Body of resurrection
Encyclopedia
Body of Resurrection is a typical term of Esoteric Christianity
, used to indicate a spiritual body associated with a special enlightenment or experience.
This concept of a spiritual and immortal body which has to be formed has many names according to several traditions.
Sometimes the idea of such an immortal body has been called the resurrection body and the glorified body in Christianity,
the most sacred body (wujud al-aqdas) and supracelestial body (jism asli haqiqi) in Sufism,
the diamond body in Taoism and Vajrayana, the light body or rainbow body in Tibetan Buddhism,
the body of bliss in Kriya Yoga, and the immortal body (soma athanaton) in Hermeticism.
It has to be specified that each of these names belongs to a different tradition, and every tradition has its own doctrine that differs from the others, so these terms cannot be entirely identified with one another; nevertheless, all of these currents share a common teaching which is the idea of the formation, under special ascetical or supernatural conditions, of an immortal and spiritual body.
framework, we can find some properties of these bodies which are shared by all the esoteric Christian movements. Indeed according to Biblical Scriptures, the resurrected bodies possess several properties:
The resurrection bodies, according to almost all the esoteric Christian currents, will be taken for sure at the end of the time when there will be the resurrection of all the bodies of the dead, good and bad, to be judged by Jesus Christ and receive eternal reward or eternal punishment.
In addition, most esoteric Christian traditions believe that the resurrection body or glorified body can be achieved during this lifetime with special ascetic exercises (which can vary between distinct esoteric movements) or as a supernatural gift.
and theosophical
oriented doctrines the resurrection body is related to the Guardian of the Threshold
. Although several authors spoke about both of these elements and sometimes they even relate them together (cfr. Rudolf Steiner
, Max Heindel
, etc...) the most developed theory explaining the relation between these two entities in a theosophical framework is probably due to Tommaso Palamidessi
. In his, The Guardian of the Threshold and the evolutionary way, Palamidessi identifies the spectral entity called the lesser Guardian of the Threshold
with the archetype of the future resurrection body. In this line of thought the lesser Guardian of the Threshold has to be purified, constructed and molded to become the resurrection body of the individual.
Esoteric Christianity
Esoteric Christianity is a term which refers to an ensemble of spiritual currents which regard Christianity as a mystery religion, and profess the existence and possession of certain esoteric doctrines or practices, hidden from the public but accessible only to a narrow circle of "enlightened",...
, used to indicate a spiritual body associated with a special enlightenment or experience.
The Doctrine of the Spiritual Body
Many western and Eastern traditions share a common doctrine on a spiritual and immortal body which represent the ultimate goal of many ascetical works.This concept of a spiritual and immortal body which has to be formed has many names according to several traditions.
Sometimes the idea of such an immortal body has been called the resurrection body and the glorified body in Christianity,
the most sacred body (wujud al-aqdas) and supracelestial body (jism asli haqiqi) in Sufism,
the diamond body in Taoism and Vajrayana, the light body or rainbow body in Tibetan Buddhism,
the body of bliss in Kriya Yoga, and the immortal body (soma athanaton) in Hermeticism.
It has to be specified that each of these names belongs to a different tradition, and every tradition has its own doctrine that differs from the others, so these terms cannot be entirely identified with one another; nevertheless, all of these currents share a common teaching which is the idea of the formation, under special ascetical or supernatural conditions, of an immortal and spiritual body.
Properties of the Body of Resurrection
Focusing on the resurrection body, which means a spiritual body in an Esoteric ChristianEsoteric Christianity
Esoteric Christianity is a term which refers to an ensemble of spiritual currents which regard Christianity as a mystery religion, and profess the existence and possession of certain esoteric doctrines or practices, hidden from the public but accessible only to a narrow circle of "enlightened",...
framework, we can find some properties of these bodies which are shared by all the esoteric Christian movements. Indeed according to Biblical Scriptures, the resurrected bodies possess several properties:
- immortality
- entirety, implying the restitution of the limbs, the distinction of the sexes and the perfection of the senses;
- the excellent physique and physical beauty (natural prerogative).
- incorruptibility, freedom from decay, or impassibility, freedom from pain, deriving from the perfect submission of the body to the soul
- clarity or glory: the bodies of saints will reflect the light, the inner splendor of the soul, therefore, in the body they will conform to the Incarnate Word;
- agility, so that the body of the saint, once free from the natural heaviness (imponderability), will be able to move rapidly from one place to another in the cosmos ;
- subtility, the faculty to penetrate everything: the glorious body penetrates, without difficulty nor mutual damage, the other bodies in the Universe.
