Page 326 - Mystic Pathways through the Bible

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320 Mystic pathways through the bible
Movement symbolized by Jesus must awaken the soul from its slumber of death.
Mary and Martha are symbolic of the two paths: Shreya (the path of blessedness through inward spiritual movement), and preya (the path of pleasure through outgoing movement in the material world). They are sisters of the soul, because they intend to aid the soul in its journey towards the Divine Resurrection—the state of Self-realization. However, it is Mary whose love of Jesus is all- effacing and profound.
Elsewhere in the Bible (Luke 10: 38-42), the symbolism of Mary and Martha is clari ed through a parable. Jesus was once received by both sisters, but while Mary went and sat down at the feet of Jesus, her sister Martha continued to trouble herself by arranging and xing her house in order to show respect for Jesus. Jesus pointed out that between these two sisters, Mary had made the better choice. While the outgoing movement of the mind (Martha) continues to look after the transient developments of the world in the name of adoring the Divine Self, the internalized movement of mind (Mary) moves directly to the Divine Self through the power of intuition and devotion. Therefore, it is better to befriend the “Mary” aspect of one’s mind in order to be resurrected from “death” (individualized consciousness backed up ignorance).