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Hinduism Philosophy
Introduction to the Gospel of Thomas

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ACCORDING TO THE THOMAS GOSPEL

3. Jesus said, "If your leaders say to you, 'Look, the (Father's) kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the (Father's) kingdom is within you and it is outside you. When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty."

Interpretation :

Truth, enlightenment and happiness (the father's kingdom) are the reality that is nowhere to be found in particular (not in sky or sea) because it is everywhere, both inside and outside (within and without). Still it is primarily by looking inside (when you know yourselves) and finding your own true self (you will be known) that you can leave the poverty of separation aside, stop being that poverty and live fully in tune and in union with the unlimited richness of our divine nature, as a family of children of the Supreme (the living Father).

5. Jesus said, "Know what is in front of your face, and what is hidden from you will be disclosed to you. For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. And there is nothing buried that will not be raised."

Interpretation :

The one who recognizes the illusionary nature of sensory input (know what is in front of your face), at the same time starts to see the truth that includes everything (what is hidden from you will be disclosed). Truth is not hiding, nor is it hidden (there is nothing hidden) by anyone but our own idea of truth having a form, a shape or a color that we can experience and define through the senses. By definition, truth is beyond form because it is absolute and unlimited and form is always relative and limited. Hence, only when closing our eyes we can truly see. Then that reality which was ever there (nothing buried), will appear as if rising out of nowhere. There is no need to dig up anything.

17. Jesus said, "I will give you what no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, what no hand has touched, what has not arisen in the human heart."

Interpretation :

The self, the Supreme, the truth which Jesus offers (will give you), is entirely beyond the senses (eye, ear, skin). It is also entirely beyond the comprehension and imagination of mind and thus beyond our desires (what has not arisen in the human heart). Mind offers only a sense-based understanding, which can only qualify things in relative comparison to each other, bigger/smaller, etc., which means in separation, and not in absolute union.

113. His disciples said to him, "When will the kingdom come?" "It will not come by watching for it. It will not be said, 'Look, here!' or 'Look, there!' Rather, the Father's kingdom is spread out upon the earth, and people don't see it."

Interpretation :

The enlightened self and enlightenment (the kingdom) are not found by seeking it (watching for it) in the manifested universe (here or there). It is always present (spread out upon the earth) in each and everything. We just don't realize it (people don't see it). We are already enlightened. There is nothing else to find.

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This introduction to the Thomas Gospel was written by Peter Marchand, who also wrote these books : "The Yoga of the Nine Emotions" and "The Yoga of Truth". Also browse our yoga video section for online classes by Peter Marchand.

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• Overview of the Thomas Gospel

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