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The concept of
or belief in ascension is fundamental to most religions and belief
systems. The idea of becoming so holy or spiritual that one simply
rises out of the physical plane to one of beauty or bliss is very
alluring; however, in some belief systems ascension is not possible for
just anyone. In
the Western World most are familiar with the story of Jesus dying,
resurrecting and ascending to heaven. Christians believe that witnessed
by the apostles forty days after Jesus resurrected from the dead, he
rose into the heavens (Acts I. 9). This being one of the many signs
that Jesus was the Messiah. Ascension Day is a major Christian holiday
celebrated around the world often with a procession which symbolizes
Jesus' walk to the Mount of Olives, traditionally believed to be the
site of the ascension. This act of deity was, according to Christian
belief, possible only because Jesus was the Son of God and surrendered
completely to the will of God. This sense of exclusiveness is
shared to some degree by Islam. The coming of the Prophet Muhammad was
foretold by seers as the coming of the last prophet. It is said that
Muhammad realized spiritual perfection by journeying through degrees of
perfection - promoted to higher and higher ranks. He, like Jesus,
surrendered completely to the will of God and lived by His law and
ascended to the heavens. Though the story of Muhammad's ascension is
not described in the Qur'an; from Jerusalem he ascended accompanied by
angels, passed through 70,000 veils and found himself before the throne
of Allah discussing all the questions of man. Muhammad gave to man the
gift of the Qur'an to teach man how he too can reach spiritual
perfection and ascend to the heavens. Much like the teachings of Islam,
those who adhere to Buddhist and Hindu philosophies believe that
ascension is possible for anyone who chooses the right path. By living
a life of Truth (dharma), as taught by Buddha, a Buddhist may ascend
through lives (or life) of righteousness until one reaches
enlightenment - the cessation of all interaction with manifest
appearance (Nirvana). According
to Hindu philosophy, by living a life of Truth governed by various
forms of yoga, anyone can ascend to the ultimate state of moksa -
release from the round and round cycle of birth and death. This is
achieved by understanding the Inner Self (God), by overcoming ignorance
and desire requires one to live constantly (every act, thought and
breath) in the awareness of God. Paradoxically, moksa cannot be
attained if it is one's goal. Ascension to moksa can only occur when
one life of Truth transcends all desires (including the desire for
moksa). The dynamics and liveliness of the Hindu belief system allows
for use of ancient texts as well as continuous contemporary instruction
on exactly how to live in Truth. Hinduism has contributed directly
and indirectly to the philosophies termed "New Age". Though birthed
from an increasing disenchantment with the orthodox Western religions,
New Agers glean much from the traditional philosophies - one being the
concept of ascension. Through meditation, prayer, self-purification,
understanding the Inner Self and devotion ultimately to the will of God
one can ascend to the heavens. Some have adopted the findings of
science. Atomic physics has proved that the material world is only one
of many dimensions which "vibrate" at different frequencies. Spirit
being of an incredibly high vibration can lead one to ascend to God, if
one should surrender completely. Perhaps this interconnectedness is
why some say it is our sacred duty to study all the religions of the
world.
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