Reflections on the Seven I AM sayings
in the Gospel of St John

In 2003 I began writing my first weekly reflections. The idea of focussing on the seven I AM sayings in St John’s Gospel was conceived while reading the works of Friedrich Rittelmeyer, specifically Meditation – Guidance of the Inner Life but also his beautiful meditative studies called The Holy Year. You will find his ideas woven within my words.

His ideas echo the word of my spiritual mentor Rev Mario Schoenmaker (1919-1997) who for 14 years filled me with a new way to read the mystery teachings in the Bible. He would say that all the different interpreters who interfered with the Bible down the centuries could never destroy its secret and eternal meaning – they simply revealed their own level of understanding.

Inspiration also came from conversations with my friends as well as study of other esoteric teachers including Rudolf Steiner and his pupils, Corinne Heline, Charles Fillmore and others. Inevitably these reflections were influenced by world events, notably the 2003 Gulf War.

In the Bible when the Greek words ego eimi are used for ‘I am’ we can read this to mean the fourth member of our being, the I AM. [The fourfold human being comprises physical, etheric or life forces, astral/soul or consciousness and I AM or individuality]. The present purpose of evolution is that we become more strongly connected with this I AM and allow it have more influence in daily situations. If we don’t, our habitual soul/astral forces often make life difficult by responding to life in a lower way. The seven I AM sayings show how we can develop ourselves to respond to life in the highest way possible.

The sayings are:
1. I am the Bread - John 6:35
2. I am the Light - John 8:12
3. I am the Door - John 10:7
4. I am the Good Shepherd - John 10:11
5. I am the Resurrection and the Life - John 11:25
6. I am the way, the truth and the life - John 14:6
7. I am the true vine - John 15:1

These reflections are written with the purpose of encouraging the reader to develop the ideas further to make them relevant in their own life. These words are not an academic or theological treatise and they are rarely referenced. Where I have based a whole reflection on an article or lecture by another person, or have used direct quotes, I have stated so; the rest is the result of my own personal reflection and inspiration.

See also:
Eightfold Path of Buddha in the Gospel of St John