When we consider the cross, we normally think about it in terms of its religious connotations and meaning as it pertains to Christianity, but there is actually a lot more to its meaning as a universal symbol. If we step away from our current understanding of the cross as it relates to the work of the Christ and his subsequent crucifixion, we may see it as a symbol that in fact represents our own energy field. Spiritual energy and physical energy work together and have their constant movement through us. This interplay of creative energy defines us in any given moment by our conscious understanding of ourselves. We can view the arms of the cross to represent the types of energy we are made of, where each comes from, and the direction it is moving within and without. But before we consider this energy movement, let’s take a look at symbology itself and its intended purpose.
If we want to understand ourselves at a spiritual or universal level, we must always have a goal of perceiving the underlying meaning of what is presented to us. There are of course various levels of perception, and what each individual is able to perceive is based on their current level of understanding. In other words, the cross as a symbol will mean something different to each of us. As we grow in our conscious understanding through our experience, our perception of things will ultimately become broader and more inclusive over time. Symbols are always intended to apply to all of us, no matter our temporary level of perception or understanding. The implications of any system of symbology therefore provide for us a sense of universality. It must also be understood that any symbol or belief system has no real practical value if it cannot be applied to all. Let’s begin by looking at the four arms of the cross and their implied direction of energy or movement. Next, we’ll look at the two primary arms themselves, as they involve two types of relationship or relating. Finally, we’ll take a look at the crucifixion itself as a metaphor for our life here in the physical world.
The Four Arms:
Top
As we look up, we have a sense of something higher or greater than ourselves. This orientation or movement of our energy is the least understood and developed of the four. It nevertheless is part of our reality, as we hope to become more and better, and have a greater understanding of who we are as a spiritual being and the purpose of our existence. From a religious perspective, we can view this area as one of faith, because we “believe” in something greater, but do not necessarily “know” within our current level of experience. This will change in time as we become more evolved in our consciousness. As we grow in our understanding, we are able to know how to apply this higher part of ourselves in physical, daily life. The development of our spiritual self is always one of practicality, as we must eventually become more actively involved in improving the condition and meaning of our life here in the physical world. It is the goal and purpose of the greater universe, or God. It is our goal and purpose.
Bottom
Physical life and the physical world is where the majority of humanity maintains its level of consciousness at the present time. Our focus is to develop a home base, if you will, and provide a place for the light and awareness of our soul to exist. We believe ourselves to be a physical being, living in a physical world, and are almost completely identified thereby. “This is all there is” or “this is who we are” is the common belief and state of reality at a conscious level. It may seem unfortunate at first look, but this level of awareness or truth is but a temporary part of our essential development. The grand, universal experiment is to bring the love and light of the soul into the physical world. We are, in a very real way, making God a physical reality. Extraordinary, indeed! However, first things first, as they say. We must fully experience ourselves as physical beings in all our “physicality” before we proceed to the next phase. The beginnings of a greater spiritual awareness are upon us now, as I write these words. We are moving forward with each breath we take. Our hopes and dreams are finally becoming our reality.
Left
We can view the left arm of the cross as the past, or what we have already accomplished and experienced. This is a significant problem area for humanity, as many of us believe our past has more relevance than it is really intended to have. We are unduly influenced by past experiences, which does not allow us to participate more consciously in the present. If we are to understand our past, we must let go of the judgements and fears we have attached to them. This is our healing. We cannot create the new things we need when we live in the past or try to make the past the present. We are essentially inhibiting our own growth by doing so. Our goal would be to gather that which has worked in the past as a foundation to build anew. This is applied wisdom. The mistakes we made and the judgements we have about them must be discarded as they have no relevance. It is the wisdom acquired which propels us forward. The future awaits us now.
