Third Week of Advent, Sunday: Our Divine Identity

In the Heart of Winter: A Meditator’s Guide to Advent

And the angel came in unto her, and said, “Hail, thou that art highly favored...

–Luke 2:28

When the angel Gabriel appears to Mary to announce the coming birth of the Christ child, he does not address her by her given name. He doesn’t greet her as Mary but calls her “One Who Is Highly Favored” and “One Who Is Blessed Among Women”. It is an interesting greeting and it causes Mary to wonder. What kind of greeting is that, she says. She finds it curious, and unsettling. As we explore the metaphysical meaning, we see that she is being called to a new identity. Her consciousness is being transformed, and with that, her old identity.

When the revelation comes to her, it raises her up from old ideas and attachments. There is an immediate impact. We can note that she does not receive this inspiration at the level of ego, or personal identity. Her response is consistent with an opening to soul-knowing, with surrendered devotion to God. Imagine an inspiration that comes and says, “You Are Great! Most Highly Favored! God is with you.” If such an inspiration were to be received by the ego, the false self, it would be tempting to feel proud, and perhaps, even to boast about having a spiritual experience. However, Mary’s story is instructive of what occurs when the soul is completely receptive to the word, or the creative power, of God. She too finds another name for herself, saying, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord.”

This naming that takes place in the story, both from the angel, and from Mary, indicates the transformation of her identity. Before spiritual awakening, we tend to identify ourselves with our bodies, with our minds, and with the roles that we play. When our awareness is freed from involvement and identification with those patterns in the mind, it comes to rest in our essential nature which is divine. We experience That which we truly are—pure existence-being. We discover our true Self. One with the One, a new identity is ours.

Practice:

Pay attention to the ways you “name” yourself (and others) throughout the day. What kind of adjectives come into your mind in moments of self awareness? So often the names we inwardly utter are not consistent with our highest nature but our lowest—“O Absent Minded One!” or “You Who Lack Awareness”.

Cultivate your divine identity by refusing to name yourself in ways that pull you down. If you notice any self commentary that is not uplifting, change it by taking a moment to consider your true identity.

Contemplate:

At each stage of progressive awakening to authentic Self- and God-knowledge, the devotee’s new state of awareness must be harmoniously integrated with the mind, personality, and body. This process is most effectively accomplished by appropriate, conscious living every moment of each day.

–Roy Eugene Davis

Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

–teachings of Jesus, John 10:34

Reflect:

Who do I think I am? Who do I tell myself I am?