The Door, the Shepherd, and the Beloved: Exploring John 10 and Song of Solomon Through Neville Goddard’s Teachings

Neville Goddard taught that the Bible is a symbolic map of consciousness and imagination. At its core, the “I AM” state — awareness of being — is the creative power behind all manifestation. When we understand biblical stories this way, passages like John 10 and Song of Solomon reveal profound insights into how our inner states open or close the door to the reality we experience.

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John 10: The Door and the Shepherd

In John 10:7-9, Jesus says:

"I am the door; if anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."

Here, the door symbolises a conscious state — the gateway through which the imagined self enters experience. The sheep represent different states of consciousness or subconsciousness. Entering through the door is a voluntary choice to align with imagination’s creative power.

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Song of Solomon: The Door, the Latch, and the Beloved

Song of Solomon 5:4 presents a delicate image:

"My beloved put his hand into the latch of the door, and my heart yearned for him."

The latch is a subtle but vital symbol — the inner mechanism holding the door closed or open. The beloved’s hand on the latch is a gentle invitation, but the door only opens if the latch is lifted from within.

This beautifully parallels John 10’s door metaphor. The beloved knocking corresponds to imagination’s call, while the latch is the inner consent of awareness that permits manifestation. Without the latch being lifted, the door remains closed.

The heart’s yearning reflects consciousness awakening to receive the imagined “I AM” presence.

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David: The Beloved Shepherd and Union of Doors

David’s Hebrew name, דָּוִד (Daled-Vav-Daled), consists of two Daleths (ד) meaning “door,” joined by a Vav (ו), a connector or “and.” His name literally pictures two doors joined by a link — a union of thresholds.

David, the shepherd and “beloved,” symbolises the ideal manifested self — the union of inner and outer doors of consciousness and imagination. This ties directly to the images in John 10 and Song of Solomon, showing that manifestation is the union of inner consent (the latch) and the outer call (the beloved knocking).

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The Neville Goddard Perspective: Opening the Door to Manifestation

From Neville’s perspective, these images describe the inner creative process. The door represents the state of consciousness one must enter to manifest. The latch is the gatekeeper within the subconscious mind, whose willingness determines if the door opens.

The beloved at the door, David as the beloved shepherd, and the yearning heart reflect imagination and awareness interacting. Manifestation occurs when awareness recognises and consents to the imagined reality — lifting the latch and opening the door.

Together, John 10 and Song of Solomon offer a symbolic narrative of the “I AM” journey — awakening, willing, and receiving the beloved self through the union of inner doors.