Gospel of Mary. Oxyrrhincus Papyrus
Attuned to the previous article on meditation, here we
have a passage of the famous Gospel of Mary Magdalene, which was discovered in 1896, and is contained in a 5th
century papyrus. Later it also appeared in the Nag Hammadi library.
It appears connected to contemplative traditions and the mystic message of Yeshua, who seems to have handed down the deepest part of the
teaching to Mary Magdalene, as this gospel suggests.
[...] (pp. 1-6 missing) will matter then be [destroyed] or not?"
The Savior said, "All natures, all formations, all
creatures exist in and with one another, and
they will be resolved again into their own roots.
For the nature of matter is resolved into the (roots) of its
nature alone. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Peter
said to him, "Since you have explained everything to us, tell us
this also: What is the sin of the world?" , The Savior said,
"There is no sin, but it is you who make sin when you do the
things that are like the nature of adultery [attachment to charicatures of reality], which is called
'sin.' That is why the Good came into your midst, to the
(essence) of every nature, in order to restore it to its root."
Then he continued and said, "That is why you' [become sick] and
die, for [. ..] of the one who [. ..He who] , understands, let him
understand. [Matter gave birth to] a passion that has no equal, which
proceeded from (something) contrary to nature. Then there arise a
disturbance in the whole body. That is why I said to you, 'Be of
good courage,' and if you are discouraged (be) encouraged in the
presence of the different forms of nature. He who has ears to hear,
let him hear.'
When
the blessed one had said this, he greeted them all, saying, "Peace
be with you. Receive my peace to yourselves. Beware that no one lead
you astray, saying, 'Lo here!' or 'Lo' there!' For
the Son of Man is within you.
Follow after him! Those who seek him will find him. Go then and
preach the gospel of the kingdom. Do not lay down any rules beyond
what I appointed for you, and do not give a law like the lawgiver
lest you be constrained by it." When he had said this, he
departed.
The
nature of these teaching becomes more and more obvious as one gets
familiar with the art of dwelling in the silence of the invisible Heart of reality,
without trying to run away from life, but
rather reconciling inner and outer. Hence we are told: 'Be
of good courage,' and if you are discouraged (be) encouraged in the
presence of the different forms of nature. By
allowing everything to take place, letting the awareness expand, one
soon realizes all perceptions dissolve into a deep Presence, which is not taken by the whirpool of the external and
internal chaos, or as Jesus and Mary put it, being a heart free from "adultery". By adopting this open attitude, every impression, including our obstacles, become an opportunity to be free. That is why the Good came into your midst, to the (essence) of every nature, in order to restore it to its root."
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More reflections on the Gospel of Mary can be found in a later post: March 3 2015.
This translation of the gospel can be found in http://gnosis.org/library/marygosp.htm
There is however a much more attuned version mentioned in http://www.parabola.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=389:the-gospel-of-mary-magdalene
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