Benjamin

Neville Goddard’s interpretation of the arrival of Benjamin and his narrative in the Bible would focus on the symbolism of Benjamin as it relates to the mind, creation, and manifestation. Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, carries deep symbolic meaning in Neville's framework, especially around the themes of inner transformation, duality, and the role of the subconscious in creating reality.

The Birth of Benjamin

Benjamin’s birth narrative is significant because it happens during Rachel’s death. She names him Ben-Oni, meaning "son of my sorrow," but Jacob renames him Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand" or "son of the south" (symbolizing strength and power).

• Neville's View: In Neville's terms, Benjamin represents a new state of consciousness, one that emerges from the contrast between the "son of sorrow" and the "son of strength." This duality reflects the transformation of consciousness: what was once associated with sorrow (representing struggle or lack) is reimagined as a powerful, creative force (strength, fulfillment). In Neville’s system, sorrow or suffering is not to be avoided but embraced as the precursor to a higher state of being or creation.

Benjamin and the Symbolism of the Right Hand

Jacob’s renaming of Benjamin is crucial. The right hand symbolizes power, favor, and authority in biblical symbolism. For Neville, the right hand represents the conscious mind in alignment with the subconscious, directing manifestation with clarity and purpose.

• Neville's View: The right hand also symbolizes divine imagination working in harmony with physical manifestation. The arrival of Benjamin can be seen as the alignment of conscious desire with subconscious power—where your inner state of being becomes the catalyst for what you bring into the world. This is the moment when creation takes place consciously, rather than merely by the unconscious and chaotic forces of the mind.

Benjamin's Role in Joseph's Narrative

Benjamin plays a significant role in the narrative of Joseph, especially during the famine when Joseph, who has risen to power in Egypt, demands that his brothers bring Benjamin to him. Benjamin becomes a symbol of reconciliation, restoration, and unity.

• Neville's View: In Neville's framework, Joseph represents the awakened imagination, and the brothers represent various states of consciousness or beliefs that have been divided. Benjamin, the final brother, represents the fully awakened state of consciousness, which must be integrated into the overall narrative of transformation. Bringing Benjamin to Joseph symbolizes the complete surrender of old beliefs (the other brothers) to the new, empowered state of consciousness (Joseph/Benjamin).

Benjamin as a Symbol of Manifestation and Completion

Throughout the Bible, Benjamin’s lineage becomes significant in the fulfillment of God's promises. The tribe of Benjamin is associated with warriors and has a dynamic role in later narratives, including the settlement of the Promised Land and their involvement in various conflicts.

• Neville's View: Benjamin, in Neville's eyes, would symbolize the culmination of personal growth and inner strength. His tribe's role in the battles and their eventual settlement in the Promised Land can be seen as the manifestation of the power that comes from mastering one's imagination. The "warrior" aspect of Benjamin reflects the discipline and inner strength required to manifest desires and to create reality from a conscious state of being.

The Psychological Aspect of Benjamin

Benjamin also represents the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. As the youngest, he is the completion of the process of transformation through all the brothers (states of consciousness), and yet his arrival represents the future potential of the individual in manifesting their highest desires.

• Neville's View: For Neville, Benjamin would symbolize the perfected imagination, the full realization of one's creative potential. He signifies the state of mind that understands that all external reality is a reflection of inner thoughts and beliefs. The struggle and sorrow of Rachel’s death reflect the struggle of the ego, but from this duality (sorrow and strength) comes the ultimate creative power, which is now under the control of the conscious mind working in alignment with the subconscious.

Conclusion

In summary, Neville would interpret the arrival of Benjamin and his narrative as the story of a new state of consciousness being born from the transformation of sorrow into strength. Benjamin represents the culmination of the individual’s creative power, the point at which the conscious and subconscious minds align to manifest desired realities. He is the embodiment of complete inner unity and the power to create from an awakened imagination. His role in Joseph’s narrative emphasizes the importance of integrating this higher consciousness into all aspects of life for true manifestation to occur.