Back in the 1940s there was a book written by Robert Graves [of "I Claudius" fame], and this book was entitled: King Jesus. It was not a particularly religious book, yet it captured the life and times of those who lived in first century Palestine, as well as the human Jesus of Nazareth. In this book the secular Jesus has spent some time in the monastic community of the Essenes, near the Dead Sea. The Abbot of that Spiritual Life Community was called, Menachem--the Essene.

The most interesting part of that old writing was a dialogue between Abbot Menachem and Jesus. From the mouth of Menachem is placed the discourse of the Tempter, luring Jesus, the Nazarene, to remain and become the next "Teacher of Righteousness" [i.e., food, worship, and power within the community]. The Abbot [Father, from Abba] Menachem died somewhere around 70 C.E. [A.D.].

As Plato revealed, all ideas, thoughts, words, and energy that has dissipated into the atmosphere yet remains there. So, in the truest Platonic interest, the spirit of the ancient Abbot of this community is with us even today -- in thought. As I absorb myself into his psyche I get a sense that his interior cathedral has, over time, finally been constructed. Now he has learned from Jesus, Socrates, Lao-Tsu, the Buddha, Rabbis Rashi, Nachmanides, and Hirsch, as well as the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, the Christ.

And so, Fr. Menachem is the modern Abbot of the spiritual community called "Qumran-West." He exists only in spirit, and I, Brother Michael, have been commissioned to respond as his scribe.

In his name, and by his spirit, I will communicate with you. He, through me, will be able to lead you toward the construction of your interior cathedral. But, this will only occur by a personal invitation from you as you enter into our sacred space.

Visit us often, communicate with us often, and if we are able to help you in any way to construct your interior cathedral then the spirit of the abbot will have been worth revisiting.

Shaloam,

Abbot Fr. Menachem/mac

* the Abbot would very much like to hear from you. If you would like, please write via e-mail message to the address below.

© 1997 menachem@writeme.com

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page