Have you heard anything about the bone box of "Jesus son of Joseph" that was found along with the bone box of Maria (Mary) and several other bone boxes with names that all seemingly connect directly to Jesus of Nazareth? There was a documentary created by a journalist that tells the story. See http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/tomb/tomb.html.

The story, as can best be understood, is that Jesus lived in the flesh long after the supposed crucifixion. One of the places where Jesus of Nazareth supposedly lived - and died - is India. There is supposedly a tomb in India that claims, by its markings, that Jesus was buried there. But then, what about the bone box in Israel?

Well, let's see. Is it possible that Jesus lived, in the flesh, after the crucifixion, and does this mean he didn't die on the cross, and does this mean he wasn't resurrected, and does this mean he didn't ascend into Heaven? In India we can find several people who can bury themselves in caskets for three days every year and come back alive. They have been hooked up to medical instruments to determine what their body functions are for those three days. For all intents and purposes, they are medically "dead". So, was Jesus capable of lowering his metabolism to the point that he was declared dead, then placed in a tomb whereupon after three days he revived himself? It's possible. Can we call such a feat  a "resurrection"? Hardly. But is the resurrection the point here? Probably not, if you look at what Jesus really claimed - that he had an understanding of natural laws (to wit, his relationship with God) that enabled him to control the forces of life itself. But he still "died". Rather, the flesh that was his body died - eventually. The life that was Jesus, is Jesus, did not die. Nor does the life of anyone who ever lived, now lives, or ever will live on this Earth every die. Life itself is eternal, and we are of that life - in fact, one with it.

What Sufism is all about to me is teaching the elementary principles of life. As I understand it, the first Sufi was one who, after contemplating all he knew about the life of Jesus, came to an "a-ha!" In this sense, Sufis are actually Christians only if we can say that the foundation of their philosophy is based on Jesus Christ. (Personally, I like to say, "Jesus, the manifestation of Christ, the Son of God." But so are we all - Sons of God, that is.)  In his attempts to pass on what his revelation was, this first Sufi discovered that the mere telling about it wasn't enough. So he devised a method to enable one to focus intently, to literally exclude all physical sensory inputs, and such an experience would culminate in connecting with the One Mind of the Creator, God. The Sufi's method was twirling in place, and his devotee's became known as the Whirling Dervishes. This was the first order of Sufism. Since then, it has been discovered that not everyone can "connect" in this way, so other Sufi orders were established that taught different methods, where each method resonates with only a certain kind of person. I understand that there are four main orders and possibly hundreds of lesser orders, some of which are possibly in existence solely for the self-gratification of its founder and leaders. It is not impossible that the ego would want to forge itself as a god.

Whether Jesus really died and really resurrected himself isn't as important as the message he tried to teach - that we are One with God, we are all children of God, and that as our Father, God loves us and so do we also love one another - that is His Will. Notice I didn't say, "... so should we love one another." It is only in our separated sense of self, our split mind, that we find a way to think we do not love. If we can say that Jesus failed in his teachings by making a hoax of his "death", then I'm sure that many who now follow Jesus, the Christians, will undoubtedly be very confused about their faith.

For me, the teachings of Sufism are far more important because they are today's insights on my relationship with God. And as I understand it, with foreknowledge that many Muslims would disagree with me, Sufis do not declare allegiance to any religion, they are not affiliated with any particular political dogma, they do not adhere to any particular social norm, but instead a Sufi engages himself/herself in whatever religious/political/social/industrial activities that are "normal" and "customary" for the geopolitical and social order that they live in  - just so as to not earn the wrath or scorn of those who believe they have the corner on truth, justice, and the pursuit of salvation. In other words, you won't find a Sufi church, a Sufi political party, or a Sufi cultural establishment anywhere. Sufis mingle, not to hide but not to stand out either. You will find Sufi schools. And you will find Sufi groups that gather to practice the 'experience' developed by the order that the group associates with. The Internet abounds with access to many such Sufi orders and activities. But those are just the surface of what Sufism is really all about. Those are the "outer circles" of Sufi teachings. To gain access to the "inner circles", one must demonstrate his understanding of the principles founded by the original Sufis, which, as I assert, have nothing to do with any religion. The only code of conduct for a Sufi is to love, and this involves forgiveness.

I started studying Sufism in 1986, shortly after I discovered the existence of A Course In Miracles. I had already read a couple of books by J. Krishnamurti and Joel Goldsmith. Taken as a whole, a single thread of understanding swept through my mind. Forgiveness was the "key" to peace, my peace. Not one religion, not one political view, not one social norm could say as much, could do as much, as forgiveness does in one breath. I know that all religions teach forgiveness, but also have the faithful of all religions fostered war as a means to conquer evil, and the faithful have decided what was evil and who should die for their sins. In no war-like activity have I found a single act of forgiveness. One does not smite a brother and at the same time say, "I forgive you for your sins." Forgiveness does not assign guilt. Forgiveness does not assign punishment. Forgiveness does not foster fear in any form. When one forgives, the only emotion left to be felt is love. And one does not forgive a brother for his sins. Instead, one forgives himself for the thoughts of sin that he held out to his brother.

A Course In Miracles puts it this way (Workbook Lesson198):

Only my condemnation injures me.

Only my own forgiveness sets me free.

The first part is true if you come to understand that all are one. There is only one Mind.

The second part is true when you understand that to forgive yourself is the only forgiveness possible, because the only mistake that was made by you was in separating yourself from your brother and from God.

Don't take anything personal. That's the first lesson in forgiveness - and maybe the last one you'll ever need to learn.