The resurrection bodies, according to almost all the esoteric Christian currents, will be taken for sure at the end of the time when there will be the resurrection of all the bodies of the dead, good and bad, to be judged by Jesus Christ and receive eternal reward or eternal punishment.
In addition, most esoteric Christian traditions believe that the resurrection body or glorified body can be achieved during this lifetime with special ascetic exercises (which can vary between distinct esoteric movements) or as a supernatural gift.
Guardian of the Threshold and the Resurrection Body
In some modern esoteric ChristianEsoteric Christianity
Esoteric Christianity is a term which refers to an ensemble of spiritual currents which regard Christianity as a mystery religion, and profess the existence and possession of certain esoteric doctrines or practices, hidden from the public but accessible only to a narrow circle of "enlightened",...
and theosophical
Theosophy
Theosophy, in its modern presentation, is a spiritual philosophy developed since the late 19th century. Its major themes were originally described mainly by Helena Blavatsky , co-founder of the Theosophical Society...
oriented doctrines the resurrection body is related to the Guardian of the Threshold
Guardian of the Threshold
The Guardian of the Threshold is a menacing figure that is described by a number of leading esoteric teachers. The term "Guardian of the Threshold", often called "dweller on the threshold" indicates a spectral image which is supposed to manifests itself as soon as "the student of the spirit ascends...
. Although several authors spoke about both of these elements and sometimes they even relate them together (cfr. Rudolf Steiner
Rudolf Steiner
Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner was an Austrian philosopher, social reformer, architect, and esotericist. He gained initial recognition as a literary critic and cultural philosopher...
, Max Heindel
Max Heindel
Max Heindel - born Carl Louis von Grasshoff in Aarhus, Denmark on July 23, 1865 - was a Christian occultist, astrologer, and mystic. He died on January 6, 1919 at Oceanside, California, United States.- Early infancy :...
, etc...) the most developed theory explaining the relation between these two entities in a theosophical framework is probably due to Tommaso Palamidessi
Tommaso Palamidessi
Tommaso Palamidessi was an Italian esotericist. Precociously attracted by astrology, parapsychology and yoga-tantric doctrines, he was led by his manifold interests in the field of the occult and by his intense spiritual pursuit to build up an original form of Esoteric Christianity, which he...
. In his, The Guardian of the Threshold and the evolutionary way, Palamidessi identifies the spectral entity called the lesser Guardian of the Threshold
Guardian of the Threshold
The Guardian of the Threshold is a menacing figure that is described by a number of leading esoteric teachers. The term "Guardian of the Threshold", often called "dweller on the threshold" indicates a spectral image which is supposed to manifests itself as soon as "the student of the spirit ascends...
with the archetype of the future resurrection body. In this line of thought the lesser Guardian of the Threshold has to be purified, constructed and molded to become the resurrection body of the individual.
See also
- Esoteric ChristianityEsoteric ChristianityEsoteric Christianity is a term which refers to an ensemble of spiritual currents which regard Christianity as a mystery religion, and profess the existence and possession of certain esoteric doctrines or practices, hidden from the public but accessible only to a narrow circle of "enlightened",...
- Guardian of the ThresholdGuardian of the ThresholdThe Guardian of the Threshold is a menacing figure that is described by a number of leading esoteric teachers. The term "Guardian of the Threshold", often called "dweller on the threshold" indicates a spectral image which is supposed to manifests itself as soon as "the student of the spirit ascends...
- AnthroposophyAnthroposophyAnthroposophy, a philosophy founded by Rudolf Steiner, postulates the existence of an objective, intellectually comprehensible spiritual world accessible to direct experience through inner development...
- ArcheosophyArcheosophyArcheosophy is an original form of Esoteric Christianity developed by Tommaso Palamidessi in the late 1960s.-Definition:...
- TheosophyTheosophyTheosophy, in its modern presentation, is a spiritual philosophy developed since the late 19th century. Its major themes were originally described mainly by Helena Blavatsky , co-founder of the Theosophical Society...
- Rainbow bodyRainbow bodyIn Tibetan Buddhism and Bön, a rainbow body is a body made, not of flesh, but of pure light.-In Dzogchen:...
External links
- Resurrection from the Catholic Encyclopedia
- Resurrection According to Esoteric Christianity article by T.PalamidessiTommaso PalamidessiTommaso Palamidessi was an Italian esotericist. Precociously attracted by astrology, parapsychology and yoga-tantric doctrines, he was led by his manifold interests in the field of the occult and by his intense spiritual pursuit to build up an original form of Esoteric Christianity, which he...