| In the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus says the following: (1) And he said, “Whoever discovers the interpretation of these sayings will not taste death.” (2) Jesus said, “Those who seek should not stop seeking until they find. When they find, they will be disturbed. When they are disturbed, they will marvel, and will reign over all. [And after they have reigned they will rest.]” (3) Jesus said, “If your leaders say to you, ‘Look, the (Father's) kingdom is in the sky,’ then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, ‘It is in the sea,’ then the fish will precede you. Rather, the (Father's) kingdom is within you and it is outside you. When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty.” In the next part, Jesus explains that the “Kingdom of Heaven” is like a “large plant that provides shelter”: (20) The disciples said to Jesus, “Tell us what Heaven's kingdom is like.” He said to them, “It's like a mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds, but when it falls on prepared soil, it produces a large plant and becomes a shelter for birds of the sky.” (21) Mary said to Jesus, “What are your disciples like?” He said, “They are like little children living in a field that is not theirs.” Next, Jesus warns the people that the priesthood has taken the “keys of knowledge” and “hidden” them: (39) Jesus said, “The Pharisees and the scholars have taken the keys of knowledge and have hidden them. They have not entered, nor have they allowed those who want to enter to do so. As for you, be as sly as snakes and as simple as doves.” It seems obvious to me that Jesus is saying the Pharisees themselves do not get high, so they don’t want you to get high either. But his advice, is to be sly as serpent and simple as doves, again, the bird and snake symbolism of the mushroom. From the Gospel of Thomas, we read: (62) Jesus said: "I disclose my mysteries to those [who are worthy] of [my] mysteries.” … (113) His disciples said to him, “When will the kingdom come?” “It will not come by watching for it. It will not be said, ‘Look, here!’ or ‘Look, there!’ Rather, the Father's kingdom is spread out upon the earth, and people don't see it.” (147) Mushroom spores are not easy to see, so this phrase could be inclusive of spores or mushrooms in the proper context. The beginning growth is invisible to the naked eye, yet spread out among the earth. |
At one point, in Luke, the disciples are walking with Jesus, and they break bread with him, which is exactly when he appears to them: (28) As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. (29) But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So, he went in to stay with them. (30) When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. (31) Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. (32) They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (33) They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together (34) and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” (35) Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.” Next, Jesus appears to the Disciples and he “opened their minds” so they would understand scripture: (36) While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” (37) They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. (38) He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? (39) Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” (40) When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. (41) And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” (42) They gave him a piece of broiled fish, (43) and he took it and ate it in their presence. (44) He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” (45) Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (46) He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, (47) and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (48) You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:28-48) (147) Gospel of Thomas, Translated by Stephen Patterson and Marvin Meyer |