The world's most recognisable religious symbol, the Cross of Christianity, may represent more than the means of Christ's execution. Here's a metaphorical interpretation, based upon a idea from the Greek-Armenian philosopher and mystic, G.I. Gurdjieff...
The vertical beam represents spiritual ascent, the journey from Zero to One, from small 'c' consciousness to the Big 'C' Consciousness that is unity with God.
The horizontal beam represents the material world, the ego, animal instincts and desires. It stands a barrier to the spiritual ascent, cutting across it at 90 degrees.
Traditionally, the horizontal beam is two-thirds of the way up the vertical beam.
If we take the biblical lifespan of 70 years, the ascent from Zero up to beyond the horizontal beam takes two-thirds of a human life, that is a little over 46 years.
By the age of 46 years, we should have overcome our egos, made and feathered our nests, begotten our offspring, and have moved onto a state where – having overcome the challenges of the material world – we can concentrate on the spiritual, from a position of comfort and wisdom based on lived experience.
When I say '46 years', this is not meant to be taken literally; our lifespans have lengthened since biblical times. So, the age at which we reach and overcome the material/ego barrier is proportionately higher. Sixty six and two-thirds if you're aiming to live to a hundred?
Having said that, the barrier of Ego, which clouds, dilutes and distracts from the spiritual journey does not suddenly pop up in middle age; it begins forming with a child's socialisation. "Child is born /With a heart of gold/Way of the world/Makes his heart so cold [That's the Way of the World, Earth, Wind and Fire, 1975] Within the first few years of primary school, building up to a crescendo of hormone-fuelled stupidity that eases off with entry into adulthood, when a more deliberative ego emerges. From the horizontal beam hangs a drape, which doesn't quite touch the ground...
Emerging above the horizontal beam, seeing with clarity, on the final stages of the human body's journey through life, untroubled by the fripperies of material desires.
Having said that, some humans are destined never to cross that barrier whatever their age; trapped by their egotistical instincts. Never content, always seeking external validation. A certain orange-coloured president springs to mind.
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