The Mind’s Eye: The Bridge between the Physical and the Spiritual Realm

By Peter Salemi

www.British-Israel.ca

I have written a lot about the “mind’s eye” or some call it the “third eye” in the booklets I have written. Many do not realize that the mind’s eye is the bridge that connects man to the spiritual realm of God-of spiritual awakening and enlightenment! In fact, “In philosophical terms, this region is designated as the seat of consciousness. The famous philosopher Descartes has defined it as the ‘principal seat of the soul.’ In metaphysical parlance, it can be related to an apparatus, which acts as a bridge between the two worlds– physical and cosmic [spiritual]. It is said to be the way to reach the light in the head. Or, analogically, it is essentially a spiritual antenna or the wireless transmitter, which is verily the ‘Epicentre of Enlightenment’” (Article: The Pineal Gland the Epicentre of Enlightenment, by Akhand Gyan emphasis added). The bible speaks of the “seat of consciousness” as being the “heart” of “mind” of man.

We read in the Bible, in speaking of the Shunammite, 2 Kings 4:27 says: “Her soul [nephesh] is vexed within her” (KJV). David cried to the Lord, seeking deliverance from his enemies, saying: “My soul [nephesh] is also sore vexed. . . . Return, O Lord, deliver my soul [nephesh]” (Ps 6:3-4).

“While the people were waiting for God’s deliverance, their soul was losing vitality. Tory Hoff notes that ‘because the Psalmist often wrote from within this experience [of danger], the Psalms include phrases such as ‘their soul fainted in them’ (Ps 107:5), ‘my soul melts for sorrow’ (Ps 119:28), ‘my soul languishes for salvation’ (Ps 119:81), ‘my soul longs, yea, faints for thy courts’ (Ps 84:2), and ‘their soul melted away in their evil plight’ (Ps 107:26). Job asked, ‘How long will you torment my soul’ (Job 19:2). It was also the soul that would wait for deliverance. ‘For God does my soul wait in silence’ (Ps 62:1). ‘I wait for the Lord, my soul waits and in his word I hope’ (Ps 130:5). Since the Hebrew knew all deliverance came from God, his soul would ‘take refuge’ in God (Ps 57:1) and ‘thirst for him’ (Ps 42:2; 63:1). Once the danger had passed and the intense, precarious nature of the situation was over, the soul would praise God for deliverance received. ‘My soul makes its boast in the Lord, let the afflicted hear and be glad’ (Ps 34:2). ‘Then my soul shall rejoice in the Lord, exulting in his deliverance’ (Ps 35:9).’

“These passages which speak of the soul [meaning the person] as the seat of emotion…

“Wolff rightly observes that the emotional content of the soul is equated with the self or the person and is NOT an independent entity [immortal soul]. He cites, as an example, Psalms 42:5, 11, and 43:5 in which the same song of lament and of self-exhortation is found: ‘Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise him.’ ‘Here,’ Wolff writes, ‘nephesh [soul] is the self of the needy life, thirsting with desire.’’’ (Immortality or Resurrection by Samuele Bacchiocchi, pp.47-48, emphasis added). (Read our Booklet Is there Life after Death for Further details). Deep within man resides his “spirit” or “mind” that is connected with the body. The body reacts to what the mind sees and experiences.

Where does the “Spirit in Man” Reside?

The belief that the “spirit in man” resides in the pineal gland and is the “seat of the consciousness,” a connection point between the physical and spiritual realms is prevalent in several spiritual traditions including Christianity. However most Christians today have not been taught or are totally ignorant of this truth due to the belief in the immortal soul. Anciently however Christians understood this truth.

Jesus spoke of the inner “eye” being full of “Light.” (Matthew 6:22). Many commentaries recognize that Jesus meant here the inner “eye” like Alford’s Greek NT that says, “the inner light, the conscience, lights the spirit and its faculties…”

The Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary as well, “Here, as also in classical Greek, it is used figuratively to denote the simplicity of the mind’s eye, singleness of purpose, looking right at its object, as opposed to having two ends in view.” (emphasis added).

