Elijah the Bodhisattva: An Interspiritual Exploration

Elijah's journey in the Bible is a metaphor for internal mind-states, a labyrinth-like journey toward enlightenment, and an unfolding realization of the non-duality of himself and God. He begins with a henotheistic conception of God and progresses to a realization of God as the ground of being, being-itself, and the God of those who struggle with God. The inner dimension is emphasized, as well as the political dimension of the story, called the politics of anatta.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2024
Publisher: Collective Ink

This interspiritual commentary, drawing primarily from Buddhist influences, explores the life of Elijah as depicted in the Bible. It sees his external experiences as metaphors for internal mental states, his journey as a labyrinth-like quest for enlightenment, and an unfolding realization of the non-duality of himself and God. Elijah starts with a henotheistic understanding of God as a national deity associated with Israel, progressing to a profound realization of God as the fundamental essence of existence, being-itself, and the God of those who grapple with God, which is the deeper meaning of the name Israel. While the inner dimension is given significant emphasis, the political aspect of the story is also explored, known as the politics of anatta by liberation theologians. This refers to the core Buddhist principle of non-self, which is central to understanding Elijah's story and its broader implications.

Elijah's life is a testament to the power of faith and the resilience of the human spirit. Born into a society that worshipped other gods, Elijah was determined to follow his own path and seek the truth. Despite facing opposition and persecution, he remained steadfast in his beliefs and never wavered in his commitment to God.

One of the most significant aspects of Elijah's story is his encounter with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Elijah challenged the priests of Baal to a contest to determine who truly was the one true God. He called on the people to gather around the altar and prepare for a showdown.

As the day of the contest drew near, Elijah built an altar of stones and placed it in front of the priests of Baal. He then arranged wood and water on the altar, and prayed to God. Suddenly, a fire erupted from the ground, consuming the wood and water. The people shouted in amazement, and Elijah knew that God had answered his prayer.

The prophets of Baal, however, were not so easily defeated. They cried out to their god, but there was no response. They tried to cut themselves with swords, but they were unable to harm themselves. Finally, they fell to the ground and worshipped Elijah as the one true God.

Elijah's victory on Mount Carmel was a significant turning point in his life. It demonstrated his faith in God and his willingness to stand up for what he believed in. It also showed that God was not limited to one particular religion or culture, but was present in all people and all places.

After his victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah was taken into hiding by Jezebel, the queen of Israel. Jezebel was determined to kill Elijah because he had threatened to overthrow her husband, Ahab. However, God protected Elijah and provided him with food and water during his time in hiding.

Elijah's time in hiding was a period of reflection and prayer. He spent time meditating on the teachings of God and seeking guidance on how to continue his work. He also prayed for the people of Israel, asking God to forgive their sins and bring them back to him.

Finally, after three years, Elijah was sent back to Israel by God. He was tasked with confronting Ahab and his followers, who had turned away from God and worshipped the false god Baal. Elijah was confident that God would be with him and that he would be victorious.

Elijah's confrontation with Ahab and his followers was a fierce and dramatic one. He called on the people to turn away from the false god Baal and return to the one true God. He also challenged Ahab to a duel, in which the winner would be declared the one true king of Israel.

Ahab agreed to the duel, and the two men met on the battlefield. Elijah prayed to God before the battle, and a great windstorm erupted, causing the armies of Ahab to flee. Ahab was killed, and Elijah was declared the one true king of Israel.

Elijah's reign as king was a time of great prosperity and peace for Israel. He restored the worship of God and abolished the worship of false gods. He also worked to improve the lives of the people, providing them with food and water and protecting them from their enemies.

Elijah's life is a powerful example of the power of faith and the importance of standing up for what is right. He faced opposition and persecution, but he never wavered in his commitment to God. His victory on Mount Carmel and his reign as king demonstrate the power of God and the importance of living a life that is in accordance with his teachings.

In conclusion, Elijah's life is a testament to the power of faith and the resilience of the human spirit. He faced opposition and persecution, but he never wavered in his commitment to God. His victory on Mount Carmel and his reign as king demonstrate the power of God and the importance of living a life that is in accordance with his teachings. We can all learn from Elijah's example and strive to live a life that is filled with faith, hope, and love.

Weight: 192g
Dimension: 215 x 141 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803412771