Biblical Symbols, God, and our Bodies

Biblical symbols have always had a deep impact upon the human psyche, even when the individual isn’t consciously aware of what those symbols mean. As spiritual beings we can’t help it. We are drawn to these symbols subconsciously. The question is, “why?” What power lies therein?

I believe there is a subconscious impulse within us that desires to become conscious. This impulse is something much bigger than our egos, yet it is an intrinsic part of our divine nature. The ancient mystics who had awakened to this divine impulse designed Biblical symbols to be a catalyst to awaken you. The true power of these symbols is what they represent: the divine nature as a potent potential already within you. This truth is locked away somewhere deep in the subconscious, and that subconscious part of you is naturally drawn to it.

This divine impulse is only ready to be awakened when the mental-emotional nature of the individual is ripe. If awakened to early, it can do more harm than good. And that’s why the Biblical writers veiled divine truths in symbol, allegory, and parables. It hid the truth from those who weren’t ready, and it gently nudges those who were.

One of the best ways to get started on this road to awakening is through studying esoteric literature. The Bible if full of it, by the wayJ

God manifested through us

Essentially, Biblical symbols can help awaken us to a greater reality when we realize that these symbols represent potent spiritual forces latent within the human body.

Esoterically, this body is the temple described in 1 Kings 6:7. In that scripture, Solomon builds a house for the Lord:

“…there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.”

The reason there was no hammer, axe, or tools heard in the construction of this house is because the house wasn’t a literal house; it always has been and always will be the human body!

Paul makes this clear in 1 Corinthians 3:16:

 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and the spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

Paul was a radical that went against the Pharisees for his day. These Pharisees wanted to force a literal interpretation of the scripture over all aspects of people’s lives, when in reality the higher meanings were veiled in the spiritual interpretations. Paul said forget it. He left the dead religion of his forefathers for true spirituality. And what he said about the human body is amazing. Basically, he wanted us to know that our bodies are the manifestation of the infinite God. The human body—and this includes all our subtle bodies as well—is the temple of God. The Old Testament examples of the house of the Lord, the tabernacle, and all other temples were always meant to be interpreted this way.

I have had many Christians tell me that Paul left the religion of his forefathers in order to preach Christ. Yes! He did! But do they really understand who and what Christ is?

Paul said that he travailed …in birth again until Christ be formed in you (Gal. 4:19). Hopefully we understand what Paul is really saying here; namely that the Christ formed in us is a super conscious aspect of ourselves that is waiting to become consciously manifested in the human body temple. Why do you think Paul uses such language as “travail” and “birth?” This is the language of the human body, and Paul is telling us that our body must birth the super conscious aspect of our higher selves [Christ] into conscious awareness.

Similarities between Eastern Religions and the Bible

This process is also described in many Eastern spiritual practices like Kundalini Yoga. Like those teachings, the Bible maps the birth of a god through the functioning of a superior endocrine and nervous system. The spinal cord and brain are the ultimate avenues through which kundalini must flow in order to bring about this super-conscious state of awareness and functionality.

The skeptic might argue that there isn’t really any correlation between Eastern spirituality and Hebraic Biblical thought, but they need to think again. As Migene Gonzalez-Wippler has pointed out in Kabbalah for the modern world, the Hindu term Brahman is comprised of the same seven letters as the name of the father of the Hebrews: Abraham. Simply rearrange a few letters and there you have it! Brahman becomes Abraham!

Brahman is a term which describes the eternal essence of the cosmos. In a sense, it is similar to Abraham as the “father of all nations.” On the other hand of Hindu thought, Atman is a term that describes the infinite soul, and both Atman and Brahman complete the concept of God. But consider that the term Atman is amazingly similar to Adam, the individual man, or the individual soul of God. Just as Atman in the individual expression of Brahman, Adam is the individual expression of God.

So how does the individual expression of the infinite attain the realization of Godhood? Perhaps the quote below will help you:

“God sleeps in the rock, dreams in the plant, stirs in the animal, and awakens in man.”

—Inayat Arabe (12^th century Sufi mystic)

Are we God?

Everything is not always black and white. And we have to be careful with the proclamation that we are god. In the immature soul, this belief breeds extreme arrogance and selfishness. But the spiritually mature realize that without the eternal essence of the universe (Father and Brahman), our individuality would not be. It is not our limited egoic self that is eternal and will live on, it is the eternal god essence within us that powers the ever evolving ego in man throughout each lifetime experience. However, without our individuality, the eternal essence of the father / universe would really not be either, for there would be no self-awareness. So it seems both truths need each other. You could even say, God needs man and man needs God. Thus God is both, and so are we.

Closing thoughts

I am writing this short post to serve as an introduction to what’s coming. In the next few posts, I am going to explore the process of arousing the God-potential within through studying Biblical symbolism. We will discuss many Biblical symbols and how they align with Eastern spiritual teachings and practices. Studying both will probably give you a better perspective overall.

Remember, St. Paul also told us:

“But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly…” (Romans 2:29).

It’s not your blood type that makes you a Jew: According to Paul, a Jew is made through the process of spiritual initiation, and spiritual initiation always takes place by a process within you. Thus according to the Christian mystic, a Jew could also be a Christian, Muslim, Hindu, American Indian, etc. The ancient religious text from each of these cultures expresses the same truths once you go beyond the surface meanings.

In the next few posts, we’ll look at some more popular examples of Biblical symbolism and dissect how they relate to birthing the super-conscious aspect of our higher selves through our seemingly-limited physical bodies. Hopefully, when we are finished, you will have a greater appreciation for the Psalmist’s words:

“…for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).

Trust me, the teachings of mainstream Christianity hasn’t done this truth justice:)

You can find the next post in this series by going HERE.

Blessings.