The Damascus Turning: From Saul’s Old Self to Paul’s Assumption

Saul on the Road to Damascus — A Turning Point in Consciousness

In the psychological reading of Scripture, we no longer treat the Jesus, Saul, and the people as separate entities. Instead, we recognise this as a play of consciousness — where each figure symbolises a part of the readers psyche engaged in the drama of manifestation.

The story of Paul’s blinding on the road to Damascus appears three times in Acts, each account deepening our understanding of this inner transformation.

• Acts 9:1–19 — The fullest and earliest account of Saul’s encounter and healing.

• Acts 22:6–16 — Paul’s own retelling before a Jewish crowd, focusing on his conversion experience.

• Acts 26:12–18 — Paul’s defense before King Agrippa, emphasising his calling and mission.

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Acts 9:1–19 — Fullest Account

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized,
And when he had received meat, he was strengthened.
Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. (Acts 9:1–19)

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Section-by-Section Interpretation of Acts 9:1–20

Verses 1–2

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord... he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. — Acts 9:1-2

Interpretation: Saul’s letters and threats signify the rigidity of the old self—outer authority enforcing outdated beliefs. He embodies a consciousness locked in opposition to spiritual truth.

Verses 3–4

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven... he heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? — Acts 9:3-4

Interpretation: The sudden light is the awakening of the “I AM”—the divine imagination illuminating the ego. Hearing the inner voice overturns Saul’s old framework.

Verse 5

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.— Acts 9:5

Interpretation: Saul’s question marks the moment of inner inquiry. Jesus’ reply reveals that the rejected disciples symbolise aspects of his own higher self. The proverb “kick against the pricks” shows resistance to inner guidance.

Verses 6–7

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? ... the men which journeyed with him stood speechless.— Acts 9:6-7

Interpretation: Trembling indicates the ego’s vulnerability. His companions’ silence underscores the solitary nature of transformation—others may observe, but cannot fully experience it.

Verses 8–9

And Saul arose... when his eyes were opened, he saw no man... he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. — Acts 9:8-9

Interpretation: Physical blindness and fasting represent the death of the old identity and temporary withdrawal from external sustenance. This liminal stage allows the new state to gestate.

Verses 10–11

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth.— Acts 9:10-11

Interpretation:

• Ananias (Hebrew: אֲנַנְיָה, Hananyah) means “Yahweh has been gracious.” This name signifies the divine grace that initiates Saul’s transformation. The Lord calling this gracious messenger highlights that inner awakening is itself an act of divine favour.

• The Street Called Straight represents the “straight path” of integrity and directness in consciousness. Spiritually, it signifies the direct route to inner truth, bypassing twists of the mind.

• Enquiring at the House of Judas carries layered symbolism. The name Judas (Greek Ἰούδας, from Hebrew יְהוּדָה, Judah) means “praised one.” Placing Saul’s new state in a house named “Praise” underscores that true spiritual vision arises in an atmosphere of inner praise. There is also the paradoxical echo of the betrayer Judas, reminding us that old loyalties and betrayals of self can be redeemed through the process of assumption.

• The command to enquire indicates an active inner seeking. Even after the collapse of the old self, there remains a purposeful quest to locate and embrace the new identity.

Verse 12

And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. — Acts 9:12

Interpretation: Ananias’ entry in vision and laying on of hands symbolise the reception of spiritual sight and the integration of grace into one’s consciousness. This contact conveys the restored inner vision required for living the assumed state. Verses 13–16

Then Ananias answered... he hath authority from the chief priests... But the Lord said unto him... he is a chosen vessel... And Ananias... said, Brother Saul... receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.— Acts 9:13-16

Interpretation: Ananias’ hesitation echoes doubt in the ego. The Lord’s reassurance shows that the new assumption is ordained. The laying on of hands and filling with the Spirit symbolise the transfer of the new identity.

Verses 17–19

Immediately, there fell from his eyes as it had been scales... he received sight... was baptised... when he had received meat, he was strengthened.— Acts 9:17-19

Interpretation: Baptism is the ritual of cleansing the old. Nourishment represents the embodied strength of the new state.

The scales that fell from Saul’s eyes symbolize the lifting of spiritual blindness, connected to the deep symbolism of judgment originating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This tree represents the mind’s faculty of dividing experience into good and evil, which can veil true vision. When the scales fall, it signifies the removal of this veil of dualistic judgment, allowing Saul to see with new clarity and spiritual insight—shedding old limiting assumptions and awakening to a higher perception

Verse 20

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues... that he is the Son of God.— Acts 9:20

Interpretation: Saul’s immediate proclamation is the outward manifestation of the inner assumption—Neville’s “live from the end,” and the world conforms to the new identity.

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Jesus → Saul → Paul — The Inner Sequence

• Jesus = the assumed state, divine imagination realised

• Crucifixion = the death of the past identity

• Resurrection = awakening to the fulfilled self

• Saul’s blinding = dissolution of the former ego

• Paul emerges = the new identity active in the world

In this sequence, the Damascus event is not just history but a timeless blueprint for inner transformation through the Law of Assumption.