Today, we will begin reading from the Book of Revelation in the Bible. We will use Revelation to look at the wrong mind’s interpretations—to see how it thinks and how it perceives—and to learn how to allow the right mind’s interpretations, which may not come as quickly as the wrong mind’s interpretations. Revelation is full of symbols, which came to John through visions and dreams. These symbols require interpretation if they are to have any meaning, and so it is the perfect text to use as we look at interpretation.
First, read Revelation 4:1-6 from the Bible. Imagine you are assigned to give a presentation on the meaning of these Bible verses. How would you go about finding the meaning? What would be your method of determining what these symbols mean? Consider those questions as you read these Bible verses:
Have you determined what you would do in order to prepare for your presentation on the meaning of those verses?
When I was given that assignment while writing NTI, I wanted to break the scripture into parts, and analyze each part separately in order to determine what it meant. I wanted to figure out what the throne represented, what jasper and ruby represented, what the number 24 represented, etcetera and etcetera.
Some of you may think research into expert interpretations is the way to go, and then you can pick the one that is most suited to your liking.
Some of you may go quickly to blame in your mind, blaming John or those who compiled the New Testament for putting these ridiculous, wrong or unhelpful symbols in the Bible.
We all have ways of finding meaning—ways of interpreting—and whether we realize it or not, we use our conditioned ways of interpreting in order to apply meaning to everything we experience during our daily life.
In today’s reading, a specific method of interpretation is recommended. We are told to:
Step back from the images. Take your eyes off of the details, which are separate parts. Look at the whole picture as it is given in the mind. Notice the feelings that the picture evokes.
This method of interpretation, done properly, allows the right-mind to interpret for us.
For example, if there is a problem that arises in life, some people will start taking things apart to figure out what is wrong; some will do research; some will quickly try to decide who to blame for the problem, and etcetera. However, the reading recommends:
- Step back from the problem. – Pause, allow yourself to detach from your conditioning and any ego thoughts related to the problem.
- Look at the whole picture (scene or circumstance) as it is given – Be with the situation. See it as it is instead of how you think it should be.
- Notice the (intuitive) feeling the picture invokes. – What does intuition indicate? Is it even a problem from intuition’s perspective?
This method of interpretation can be used with everything in life, not just challenging symbols or problems.
Step back.
Detach.
Look at the whole as it is.
Feel within for intuition.
Take a moment to read the following excerpt from Revelation, and then continue reading the tip:
As the scribe of NTI, when I read this most recent excerpt, I practiced the method of interpretation that was taught after the first excerpt, and the interpretation of the four creatures as representations of eternal sight came to me. I began to see that awakened sight sees only God (reality), and it is deeply grateful and joyous about what it sees. I saw that the gratitude and joy that comes from awakened sight recycles and expands and recycles and expands endlessly.
What I think (God-Gratitude-Joy), I see.
What I see (God-Gratitude-Joy), I experience.
What I experience (God-Gratitude-Joy), I think.
And the cycle continues.
This interpretation would not have come if I had tried to break the symbols apart—if I had tried to figure out what the lion represented, the ox, the face of a man, the eagle, the six wings and etcetera—and then analyze them. This interpretation would not have come if I had researched the experts’ opinions. And this interpretation would not have come if I had just blown off the symbols as hogwash and blamed someone for thinking they were inspired.
Notice your style of interpreting the events in your life today. If you find that you use a method different than the one recommended in today’s reading, try practicing the method taught today instead. Maybe, if you allow a different method of interpretation, you will begin to see the world differently. Likely, if you continue to interpret events in the way you always have, there will be no change in how you see.
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results”. ~ Commonly credited to Albert Einstein
Note: The next tip will be available tomorrow morning after 3:50am ET at this link.
