Before I went deeper into the teachings of Mary Magdalene, all I knew about her was that she was a prostitute who then became a follower of Jesus and was the first to witness to his resurrection. As I studied her more deeply, I learned that not only was Mary Magdalene not a prostitute, but very likely Jesus’ companion, and a prominent Jewish woman who was a benefactress of his ministry. She may even be considered the first apostle because while accompanying Jesus, she was able to fully grasp his teachings and find an inner spiritual authority that had nothing to do with external dogma or institutionalized religion. Jesus appeared to her first after his resurrection because she was open to perceiving the Christ within; so, she was also the “apostle of the apostles,” since she first brought this news to the other apostles.
However, as I write this blog today, I realize that it really does not matter if she was a prostitute or not. In the end, she was able to transcend this duality of right and wrong, good and bad, and show us a way out.
Being lifted above our ideas of rightdoing and wrongdoing
Can you see that if we try to untangle ourselves from shame, guilt, self-doubt, or unworthiness by evaluating our actions or that of another, we can never be at peace? We will be looking at ourselves or another through the eyes of judgment and so someone or something will have to be wrong or guilty. It is a vicious cycle of shame, blame, and guilt- like we are forever passing around a hot potato hoping we don’t get stuck with it at the end. Or perhaps, we have so internalized our shame and anger at ourselves that we have sunk into numbness, apathy, or depression. Either way, we know at some level that there must be an easier way out of this seemingly impossible situation. This is where Mary Magdalene, whom I call Maggie, can our trusted friend and guide.
Maggie understood what the famous Sufi poet Rumi says:
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and rightdoing there is a field.
I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass
the world is too full to talk about.”
Let’s go deeper with this idea of a field beyond right and wrong. For me, this feels like a quantum field, a field of forgiveness where we bask in self-acceptance, love, and total awareness of our innocence and that of everyone else. We can say this is the real world that we read about in the teachings of A Course in Miracles or the kingdom of love, peace, and joy within our mind and hearts that Jesus, Maggie, and so many nondual spiritual traditions lead us towards.
Moving into an experience
I am feeling inspired to share a guided meditation/reflection that I created a few years ago which I hope will lead you into an experience of the field of Rumi, beyond all right doing and wrong doing. You can listen to the audio recording here.
We are half way along our journey today and I feel this is a good day for you to rest in quiet, stillness, journal, reflect, and perhaps review the previous posts if you feel inspired.
I will be back tomorrow with more! Also if you feel inspired to join with mighty companions from all over the world for a live Zoom session where we will come together to share our experiences, please read below for all the details.
Zoom gathering
Our zoom circle is being held on Saturday May 30th at 11am to 1pm EDT.
We will join in healing, sharing our experiences, and gather for meditation/prayer as well. I know it will be a heart-opening and healing session for us all!
To reserve your spot, please send payment for $25 here. Once I receive your payment, I will add you to the list of participants and you will receive the zoom details the night before the online gathering.
If you prefer to pay via check, you can make it payable to Seema Khaneja and mail to PO Box 18373, Rochester, NY 14618. Let me know you plan to do this so I can add your list to the participant list.
If you feel inspired to attend the online gathering but need some financial help, there are some scholarships available so please email me soon so we can secure your spot. Also, if you feel inspired to pay-it-forward, and sponsor someone to attend who might not be able to attend otherwise, please let me know as well.
Thank you for those that have already registered. Thank you to those who also have offered to support another beloved brother or sister to attend.
I love you all and I am so grateful you are on this journey of healing with me!
