BY: HANNAH ANDERSSON
Many years ago I came in contact with Neville Goddard's work, however I was very fresh into my spiritual journey and didn't fully comprehend his teachings. After a spiritual awakening in early 2024 I was drawn to start reading the Bible. When I read scripture it was like decoding a language I had never read before. The metaphor's and symbols came alive and a whole new Universe and dimension of consciousness expanded my mind. What I had seen and felt in my spiritual awakening found its language and I truly started to find pieces to the puzzle I had searched for. Now this way of decoding and interpreting scripture didn't resonate with everyone I met and I was taken aback for a moment. Until I asked spirit to reveal to me my next steps. I felt drawn and guided to revisit books I had read before my awakening.
Source was guiding me back to books by Florence Scovel Shinn and Neville Goddard. Now that I had read the Bible and understood it the way I did I could truly hear the teachings of Florence and Goddard. It was amazing! I got so inspired and started diving deeper into Christian mysticism and esoterica. Here is a brief breakdown on how Goddard viewed some symbols in the Bible from an esoteric perspective.
In Neville Goddard's book Your Faith is Your Fortune, he explores the biblical disciples as archetypes representing various qualities of the mind essential for self-mastery. Each disciple symbolises a distinct aspect of our consciousness, guiding us toward personal transformation and spiritual growth. Here are the twelve qualities that Goddard outlines:
Peter (Faith): Peter symbolises faith, the foundational quality for all spiritual endeavours. Faith empowers us to believe in our potential and the possibility of transformation.
James (Wisdom): Representing wisdom, James reminds us that true understanding comes from within. Wisdom enables us to discern truth and make choices aligned with our highest selves.
John (Love): John embodies love, the highest vibrational frequency. Love opens our hearts, fostering compassion and connection, essential for harmonious relationships.
Andrew (Will): Andrew stands for willpower, the driving force behind our actions. Strong will enables us to persevere through challenges and maintain focus on our goals.
Philip (Knowledge): Philip represents knowledge, the accumulation of understanding that informs our decisions. Knowledge empowers us to navigate life with clarity and confidence.
Bartholomew (Honesty): Bartholomew symbolises honesty and authenticity. Embracing truth within ourselves fosters integrity and strengthens our relationships with others.
Matthew (Service): Matthew embodies the quality of service, emphasising the importance of contributing to the well-being of others. Service enriches our lives and cultivates a sense of purpose.
Thomas (Skepticism): Thomas represents skepticism and inquiry. This quality encourages us to question and seek understanding, preventing blind faith and promoting a deeper connection to our beliefs.
James the Less (Humility): James the Less symbolises humility, a crucial quality for self-mastery. Humility allows us to remain open to learning and growth, recognising that we are part of a greater whole.
Simon (Zeal): Simon represents zeal, the passionate pursuit of our goals. This quality fuels our motivation and drives us toward our aspirations with enthusiasm.
Judas (Betrayal): Judas symbolises the inner conflict we face. Understanding this aspect helps us recognise the self-sabotaging tendencies that can arise from fear or doubt.
Matthias (Transformation): Matthias embodies transformation, representing the continual process of growth and renewal. Embracing change allows us to evolve and adapt to life’s challenges.
By understanding these qualities, we can cultivate a balanced and empowered mind. Goddard’s insights encourage us to integrate these aspects into our daily lives, fostering a deeper connection to our inner selves and facilitating the journey toward self-mastery. Through faith, love, wisdom, and the other qualities represented by the disciples, we can navigate life’s complexities with clarity and purpose
Goddard’s teachings emphasise that awakening to the divine within is essential for true self-mastery. The esoteric meaning of the disciples goes beyond their surface attributes, pointing to a deeper spiritual truth: Christ consciousness resides within each of us pointed out in Scriptures "Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?" 2 Corinthians 13:5. This inherent divinity is our true nature, and recognising it requires a shift in perception.
To awaken to God within, we must cultivate an inner state of awareness and connection, understanding that our thoughts and beliefs shape our reality. The journey involves transcending the illusion of separation, realising that we are all expressions of the same universal spirit. By embodying the qualities of the disciples—faith, love, wisdom, and humility—we align ourselves with this inner Christ.
This alignment transforms our consciousness, empowering us to manifest our desires and purpose. Ultimately, the awakening to God within is a call to recognise our potential and embrace the divine blueprint that guides our lives, leading us toward fulfilment and enlightenment.