The the Talents: Neville Goddard’s Parable Interpretation

The Biblical Parable

A source-grounded study of Neville Goddard’s psychological interpretation of The the Talents, consolidated from 7 original lectures and books.

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. ... For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Neville’s Interpretation

The 'talents' represent one's God-given creative power, specifically the human imagination. The parable teaches that this power must be actively used to bless oneself and others, not buried or neglected. Misuse or non-use leads to a continuation of the cycle of limitation.

— Come O Blessed

Neville interprets the talents as the spiritual truths or abilities (such as the power of imagination and assumption) that individuals receive. The parable teaches that these 'talents' must be actively exercised and expanded through practice; otherwise, they will atrophy and be lost, hindering one's spiritual progress.

— Feed My Sheep

Neville interprets the 'talent' as the divine power and truth revealed to him (God as human imagination). 'Investing' this talent means actively sharing this revelation with others. By doing so, he 'doubles the investment,' fulfilling his divine commission and earning the commendation 'Well done my good and faithful servant,' which leads to reincorporation into the 'joy of the Lord' (the body of Love).

— Infinite Power

The 'talent' in the parable represents one's own human imagination, which is God's gift. God 'went away' by becoming invisible and taking residence within man. The parable teaches that one must actively and lovingly use this divine talent (imagination) to create and expand. Burying or neglecting the talent (not using imagination) leads to condemnation and loss of creative power.

— The Potters House

The parable illustrates that the divine power or 'talent' (Imagination) given to man must be used. The condemnation is not for misuse, but for the failure to use it at all, implying that even through mistakes, one learns and grows.

— The Story Of Judas

Neville interprets the Parable of the Talents metaphysically. The 'talent' is the human imagination, God's gift of Himself to every individual. The 'master' is God, who entrusts this divine power. Those who 'multiply' their talents are those who consciously and actively use their imagination to create and expand their reality, thereby entering into the 'joy of their master.' The one who 'buried' his talent represents those who neglect, fear, or fail to use their imagination, instead worshipping external things, leading to stagnation and a loss of awareness of their inherent power.

— The Talent

The parable symbolizes the growth or atrophy of one's 'power of awareness' or spiritual knowledge. The 'talents' represent this power, which increases with daily practice and use, but diminishes if merely heard and not applied. The master's judgment reflects the law that what is used grows, and what is neglected is lost.

— The Creative Use Of Imagination

Characters as States

• Master: God, the ultimate creative power (I AM)

• Servants: Individuals endowed with imagination

• Talents: The creative power of imagination, consciousness itself

• Profitable Servants: Those who actively use their imagination to create and bless

• Unprofitable Servant: One who neglects or fears to use their imagination, remaining in a state of limitation

• The Master: God, or one's own divine consciousness, which bestows spiritual abilities.

• Servants: Individuals who receive spiritual truths and the power of imagination.

• Talents: Spiritual truths, abilities, or the power of imagination and assumption.

• Trading/Expanding talents: Actively practicing and applying spiritual truths to manifest desires.

• Burying talent: Failing to practice or test spiritual truths, allowing them to become dormant.

• Lord: God, the source of infinite power and truth (Imagination).

• Servants: Individuals to whom divine truth and power are revealed.

• Talents: The revelation of God's nature as human imagination, and the power inherent in it.

• Investing talents: Actively sharing and applying the revealed divine truth.

• Doubling the investment: Successfully conveying the truth to others and seeing it believed or applied.

• Good and faithful servant: One who wisely invests the divine revelation.

• Joy of the Lord: The ultimate state of reincorporation into the body of Love, union with God.

• The Master: God, who is one's own human imagination, which became invisible by residing within man.

• Servants: Individuals who have been given the 'talent' of imagination.

• Talent: The human imagination, the divine creative power given to each individual.

• Those who multiplied talents: Individuals who wisely and lovingly use their imagination to create and expand their reality.

• The one who buried his talent: Individuals who neglect, fear, or refuse to use their imagination, leading to stagnation and loss of creative power.

Practical Meaning

• Actively use your imagination to envision desired states for yourself and others. Do not be afraid to test its power; the more you use it, the more it will expand and manifest good.
• The parable serves as a direct instruction to apply the teachings of imagination and assumption. One must not merely hear the truths but actively put them to the test and expand their use to achieve desired results and spiritual growth.
• To receive divine commendation and experience ultimate union with God, one must actively share and apply the spiritual truths revealed to them, rather than keeping them hidden or unused.
• Recognize that your imagination is your divine 'talent.' Actively and lovingly use it to create your desired reality, for yourself and others. Do not fear or neglect to use it, but test its power and prove its efficacy through consistent application.
• Actively use your imaginative power to create and manifest. Do not fear making mistakes, as the act of using the power is paramount for spiritual growth and awakening.

Related Themes

• Imagination
• Creative Power
• The Law
• Responsibility
• Practice
• Spiritual abilities
• Consequences of inaction
• Expansion of consciousness
• The Promise
• Man as God
• Word Scripture
• Divine Commission

Complete Sources

• Come O Blessed
• Feed My Sheep
• Infinite Power
• The Potters House
• The Story Of Judas
• The Talent
• The Creative Use Of Imagination