What evidence is there that the “spirit in man” resides in that area? The Pineal gland is a small, pinecone-shaped gland located in the brain. This gland is nestled deep within the brain’s two hemispheres, is approximately the size of a grain of rice. Jesus said, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Matthew 17:20). Is not the mind is the place where we get our faith, thoughts, beliefs, the “seat of our emotions” etc.…? The Pineal gland-spiritually the mind’s eye are both the size of a grain of rice. 

Another indication is the Pineal gland produces melatonin and regulates our sleep-related functions; it also produces dimethyltryptamine (DMT) this allows the mind to enter into the dream state. This is how God communicates to his prophets “If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” (Numbers 12:6). This DMT allows individuals to see images through rapid eye movement, which is how we dream at night. It is through this bridge that God reveals himself through the mind’s eye. The prophets in the Bible were also known as Seers, and a Seers job is to “See”. Seers are able to look ahead and see what God is doing-the mind’s eye is that function!  The Bible itself has acknowledges the Third Eye as the bridge to enlightenment.

Notice that the “spirit” or “mind” interacts with the body as James writes, and causes the body to respond the way it does, “For as the body without the spirit is dead,” (James 2:26). The mind functions with the body-it ignites the body and the two function as one. In our dream state God ignites the spirit, in turn the body reacts as it always does when a person dreams, it is all interconnected. Clearly the Pineal gland is the place where the “spirit in man” resides.

The Menorah of your Inner Being

The “mind” or the “spirit” in man the Bible reveals ignites 7 places in the body for it to fully function. The endocrine system functions with the mind which affects the entire body (Get our Booklet The Menorah of your Inner Being for full details). Solomon said, “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” (Prov 20:27). The word “candle” in the Hebrew is “nı̂yr” (Strong’s #5216). It is the same word in Ex 25:37 for the seven branched “lampstand” or the menorah that the Israelites made to light the sanctuary.

The mind ignites 7 places in our body-ignited by our emotions that begin in our minds. Interesting that the Pineal gland (which is part of the endocrine system) is the place where revelation and spiritual awakening resides. God said this is the place where he reveals himself through dreams with visions. In the book of Revelation the 6^th candle on the lampstand represents the church of Philadelphia; it is this church that has the “key of David” and the “open door” for spiritual enlightenment and revelations. It is the 6^th candle on the menorah that represents this characteristic in the church.

Through meditation these 7 places in our bodies can be controlled when we “focus” (this is what meditation means in the Bible) our minds on the word of God and we can control our bodies-those fleshly appetites that cause us to sin.

In mainstream Christianity, there seems to be a much bigger emphasis on prayer than on meditation. This is perhaps because meditation oftentimes seems like the realm of Eastern religions-Buddhism, Hinduism, etc... The truth is many people have an incorrect view of the role that meditation plays in Christianity. By exploring what the Bible teaches us about meditation, hopefully we can all see the crucial role that meditation has in the development of our spirituality as Christians. (Read our booklet on Meditation-The Key to Spiritual growth)

Spiritual Enlightenment

It is in this place-the mind’s eye, deep within us that God touches man and spiritual enlightenment begins. The book of Job says, “But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.” (32:8) it is through the mind of man and this connection to God that gives man understanding and wisdom that separates man from animals. Animals run on instinct-humans have a mind that gives him the ability to think, reason, plan, create, love, empathy and communicate by language and the written word.

Many traditions emphasize the pineal gland’s role as a bridge between the physical and spiritual dimensions, symbolizing inner wisdom, intuition, spiritual awakening and a connection point between the physical and spiritual realms. This source writes, “…the pineal gland has another very important function, and is that it connects us to our energy-being, [the spirit in man] with our higher self. This gland is also known as the Third Eye and was defined by the philosopher René Descartes as ‘the seat of the soul,’ as the bridge between body and spirit.” (Article: The Pineal Gland, A Jewel In Us by: Veronica Sanchez De Darivas, Brainz Magazine, emphasis added).

