Imagining Peace: A Neville Goddard Reflection on Gaza

The ongoing suffering in Gaza has deeply shaken the hearts of millions. The images of destruction, loss, and the unrelenting grief of families who have lost loved ones are harrowing. It’s impossible to look at this conflict and remain unaffected, no matter where we stand politically or religiously.

For those of us who engage with Neville Goddard’s teachings, this tragedy brings with it an opportunity to reflect—not only on the pain in the world but also on how our understanding of spiritual teachings can help guide us towards healing, compassion, and peace. While it may seem disconnected, Neville Goddard’s interpretation of the Bible offers profound insight that transcends the political and geographical realities of conflict, focusing instead on the inner transformation that can pave the way for lasting peace.

The Bible as a Symbolic Guide to Inner Awakening

Neville Goddard believed that the Bible was never meant to be read as literal history or as a call to conquer others. Rather, it is a powerful symbolic text—one that reveals the story of the soul’s journey and transformation. For Neville, the characters, places, and events depicted in the Bible represent states of consciousness that we must understand and transcend in order to realise our true potential.

In this context, Israel is not a nation, but a state of spiritual awakening. It represents the moment when an individual realises that they are one with God, that their imagination is the creative force behind all things. The land of Israel, then, is not a physical place—it’s a mental state where peace, love, and creative power are fully realised. When we awaken to our imagination’s creative power, we enter the Promised Land of inner harmony and spiritual fulfilment.

“The kingdom of God cometh not with observation... for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”
— Luke 17:20–21

This teaching aligns with the core message of Neville Goddard, which is that the divine is not an external force to be controlled or dominated. Rather, it is something within us, accessible through the power of imagination. The Promised Land, then, is a state of being where we are no longer at odds with ourselves or others, but live in alignment with our divine nature.

The "Enemies" We Must Overcome

One of the most troubling aspects of religious justification in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is the notion of driving out enemies. For those who interpret Scripture literally, this has been seen as a divine command to conquer and displace others. Yet Neville’s teachings would suggest a radically different understanding: the “enemies” in the Bible are not external forces, but the negative and limiting beliefs we carry within ourselves.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities... against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
— Ephesians 6:12

“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds... casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God.”
— 2 Corinthians 10:4–5

These verses point to the real battle being within: the fight to conquer our fears, prejudices, and false beliefs. The "Promised Land" is a place of inner peace where these enemies—these negative forces within the mind—are driven out, leaving room for love, forgiveness, and compassion to take root. The conflict we see in the world mirrors the inner turmoil that many of us must work through individually. Only by transforming our inner world can we hope to see lasting peace manifest outwardly.

The Misuse of Scripture for Political Power

One of the greatest tragedies in both the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and in world history is how sacred texts have been misused to justify oppression, violence, and suffering. Religious beliefs have been weaponised, twisted to support political agendas that have little to do with the true spirit of those teachings. The Bible has been used to justify conquest and the displacement of people—yet, in Neville’s view, these readings are entirely misguided.

The true message of Scripture is not one of division but of unity—unity with the divine and with each other. The Bible’s teachings are not about territorial claims or who has the right to a piece of land. They are about recognising the creative power within us all, understanding that imagination is the divine force through which we shape our lives and the world around us. When misused, Scripture becomes a tool of division. When understood correctly, it serves as a guide to inner transformation, personal responsibility, and collective peace.

“Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”
— 2 Corinthians 3:6

A Call to Inner Transformation and Peace

So what can we do, as individuals, in the face of such a complex and painful conflict? How can we, as spiritual beings, contribute to healing and peace? The answer lies in imagination.

Neville taught that we can revise the world by imagining it differently. Instead of focusing on the external battles, we must look within. The suffering in Gaza, in Israel, and in the wider world is a reflection of collective inner turmoil. By transforming our own hearts and minds—by imagining a world where peace, love, and unity prevail—we contribute to the shift in collective consciousness that is so desperately needed.

“Whatsoever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
— Mark 11:24

Now is the time to imagine a world where no one suffers because of religious, political, or ethnic differences. A world where land is shared, not fought over, and where the dignity and humanity of every person are recognised and honoured. As Neville would say, we are God in action—and through the power of imagination, we can shape a future that reflects the peace and harmony we long for.

Conclusion: Imagining a New Story

The Bible offers us a map—not to geographical land but to inner peace. It is a story of transformation, of shedding old beliefs, and awakening to our true nature. The conflict we see in Gaza is not the world we are meant to create—it is a reflection of the unresolved inner conflicts of humanity. If we want peace, we must begin by imagining it in our hearts and minds. Only then can we hope to see it manifest in the world.

The true Promised Land is a place of love, compassion, and understanding. Let us all do our part to manifest that peace—first within, and then outwardly, into the world around us.