City Metaphor: Biblical Symbolism

In Neville Goddard's framework, the Bible is a guide to understanding the inner workings of the human mind. One powerful metaphor he uses is the representation of cities as states of consciousness. But cities, as we know, aren’t random or spontaneous—they are built, maintained, and sometimes destroyed over time. The same can be said about our mental states and belief systems. Just as cities are shaped by the ideas, cultures, and institutions that form them, so too are our thoughts and beliefs shaped by the mental cities we inhabit.

Cities as Subconscious States

In Neville’s teachings, cities are often depicted as feminine. Why? Because, just as the subconscious mind is the receptive and creative aspect of consciousness, a city receives and expresses the beliefs, ideas, and perceptions we hold within. The subconscious mind, like a city, is not proactive in initiating actions but rather reactive, responding to the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs we impress upon it.

Think of cities as established thought systems—mental landscapes where beliefs take root and form the culture of our inner world. These "mental cities" are constructed over time, brick by brick, through our repeated thinking and emotional reinforcement. Once a thought system is established, it requires continuous maintenance. The beliefs we hold feed these systems, just as people and resources sustain a physical city.

Building and Maintaining Mental Cities

Much like the physical cities we live in, the cities of our consciousness are built gradually. We are born into certain mental environments—thoughts and beliefs passed down from family, culture, and society. These inherited belief systems shape the “city” we first inhabit in our subconscious. The buildings of this city are formed through repeated ideas we’ve internalised, often without even questioning their origins.

But the power of choice lies in our hands. If we are dissatisfied with the “city” we’ve built—if we find ourselves in a mental environment full of fear, confusion, or doubt—we have the ability to demolish and rebuild. Just as cities can be destroyed and new ones erected in their place, so too can our mental states be transformed by changing the beliefs and thoughts we nurture.

Adultery and Idolatry in Cities

In the Bible, cities are often depicted in terms of spiritual adultery, such as in Ezekiel 16 and Ezekiel 23, where Jerusalem and Samaria are portrayed as women who commit infidelity by “taking lovers” from external sources. Neville would interpret this as the subconscious mind accepting false beliefs from the outside world, instead of remaining faithful to its divine creative power.

In this context, idolatry is the acceptance of external authority or false impressions about who we are and what we can achieve. When we surrender our power to these external influences, we are effectively allowing foreign ideas to dictate the beliefs that shape our inner city. This creates confusion and chaos in the subconscious, much like the spiritual decay that accompanies idolatry.

Sodom and Gomorrah: The Collapse of Corrupt Consciousness

Another example of a corrupt mental city in the Bible is Sodom and Gomorrah. These two cities, which were destroyed by divine fire and brimstone, symbolise a state of consciousness that has degenerated into moral decay, selfishness, and wickedness. In Neville’s interpretation, these cities represent thought systems dominated by false values, immorality, and external attachments to the pleasures of the world. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah isn’t just a physical event but a symbolic collapse of a mind that is out of alignment with divine order and truth.

Neville often spoke of the importance of purging one's consciousness of unproductive, negative thoughts and beliefs—just as Sodom and Gomorrah were purged of their corruption. If the thoughts we entertain are full of greed, hatred, or selfish desire, they will eventually lead to the destruction of the mental "city" we've built. But this collapse isn’t always literal—it may manifest as inner turmoil, mental confusion, or a failure to manifest our desires in the physical world. When a person clings to negative mental cities like Sodom and Gomorrah, they create an environment where their creative power is hindered, and their manifestations are out of harmony with divine truth.

The fire and brimstone of Sodom and Gomorrah can be interpreted as the purifying fire that burns away false beliefs and misaligned thoughts, leaving only the truth behind. Just as the cities were destroyed for their corruption, a purification of consciousness is necessary to build new, healthy mental cities aligned with divine order.

The Redemption of Cities

Just as some cities are plagued by corruption, so too can our thought systems be redeemed. A mental city can be restored to its original purity when it aligns with the truth of who we are at our core. This is the New Jerusalem described in Revelation: a city of truth where the consciousness of the individual is fully aligned with the divine power of “I AM.” When we rebuild our mental cities with truth, faith, and self-awareness, we create a state of consciousness where creativity and manifestation flow effortlessly.

Israel and Jerusalem: The Spiritual Journey

In the Bible, Israel and Jerusalem both serve as symbols for spiritual states, but they represent different stages of consciousness.

• Israel, in the Old Testament, represents the spiritual journey of the individual. It is the chosen consciousness, the people who are on the path to awakening and realising their divine potential. The journey of Israel—from bondage in Egypt to wandering in the wilderness and ultimately entering the Promised Land—symbolises the evolution of the soul towards spiritual freedom and self-realisation.

• Jerusalem, particularly in the New Testament, represents the redeemed consciousness. It’s the New Israel, a higher state of consciousness where one has fully realised their divine nature and is now aligned with divine truth. The New Jerusalem described in Revelation is the ultimate state of spiritual fulfilment, where the individual has fully embraced their creative power and is at peace with the divine I AM.

In this sense, Israel marks the beginning of the spiritual journey, while Jerusalem represents the culmination of that journey—the redeemed mind fully aligned with divine purpose.

The Power to Build Your City

Ultimately, Neville Goddard teaches us that we are not prisoners of the cities we inhabit. Through the imaginative use of our conscious mind, we have the power to change the mental cities we live in. By consciously choosing the thoughts we entertain and the beliefs we hold dear, we can build new cities that reflect the highest version of ourselves.

Your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs are the bricks that form your mental city. If you don’t like the city you’ve built—tear it down and start again. Construct a new city based on faith, love, and the truth of your divine imagination. By doing so, you are not just changing your mental landscape; you are creating the life you truly desire.