The Bible is filled with stories that symbolise inner states of awareness and mental processes. When we see these narratives as psychological symbolism, we uncover deeper insights into imagination, desire, ego, and transformation — making the teachings deeply relevant to our personal growth.
The Literal Verse and Its Inner Meaning
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
— Genesis 2:24
Traditionally, Genesis 2:24 is read as the foundation of physical marriage. Yet spiritually, it reveals a inner concept: the necessity for the conscious self (the "man") to leave old conditioning (symbolised by "father and mother") and unite with its own inner creative faculty (the "wife") — imagination. Read more on this here.
This union forms a new "one flesh," the perfect fusion of conscious desire and subconscious receptivity, leading to true creation and manifestation.
Leviticus 18:22: A Symbol of Inner Misalignment
“You shall not lie with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination.”
— Leviticus 18:22
Rather than purely a physical prohibition, this verse highlights a spiritual warning: when the ego (man) attempts to unite only with itself (man), it bypasses imagination (woman), resulting in a sterile, self-consuming state.
This is the opposite of the union urged in Genesis 2:24, where true creative power is realised through harmonising the masculine conscious self and feminine subconscious imagination.
Amnon and Tamar: A Tragic Misunion
In 2 Samuel 13, Amnon represents the outwardly driven ego, and Tamar symbolises the inner feminine imagination. Tamar has already been presented as an example of imagination in the story of Judah and Tamar. Instead of honouring and uniting with her in love, Amnon violates her — reflecting the ego's attempt to dominate rather than to merge in a sacred, creative way.
Amnon refuses to "leave father and mother" (old patterns and selfish desires), and instead of becoming "one flesh" in harmony, he forces a union, resulting in inner chaos and spiritual barrenness.
Cakes: Stolen Nourishment
When Tamar prepares cakes (2 Samuel 13:6), they symbolise the fruits of imagination — the spiritual nourishment that arises from true inner union. Amnon's coercive demand for these cakes represents the ego’s attempt to feed on creative power without proper engagement, illustrating what Genesis 2:24 warns against: the failure to form true inner marriage.
Song of Solomon: The True Fulfilment
In contrast, the Song of Solomon embodies the proper union:
“Strengthen me with raisin cakes, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love.”
— Song of Solomon 2:5
Here, the bride and bridegroom represent the joyful union of masculine and feminine within. They willingly unite, resulting in sweetness and creative fruitfulness — the true "one flesh" of Genesis 2:24.
This union is mutual, nurturing, and fully receptive. It is the ideal inner marriage that Genesis 2:24 symbolises: the conscious self lovingly embracing imagination, resulting in manifestation and spiritual renewal.
Neville Goddard’s Insight: Harmonious Assumption
Neville taught that manifestation demands a loving engagement with the imagination — assuming the feeling of the wish fulfilled. This act embodies Genesis 2:24: the ego leaving behind external conditioning and uniting with the inner creative power to form "one flesh" — the new state of consciousness that births our reality.
Amnon's story serves as a warning against trying to force outcomes without this sacred union. The Song of Solomon celebrates the joyful merging that unlocks spiritual and creative abundance.
Summary Table
| Element | Amnon and Tamar (Misunion) | Song of Solomon (True Union) |
|---|---|---|
| Spiritual Union | Ego consuming itself, sterile "man with man" | Conscious self weds imagination, "one flesh" |
| Role of Cakes | Coerced, manipulative feeding | Joyful, mutual nourishment |
| Result | Spiritual violation and inner conflict | Creative fruitfulness and spiritual harmony |
Final Thought
Genesis 2:24, when seen psychologically, reveals the secret of true creation: leaving behind external authority ("father and mother") and entering the joyful, receptive union with imagination ("wife"), to become "one flesh."
Leviticus 18:22 warns of the sterile loop of ego with ego, as tragically embodied by Amnon and Tamar. The Song of Solomon, by contrast, celebrates the sacred marriage within — the true and joyful sharing of "cakes," the fruits of a loving, imaginative union.
Comments
Post a Comment
Thanks for your comment! Comments are reviewed before publishing.