I agree that there are realities behind the metaphors but I’ve not yet heard you speak about them.  Spirit, vertical, horizontal, outward, channel…. these are all metaphors.  Where is the literal explanation?

I think that the closer you get to explaning these metaphors in real literal ways the closer you will get to understanding that those literal ways are found as strong or stronger in other types of faith. Only the language and particular metaphors are unique to one faith or another. The underlying principles, emotions, truths, and God are the same.

…don’t think that Gandhi brought about a state of affairs that Jesus would have put his name to (especially in the light of recent historical discoveries). In the end, he wanted independence for India, not the kingdom of God…

I’m not sure why you have a problem with Gandhi or Tolstoy other than your more narrow understanding of them and your more narrow understanding of God. Gandhi’s work was NOT limited to India his training began in South Africa and his social efforts were intrumental there as well. The kingdom of God as taught by Jesus was the centerpiece of his work. He stated that plainly many times. Tolstoy was a Christian, so I’m not sure why you have such a hard time with him. Maybe you are a card carrying republican and you fear a reference that is wrong shade of "red"? This is really the wrong topic for his discussion. We are on a serious rabbit trail. To get back on topic, I think I would ask you what exactly is the "reign" of Jeusus? What does that metaphor mean literally and how would that effect a return to power?