The Carnal Mind and The Mind of Christ

Neville Goddard, a prominent spiritual teacher, often discussed the concept of two distinct outlooks within every individual: "the carnal mind" and "the mind of Christ." These terms, rooted in ancient teachings, differentiate between ordinary waking consciousness and a higher, spiritually attuned mindset.

Neville Goddard, a luminary in spiritual philosophy, offered a profound interpretation of human consciousness through the lens of Biblical symbolism. Among his most compelling teachings is the dichotomy he identifies between two modes of human perception: "the carnal mind" and "the mind of Christ." These terms, drawn from scripture, encapsulate the conflict between living by sensory perception and embracing the transformative power of imagination, differentiate between ordinary waking consciousness and a higher, spiritually attuned mindset.

Understanding the Two Minds

Neville often quoted 1 Corinthians 2:14:

"The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

For Neville, the "carnal mind" represents our natural, sensory-driven consciousness. It is bound by the evidence of the physical senses and perceives reality as a fixed, linear progression of events. This perspective confines the individual to the present moment, dismissing the unseen and the imaginative as intangible or unreal.

In contrast, the "mind of Christ" symbolizes a higher state of consciousness—a spiritual focus governed by controlled imagination and desire. This mindset enables individuals to perceive reality beyond the limits of time and space, allowing the past and future to exist as accessible dimensions within the present.

Biblical Insights: The Carnal vs. Spiritual

Neville explains this concept vividly in his lecture "The Search" and the book "Your Faith is Your Fortune." He interprets Romans 8:6, which states, "To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." For Neville, this verse underscores the necessity of transcending the carnal mind to access the creative potential of the divine imagination within.

He elaborates:

"The natural mind is very limited, and it sees only the facts of life as they are presented to it. But the spiritual mind, being infinite, knows that all things are possible to those who believe." (Your Faith is Your Fortune)

The Power of Controlled Imagination

One of Neville’s central teachings is the practice of living "as though" your desires are already fulfilled. This practice, he argued, is only possible through the "mind of Christ." In his book "Out of This World," Neville states:

"The future, although prepared in advance in every detail, has several outcomes. We have at every moment of our lives the choice before us which of several futures we will have."

This flexibility of the future is inaccessible to the carnal mind, which sees the present as the only tangible reality. However, the spiritual mind understands that imagination is the true substance of creation.

Neville urged his followers to “withdraw attention from the evidence of the senses” and focus inwardly on their desires, imagining them as already realized. Through this process, what begins as subjective (invisible) becomes objective (visible).

 "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen." Rom. 1:20. 

Biblical Stories as Illustrations

Neville often used Biblical narratives to illustrate the journey from the carnal to the spiritual mind. For example:

The Transformation of Saul to Paul (Acts 9:1-19): Neville saw this as a metaphor for the shift from the carnal mind (Saul) to the enlightened mind of Christ (Paul). Saul’s blindness symbolizes the inability to see beyond the senses, while Paul’s spiritual awakening represents the realization of divine imagination.

The Resurrection of Lazarus (John 11): For Neville, Lazarus’s resurrection signifies the power of imagination to bring dead desires back to life when faith and focused attention are applied.

Practical Steps to Cultivate the "Mind of Christ"

Neville believed anyone could develop the spiritual outlook by practicing:

1. Disentanglement from the Senses: Regularly detach from external circumstances and focus on the unseen reality you wish to create.

2. Living in the End: Imagine and emotionally experience the fulfillment of your desires as if they have already occurred.

3. Faithful Persistence: Trust the process, even when the outer world appears unchanged, knowing that your assumptions are reshaping reality.

Final Thoughts

Neville Goddard’s teachings remind us that the mind is not merely a passive observer of reality but an active creator. The carnal mind limits us to what we see, hear, and touch, while the mind of Christ opens infinite possibilities through imagination. As Neville eloquently put it:

"To cultivate the faculty of seeing the invisible, we should often deliberately disentangle our minds from the evidence of the senses and focus our attention on an invisible state." (Your Faith is Your Fortune)

By embracing the "mind of Christ," we unlock the divine power within, transforming our lives and fulfilling our highest potential.