The concept of personalized spiritual beings goes far back in antiquity to our
earliest origins as thinking human beings. Anthropological studies at the sites of
prehistoric people suggest their totemic symbols evoked individual protection.
Later, some 5,000 years ago as city-states arose, official deities became identified
with state religions. These gods were more remote and even generated fear. Thus,
personal and family deities assumed great importance in the day-to-day life of
people for protection. A personal soul deity served as a guardian angel to each
person or family, and could be called upon for divine help during a crisis. This
tradition has been carried down into our cultures of today.
We have two examples at opposite ends of the United States. Aumakua is a personal
god to Hawaiians. The Polynesians believe one's ancestors can assume a personal
god relationship (as humans, animals, or fish) to living family members. In visions
and dreams, Aumakua can either assist or reprimand an individual. In northeastern
America, the Iroquois believe a human's own inner spiritual power is called Orenda,
which is connected to a higher personal Orenda spirit. This guardian is able to resist
the powers of harm and evil directed at an individual. The concept of soul watchers
who function as guides is part of the belief system of many Native American
cultures. The Zuni tribes of the Southwest have oral traditions in their mythology of
god-like beings with personal existences. They are called "the makers and holders of
life paths" and are considered the caretakers of souls.
There are other cultures
around the world which also believe someone other than God is watching over them
to personally intercede on their behalf. I think human beings have always needed
anthropomorphic figures below a supreme God to portray the spiritual forces
around them. When people pray or meditate, they want to reach out to an entity
with whom they are acquainted for inspiration. It is easier to ask for aid from a
figure which can be clearly identified in the human mind. There is a lack of imagery
with a supreme God which hinders a direct connection for many people. Regardless
of our diverse religious preferences and degrees of faith, people also feel if there is a
supreme God, this divinity is too busy to bother about their individual problems.
People often express an unworthiness for a direct association with God. As a result,
the world's major religions have used prophets who once lived on Earth to serve as
our intermediaries with God.
Possibly because some of these prophets have been elevated to divine status
themselves, they are not personal enough anymore. I say this without diminishing
the vital spiritual influence all the great prophets have had on their followers.
Millions of people derive benefit from the teachings of these powerful souls who
incarnated on Earth as prophets in our historical past.
And yet, people know in
their hearts-as they have always known-that someone, some personal entity
individual to them-is there, waiting to be reached.
I have the theory that guides appear to people who are very religious as figures of
their faith. There was a case on a national television show where the child of a
devout Christian family suffered a near-death experience and said she saw Jesus.
When asked to draw with crayons what she saw, the little girl drew a featureless
blue man standing within a halo of light.
Re: Jesus the man / JESUS the Archon – inspired by Houman’s Horus-Ra thread
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