Literal Interpretation of Spiritual Scriptures

Posted on November 16, 2004 18:8 PM EST

Spiritual scriptures are mostly about spirit, about the soul, about the non-physical aspects of God/dess. They are less about the physical world and its workings. The scriptures talk of the physical world and its workings only in the context of spirituality. For example, they may not contain descriptions of how an electric motor works. But they may describe what effect the consumption of certain physical foods might have on the physical body, and in turn on the subtle bodies, and how these influence the spiritual progress of a person.

When the scriptures are more about spirit, the interpretation should be partial to the spirit of what is being said. Not the literal meaning.

Most organized religions make the mistake of interpreting things literally. Even people who are supposed to be wise and intelligent make this mistake. Consequently, they miss the experience of the divine forest, becoming overly involved with individual trees. Often, they are not even involved with something as big as a tree, it is the trivial distractions of a tiny blade of grass or a thorn that takes up all the energy and concentration.

Consequently, the message of the scriptures become divisive instead of uniting forces, at all levels - personal, relationships, social, national, international. Personal growth is sacrificed, love is lost, society is divided, nations are weakened and they go to war. This makes no sense. This is not the way of smart, evolved people. It is like burning the forest just because a thorn pricked us.

It is in the nature of the forest to have thorns. Let us thread carefully with open eyes. It is in the nature of the spiritual world to have different interpretions, many of which may seem contradictory. Let us not allow them to confound and blind us. Let us keep open minds and open hearts. Let us live and grow in love and ananda.