gospel of Thomas 99

The disciples said to him, "Your brothers and your mother are standing outside."

He said to them, "Those here who do the will of my father are my brothers and my mother. It is they who will enter the kingdom of my father."

In most human societies, the biological family is held to be very important; and one's relationship with one's parents, siblings, and children, is seen to be of the highest value compared to other relationships. In this little saying from the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus is exploring the different sorts of family. His biological brothers and mother must have been outside. That's what his disciples are talking about: hey, they're waiting for you; they want to see you.

But he's not that concerned. And this is often the way with enlightened ones. The way they relate to one person is not really different to the way they relate to another. The family bond is no more significant than any other relationship. There is this great equanimity: everyone is equally related to oneself. There is no closer relationship or more distant.

Bear in mind that we are not separate from each other. And that non separation means that there is no distance – no distance between any of us. So there is not even a relationship as such; just non separation. And with that, this great equality.

But then Jesus wants to emphasise the importance of a spiritual community, of people seeking together, and teaching. So he says that those who do the will of my father – that is God's will – they are my brothers and my mother, they are my family. It is these people that Jesus is helping. He is leading them: leading them into the kingdom of God; leading them to their enlightenment. So he's really saying to his disciples, you are my family; you are the ones where the focus of my attention is.

And this is the way of a spiritual teacher. This is his purpose. This is what he's doing with his life. It is of paramount importance. And so he feels this community of religious people to be his family.

And it may sound strange to say, but when we are seeking, we also have to break the attachment to our family, our biological family. Whilst we have such attachments, putting one human being above another, then we will not be free. And we will be partial in our love for our fellow human beings.

Part of our liberation is to drop all that selectivity, and be equally at ease with everyone, and with all of life. So be thankful to your parents for bringing you into the world, for keeping you alive when you were small. But let go of any attachment you still hold. It is no longer needed. It is time to stand alone.