The "Sign"

In the Gospel of Thomas there is an intriguing statement made by Yeshua in response to the question, “What is the sign of the Source within you?” He instructs us to observe, and then to respond, “It is movement and it is rest.”

Characteristic of the aphoristic and terse forms in this ancient text, Yeshua’s instruction appears to us almost inscrutable. What could he mean by juxtaposing these two terms? What do they mean?

If one realizes that the teaching of the Gospel of Thomas centers on the relationship between Divine Oneness and the world of duality, these terms: “movement” and “rest” describing the Source, could be understood to refer to the Unitive nature of Divine Reality itself. These are the Yin and the Yang of God, principles resident at the very heart of Ultimate Reality expressed in Semitic terms.

In the Divine itself we can begin to understand that Oneness holds together what appears to be two opposite (but complimentary) principles, just as the famous symbol of yin and yang are held together in one full circle. In God, as Ultimate Reality, there is the reality of complete Rest—the Absolute Stillness of that which is beyond movement in terms of Being which is the “dark Unknown” of God—the principle of the Absolute. But if one is to say that this is “all” there is in God, then we would be missing the divine principle of Creative Manifestation which spills out in a million-billion gifts of existence revealing the Infinitude of the Divine Qualities inherent in the deep Stillness, the Unknown of God.

We are to come to know these two principles, and to hold them together within ourselves by deep personal experience (because we belong to them and have come forth from them). This is to be the Sign that we are rooted in and manifest by the Source. The question will always be, then, what are the “Signs” that these are experienced by and in us? This is an exploration that will fill the whole of our lives.