The Holistic Ontology of Jesus Christ: Part 1 - Yeshua's Trail

To gaze upon a mountain is to be enamored by an awe of the ineffable. It towers resolutely as an icon of that which coerces humility - an expression of love which is born of service and gestated in suffering. Such is a notion that implies neither comfort nor convenience, but serves as a prerequisite for the dissolution of self into an ontological summit beyond our subjective grasp. In this light, the symbol of a mountain is undoubtedly imposing. It's through this perspective that the poetic narratives of our wisdom traditions have relished in painting life as an arduous trail. Within that frame lies one passage to a home which is both sublime in its views and unrivaled in its serenity. Yet it’s an avenue that befuddles and challenges; winding around craggy surfaces in a manner that can appear unmaintained, overgrown, and at times not even resembling a path at all. In fact, to reach such a heightened perch is to contend with the trail's dynamic attributes. It perpetually leads the same direction, yet renders itself void of perceptual consistency. Therein lies the quandary of comprehending the perfection of a journey that appears as quite the contrary -  and to do so requires something beyond rationalization. Rather, such beckons the actionable manifestation of traversing its surface one step at a time. 

On the outset, one’s intuition may infer the broader destination to which life’s trail winds; but it is through the repetitive confrontation of its intricacies, beauties, and challenges that the archetypal patterns of existence emerge. Indeed, there is a rich tapestry of meaning underlying its formidable requisitions, and to unearth such requires far more than an apathetic stroll. It demands an exhaustion of oneself wholly in surrender to its steepest grades. One must enact the ceaseless travel of a land again and again to observe the cycles therewithin; to witness the mycelium of the earth aid in recycling that which was once dead into that which teems abundantly with life. Such frequency weaves the narrative fabric of the seasons; unveiling the vibrant colors of autumn, quiet snow of winter, blooming flowers of spring, and brilliant canopy of summer. Each season functions as a diverse expression of a cyclical phenomenon; yet each is equally enrapturing in its beauties. It is through this profound and intimate exploration of the patterns which envelop reality, that one’s eyes may be open to the self similarity at every scale of their journey. 

Jesus of Nazareth not only knew the nuances of this journey, but was - and remains - the living embodiment of it. 

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” 

John 14: 6 (NASB) 

The wisdom Jesus elucidated reveals an image of the cosmos bearing remarkable similarity to the sciences of our day. And while the math of a rational western mind often revels in its own complexity, Jesus’ message has always been one of striking simplicity. 

Love. 

Such is the single most principal tenet to be explicated from His teachings - and while we inherently know His love exists at the pinnacle of life’s mountain, the comprehension and practice of its true nature often eludes us. What Jesus has done, however, is gracefully lead the way up, bearing the weight of a cross, leaving only for us to pick up ours’ and humbly follow.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

Matthew 16: 24-25 (KJV)

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.” 

John 15: 12-13 (NASB)

The example of Jesus Christ is a poignant illustration of how to die through how to live. Such is the thesis to a ministry not solely reserved for the religiously affiliated. Rather, His outreach is an appeal to everyone - a call to supplant the self servitude of satanic ideology with a selfless servitude that considers the totality of a system rather than its individual facets. It’s a lens through which Jesus meticulously peels back the skin of an illusory self to reveal the divine whole through which we are intimately connected. He has rendered this portrait via an amalgamation of parables, miracles, and the selfless actions of others. This intentionality is not insignificant as He willfully illuminates a bigger picture through the example of those often overlooked, cast away, or deemed reprehensible. Such stands in stark contrast to the rigid doctrine of His day’s religious leaders, but carries a substantial weight in His depiction of a unified body. Most significant, however, is the symbolic culmination and embodiment of His entire ministry - the death and resurrection. 

The concept of death invariably exists as a discomforting one, but it is indeed an integral aspect of cyclical restoration and a prerequisite for new life. Such is evident in all aspects of nature, and especially in the cellular composition of a human body. In this case, cell death is an imperative regulatory process; for without natural expiration, cancer inevitably takes hold of a system at large. In the case of apoptosis (Type I cell-death), such is not only natural, but self sacrificial, which is the very notion embedded in the cornerstone of Jesus’ ministry.

The strokes on Jesus’ canvas are similar to modern science in that they reveal a vibrant harmony of holism, recursion, and symbolism. The language He employs in the synoptic, Johannine, and gnostic gospels all contain these as an inescapable and foundational thread. At the common root of science and spirituality is the conscious analysis of the patterns which envelop creation, and while both may employ different methodologies and perspectives, they unanimously pursue that which operates behind the curtains. There lies a certain beauty in that which is ubiquitous and amidst all diversity of human expression, it’s apparent that math permeates reality as a universal language. Such informs the very formulas of our physicalism and underlies the landscape of both scientific and philosophical inquiry. It’s evident that behind the numbers is a perceptible hierarchy of self similar patterns which manifest in every physical, temporal, spatial, and behavioral scale of our existence. 

