Jesus…the untold story

The Numinous Diaries – Conversation on Spiritual Things Vol. 10

Growing up in the Jewish tradition I never spent much time investigating the teachings of Jesus or his ascension to the exalted state of the Christ. In my early twenties someone turned me on to The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ, by Levi H. Dowling. As many are, this was a channeled piece given directly to Levi by Jesus and hence a book was produced to introduce the lost years of Jesus travels. Of course you may say this is far fetched, but it is possible that this did occur in Jesus life and I felt deeply about it, after spending several years with a guru and deep meditation, that the possibility of this was absolute.

There are also the events covered in the Gnostic Gospels and the Thomasine Gospel that give credence to this as well.

Jesus…the untold story

The stories of Jesus traveling to India and Tibet emerge from esoteric traditions and speculative accounts that lie outside the canonical Gospels. These narratives suggest that during the so-called “Lost Years” — the period between Jesus’ adolescence and the beginning of his ministry, absent from the New Testament — he journeyed eastward in search of spiritual wisdom. While mainstream historians often dismiss these accounts due to a lack of concrete evidence, they resonate deeply within mystical traditions that see Jesus as a universal seeker and embodiment of divine wisdom.

Jesus in India and the Teachings of the East

Ancient texts such as the Bhavishya Purana of India and the controversial The Life of Saint Issa, published by Nicolas Notovitch in the 19th century, describe Jesus (often referred to as Issa) traveling through regions like India, Nepal, and Tibet. According to these accounts, Jesus studied with Brahmin priests and Buddhist monks, absorbing the spiritual philosophies of nonviolence, compassion, and the unity of existence.

In the temples of the East, Jesus is said to have engaged deeply with the Vedic understanding of the Atman — the divine self — and the interconnected nature of all beings. The concept of Ahimsa (non-violence) would have been a natural resonance for one who preached love for one’s enemies and the turning of the other cheek. Similarly, the realization of Brahman as the ultimate reality echoes in Jesus’ teachings of the Kingdom of God being within.

Tibetan Influence and the Mystical Christ

The Buddhist teachings of Tibet also left their mark on these narratives. Tibetan traditions, especially those rooted in Dzogchen and Mahayana philosophy, emphasize the dissolution of the egoic self and the realization of the luminous, ever-present awareness — a state not unlike what Jesus referred to as the “I Am.” His words in the Gospel of John — “Before Abraham was, I Am” — suggest a direct realization of the eternal presence that transcends form and identity.

The Tibetan texts also speak of the Bodhisattva ideal, the vow to remain in service to all beings until they are liberated from suffering. In the Christ narrative, this finds reflection in the sacrificial act of Jesus, not as mere atonement but as the living embodiment of unconditional love. His teachings of forgiveness and inner awakening echo the heart of the Bodhisattva’s compassionate path.

A Convergence of Wisdom

Whether these stories of Jesus’ travels are literal or symbolic, they illuminate a profound truth — that the essence of divine realization is not confined to any single tradition. Jesus, as the Christ, becomes a bridge between the East and the West, the inner and the outer, the form and the formless. His realization was not solely a Judeo-Christian revelation, but a cosmic awakening to the oneness that sages across cultures have known.

Thus, the image of Jesus in the temples of India and the monasteries of Tibet is a reflection of the eternal seeker within us all — the Soul yearning to remember itself. And in that remembrance, the words of Christ resound through the corridors of all wisdom traditions: “The Kingdom of Heaven is within you.”

In the book The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ by Levi H Dowling there is further discovery of Jesus travels and his relationship with other mystical forms of Divine Realization.

Yes, The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ by Levi H. Dowling is a mystical text that expands upon the idea of Jesus’ travels to India, Tibet, Persia, Assyria, Greece, and Egypt during the so-called “Lost Years.” While the book is not a historical document in the conventional sense, it serves as a spiritual narrative, offering an esoteric account of Jesus’ formative years as a seeker of divine wisdom.

Dowling presents Jesus not merely as a figure bound to one religious framework, but as a universal Christ-consciousness, seeking and embodying the highest truths across cultures. His journey becomes symbolic of the soul’s path toward enlightenment — a pilgrimage through the various schools of spiritual understanding until arriving at the realization of the inner Christ.

Jesus in India and the Vedic Wisdom

According to The Aquarian Gospel, Jesus travels to the sacred lands of India, where he studies the ancient Vedas and learns from Brahmin priests and sages. Here, he is immersed in the understanding of Brahman (the ultimate reality) and Atman (the divine Self). These teachings emphasize that the soul is not separate from God, but a reflection of the eternal source.

Jesus is described as questioning the rigid caste system and the injustices of society. Through these encounters, he affirms the dignity and equality of all beings, recognizing the divine spark within each soul. This experience deeply informs his later teachings of universal love and compassion.

