Like many sources of Truth throughout the ages, the Bible uses familiar concepts to convey spiritual reality. In fact, the Bible is perhaps the most powerful example of symbolic language. How you interpret the words, therefore, is of utmost importance. Let's look at the parable of the Sower.

"And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him
out of every city, he spake by a parable:" (Luke 8:4)

  We can discern that in most cases when the Bible speaks of "people" it is using symbolic language to refer to one's internal world of thoughts. This viewpoint may be new and unfamiliar to you. We so quickly interpret the word "people" as humans. Symbolic language challenges us to suspend our immediate interpretation in favor of new possibilities.

   However, simple logic can greatly assist with unleashing the catalyst symbolic language contains. Could human bodies really come to him (a physical Jesus) out of every city? Yet inwardly, in the realm of your thoughts, it is indeed true that your people, internal sparks of energy and beingness, can leave behind their familiar mental environments and gather around your Heart, your Essence. Through spiritual power and focus it is indeed possible for your inner people to be "gathered together." It is also possible for them "to come to him (your Truest Self) out of every city (every internal area)."

  The parable continues in Luke 8:5: "A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

  Reading this parable from "old tonques" it is believed this verse is talking about how well certain humans receive spiritual knowledge. However, from the "new tonques" (as the Bible calls it) of symbolic language we rise to a far higher place of understanding. The parable has no connection with humans and their supposed various degrees of receptivity. It is all about YOUR inner world!

  Having identified yourself, your Essence, with the Source of Truth itself, you begin to sow seeds of insight throughout your inner domain. Some seeds fall to the way side and others are trodden down by spurious thoughts. Still other seeds wither away and some indeed get choked by thorns. Thorns are the equivalent of critical thoughts, slander, hatred and the like. However, when a thought falls on good ground it penetrates your Essence. Inside this domain of light, pure water and fertile soil, these seeds "bare fruit an hundredfold."

  Symbolic language is a fertile field of study. It includes the Bible's almost endless supply as well as myths, poetry, great literature and many other expressions. Symbolic language is best described as a catalyst since it has a way of reaching deep into our Essence.