The Bible speaks of the “eyes” of man being opened to God’s understanding. These are the spiritual eyes-God’s spirit revealing his truths into the mind of man.

Notice how wide God opened Solomon’s mind, “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.” (1 King’s 4:29). Solomon’s mind contained an ocean of knowledge within him. “…though it be so vast and comprehensive, yet consists of the smallest parts: and so it may note that Solomon’s wisdom was both vast, reaching to all things; and most accurate, searching and discerning every small thing.” (Poole’s Commentary). Solomon had the “high powers of mind, great capacity for receiving, as well as aptitude for communicating knowledge.” (Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary). As noted above, the Pineal gland is like a transmitter receiving the revelations of God, and Solomon was always one who asked God for knowledge which he thirsted for, “the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee… Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” (1 Kings 3:5, 9). It is through the mind’s eye that interacts with the Pineal gland that Solomon received God’s wisdom.

Let this sink deep in your spirit—the Word of God opens our spiritual eyes, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” (Ps. 119:130). The Spirit of God writes God’s words on our hearts (Rom 5:5) and we are enlightened by his truth. We can experience what Solomon and others in the Bible experienced either by dreams or the spirit of God coming upon a person.

Jesus said, “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63). Reading the words of God in the Scriptures brings you into direct contact with the supernatural, with the spiritual realm, “and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:” (Prov 6:23). God’s words entering into one’s mind makes one spiritually in tune and can be subject to a vast ocean of knowledge and the ability to see what others do not.

Visions & Visualization

As God says it is through dreams that he reveals himself. In this dream state many of the prophets of God saw “visions of God” during this dream state, “I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream” (Num 12:6).

Dr. Samuel Meier, professor of Hebrew Bible and Comparative Semitics at Ohio State University, describes the kind of spiritual seeing associated with Hebrew prophetic “seers” in his recent book, Themes and Transformations in Old Testament Prophecy, p. 43 and note 4. He describes the visionary prophetic gift exemplified by the prophets as a “special gift of sight” that “does not even require normal vision…” (Emphasis mine). Here again we see the bridge between the physical and the spiritual realm. The ability to see what unenlightened people cannot. Watching events unfold as the prophets did seeing the hidden hand behind it all. This is a spiritual compass and vision one has, when the spirit of God dwells inside the enlightened person.

When the gland is activated by God, it can expand an individual’s consciousness beyond the limitations of ordinary perception. Understanding of the word of God becomes clear and it feels like a huge door is now opened you can see and understand the spiritual realm, “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” (1 John 3:24). The words of God are “spirit” and “life” as Jesus said. The entering in of God’s words gives us wisdom, understanding and the ability to see God and his actions on this earth.

During meditation one can also have visions as well. Notice the prophet Ezekiel’s experience. This is during the time when he was meditating and he saw “visions of God.” Ezekiel said, “…I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. 

“The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.” (1:1, 3). God’s words entered into him as he meditated and visions of God were manifested to Ezekiel so he could write down what he saw. Samuel experienced the same, “for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.” (1 Sam 3:21).

(Read our booklet Meditation; A key to spiritual growth for a more detailed explanation on this scripture).

King David experienced the same when he meditated, “To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.” The word “see” in the Hebrew is “chazah” (Strong’s #2372) and it means, “…specifically to have a vision of…prophesy” (emphasis theirs). David was having the same experience as Ezekiel when he meditated. David said later on in this chapter, “When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.” (63:6). King David was “in the spirit” like Ezekiel (3:14) like the Apostle John (Rev 1:10). All three saw “visions of God” during this meditated state.

Activating the pineal gland is thought to enhance an individual’s ability to see and understand events, or information that is not visible to the physical eye such as understanding prophecy like the seers of the Old Testament, “And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee [King Saul], and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.” (1 Sam 10:6). Although there are no more prophecies to give, God gives us understanding of his prophecies in the Bible.