Jesus in Tibet and the Way of the Bodhisattva

In Tibet, Jesus learns from Buddhist monks who teach him the principles of non-attachment, mindfulness, and compassion. The concept of the Bodhisattva — one who renounces personal liberation to assist all beings in their awakening — resonates with Jesus’ mission. The Gospel’s portrayal of Jesus suggests that his recognition of the suffering of the world ignites his resolve to serve as a guide and healer, mirroring the compassionate vow of the Bodhisattva.

This period also deepens Jesus’ understanding of the illusion of separateness. The Buddhist teachings of shunyata(emptiness) and the interdependence of all phenomena echo through his later statements like, “I and the Father are one.” This realization affirms the unity of all existence, dissolving the barriers of ego and form.

Jesus in Egypt and the Mysteries of Divine Will

Perhaps one of the most profound segments of The Aquarian Gospel is Jesus’ time in Egypt, where he is initiated into the ancient mysteries of the priesthood. In the temples of Luxor and Heliopolis, he encounters the Hermetic wisdom that speaks of the correspondence between the macrocosm and the microcosm — as above, so below. Here, Jesus learns that divine power is not wielded for control, but in harmony with the universal will.

The Egyptian initiations are described as trials of the soul, symbolic of death and resurrection. Jesus, through these experiences, transcends the illusions of fear and mortality, awakening fully to his divine nature. His mastery over the elements and his later miracles are presented not as supernatural feats, but as manifestations of one who has aligned completely with the cosmic order.

The Christ as a Universal Truth

The Aquarian Gospel ultimately portrays Jesus as a realized being who embodies the eternal Christ-consciousness. This consciousness is not exclusive to him but is accessible to all who seek the inner light. His travels, therefore, serve as a reflection of the spiritual pilgrimage each soul undertakes — moving through the realms of ignorance, suffering, and separation, until awakening to the recognition of oneness.

Through this lens, Jesus’ teachings are no longer bound by the limitations of religious dogma. They become a living transmission of divine wisdom, woven from the sacred threads of East and West. And in his words, the seeker is continually called home:

“The kingdom of heaven is within you; it is not in temples made with hands. Realize the truth, and you will know that you and God are one.”

Overview of Jesus in The Urantia Book

The Urantia Book presents one of the most detailed and expansive accounts of Jesus’ life, particularly addressing his “lost years” — the period from his childhood to the beginning of his public ministry, which the canonical Gospels scarcely cover.

The Urantia Book refers to Jesus as “Michael of Nebadon,” identifying him as a divine being on a mission to experience mortal life. While the traditional Gospels focus mainly on his public ministry, the Urantia Book devotes nearly 700 pages (in Part IV) to his entire life, including:

• Childhood and Adolescence: The book describes his family life, his relationships with siblings, and the early experiences that shaped his character. It portrays Jesus as a remarkably compassionate, curious, and insightful child.
• Travel and Learning Years: Between ages 14 and 30, the Urantia Book describes Jesus extensively traveling, working in various trades, and engaging with people from diverse cultures and religions. He journeys to Egypt, Mesopotamia, and parts of the Mediterranean, gaining wisdom and a deeper understanding of humanity.
• Consciousness of Divine Mission: The book delves into how Jesus gradually grew in awareness of his divine identity, balancing his human experience with his spiritual understanding. Unlike the Gnostic gospels, which emphasize inner enlightenment, the Urantia Book stresses Jesus’ role in revealing the nature of God as a loving Father.
• The True Message of Jesus: It emphasizes that Jesus’ primary message was the “Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man.” It presents him as someone who sought to dismantle religious dogma and rituals, instead encouraging personal spiritual experience and living a life of love and service.

Comparison to Other Texts

• Gnostic Gospels & Thomasine: While the Gnostic texts explore the mystical and esoteric teachings of Jesus, often emphasizing self-knowledge and inner realization, the Urantia Book portrays a Jesus who engages with the world and people more directly. His enlightenment is not secretive but accessible and universal.
• The Aquarian Gospel: Similar to The Urantia Book, The Aquarian Gospel covers the lost years and describes Jesus’ travels to Egypt, India, and Tibet. However, the Urantia Book gives a more detailed and narratively complex account, focusing on his experiential growth rather than solely on spiritual lessons.

Philosophical and Spiritual Themes

The book aligns with certain universal spiritual concepts, suggesting that Jesus’ life was a demonstration of how to live in harmony with divine will. It also introduces cosmic perspectives, describing Jesus as a being with responsibilities beyond Earth, serving a much larger divine purpose.

While the Urantia Book has a channeled or revealed origin, similar to Letters from 500 or the Gnostic texts, it’s up to individual discernment how one engages with its teachings. Some readers find it to be a profound spiritual guide, while others view it as an imaginative synthesis of religious thought.

And one final note. There have been godlike sages through the ages that reached their realization of the Godhead through trials and tribulations, disciplines and surrender to the true essence of the Divine within themselves. Jesus was one of these special sages that was born to be a guide for the uplifting of humanity at that time. He was human after all.