The following Liturgy is offered as a spiritual practice for an individual,
and may be adapted for a group.

"Whatever happens to another, happens to oneself."
-- Oscar Wilde, De Profundis

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The Yoga of the Christos:
A Contemplative Liturgy for One
On behalf of All

Stand, kneel, or sit before a Table or Shrine already prepared.
Begin with silent meditation for a short time.
Ring a bell or chant a sound that is sacred to you, ending the silence --
then bless + while saying:

In the Name of the
Infinite Mind of Light
Mystical Body of Life
and Holy Spirit of Love
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One Reality
That
Manifests
Sustains
and Transforms
All Beings.
AMEN!

Light candle and/or incense, and say:

In solitary solidarity with All beings, and in the presence of Angels and Archangels, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Avatars and Anointed Ones, and All who dwell in Light, we kindle Fire and call out:

Come! True Light, Hidden Mystery, Light that knows no evening.
Come! Resurrection of the Fallen.
Come! Unfading Robe of Light and All-Reflecting Net of Jewels.
Come! Water of Life, and Fire of Love.
Come! Who bides unmoved, yet are forever wholly in movement.
Come! Who descends from the heights, and arises from the depths.
Come! For You are Yourself the Desire That Burns Within and the Name That Calls.
Come! For You are the Knower, the Known, and the Gnosis
– the Lover, the Beloved, and the Embrace.
Come! O Breath, O Life, O Joy, O Glory, O Endless Delight!
MARANATHA + AMEN!

Observe silence for a moment, then say:

Let all mortal flesh watch in Silence – and ponder within itself the Mystery of Existence – for the Uncreated Light comes to be offered as the Food of Creation.

Lift the bread:

Blessed are You, Seed of All Creation.
Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which Earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the Bread of Infinite Life!

Add water to the cup of wine (or grape juice) and lift it:

In token of the Mystery of Creation and Incarnation – our dual nature in Christ, Who dwells within our Humanity that we might re-member our Divinity, we mix this water with this wine. As your Spirit moves the heart of every living being, so we move these elements together – that the Two may become One – for out of You we come, and unto You we return.

Blessed are You, Womb of All Creation.
Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become for us the Nectar of Everlasting Love!

O Wellspring of the Cosmos, You have blessed with these gifts, with them we offer ourselves to your service and dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that You bring forth, in remembrance of the One Reality that gives itself in birth to the Many.

May I become That which maintains all beings throughout space.
So long a space exists and sentient beings endure,
May I remain to dispel the misery of the world.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy!
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek:
To be consoled ,as to console.
To be understood, as to understand.
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life!

It is in dying to whom we think we are, that we are born as the One we really are!

Dip hands in baptismal bowl, and bless with water, saying:

Washing away all traces of delusion and fear, hatred and greed,
I AM reborn in Spirit – in original innocence.
Come! True Self! MARANATHA + AMEN!

Come! True Self that dispells the loneliness of the false self.
Come! Spiritual Friendship and Silence that reveals the Hidden Mysteries.
Come! Secret Name that is above every name.
Come! Gift of the Most High and Compassionate Mother.
Come! Holy Dove that bears the Eternal Twin.
Come! Bride of the Christ and Soul of the World, Who anoints the Word with Wisdom.
Come! Holy Spirit, to your Love-Feast of Thanksgiving to which All are called.

O Holy Spirit of Love! Fount of all wholeness, by your presence within these gifts
they become for us signs of the Presence of Christ –
revealed through the prophet Jesus, the Son of Mary, the Bridegroom of Sophia –
Our Teacher, Twin and True Companion..
Christ is Your Word within us and within all --
The True Self in Union with True Wisdom and True Will –
Who takes bread, gives thanks, + blesses it, and gives it to All, saying:

I AM the Living Bread of LIFE coming down from heaven.
Take and eat. This Bread is My Body --
the Mystical Body of LIFE -- given for you.
Whoever eats of this Bread has LIFE Eternal.
Do this to re-member Me.

And Who takes the cup, gives thanks, + blesses it, and gives it to all, saying:

I AM the Vine and You are the Branches – remain in Me, as I in you.
Take and drink. This Is the Cup of My Blood --
a sign of My everlasting Promise:
I AM with you always.
LOVE one another, as I LOVE you.

We proclaim the Good News and Mystery of Life in the words of the Living Jesus, saying:

I AM THE LIGHT that is over all things.
I AM THE ALL.
From me all come forth, and to Me all attain.
Split a piece of wood, I AM there.
Lift up the stone, and you will find Me there.

ALLELUIA + AMEN!

Lift Bread and Cup for contemplation.

Then say the Lord's Prayer, or a spiritual interpration like this one:

O Source Within Us,
Beyond Speech and Silence Is Your Name.
Your Friendship Come, Your Love Be Done,
and so Reveal the Hidden Splendor.
Give us each day the Bread of Wisdom
and the Cup of Healing to Share with Others.
Deliver us from forgetfulness and false appearances,
And lead us into the Freedom and Vison
of Things As They Are –
So that by Your Light we May Behold You
and Love You in All Beings!
For in Truth You Are
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the Astonishing Fire and Ever-burning Light,
the Dance of Love and the Song of Life!
Now and All Ways.
AMEN!

Break the Bread:

Behold the Mystical Body of Life – Broken and yet not divided – Ever eaten yet never consumed – But making Whole all who partake of it –

Drop a Fragment into the Cup:

In the Fullness of the Holy Spirit!

As you give yourself, Body and Blood,
so too I offer myself wholly unto you, O Christ,
my body and my blood,
to take and transform as You Will,
that Your Mystery be complete in me,
for the benefit of all. AMEN!

Holy Communion, followed by a few moments of Silence.

I have recognized my Self and have gathered my Self from the + Four Quarters. I have forsaken all darkness and am delivered from delusion. O Child of Wisdom and Compassion! You gather my members that once were scattered abroad, and have led me to YOU -- THE ONLY ONE I AM.

The One That Knows and Dwells Within All is the Resurrection and the Life,
unto Whose Name be all thanks and praise. ALLELUIA + AMEN!

May the blessings of this sacred Mystery liberate all beings in all worlds from suffering.
May all beings be well and happy! May they abide in Peace and Love!
May they find the Way to Infinite Light and Life! AMEN!

Endless is the Mystery – ended is this Rite.
Let All Go in Peace – to Love and Share the Light!

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For a longer version of this liturgy in booklet form, also with introduction and notes, and specifically for group celebration, please contact:

Circle of the Free Spirit
Box 230316 Ansonia Station
New York, NY 10023

Bishop + Mark Aelred
MarkAelredCFS@aol.com

Michel Elliiot + Priest
Mebkieu@aol.com

The Yoga of the Christos has been evolving for many years. It may be used in sincere spiritual practice, but not bought or sold. Variations may be posted to this site in the future. Visit us again!

Posted: September 21, 2006 - Fall Equinox

Revised: Vigil of St. Mark, April 24, 2007