In the end time God says, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy [inspired speaking], and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 

“And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:” (Acts 2:17-18). Will the people of God when enlightened by the spirit see the same visions the prophets saw? We will have to wait and see.

However, when one meditates one can now visualize in their meditations the “visions of God” described to us in the Bible. What is interesting about Visualizations is, “Visualizing is not a New Age idea: it’s a Godly, heavenly idea that Satan stole and counterfeited!! And the Hebrew hagah in Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2 (and all the other passages in the Hebrew Bible where it is used) prove it!” (Article: Biblical Meditation Involves Imagination! by Mark Virkler, emphasis added).

This Author writes, “King David used the eyes of his heart to ‘see’ the Lord when he was meditating. For example, Psalm 63 associates meditating (Hebrew hagah) with seeing in the Spirit a vision from God (Hebrew khazah)…King David used the eyes of his heart to ‘see’ the Lord when he was meditating. For example, Psalm 63 associates meditating (Hebrew hagah) with seeing in the Spirit a vision from God (Hebrew khazah)… So for King David, meditating absolutely included seeing in the Spirit realm. When we meditate, we must also be presenting the eyes of our hearts to the Holy Spirit, asking Him to show us God’s visions (Acts. 2:17)… I would say, King David is picturing the Lord before him, at his right side. I can think of no reason not to do this. The Bible says Jesus is Immanuel God with us, so why limit ourselves to just thinking it? Why not picture it? If a picture is worth 1000 words then what we see has much greater power to impact us than what we hear, probably because we have stepped from mind to heart. I assume that is why Jesus always painted pictures when he spoke (Matt. 13:34).  He was communicating heart to heart the truths about a heart to heart relationship with Almighty God.” (ibid, emphasis added). Meditation is a good time to bridge the spiritual realm with our physical existence and communicate “in the spirit” with God. Use the descriptions of God from the Bible and visualize God while we get into a state of deep spiritual focus (Meditation).

The Hebrew verb hagah “meditate, imagine, visualize,” in Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2 the standard Hebrew lexicon, Brown, Driver, Briggs, and Spanish Old Testament & Hebrew scholar, Dr. Jesus Arambarri, have proven the meanings “imagine” and “visualize” for this verb in the Hebrew Bible.

God commands us in Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2 to exercise our godly imagination by meditating on and imagining what God says are true in the Scriptures.

Spanish Old Testament scholar, Dr. Jesus Arambarri, did a careful syntactic and semantic study of the Hebrew verb hagah and the verbal phrase hagah be which is used in Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2.  He concluded that when the verb is used of the heart to denote meditating, it denotes “more than just speaking.”  Hebrew hagah be in Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2 refers to a type of reflection that envisions or pictures God’s deeds (“the envisioning [vergegenwärtigend] memory of Yahweh’s acts of salvation”).

Dr. Arambarri points to several other passages in the Hebrew Bible, besides Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2, which prove that the Hebrew verb hagah meant not only to meditate verbally by “muttering” and “speaking,” but also meant to “imagine,” “devise (in the mind),” or “visualize/visually ponder,” in passages like Psalm 63:6; Prov. 24:2; Isa. 33:18. The concept of meditation (hagah) is associated with visionary seeing in the Spirit (khazah) (quotes above from same article)

This spiritual truth has been lost by today’s Christian religion. Here is a way shown to us by God in his word and how we can experience what the prophets experienced-a spiritual awakening and understanding that we all crave for-a direct communication with God and to control ourselves to be obedient to his word and the mind’s eye is the key, “The light of the body is the [mind’s] eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” (Matthew 6:22). Isn’t that what we all want? To filled with God’s light?

Other booklets:

Christian Meditation here

Christians Mind power webpage here

The Menorah of your Inner Being Here

How the Mind Affects your Body Here

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