Page 323 - Mystic Pathways through the Bible

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into pieces until all the hungry had been fed. When everyone had eaten to full satisfaction, Jesus asked His disciples to gather up the leftovers, which were enough to ll twelve baskets.
Mystically, ve thousand men symbolize the world of multiplicity revealed by the ve senses. Hunger operating at the level of the senses is unappeasable even by all the objects of the world. In other words, no matter what wealth and prosperity one acquires in the world, the soul remains hungry. One continues to look for ful llment.
However, with increasing spiritual advancement, the clamorous cravings represented by the hunger of ve thousand men are gradually and fully satis ed by the subtle taste of spiritual Bliss. A spiritual aspirant gathers up the fragments of the mind through a spiritual feast represented by the “ ve loaves” (puri cation of the senses) and “two shes” (puri cation of the intellect and ego). Spontaneously, vairagya (dispassion) toward the acquisitions of the world unfolds.
The Miracle of the Resurrection of Lazarus
In NIV John 11: 41–44, the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Lazarus are beautifully described. This gospel tells how Jesus traveled into the country of Jordan after escaping from those who were enraged because He had proclaimed His