The Return of Christ: Is Maitreya in Our World Today?

"Who is Maitreya? He has been expected for generations by all of the major religions. Christians know him as the Christ, and expect his imminent return. Jews await him as the Messiah; Hindus look for the coming of Krishna; Buddhists expect him as Maitreya Buddha; and Muslims anticipate the Imam Mahdi or Messiah …"

So begins the introduction to Maitreya Buddha on Share International's website. The article goes on to say that Maitreya (who for them is indeed the Return of Christ) comes less as a spiritual guru, and more as a simple friend, whose primary function is to support our human community in moving toward a more sane, balanced way of living together on the planet: a way of living based in universal principles such as economic/social justice, sharing and cooperation. Sounds good, so far ... yes?

What's most revolutionary about this group's claim, however, is not so much its description of this world-leader (qualities which one would, after all, expect in any such exalted Being); but rather their belief that this Teacher ~ The Return of Christ, Krishna, Messiah ~ is not simply forthcoming, but is indeed on the planet now, today, right this moment, even as you're reading this! According to Share International ~ whose primary work is to "get the word out" regarding the Christ's Return to as many people as possible ~ Maitreya is currently residing in an Asian community in London. He will publicly announce (via television and radio) his presence to the world community only when a global energy sufficient to support his Presence and his Work has been generated. Which is what the work of Share International (and their corresponding network of Transmission Meditation Groups) is all about - generating hope, anticipation, celebration and commitment to change in enough people to reach that "critical mass."

And in the meantime, Maitreya and other Ascended Masters (e.g. the Master Jesus, El Morya, Saint Germain, Kathumi) are working in support of the Christ's Reemergence (into public awareness, as opposed to the "Return Of Christ" which they believe has already happened) in a number of ways, including: (1) producing "miracles" of various sorts (one of my favorites is the "hand of Maitreya" as it appeared in a mirror in Barcelona); and (2) having the voice of Maitreya come through Benjamin Crème, an English artist who has become Maitreya's official human "channel."

Old News, Good News, Or Sacrilege?

Now depending upon who you hang out with, this whole Return Of Christ business might be "old news;" or it might sound like one the most ridiculous propositions you've ever encountered; it might be experienced as downright sacrilegious; or as profoundly good news ~ truly a reason to celebrate. It just depends …

I myself have chosen to remain agnostic with respect to whether or not the Christ has indeed Returned. On the one hand, there really is no reason why this shouldn't be the case; I mean: Jesus Christ did appear, in a human body; Shakyamuni Buddha did appear in a human body. In other words, Great Souls, Awakened Minds, do indeed descend into human form, to benefit beings. It has happened, on many occasions, in the past, so there's no reason to think it couldn't be happening today. Right?

On the other hand, I think: is it not the quality of Awakened Mind, Buddha Nature, Paramatman, the Christ-Consciousness, as it manifests through me and every other living being, the thing that really is important? And if this is the case, then why should I or anyone care so much about the appearance (or lack thereof) of any one person, however greatly evolved s/he may be? It's nice, for sure, to have a "mirror" of what is possible, but is it necessary? And to the extent that a Being is all-powerful, could they not just as easily assist me from unseen dimensions … so why on earth even bother to take a human form?

And on another hand (Hindu & Buddhist deities get to have multiple limbs, so why not me!), I am aware: seems like there are always a good number of people out there ~ of questionable mental/emotional standing ~ claiming to be Christ, right? So how do I know this claim to be an authentic one?

Though I do have to admit that the first time I saw a photograph of "Maitreya's Hand" there was an energy that stirred inside of me, a kind of intuitive "yes" that was hard to ignore. Now what exactly this means, I do not know. But I'd urge you to have a look at that Hand (found also on the Share International site), and perhaps read a bit more about this … at the very least, it's food for thought.