Right
The right arm of the cross represents the future. Unfortunately, this level of perception can be just as limiting as our perception of the past. We have a tendency to worry about it far too often. It should be obvious that the future is not here just yet! It’s much healthier to focus on the now, for our present moment is all we have available. We will do a much better job in life if we see the future as a tool to help us understand what we are creating through what we do and what we know now. The only real value of prediction is to understand where we currently are and where we would like to be. The idea of fate as governing our reality is in fact only relatively true. The implication is that we decide our fate, nothing is ultimately written in stone. This is what freewill means. We create and build our future in every present moment. It’s up to us what our future brings. If we look ahead and don’t like what we see, then it’s time to get busy. There’s no need to worry about the future, if we’re doing the best we can and attempting to create a better life and world. Possibility and opportunity belong to us always.
The Two Primary Arms:
Vertical
The vertical arm of the cross is our main line of energy and involves our relationship with the all. The top of the arm represents oneness. The bottom represents us as an individual, or our life here as a physical being. We can also view the top of the cross as togetherness, wholeness, or completeness. In terms of time, this would be the area of eternity. The bottom is the perception of ourselves as separate or apart. This we must understand as temporary. The feeling of being separate and alone will not be forever, for it is an illusion within time. The up and down motion is exhausting and often painful. With practice and commitment, we will find relief at the center of the cross, where all four arms meet. This is our heart center, where love can be experienced. It is the vehicle by which we escape all fear and limitation.
Horizontal
The horizontal arm of the cross represents the type of consciousness most of us are aware of and using at the current time. It has much to do with our perception of time within our experience. It is best understood as an experience of sequential order, a step-by-step process. It is here that we perceive our life and reality for the most part. It is once again a dual relationship, as it involves our inner life and how we relate to the outer, physical world. Interestingly, this is known as our temporal experience, and implies temporary in terms of our perception. Our temporal experience is always subject to change and modification. We’re always learning and growing. It is in our best interest to understand our physical experience as a temporary matter of perception within the context of past, present, and future. If it is permanence, stability, and timelessness we are looking for in our experience, this can be found in the vertical relationship we have with our higher self, soul, God, the universe, whatever we want to call it. Our physical experience and life hold more sway currently for the majority of humanity, but this will change with the evolution of consciousness. This is a given that we can rely upon. Eventually, it is the vertical relationship we have inside us that will become more prominent. Our goals and desires will include the need to experience wholeness and togetherness. We want to be more complete. When both of the main arms of the cross become equal, or balanced, then our orientation reverses course, and we begin our journey back home. Before this becomes a possibility for us, we must keep in mind that we still have a lot to accomplish, right here, right now.
The Crucifixion as a Metaphor
If we consider the work and life of the Christ, we must view it as a symbol that can be applied to our life as well. The crucifixion should not be viewed as an abhorrent, violent event, but as a metaphor for life. All symbols are universal. We can even see the cross reflected in the shape of our physical bodies, for example. Universality means practicality. These are things we can apply within our own life, especially our physical life. There is a lot of pain and suffering we experience in becoming who we essentially are. We have been shown, however, the reality of eternal life, or the continuity of consciousness through the life of the Christ. Our suffering concerns our attachment to physical things and physical existence. We are therefore in a process of releasing ourselves from an improper identification, you see. It is a sacrifice we all will make when the time is right. This is not a denial of the importance of physical life, but an understanding that it is indeed temporary. We will go back home one day. We will be free and at peace. We do not require physical death in order to have that experience. This is what we must understand. Our goal is to bring and have that experience here. This is not only the experience of the Christ, but ours as well. This is His promise to us. There is never a need to worry, my friends. We are well on our way.
Up and down, back and forth, in and out. Whew! It’s a lot of work having all this energy to contend with. We can understand the symbol of the cross to represent ourselves as amazing, creative beings of energy. The practical implication is that we can grow, we can change, we can move. We are not as limited as we would like to believe. We are free to be. Our goal is to fully understand that our movement is always one in a forward direction. The expansion of ourselves is the evolution of our own spiritual consciousness. This is our ability and gift. It is also, I might add, something worth fighting for. Thanks, everyone!
All my love and support, stay safe and be well