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The Disciples as States of Awareness: List of Attributes

In the traditional, literal view, the twelve disciples are seen as historical followers of Jesus — men who physically accompanied him in first-century Judea. But when read through the psychological understanding offered by Neville Goddard, a more intimate and empowering meaning emerges.

The disciples are not external companions but symbolic faculties of mind — the inner Elohim (the "judges, rulers, and powers" within you) deliberately chosen to support the assumption. Each disciple represents a spiritual quality or mental state you must consciously select to sustain the feeling of the wish fulfilled.

These twelve states are not passive traits; they are dynamic, living aspects of consciousness. They form the ordered inner council of Elohim, working together to shape your self-perception and create your world.

Crucially, they are chosen by Jesus — the personification of your own wonderful human imagination, your "I AM." The act of Jesus selecting the twelve reflects the conscious movement within you: your deeper self, the "I AM," calls forth and names these inner states to support the embodiment of your desire.

As it is written, 

"You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you" (John 15:16). 

In this psychological drama, your inner Elohim — the collective power of mind — organises and directs these faculties, guiding them to serve the realisation of your assumption.


1. Peter – Awareness of Faith

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18).
Peter represents foundational faith. It is your inner commitment to believe that imagination is the creative power. Peter is your willingness to walk on water—to trust the unseen.


2. Andrew – Awareness of Inner Movement

“Andrew... first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith... We have found the Messiah” (John 1:40–41).
Andrew’s immediacy shows readiness and eagerness to move toward the wish fulfilled. His inner movement reflects the shift from desire to assumption.


3. James the Elder – Awareness of Discernment

“James the son of Zebedee... he called them: And they left their father Zebedee… and went after him” (Mark 1:19–20).
James leaves behind inherited thinking ("the father") to follow higher awareness. This symbolises your discernment in choosing only thoughts aligned with your aim.


4. John – Awareness of Loving Union

“The disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23).
John represents emotional oneness. This is the inner state of love and fusion with the end—feeling the wish fulfilled as already accomplished.


5. Philip – Awareness of Vision

“Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father” (John 14:8).
Philip seeks vision and clarity. He reminds you to see imaginatively and to look beyond appearances toward the reality your heart sees first.


6. Bartholomew – Awareness of Inner Clarity

While little is recorded of Bartholomew, he is traditionally paired with Nathanael, of whom it is said:
“Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile” (John 1:47).
This represents purity of thought—clarity, sincerity, and trust in divine inner guidance.


7. Thomas – Awareness of Inner Proof

“Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands… be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:27).
Thomas represents the felt reality of inner evidence. You trust the inner conviction more than the outer facts.


8. Matthew – Awareness of Identity Shift

“And as Jesus passed forth... he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him” (Matthew 9:9).
Matthew leaves behind his role as tax collector—symbolising your abandonment of the old self-image and assumption of a new identity.


9. James the Less – Awareness of Divine Order

Though not much is said of James the Less, his name suggests humility and order.
“God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33).
He embodies inner awareness that manifestation happens in divine sequence. You do not force it—you trust the process.


10. Simon the Zealot – Awareness of Passionate Devotion

Simon was called a Zealot (Luke 6:15), indicating fervour.
His name reflects inner fire—emotional persistence that keeps your attention steady and alive toward the desired outcome.


11. Jude (Thaddeus) – Awareness of Praise

“Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ…” (Jude 1:1).
Jude, also called Thaddeus, represents gratitude and inner joy. Praise is not mere politeness—it is the atmosphere of the fulfilled soul.


12. Judas – Awareness of Total Surrender

“That thou doest, do quickly” (John 13:27).
Judas represents the final release of the old identity. He hands over the former self so that the new may rise. This is the surrender of doubt, fear, and delay.


The Inner Circle of Manifestation

When seen through Neville Goddard’s symbolic understanding, the disciples form not a cast of external characters, but an inner circle of support—a set of twelve spiritual attitudes that align you with the creative power of “I AM”. These states of awareness, once deliberately chosen and inhabited, bring forth the manifestation you seek.

You are not waiting for Jesus to walk beside you. You are awakening to the truth that he is your own wonderful human imagination—selecting and sending forth these inner qualities that whisper:

“It is finished.” (John 19:30)

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