| Christ Consciousness & Jesus the Pattern An Interview with John Van Auken by Cathy Smith John Van Auken -- associate director of the Edgar Cayce organization, the Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.), author of more than a dozen books and expert in mysticism -- will be in the Upper Midwest on October 12-13 to present a daylong event entitled "Christ Consciousness & Jesus the Pattern." • In Minnesota -- Van Auken will be in Woodbury, Minn., on Saturday, Oct. 12. The event, sponsored by the Heartland Region of A.R.E., will be from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Unity Church in Woodbury, 9025 Tamarack Road. Registration is $50 by Oct. 10, $55 after Oct. 10, with discounts for seniors. For more information, call Mary at (952) 546-0717. • In Wisconsin -- Van Auken be in Milwaukee on Sunday, Oct. 13. The event, sponsored by the Heartland Region of A.R.E., will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Alverno College, 3400 S. 43rd St., Milwaukee. For more information, call Kevin Reger at (262) 547-3262 or Rich Johnston at (262) 968-3598. Van Auken, a longtime spiritual seeker and student of the Edgar Cayce material, spoke with The EDGE about his upcoming visit to Minnesota. John, what first inspired you to offer teachings based on the information in the Edgar Cayce readings? John Van Auken: I had been studying and applying the Cayce material in my life for many years and had come to understand them well. What I shared with others caused them to suggest that I give little workshops and talks on the material. I did, and one thing led to another. Before I knew it, I had written 15 books and was booked for speaking engagements a year in advance. In your workshops, you teach techniques on becoming aware of what the Edgar Cayce readings call the "Christ Consciousness." Please explain some of the methods that you will be using to help people achieve this -- and relate any simple practices that our readers can begin to use on a daily basis to experience universal Christ Consciousness. Van Auken: First, one has to understand the nature of God and Christ, versus what we have been taught or perceive based on our own physical concepts. God and Christ are not individual, finite "beings." In our everyday state, we are. Therefore, to experience God and Christ, one has to learn how to move out of individualness and finite consciousness into universalness and infinite consciousness. Then, for this experience to have any meaning in this life, we need to learn how to translate the experience into an individual and finite reality and meaning. Cayce gave very specific steps toward achieving this passage in the consciousness process. What is the difference between the body's spiritual structure and the mind's structure -- and how do they both play a role in achieving The Christ Consciousness? Van Auken: This would require a book. In brief: The body has not only been designed for physical activity. It is also equipped with various nerve complexes, chemical processes and physical pathways for creating a non-physical, spiritual experience, and retaining that experience afterward. The mind is the bridge between the physical world and the spiritual realms of consciousness and activity, or the heavens. Once the body's vibrations have been adjusted sufficiently, the mind can lift the soul beyond purely physical reality into the higher realities, and return it safely with a higher sense of illumination, rejuvenation and purpose. Please explain what is meant by using Jesus the man as the pattern for working with the Christ consciousness in relation to Oneness and with others? Van Auken: According to Edgar Cayce's deep-trance perspective on these issues, Christ is the Spirit, the Consciousness that is at-one with God, with the Creative Forces. Jesus is a man who became one with this Spirit, and manifested in physical life; thereby blending the human and the divine aspects of our nature. As director of the Association for Research and Enlightenment, what additional perspective did you gain on Cayce's life and work that you might not have had previously? Van Auken: Human nature cannot be ignored or overlooked in the spiritual awakening. It must be integrated into the whole process if we are to succeed in our enlightenment fully. Why is the work of Edgar Cayce still relevant to us in the 21st century? Van Auken: It was relevant in ancient Mu, Atlantis, Egypt, Maya and in the forming of this great country of ours. It is relevant today. This is because the concepts and practices deal with eternal realities and energies that all souls, all humans reflect upon at one time or another in their effort to understand themselves and life's purpose. There seems to be a quickening taking place...do you sense this and what would you suggest as a personal guide for dealing with these transformative times? Van Auken: Yes. The Mayans calculated the dates precisely. The era we have been living in is the Age of Movement. It began in August of 3114 BC and it ends in December of 2012 -- not too far away, is it? We are living in time of great transition. The major prophecies, from the Bible through Nostradamus and the Marion Apparitions, point to these times as significant. Cayce identified it as the time of the end of Times, Time, and Halftimes, spoken of by the angel Gabriel to the prophet Daniel. And that this era will be followed by a golden age, an age when, as the Revelation states, "Satan is bound" and there is a thousand years of peace and enlightenment in the Earth. We should all prepare ourselves. We should all keep our bodies and minds alive with the spirit, ready to breakthrough to a new era of light and love, and new, expanded consciousness. What can participants to your talk expect to experience? Van Auken: Direct experience with the Universal Consciousness. And they will learn how they can revisit that state regularly, receiving health, rejuvenation, guidance, comfort, and love. Despite all outward appearances, God is still directly accessible and desires conscious companionship with us. For more information, go to www.johnvanauken.com Copyright (c) 2002 Cathy Smith |
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