The Way of Thomas
Nine Insights for Enlightened Living from the Secret Sayings of Jesus
by John R. Mabry
I just finished a fascinating book, which is based on the ‘lost’ book of Thomas. Having been intrigued with the book of Mary Magdalene previously, I knew this book would prove just as edifying. And it proved to be much more than that. It has created a thirst for more historical backgrounds of the world’s best selling book, the Bible.
John R. Mabry is a PhD trained teacher of World Religions at the Chaplaincy Institute for Arts and Interfaith Ministry here in the U.S. His insights into the early Christian church, as well as the off shoots, such as the Gnostic group, are interesting and very deep. The introduction to the book, held me spellbound. Explaining the book of Thomas as a mystery and almost a mind-game, brought new understanding to my way of seeing the scriptures.
The author was raised, as I was, in a fundamental ‘religion’ & then went on to research the spirituality that would most resonate within him. Most of our readers have gone through that same evolution, and can equate with this message. I am thoroughly assured that you will enjoy this book.
At the end of each chapter Mr. Mabry provides spiritual exercises which in & of themselves are well worth the price of the book. The exercises make it a more experiential ‘workshop’ feel while reading the book.
He takes Nine Insights and expounds upon them, and his teachings made quite an impact on my own thought processes. Just to whet your appetite, the Nine Insights are:
1) There is only on thing in the Universe, and you are that thing.
2) When you see what is right in front of you, the hidden things will be revealed as well.
3) The Kingdom of Heaven has already arrived.
4) You can escape death by making a simple shift in perception.
5) Religion is the problem, not the solution.
6) The truth does not come from outside ourselves.
7) We must be alone to be truly free.
8) Screw the system, but love your body.
9) Jesus is a mystery (and so is everyone else).
Makes you want to read all the explanations for those insights, doesn’t it?
I do have to share one of the Spiritual exercises with you, to show you the flavor of John Mabry’s wit & wisdom:
“1) Fire your God. One of the greatest barriers to true spirituality is an image of God which is distorted or even harmful. Get out your crayons & do a couple of drawings: first draw a picture of the God you were given as a child, then draw the kind of God you most want to be true. If you feel you have adequately captured these divergent deities, do a ritual in which you, in effect, hand that old god ‘his’ pink slip. In other words fire his ass.
You may want to express everything you want to say to this old god - and actually say it to the picture, including all the pain, anger and resentment that has built up over the years. Then burn the picture and banish this god forever. Install the picture of the new God on an altar.”
And I did just that…
“The Way of Thomas” can be purchased online at: www.o-books.net for $19.95
I guarantee you’ll love it!
Happy Reading!
Rev Dr Sandra Gaskin