Math is quite simply a language in the mind of God which gives form and structure to deeper experiential meaning. In fact, the concept of language itself is immensely powerful as it implies a communication of something primordial; a manifestation of conscious thought. Such delves into the realm of abstraction and constructs something linear and tangible. In this way, the fractal-mathematical forms of our natural world are themselves visualizations of deeper holistic meaning - all of which contribute to conceptually laying the groundwork for the ontological framework of Jesus Himself.

To best understand holism, it’s beneficial to draw contrast with machines. Such can be reduced to independent and detachable parts which function as small pieces of a much larger puzzle; thereby forming the image of the whole through a distinct arrangement of the parts. In a complex system, however; the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, in which the parts are inseparable from the whole and also contain information of the whole. Therefore, a holistic (or holographic) image isn’t quite a puzzle at all as each piece reflects the image and shape of the full arrangement itself. Such complexity and inseparability has become increasingly evident in the quantum nature of our biological systems - and within each thread of creation itself. One need only look at the formulation of quarks in an atom, atoms in a molecule, molecules in a cell, and cells in an organism. Each hierarchical structure has capabilities greater than its components which perpetually interact in both feedforward and feedback loops. Furthermore, each individual human cell contains the genome from the egg of origin; thereby carrying information of the larger body as a whole. In this way, the natural world is starkly different from the mechanistic - and such a dichotomy arises from dramatically divergent ideological patterns. 

The study of complex living systems is inextricably linked with the quantum underpinnings of the natural world. As it turns out, the implications of such phenomena point to the same truths derived from our vast history of ancestral wisdom. The world which we find ourselves so graciously a part of is alive in an intimately connected singularity. Just as cells form the fullness of a living body, so are we tethered in this way to comprise a much greater being. This notion of oneness is not merely relegated to eastern mythos or new age philosophy, but is the emerging scientific image of the natural world itself. In contrast to classical reductionism, a quantum lens discerns the structure of reality not as physical objects - such as measured particles - but as indivisible and fluctuating “fields” of probability. These fields encompass all possible states of being; a perpetual ebb and flow of endless potential. In this way, a quantum state cannot be known until an interaction takes place; at which point it no longer remains a quantum state, but collapses into a measured result. Similarly to one’s daily web of thoughts and decision making, such is when a wave of potentialities become a tangible actuality. In essence, this collapse - or decoherence - results in the observations of Newtonian physics and it’s from this hierarchical perspective that many physicists have been forced to abandon a reductionist portrait of the universe. The resulting implications favor a top-down model of consciousness in which matter, space, and time are not fundamental, but merely contingencies. In fact, the physical objects with which our senses interact are not things so much as they are measured states of information. Through this framework, the basis of our physicality is information; of which we download, filter, and integrate into each of our subjective perspectives.

This story reveals in much greater clarity that our physicalism is not foundational reality, but rather symbolic reality. Such a notion does not imply falsity, but rather a relational structure which allows us to interact with a system far greater than our sensory comprehension. In this way, our perception could be depicted as an interface. The culture we create, the language we articulate, the stories we tell, the actions we pursue - are each and of themselves symbols of greater meaning and purpose. Such are conscious manifestations that allow us to draw order from chaos while approaching truth in a relatable and experiential way. 

“Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” 

Matthew 13:13 (NASB)

According to this model, even the tangible natural world which is perceived as external exists as an icon of our collective interiority. Such renders itself visually as a representation of iterative behaviors at play, constructing self-similar patterns at every scale it’s observed. This notion of recursion is not simply present, but pervasive in the language of Jesus. In fact, the commandment of love as stated in John 15 is itself preceded by a potent fractal analogy. 

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” 

John 15: 1-2 (NASB)

Jesus pointedly employs the symbol of a vine which is the visual of an asymmetrical branching fractal. Such is identical to countless natural forms such as lightning, river deltas, or even neural networks. The self-similar visuals of these structures are themselves representations of processes repeated in ongoing feedback loops. Fractals are not merely visual expressions, however; as these recursive formulas are evident in all facets of human existence. Biological functions such as the fluctuations in one’s heartbeat are fractal - as is the recursive mind chatter that emanates in one’s awareness. There is also fractality in behavioral patterns ranging from that of the individual to those of society. A notable example is an individual’s feedback loop of pain and addiction which in turn contributes to larger societal recursions of unrest and conflict. In this way, it becomes evident how the structure of branches mirror that of the larger vine and vice versa. 

