Neville Goddard on Luke 16:16

Executive Summary

Neville Goddard interprets the biblical phrase about taking the kingdom of heaven by storm or with violence (Luke 16:16, Matthew 11:12) not as a metaphor for effort, but as a description of a literal and powerful mystical experience. This event is an ascent of consciousness up the spinal cord into one's own skull, which is the only heaven. The entry is characterized by an intense, violent force, causing the head to reverberate like thunder.

Key Concepts

• The phrase 'take it violently' refers to a literal, not metaphorical, spiritual event.
• The experience is a rapid ascent up the spine, described as a 'fiery serpent' or a 'bolt of spiral lightning'.
• The destination of this ascent is one's own skull, which is identified as the only heaven.
• The entry into the skull is a violent, powerful moment that reverberates like thunder or a hot rivet boring into steel.
• The physical body is the 'mountain' that is split from head to spine in this process.

Detailed Explanation

Neville Goddard explains that the scriptural statement that 'the violent take it by storm' refers to a specific, powerful mystical experience. This is not a metaphor for aggressive desire or forceful prayer, but a literal description of how one enters the kingdom of heaven. The entry is accomplished in a 'most violent manner.'

The process begins after one fuses with and becomes one with that which is contemplated. Following this fusion, an ascent begins at the base of the spine. This upward movement is described as being like a 'fiery serpent' or a 'bolt of spiral lightning' that travels up the spinal cord. This journey is the splitting of the true 'mountain'—the human body, from the top of the head to the base of the spine.

The destination of this ascent is one's own skull, which Neville identifies as the only heaven there is. The arrival, or entry into heaven, is the moment of 'violence' mentioned in scripture. The experience is described as a powerful reverberation, like thunder, that fills the entire head. Neville compares the feeling to a hot rivet boring into steel, a force so intense it feels as though the skull might split. This event is presented as a climactic part of a larger spiritual drama, which is followed by the descent of the Spirit in the form of a dove.

Important Quotes

You will take the kingdom of heaven by storm.” (Matthew 11:12 and Luke 16:16 RSV) You take it with violence, for when you enter, you enter in the most violent manner and the nearest thing on earth that I can use to illustrate it would be a rivet.

— His Purpose

...like a fiery serpent you will ascend your spinal cord into the only heaven that there is, right back within your own wonderful skull.

— Who Is The Son Of Man

And when you enter, it will reverberate like thunder, as you are told in Scripture: they take it violently. “And the violent take it by storm.”

— Who Is The Son Of Man

Related Concepts

This teaching is directly related to the fulfillment of 'The Promise,' as the ascent into the skull is described as a climactic spiritual drama. The prerequisite for this event is to become one with what you contemplate, which touches upon the principle of 'I AM.' By knowing your Self and fusing with it, you initiate the conditions for this powerful spiritual awakening.

Common Misunderstandings

A common misunderstanding would be to interpret the 'violence' metaphorically, as if it means one must use forceful willpower or aggressive mental effort to achieve a desire. The source material corrects this by explaining that the violence is not psychological effort but a literal description of the intense, thunderous, and physically-felt sensation of a mystical ascent into the skull.

Practical Applications

The source material does not present this experience as a technique to be practiced, but as a spiritual event that occurs. The only precursor mentioned is to contemplate something until you know it is your Self and you fuse with it, becoming one with it. The application for a student is therefore one of understanding: to recognize that this scriptural passage refers to a profound, internal, mystical experience rather than an instruction for forceful manifestation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Neville mean by taking heaven 'violently'?

He is not speaking metaphorically. He refers to a literal and powerful mystical experience where one ascends the spine and enters the skull with a force that reverberates like thunder.

Where is the Kingdom of Heaven located, according to this teaching?

The source material states that the only heaven there is is located 'right back within your own wonderful skull.'

Is the 'violence' Neville speaks of a metaphor for intense effort or desire?

No. The sources are clear that it describes a literal, physical sensation of a powerful entry into the skull, comparing it to a thunderous reverberation or a hot rivet boring into steel, not psychological effort.