.png)
As always, my research takes me on bizarre journeys. In no way am I claiming my personal beliefs in posts I write. I simply wish to show you my delicious discoveries.
The Gods of Eden by William Bramley
Find his book on Amazon
When the Spaniards invaded America in the 16th century, they deliberately destroyed nearly everything they could of the ancient American cultures, except for the gold and precious metals which were shipped to Spain. At that time in history, the Inquisition was at its height and Spain was its most zealous advocate. The ancient Americans were considered pagan, and so Christian missionaries engaged in an energetic campaign to destroy all records and artifacts related to the American religions. Unfortunately, those records included priceless history and science texts. The effect of this obliteration was much like the destruction of the Alexandria Library by Christians earlier: it created a substantial "black out" regarding some of mankind's ancient history. This has left a great many unanswered questions about the Mayans.
For example, the Mayans built many fabulous religious centers and then abandoned them. Some historians believe that the abandonment was done suddenly and that its cause remains a mystery. Others conclude that it was done gradually as the Mayan society decayed. The Mayans were also known to practice human sacrifice. Some historians believe that the sacrifices were an infrequent ritual; others think that the sacrifices amounted to full scale genocide claiming 50,000 lives per year. Where does the truth lie?
One book has surfaced which purports to be a record of ancient Mayan beliefs. It is known as the Popol Vuh ("Council Book"). The Popol Vuh is not a genuinely ancient work. It was first written in the sixteenth century by an unknown Mayan. It was later translated into Spanish by Father Francisco Ximenez of the Dominican Order. Ximenez's translation was first published in Vienna in 1857 and it is the earliest surviving version of the Popul Vuh.
The Popol Vuh is said to be a collection of Mayan beliefs and legends as they had been passed down orally through the centuries. It is clear, however, that many Christian ideas were incorporated into the work, either by the original unknown Mayan author, by Father Ximenez, or by both. It is also obvious that the Popol Vuh contains many tales of pure fiction mixed in with what is said to be the true story of the creation of man. Nevertheless, several segments of the Popol Vuh are worth considering because they repeat important religious and historical themes we have seen elsewhere.
Those themes are expressed by the Popol Vuh within the context of the multiple gods of the ancient Mayas.
The Popul Vuh states that mankind had been created to be a servant of the "gods." The "gods" are quoted: "Let us make him who shall nourish and sustain us! What shall we do to be invoked, in order to be remembered on earth? We have already tried with our first creations, our first creatures; but we could not make them praise and venerate us. So, then, let us try to make obedient, respectful beings who will nourish and sustain us. "
According to the Popul Vuh, the "gods" had made creatures known as "figures of wood" before creating Homo sapiens. Said to look and talk like men, these odd creatures of wood "existed and multiplied; they had daughters, they had sons. .. ."They were, however, inadequate servants for the "gods."
To explain why, the Popol Vuh expresses a sophisticated spiritual truth, which is found in earlier Mesopotamian writings. The "figures of wood" did not have souls, relates the Popol Vuh, and so they walked on all fours "aimlessly." In other words, without souls (spiritual beings) to animate the bodies, the "gods" found that they had created living creatures which could biologically reproduce, but which lacked the intelligence to have goals or direction.
The "gods" destroyed their "figures of wood" and held lengthy meetings to determine the shape and composition of their next attempt. The "gods" finally produced creatures to which spiritual beings could be attached.
Creating Homo sapiens did not end the gods' headaches, however. According to the Popol Vuh, the first Homo sapiens were too intelligent and had too many abilities! "They [first Homo sapiensy] were endowed with intelligence; they saw and instantly they could see far, they succeeded in seeing, they succeeded in knowing all that there is in the world. When they looked, instantly they saw all around them, and they contemplated in turn the arch of heaven and the round face of the earth. But the Creator and the Maker did not hear this with pleasure. He responds "It is not well that our creatures, our works say; they know all, the large and the small," he said.
Something had to be done. Humans (and by implication, the spiritual beings that animate human bodies) needed to have their level of intelligence reduced. Mankind had to be made more stupid: "What shall we do with them now? Let their sight reach only to that which is near; let them see only a little of the face of the earth!"
According to Sumerian texts, Homo sapiens resembled gods' bodies. This may explain why the "gods" of the Popol Vuh were successful with Homo sapiens, but not with other types of bodies: spiritual beings were more willing to inhabit bodies which resembled those they had already animated before. they say. "Perchance, are they not by nature simple creatures of our making? Must they also be gods?"
The Popol Vuh then tells in symbolism what the gods did to early Homo sapiens to reduce human intelligence and intellectual vision:
"Then the Heart of Heaven blew mist into their eyes, which clouded their sight as when a mirror is breathed upon. Their eyes were covered and they could see only what was close, only that was clear to them. In this way the wisdom and all the knowledge of the four men [first Homo sapiens/. . . were destroyed "
The above passage echoes the Biblical Adam and Eve story in which "revolving swords" had been placed to block human access to important knowledge.
I find it fascinating. The information here is very provoking and useful for prompting a good writing session. Bizarre, and possibly a part of the deep and ancient history of mankind.
An intriguing feature of the Old Testament, or Hebrew Bible, is the divine council, a body of celestial beings who meet with God in divine deliberations.
This idea is connected to the Hebrew term "sod," which means "a confidential discussion, a secret or plan, a circle of confidants, or council."
Psalm 82 offers a fascinating description of this "council of God": "God has taken his place in the council of God; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment. … I (God) said, 'You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you.' " In this meeting of the "council of God," God addresses the members of his "sod" as "gods" and "sons of the Most High."
Nearly all scholars now agree that, when used in relationship to God, "sod" refers to the heavenly divine council, which human prophets may sometimes visit to learn divine secrets. The celestial members of this council are variously called the "host of heaven" (1 Kings 22:19), "gods" or "sons of God" (Psalm 82:1, 6), or "Holy Ones."
I say this, the more bizarre it is, the more likely I am to research!
Comments