Neville Goddard on Luke 23:34

Executive Summary

Neville Goddard interprets the scriptural call for forgiveness in Luke 23:34 as a fundamental principle of reality based on the concept of 'states.' True forgiveness is not about condoning an act but about understanding that the individual is not their behavior. People are merely passing through eternal, pre-existing states of consciousness. Holding resentment against a person is a misunderstanding, as the fault lies with the state they occupy, not with the person themselves.

Key Concepts

• Individuals are not their actions; they are occupants of eternal states.
• These states, such as 'the thief' or 'the harlot,' were created in the beginning and are permanent fixtures of reality through which we all pass.
• The occupant of a state is not truly at fault; they 'know not what they do' because they are simply playing a part.
• True forgiveness is possible only when you realize that you have played, or will play, all the parts.
• Holding resentment against a person prevents entry into 'Paradise,' which requires mutual forgiveness.

Detailed Explanation

Neville's interpretation of “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” hinges on the distinction between a person and the 'state' they are occupying. A state is an eternal, pre-existing condition or role, such as the state of being a thief. When a person commits an act, they have simply fallen into that particular state. The person is not inherently wrong; it is the state that is the issue. Since individuals are unaware that they are merely actors moving through these fixed states, they 'know not what they do' in the larger, cosmic sense.

This understanding is the key to genuine forgiveness. Resentment is misdirected when it is held against a being, because the being is just a temporary occupant of a timeless state. This principle applies to everyone, from a person who steals a piano to monstrous historical figures like a Stalin or a Hitler. The Being behind the mask is God, who is playing all the parts in all of humanity. God, the sum of all beings, ultimately forgives all because He has experienced every state.

Complete forgiveness is achieved at the end of the spiritual journey, when one has played all the parts and can therefore forgive every part of the world. This mutual forgiveness is described as the 'Gates of Paradise.' By understanding this principle, one can navigate life with love and apply the Golden Rule, knowing that the real identity of every person is the one divine Being playing all roles.

Important Quotes

“Forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

— Blake On Religion

The occupant of the state is not wrong; it is the state, but these states were created in the beginning, and they are eternal states.

— The Pattern Of Scripture Is Real

Only when at the very end you can forgive every part of the world, have you played all the parts.

— The Son Revealed

“Mutual forgiveness of each vice; such are the Gates of Paradise.”

— Blake On Religion

Related Concepts

This interpretation is fundamentally connected to Neville's teaching on States. The entire premise of this form of forgiveness rests on the idea that people are not their behaviors but are instead occupants of eternal, impersonal states of consciousness.

It also relates to the concept of I AM. The teaching that 'God alone acts, and is, in all existing beings or men' implies that the one I AM is the sole actor playing every part. This is why we will all experience every state and can ultimately forgive everyone, as we are forgiving ourselves.

Common Misunderstandings

A common misunderstanding is that this teaching justifies or excuses harmful actions. The source material explicitly corrects this, stating, 'I am not sanctifying or justifying his behavior as a man – no.' The purpose is not to condone worldly behavior but to explain the metaphysical reality behind it, which allows for a higher form of forgiveness that separates the actor from the part they are playing.

Practical Applications

To apply this teaching, one must consciously shift their perspective when wronged. Instead of holding resentment against the person, you should recognize that they have fallen into a negative state. This understanding allows you to forgive the individual, knowing they are not the state they express. This practice enables you to 'play this game beautifully, all in love' and live by the Golden Rule: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'

Frequently Asked Questions

Does forgiving someone mean I approve of their harmful actions?

No. According to the source material, this teaching does not sanctify or justify a person's behavior. It is about understanding the metaphysical difference between the person and the state they occupy, which allows for forgiveness.

What is a 'state' in this context?

A state is an eternal, pre-existing condition or role that people pass through, such as 'the thief' or 'the harlot.' The person is the temporary occupant of the state, not the state itself.

Why is forgiveness so important in this teaching?

Forgiveness is essential because holding resentment against a person is based on a misunderstanding of reality. The source material indicates that 'mutual forgiveness of each vice' is what constitutes the 'Gates of Paradise.'