Renew Yourself, Die to the Old

Jesus spoke about death as a prelude to resurrection, and he also spoke about
the need to be born again. The connection between the two was summed up by Paul
as “dying unto death.”

Christian doctrine has focused almost entirely on
trusting in the resurrection of Jesus as a sign that every soul will be
resurrected one day. But when he said, “You must be born from above,” Jesus put
the emphasis on transformation in this lifetime, not some faraway future.
Being born from above means a rebirth in spirit. Spiritual rebirth usually isn’t
a single event, a blinding epiphany that causes one’s life to change from that
moment forward. For most, spiritual rebirth is a process akin to the long
process that causes people to mature psychologically. The spiritual process
brings transformation steadily, one step at a time, yet the overall result is
dramatic. One’s attachment to the ego and its belief in separation, including the ultimate separation of death, is being jettisoned.

Right now, you accept a fixed set of labels that define you. These include your
name, age, family, occupation and social status. From Jesus’perspective,
however, none of these labels is the true you; they distract from the reality
that you are spirit embodied in flesh. If you wanted to, you could redefine
yourself every day. As the fixed self gives way to a dynamic, fluid self that is
open to the unknown, freedom dawns. In that freedom, you go beyond death by
discovering that you encompass life and death in a state of pure being.

Stay tuned for Part II: An exercise to eliminate your labels and redefine
yourself.

Read more: Spirit, Deepak Chopra's Tips

Adapted from The Third Jesus, by Deepak Chopra (Harmony Books, 2008). Reprinted by permission of the author.
Adapted from The Third Jesus, by Deepak Chopra (Harmony Books, 2008).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

KS G.

12:45AM PDT on May 17, 2011

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

Brian M.

10:30AM PST on Nov 28, 2010

Thanks

Bon L.

4:55AM PST on Nov 15, 2010

Thanks for the info.

Lidia F.

7:44PM PDT on Sep 29, 2010

it is great some of you that you have been transformed by the supreme being,and that he has answered you're many prayers.But personally speaking,he has only answered one.Which was appreciated,but the more serious matters,he has left unanswered.

7:41PM PDT on Sep 29, 2010

As the old phrase said.You are spirit having a human experience.

Cheryl B.

6:36AM PDT on Jun 10, 2010

thanks ... can't wait to get the book

Guido Z.

9:44AM PST on Feb 20, 2010

I had an epiphany! I was so down, I didn't care if I died! Heck, I welcomed death! I was so sick of this world, and society as a whole, I was begging for some "sanity". I was writing to all the Vocational Rehab. counselors, and the Governor of Florida, and the Commissioner of Education, and EVERYONE, just flaming mad! Then, as I wrote to a lady from the Advocacy Center for People with Disabilities, I used the word "epiphany" in what I wrote to her... (my meaning was "an enlightenment" of sorts) but I wasn't sure if that context was correct, so with my 148 IQ I decided to look it up before sending the mail, so I didn't appear uneducated or "dumb"... well... when I looked it up... BAM! Epiphany is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God made Man in the person of Jesus Christ, and It falls on January 6th. I looked down at my computer clock... what day was it? JANUARY 6th! WOW! Talk about an epiphany... on that day, at that time, I made a decision to turn my life over to God Almighty, and never looked back! I'M CONVINCED THERE IS A HIGHER POWER... GOD! and YES! God works in mysterious ways, it's true! I since have been baptized and joined a local church which I attend 3 times a week. I have truly been SAVED! GOD RULES! Thanks for listening! Guido Zecckine III

Lois W.

5:21PM PST on Feb 10, 2010

All things are possible if we will but believe they are possible. Healing is not necessarily about curing. The manner in which you would define a "fix" of your situation may not be what the divine intelligence of the universe would have in mind for you. I have heard it said that "we plan and God laughs." Look for the lesson or growth you may be intended to receive from whatever your situation is. Honor the situation, give thanks for what it can teach you, and give it to divine intelligence to deal with.

Kats Greenseas C.

11:55AM PST on Feb 10, 2010

I should have died then I wouldnt be trying to figure out how to fix what seems impossible to fix

Dragonfly C.

10:40AM PDT on Sep 21, 2009

Dixon, do not twist Jesus words. He said "these things, and even great things you will do." Transformation is the entire reason for being here in the first place. So don't you tell me what Jesus said. I already know. And it's not your characterization!