can be nothing other than divine wisdom.” (Nicholas of Cusa)

Every creature is a word of God and a book about God... Divinity shines forth in creatures as the truth of a reflected image.” (Nicholas of Cusa)

Not from the book: “The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.” (Bible, Zechariah, 12:1)

God in All Things

It is God whom human beings know in every creature.” (Hildegard of Bingen)

Lay hold of God in all things and this will be a sign of your birth, a sign that God has given birth in you as the only begotten Son, and nothing less.” (Meister Eckhart)

The day of my spiritual awakening was the day I saw and knew I saw all things in God and God in all things.” (Mechtild of Magdeburg)

In my understanding I saw God in a point. In seeing this I saw that God is in all things. God works in creatures because God is in the mid-point of everything.” (Julian of Norwich)

I, the fiery life of divine wisdom,
I ignite the beauty of the plains,
I sparkle the waters,
I burn in the sun, and the moon, and the stars.
With wisdom I order all rightly.
............
I adorn all the earth.
I am the breeze that nurtures all things green.
............
I am the rain coming from the dew
that causes the grasses to laugh with the joy of life.
I call forth tears, the aroma of holy work.
I am the yearning for good.
” (Hildegard of Bingen)

I who am Divine am truly in you.
I can never be sundered from you:
However far we be parted, never can we be separated.
I am in you and you are in Me.
We could not be any closer.
We two are fused into one, poured into a single mould.
Thus, unwearied, we shall remain forever.
” (Mechtild of Magdeburg)

God poured the divine being in equal measure to all creatures, to each as much as it can receive. This is a good lesson for us that we should love all creatures equally with everything which we have received from God.. The greatest blessing in heaven and on earth is based on equality.” (Meister Eckhart)

I, God, am your playmate!
I will lead the child in you in wonderful ways
for I have chosen you.
Beloved child, come swiftly to Me
for I am truly in you.
” (Mechtild of Magdeburg)

Each creature is a witness to God's power and omnipotence; and its beauty is a witness to the divine wisdom... Every creature participates in some way in the likeness of the Divine Essence.” (Thomas Aquinas)

Our Lord Jesus oftentimes said:
"This I am. This I am.
I am what you love.
I am what you enjoy.
I am what you serve.
I am what you long for.
I am what you desire.
I am what you intend.
I am all that is."
” (Julian of Norwich)

In heaven, our origin, before each soul and body
therein gleamed the reflection of the Holy Trinity.
...............
Each of us is a mirror of eternal contemplation,
with a reflection that must surely be that of the
living Son of God with all his works.
” (Mechtild of Magdeburg)

One day I saw with the eyes of my eternity
in bliss and without effort, a stone.
This stone was like a great mountain
and was of assorted colours.
It tasted sweet, like heavenly herbs.
I asked the sweet stone: Who are you?
It relplied: I am Jesus.
” (Mechtild of Magdeburg)

“[Disciples ask] Tell us when the kingdom of God is to come? [Jesus replies] Do not look here or there. For the kingdom of God is among you.” (Bible, Luke 17:20-21)

Global Awakening

Also see Global Awakening and Survey of Ancient Traditions.

Our age and that age of the first century [Christian era] have more in common than we think... Both times can be characterised as cosmically scared, frightened ages, caught under principalities and powers where tiny little human beings just know that they cannot do much, that they are not in control, that they are just caught.” (Krister Stendahl)

In the days to come - it is the Lord who speaks -
I will pour out my spirit on all humankind
Their sons and daughters shall prophesy,
your young people shall see visions,
your old people shall dream dreams.
” (Bible, Acts 2:17-18)

“[Divine Wisdom] allures us with a certain foretaste of its sweetness only to be swept toward it with a wonderful desire.[It dwells] in the parts of the body... the harmony and movement of the various organs... [and] the spirit of the mind which is capable of wondrous arts... The human mind is the all of its dreams... Mind itself supposing itself to encompass, survey and comprehend all things thus concludes that it is in everything and everything is in it... whatever is found in creatures is found in the Divine... We are, as it were, a human deity. Humans are also the universe, but not absolutely since we are human. Humanity is therefore a microcosm, or in truth, a human universe. Thus humanity itself encloses both God and the universe in its human power... Humanity will find that it is not a diversity of creeds, but the very same creed which is everwhere proposed... There cannot but be one wisdom.” (Nicholas of Cusa)

Wisdom calls aloud in the streets,
she raises her voice in the public squares;
she calls out at the street corners,
she delivers her message at the city gates.
” (Bible, Proverbs. 1:20-21)

“[Wisdom] deploys her strength from one end of the earth to the other,
ordering all things for good.
” (Bible, Wisdom 8:1)

The cosmos is fundamentally and primarily living... Christ, through his Incarnation, is internal to the world... rooted in the world, even in the very heart of the tiniest atom... Nothing seems to me more vital, from the point of view of human energy, than the appearance and eventually, the systematic cultivation of such a 'cosmic sense'.” (Teilhard de Chardin)

All creatures are gladly doing the best they can to express God... They are crying out to come back there where they have flowed out.” (Meister Eckhart)

As soon as the soul begins to grow the dust of sin falls away
and the soul becomes a god with God.
Then, what God wills the soul wills.
Otherwise, God and soul would not be united
in so beautiful a union.
” (Mechtild of Magdeburg)

When are we like God? I will tell you.
In so far as we love compassion and practice it steadfastly,
to that extent do we resemble the heavenly Creator
who practices these things ceaselessly in us.
” (Mechtild of Magdeburg)

It is given to every person to become the child of God, substantially indeed in Christ, but in himself or herself by adoption through grace.” (Meister Eckhart)

Everything that is in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, is penetrated with connectedness, penetrated with relatedness.” (Hildegard of Bingen)

Relation is the essence of everthing that is.” (Meister Eckhart)

In the just person there is fulfilled what the Holy Spirit and the prophets said about Christ... The seed of divine nature is the Son of God, the Word of God... The seed of God is in us... Now the seed of a pear tree grows into a pear tree... the seed of God into God... [It is] the good seed, the root of all wisdom, all knowledge, all virtue and all goodness.” (Meister Eckhart)

Divine am I inside and out, and I make holy whatever I touch or am touched from.
............
Why should I wish to see God better than this day?
I see something of God each hour of the twenty-four, and each moment then,
In the faces of men and women I see God, and in my own face in the glass;
I find letters from God dropped in the street, and every one is signed by God's name.
” (Walt Whitman)

And we, with our unveiled faces reflecting like mirrors the glory of the Lord, all grow brighter and brighter as we are turned into the image that we reflect.” (Bible, 2 Corinthians, 3:18)

God has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of the divine will, according to the divine purpose which God set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth.” (Bible, Ephesians, 1:9-10)

The heart that breaks open can contain the whole universe... All is registered in the 'boundless heart' of the bodhisattva. Through our deepest and innermost reponses to our world - to hunger and torture and the threat of annihilation - we touch that boundless heart.” (Joanna Macy)

Only those that have dared to let go can dare to re-enter” (Meister Eckhart)

His state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave, and became as humans are; and being as all humans are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross.” (Bible, Philippians, 2:6-8)

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