Mythological Connections - Christ, Ambrosia, Soma/Haoma

As we read through mythologies* from various cultures, there are many threads of connectedness to be found. More well known examples include the flood, the virgin birth and the redeemer (IE Christ, Krisna, Buddha). I enjoy sharing more of these threads as I come across them, and just today I came across another:

The Christ, Ambrosia, and Haoma or Soma

At first glance, Jesus, the food of the greek gods and a fabled plant/drink of Vedic tradition would not seem to have much in common. It is however the concepts surrounding these which suggests common origins.

Jesus:

One of the more famous things said by Jesus is of the bread being his body and the wine being his blood. A great deal of the descriptions of what Jesus came to earth for refers to sacrifice and more importantly, the spilling of his blood or pouring out of it over people.

Ambrosia & Ichor:

The Greek gods were described as consuming two things: Ambrosia and Nectar. The ambrosia specifically was referred to as the source of immortality, and that anyone who consumed it - mortal or otherwise - would gain immortality. In some descriptions it is also said to make one a god, not just immortal. Additionally, the blood of the gods is given special focus, it is called Ichor and described as a golden fluid, much like Ambrosia, which flows through their veins. It is insinuated that the replacement of blood with ichor is what makes one immortal or a God.

Haoma:

Also called Soma, the term describes a plant, a drink made from the plant, and a divine presence. All three are considered to be the same thing, there is no distinction. The drink made from the plant was part of a holy ritual and was considered to bring one to God, or to instill God within someone. Interestingly, the plant, drink and divine presence form a trinity not unlike the Christian trinity of Father (creator), Son (living waters of the creator), and Holy Ghost (holy spirit given by the creator by request of the son).


The connection:

All three of these concepts are part of a trinity - plant, drink, divinity; father, son, holy ghost; ambrosia, nectar, ichor. In each case, all three parts of the trinity are essentially viewed as being the same thing but in different presentations or forms. The essence is the same but the appearance is what changes.

All three of these concepts also relate to blood. The blood of the Christ, Ichor, and the juice of the plant which is drunk are all similar concepts and all three are considered the "cleansing" part of the equation. The plant, ambrosia and father are all "source" elements, and Ichor, the holy spirit, and the divinity of Soma are each a type of divine spirit which somehow changes mortals into immortals (of a sort).

While each of the three mythological sources has its differences, clearly these three ideas are related in some way. I think that each is trying to express a concept of an essentual fluid life force which comes to us by spiritual means and which can both replace all other forms of sustenance and elevate us into a higher state of being.

The mystery remains, though, what is this force, how do we tap into it and is it phsyical or purely spiritual in nature?

What strikes me is that many mythologies and religions say the same things, yet people focus on the differences between those religions and get involved in spiritual battles over them rather than focusing on our true goals - it isn't about who is right or who is wrong. It's about seeking a common goal in a way that makes sense to us and when possible working together to further the benefit for all of mankind.

Remember - the need to be right comes from the ego and it is a direct product of pride. There is a good reason that pride is considered one of the seven deadly sins, and the need to be right keeping people apart and angry at each other illustrates just how much damage pride can do.



*I am including the Bible and considering "mythology" to refer to an ancient story, whether or not mainstream culture believes it to be factual or fantastical.