ESSAY ON THE MOVIE, AGORA MU Class 1107 By Ronald Dubrawsky 10/13/11 Yes, the sun is at the center of our solar system, and the earth is not flat. The earth is one of the wanderers, a child of the sun. When two things are equal to a third, they are equal to each other. When men reject the Mother, they become fanatical. There is a higher love that is above the physical. Falsehoods and the wrong use of the spoken word can incite riot and violence. Today it is common knowledge that the earth revolves around the sun of our solar system. That may be in word only, for some, and for others a way of life. And for those who see it as a way of life, the door eventually opens with the realization that one is to become that sun. This is the path of the initiate. How fortunate were those who were able to study with such a one as Hypatia at her mystery school in Alexandria. How doubly fortunate it was that the teacher was a woman, which speaks volumes for Alexandrian culture up until that tipping point time. We must ask ourselves, who gains by the destruction of the Alexandrian Library and the murder of Hypatia in this dualistic culture? Surely it was not the enlightened ones. And we do remember the dark ages that resulted. We do remember the inquisitions, the crusades, and the extermination of the Cathars. And yet, Hypatia taught that we are all brothers, that we are more the same than we are different. So simple, yet even the students had to be reminded, slipping so easily into the lower consciousness of divisions and differences. Knowing the divide and conquer tactics, how does it happen that we continually fall? In our own meditations, we are reminded that momentums rise or fall depending on our indulgence, repetition and where we put our attention. Who gains in this expansive episode? Who created the greatest momentum, who created the greatest karma? Today, it is commonly stated that as people awaken, one by one, the world will change. And as the Light increases, the darkness does likewise, and the tests become more subtle. Hypatia’s three outstanding students depicted in the movie played archetypal roles. Davus, who was Hypatia’s slave and was finally freed by Hypatia, was trying to come to terms with what he was taught in Hypatia’s school - Greek masters, logic, astronomy, geometry - and his strong belief in Christianity. I would say that his basic modus operandi was his Christian faith, his driving will, his secret love for Hypatia, and later in the movie, his profound questioning of everything that was going on around him and in him, resulting in rapid development of his heart chakra. Synesius was very intelligent, logical and practical. He eventually became a bishop. Something of his character is depicted in the scene where he tries to convince Orestes that when he, Orestes, failed to kneel in front of Cyril, who was holding the sacred text over him in the cathedral, he virtually ended his career and maybe his life. And in another scene as he was comforting Hypatia, trying to convince her that we are all good people, and therefore she is as Christian as the rest of us, Hypatia’s reply to Synesius was: “You do not question your beliefs, you cannot, I must.” This reply was a new paradigm for the ears of Synesius, which I personally think required time for reflection on Synesius’ part. Synesius replies that it is a great pity, “Our revered teacher…taken away from what she herself taught us.” Orestes demonstrates his devotion to Hypatia when he was caught in Cyril’s snare. He refuses to kneel to the sacred words of the bible in order to make a stand and show his loyalty to his beloved teacher, Hypatia. I think this act of placing Hypatia above his own career and life, shows much love and courage even though he was caught off guard by Cyril. The scenes of drama and violence leading up to the murder of Hypatia and her stand on principal are very reminiscent of the scenes leading to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In closing I have to say that I am especially happy for all Europeans, and their world-extended culture, who get the opportunity to watch this movie, for they are the ones who suffered so very much under their imposed religion, and drove many to the opposite pole, no religion. Now they will be able to see and understand how it all happened, and hopefully choose a middle way. It is clear that the destruction of the Alexandrian Library, the desecration of the sanctity of Hypatia’s school, and all that it stands for, and the organizing and reforming of the Christian movement by Constantine were an unimaginable setback for a coming golden age of enlightenment. That was over 1600 years ago, and much ignorance and malice has ensued in these past 1600 years. And now, as we enter the Age of Aquarius, we have arrived at our greatest opportunity to do our utmost to become enlightened and to enlighten others. Ronald Dubrawsky
|