How many of you have seen the movie “Avatar”? I bet that many of my listeners have, and this interview with author Jeffrey Armstrong about his book “Spiritual Teaching of the Avatar” will provide profound insight and wisdom about an “Avatar”.
The authors knowledge about the deepest meanings of the word avatar revolve around his forty years of study. According to the author Avatar, a Sanskrit word, combines Ava, meaning “to descend” and Tara, ” To heal and restore.”. The idea is that a divine being or Supreme Being purposely descends to Earth, takes on a body, and then fulfills some kind of mission according to the needs of the moment. This is different from reincarnating, which is not a conscious intentional birth but a result of karma. The Avatars come according to their own will.
When the Avatar comes, the primary purpose is to rescue and heal the Earth at a time when the balance in Nature or Mother Earth is being destroyed. The secondary purpose is to remind us that we are also beings from the Transcendental and that transcendental is our true nature. The Avatars usually leave us a set of teaching that are essential tools for living a life of integrity for the good of all. The Avatars exemplify this message and teach us to do the same. Thirdly, the Avatars also come to develop personal and loving relationships with humans, in a number of different flavors: as servant, child, friend, spouse, or lover. In the process, humans get to interact with the avatar–in simple terms, God or the Supreme Being–who has lovingly come to us disguised in what appears to be a human form.
In my interview with Jeffery you will be treated to the teaching of the Avatars collected form Vedic Spiritual traditions of India that can be traced back more than 15,000 years. The author illuminates how contemporary cultural references to Avatars reveal their deep and enlightening historical roots. At the heart of these teachings is a respect for all life, and the concept that we are each part of the same Ultimate Being, and that everyone is able to make the journey back home to the Divine.
I hope you enjoy this wonderful interview with a very spiritual and knowledgeable teacher. Jeffery’s book is definitely a must read for the spiritual aspirant wanting to learn more about this ancient tradition. You can also learn more from Jeffery’s website by clicking here.
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