Sometimes, when we try to connect to a new reality, when we work so hard to integrate the events, the course of life – we get so caught up in the intricacies of our own existence that we entirely lose track of our knowledge, our good habits, our flow of life itself. We float adrift, carried by the current, to places unknown, undiscovered, unexplored. And then, all of a sudden, a spark ignites: a question, a curiosity, a doubt, a revolt brings us back in touch with our desire to understand, to evolve, to upgrade, to know, to practice, to live.
Under the beneficent energy of the New Moon in Leo, not a spark, but a vivid fire was lit within me, by the most trivial of remarks. I was having the most random conversation with my sister, about aging and decrepitude in animals. Suddenly, I began to wonder about the narrative of the Bible on immortality, living under the (wrong) impression that all beings in the Garden of Eden were immortal and lost that privilege, as a consequence of the “original sin”.
That led to a 40-minute debate, followed by a 2-hour session of religious study, over the phone, with my mother, going through the Bible word-by-word and being astounded by my many discoveries. In truth, I must have revisited chapters 1-3 of the Genesis a few times in my adult life and I always pick on details that I had not noticed before. Today was no different.
Among many other eye-opening aspects (such as the naming of natural phenomena vs. that of animal species), I came to learn that the recommended diet in Eden was strictly plant-based: Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” (Genesis 1:29).
Although I have spent the past 10 years learning about and internalising the Eastern principle of ahimsa (non-injury), technically referring to the Hindu, Jain and Buddhist concept of causing no harm to any sentient beings, finding a similar idea in the Bible brought me some sense of reassurance.
Suddenly, my choice of pursuing a vegetarian diet made all the more sense, felt so much more compatible with my core as a being of divine nature, following the natural order of the world. That was rather conflicting, after I spent the whole day gulping down unacceptable quantities of canned fish, albeit for a good cause (to stimulate and help the development of neurons in my baby’s brain).
Furthermore, during my thorough Bible study, I equally received my answer on immortality. The story of the Genesis focuses on the earthly nature of man, whose gift of life is granted by the divine spirit being blown into his body. And while man receives the privileged status of carer and guardian of the Garden of Eden, nowhere is it indicated that he is immortal, other than by his access to the Tree of Life (as opposed to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, which, as explicitly stated, would inevitably cause his demise, for which reason he is advised against its consumption). Man, therefore, by virtue of free will, has the potential to opt for either the mortality or the immortality of his spirit, and the only deciding factor in the matter are his own choices and actions.
Finally, upon conclusion of the “original sin”, the consumption of the Fruit of Knowledge of Good and Evil, the punishment cast upon Adam is that of hard work and struggle in earning his livelihood, until his death. The curse of humankind is that “by the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19)
Human mortality is reiterated yet again in the passage of the banishment from the Garden of Eden, which is rather seen as a precaution taken to prevent Adam from using his newly acquired power of consciousness to attempt at obtaining immortality – which implicitly hints at the fact that said immortality had not been granted nor obtained previously. “And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” (Genesis 3:22).
Having read all that, I experienced peace. I had started my journey of biblical discovery committed to being angry and furious at the injustice, cruelty and harshness of God (especially when it came to animals getting old). However, understanding that the natural order of things has, since its conception, been designed as an inevitable flow of impermanence, once again echoed the Buddhist teachings I am so dearly fond of. Understanding that death is intrinsically built into life, that the rise and decay of every form of existence is not only scientifically proven, but also divinely orchestrated, made me all the more aware of my mission on this beautiful Earth.
So, here I am, several hours later, passing on the torch, sharing of my recent discoveries with you, dear soul, fellow friend, in hope that they may help you find answers to some of your own questions, or trigger you to look for them yourself, in whichever source best (co)responds to your needs in the Here and Now.
In what I am personally concerned, I am now on a personal task to find my path back to Eden once more. While access to the Tree of Life may be carefully guarded by cherubim, I am perfectly happy and content with never finding it, as long as I successfully rediscover the vastness of abundance and bounty once entrusted to humans, for them to benefit from, cherish and protect.
Because Heaven on Earth is more than just a geographical location: it is a mindset, it is a lifestyle. It is the choice to live in respect of and harmony with all forms of life, to care for Mother Nature and the richness of gifts she continues to spoil us with, to be mindful of the consequences of our decisions and actions and to always make the wisest decision of all: that of living in the Here and Now, in the present continuous, in a permanent “I am living”, “I am loving”. That way, the moment becomes a beautiful, divine forever, and the closest we will ever be to experiencing immortality.
Perpetual Love,
Vladiana
Love Labourer 