The Spiritual Significance of Sacrifices and Offerings in Ancient Religion

[Anon]

Animal sacrifices and offerings of various kinds (meals, incense, libations, etc.) were practiced in ancient religions such as Judaism and Hinduism. How do these sacrifices and offerings relate to the mysticism we discuss here? Were they a legitimate form of spiritual practice or just a primitive, mistaken form? If they were legitimate, how did they achieve their spiritual effects?

Jhanananda has argued that the biblical Moses and Aaron were mystics. The Bible indicates that they were involved in animal sacrifices and offerings. If they were mystics, were those sacrifices and offerings part of their mystical practice?

(Post inspired by Benj's recent discussion mentioning "the Holy Temple.")

[Naman]

Hello,

I m not an expert on the subject but being born in Hindu family i knw a bit about it. Animal sacrifice or such acts releases tremendous amount of energy which can be used for various purposes unkwn to me. Its some occult science. Spirituality however is different where energy is generated by samyama (control of mind/breath).

[Jhanek]

Some still practice this or that type of sacrifices. It is not about mystical practice in our understanding but may or may not be helpful. Offerings and fire consecration
cause objects to remain in the endless space domain. Whoever need it for his or others practice is doing that. It is like survival equipment.

Offerings are for devas one of not so accessible possibilities of tasting something. One having no physical body is to the very extend deprived of smell and taste .

[Benj]

I'm of the opinion that our subconscious is collective, hence while out of body we can zip to anybodies location, read the minds of others whilst in the physical body and receive messages from other beings. With this in mind, it seems reasonable to me that if we offer something on the physical plane, with the right mental energy, it will appear in some capacity in the fine material realm, which to me is essentially the subconscious. So it may literally be a material gift. Of what practical use this is, I am not sure, but it may demonstrate one's devotion or commitment to a particular being or group of beings. I believe the Buddha recommends offering food to the hungry shades. I personally receive messages on a daily basis from the spiritual domain (fine material realm, astral plane, subconscious). They usually are an indication of when I should be practising samadhi. So as there is benefit in communication with the spiritual domain, I can certainly understand why others would want to perform ritualistic giving to the other side.

[Jhanananda]

Do keep in mind that religious gatherings often included a meal, because fast food options were few and far between.  Also, since there were no refrigerators, and about 25% of the human diet is meat, then the meat would have been brought to the religious gathering as a live animal, which was then ritually slaughtered just prior to cooking.

[Benj]

...good point