Yesterday, we saw that NTI interprets the symbols in Revelation for the purpose of purification and awakening. It is a right-minded interpretation of symbols.
We’ve used Revelation to look at and contemplate interpretation. We looked at how your mind (mental chatter) interprets, and we learned how to open up to right-minded interpretation.
Interpretation is a type of understanding that occurs at the level of mind. Whether it is wrong-minded interpretation or right-minded interpretation, it is mental understanding. Right-minded interpretation points toward truth. Wrong-minded interpretation does not point toward truth. However, both are interpretations, and neither is truth itself.
Yesterday’s tip also provided an optional opportunity to look at a secular interpretation of Revelation. That interpretation attempted to uncover historical facts about who wrote Revelation, who its audience was and what Revelation meant to that original audience.
Today’s reading says:
Symbolism is gone forever when you can look beyond the symbols to the truth that merely is. In this truth do all symbols disappear, for in this truth is all interpretation rendered meaningless.
When we awaken to reality, we no longer see symbols, and so there is no longer any need for interpretation. Wrong-minded interpretation doesn’t occur anymore, and right-minded interpretation is no longer needed. Reality is beyond perception and beyond interpretation entirely.
We cannot imagine reality, so there is no reason to attempt to do so. Anything we could imagine would be wrong. However, I find it helpful to realize that reality is completely different than perception. There is no sense of self in reality. The body that appears to others is moved by consciousness, and yet there isn’t a sense of self present that perceives itself as consciousness. When there is a sense of self present that perceives itself as consciousness, that one has awakened to the second principle of God. The final awakening is beyond that.
Reality encompasses everything. It is beyond form, and form is made up of reality. It is beyond the sense of self, and yet the sense of self could not be experienced without reality as its foundation. It is as verse 1 of the Tao Te Ching says:
The two (illusion and reality) emerge together but differ in name.
The unity is said to be the mystery.
Mystery of mysteries, the door to all wonders.
You do not need to read from Revelation in the Bible today. You can go directly to the reading in NTI.
Thoughts of Awakening # 292
With careful observation
you will notice two things
that seem to be within you.
One is active chatter.
It has concerns.
It is darting to and fro.
The other is silence.
It may feel like trust
when the mind does not trust.
It may feel like patience
when the mind is afraid.
But what it is
is stillness.
Observe these two things,
and then ask,
“What am I?”
Learn to recognize
and identify with
your Self.
~From our Holy Spirit
Homework for this week
- Practice daily meditation for 30-60 minutes each day.
- Practice the “Loving All” Method.
- Thoughts of Awakening, 288-294
- Read NTI Revelation 19-22. Read the Bible excerpt whenever there is a Bible icon next to the verses in NTI Revelation.