Essential for Entrance into Kingdom
84. Essential for Entrance into Kingdom
We have proposed that the kingdom of God is not a place, but an attitude or spirit of acceptance and creative response (love). Above all it is an attitude of being open and receptive to the present moment, free of any baggage from the past.
By “baggage” we mean unconscious conditioning that can interfere with our ability to respond appropriately to the present situation. We’ve probably all had the experience – both personally and observed in others – where a reaction to a situation seemed overblown and inappropriate. That is unconscious conditioning – baggage – at work.
Little children have very little baggage. They are more naturally present, open, and receptive. According to Jesus, a prerequisite for entering the kingdom of God is to clean up our baggage... to deal with our issues so that they do not interfere with our ability to perceive clearly.
[See also “Discourse on the Kingdom of God” (Commentary 7-34), “Limits of the Kingdom of God” (Commentary 12-69), “Time of the Kingdom of God” (Commentary 13-79) and “Time of the Kingdom of God” (Commentary 14-89).]