Unlike a regular fractal generated by a perfect computation, however; those of the natural world contain asymmetry. The pattern of such implies a degree of uncertainty within its formulation. Like a quantum wave function, the input of the iterative formula is complex in that it does not contain a defined state, but rather encompasses the probabilities of many different possible outcomes. Such is where conscious measurement - or a decision making process is necessary to facilitate the direction of growth. In the case of Jesus Christ, it could be inferred that He existed fully in the state of love, thereby establishing a tangible precedent for the direction of growth and form of which we are to mirror. In this way, the vine itself is a powerful representation of a fractal growth process; a pattern of behavior and being emergent from mind.

“Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”

John 15: 4-6 (NASB)

The nature of a living vine is indivisibility. It is a self structuring organism - unique in the expressions of its inseparable parts, but altogether nonexistent without their harmonious interdependence. For a vine to bear fruit, it must thrive in a conducive environment around a unified structure. As some of its branches extend downward without support, it impedes the ability of the system as a whole to yield crops. As Jesus expresses the notion that we are derivative branches, He insinuates a mirroring of the patterns established up the hierarchical chain. This remarkable depiction of self-referencing holism provides an image of necessary cooperation wherein the patterns of self-servitude result in the physical extermination of that which grows away from the heavens and toward the corporal. 

“If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you; remain in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”

John 15: 7-11 (NASB)

To remain in love is to exist in God’s state of being. Jesus initiates a behavioral pattern intended to propagate amongst the entangled agents of shared branches. The idea of which is that such a state originates not only from the vine of Jesus, but from the source - the seed which all potentiality is contained and emanates from. In the context of Jesus’ teachings, the abdication of ego is not simply aspirational, but rather imperative. When peering through this holistic framework - the reality of self preservation, indulgence, and competition ironically facilitate self annihilation. This is simply because an agent cannot exist as separate from the whole - and must act in service to the whole for healthy proliferation. Such is a hierarchical mirror of DNA strands in one's own body whose loosening and replication are directly correlated with physical coherence born of positive emotional states. Therein lies a significant catalyst for healing within a complex system on any scale. On the contrary, negative emotions emergent from self servitude are causally related to the coiling of DNA - a form of preservation that harms the body as a whole. It is the derivative patterns of self crowning which generate negative feedback loops that manifest as fractal patterns of violence, pain, and pervasive sickness. The result is the realm of chaos, the absence of God, or as the Christian tradition so delicately puts it - hell. 

“Whoever strives to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will keep it. I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left.”

Luke 17: 33-34 (NASB)

Beyond the scenic vistas of a mountain range is a reality which continually provokes one to question their sanity, strength, and resolve. Its land cycles through weather in extreme and unpredictable ways which impede both movement across its surface and the ability to yield sustenance. In this way, the fruits of a mountain grow of their own accord - able to be harvested, but not cultivated of man’s own volition. The mountain has much to offer one who traverses with humble curiosity, but will inevitably defeat those who aim to impose their will. To reach its heights, it simply demands everything of a person; and while the climb can be unbearably taxing - it never ceases to remain beautiful. The comprehension of such an inexpressible value requires virtuous strides of immense faith; and that concept infers profound trust in a reality much greater than ourselves. This trust is demonstrated through our own conscious manifestations - through thoughts, actions, and all symbolic patterns we exercise within our larger body.

Similarly to the journey upward, our interiority cannot be reduced so simply to words. Language itself is constructed upon symbols derived to infer meaning, and meaning itself is inherently experiential. Such is why in order to understand the journey, one simply must partake in it. Like the ideal of love, our climb is impossible to describe, difficult to comprehend, yet remarkably simple to know. To experience, however, first requires perspective. Just as the Christian church approaches the trinitarian model as three unique expressions of one divine mind, so are we each expressions derived from a much higher consciousness. We exist as part-wholes, each holding a unique and important perspective extracted from filters which direct the flow of information into the subjective human awareness. Therein lies an extraordinary portrait of holism - an indivisible image of the ineffable itself. 

“...Jesus said to them: When you make the two one, and when you make the inside as the outside, and the outside as the inside, and the upper as the lower, and when you make the male and the female into a single one, so that the male is not male and the female not female, and when you make eyes in place of an eye, and a hand in place of a hand, and a foot in place of a foot, an image in place of an image, then shall you enter [the kingdom].”

Thomas 22 (Blatz-NTA), Early Christian/Apocryphal Gospel

Finally, there’s a reason we call Jesus the living way, for His journey is our journey, His cross is our cross, and His love is our love. There exists a prodigious mountaintop visible on life’s horizon - and through Him, the way up has already been illuminated. We need only outfit ourselves in humility for the arduous yet transcendent task ahead. With that we must carry steadfast faith and an unconditional love for the entirety of our natural world. Just as a quantum state is all encompassing and cannot be reduced, there will never be a linear representation of totality. In the end, we must simply experience the pure wonder of creation; holding a boundless love and unbridled curiosity for the beautiful mystery which underlies it all.