Neville Goddard (1905-1972) stands as one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the 20th century, offering a unique interpretation of biblical scripture and the nature of reality itself. His teaching rests upon two fundamental pillars: The Law and The Promise. While these concepts are deeply intertwined, understanding their distinct nature and relationship provides crucial insight into his complete spiritual philosophy.
The Law: Imagination Creates Reality
At the heart of Neville’s teaching lies what he called The Law—the principle that imagination creates reality. As he stated, “The world, and all within it, is man’s conditioned consciousness objectified. Consciousness is the cause as well as the substance of the entire world.” This isn’t merely positive thinking or visualization; it’s a fundamental truth about the nature of reality itself.
Neville taught that what we consider “reality” is actually a projection of consciousness. Every state exists already, and through our imagination, we simply move into different states, which then manifest in our experience. As he explained: “An assumption, though false, if persisted in will harden into fact.”
This understanding of The Law rests on several key principles:
Consciousness Is the Only Reality
Everything we experience—every person, event, and circumstance—exists within consciousness. The external world is a reflection or projection of our inner states. As Neville emphatically stated: “The world is yourself pushed out. Ask yourself what you want and then give it to yourself. Do not question how it will come about; just go your way knowing that the evidence of what you have done must appear.”
Present Moment Power
The only point of operation is the present moment. When we imagine, we must do so from the perspective of already having or being what we desire. Neville taught that feeling is the secret—the ability to feel the reality of an imagined state as if it were already present.
States of Consciousness
All possible conditions exist as states of consciousness, and we simply move between these states through our imagination and assumption. Nothing comes into being; everything already exists, and we simply enter into different states through our consciousness.
The Promise: Divine Understanding
While The Law deals with the manifestation of desires in the world of Caesar (the material world), The Promise points to something far more profound—the gradual awakening to our true divine nature. As Neville explained: “The Promise is God’s gift of himself to you when you have completely given up the belief in a cause outside self.”
The Promise involves several key revelations:
Divine Nature
The ultimate discovery is that you are God. Not in an egotistical sense, but in the realization that your consciousness is the one divine consciousness individualized. As Neville stated: “When the individual discovers the God in himself, he finds that he is the God who is playing all the parts of his life.”
Biblical Symbolism
Neville taught that the Bible is not a historical document but a psychological drama taking place within each person. Every character and event symbolizes aspects of consciousness and the spiritual journey. The entire scripture, he maintained, is about the transformation of human consciousness.
The Pattern Man
The Promise fulfills itself through a specific pattern of spiritual awakening, which Neville experienced and described. This includes several mystical experiences that reveal one’s divine nature, including:
- The awakening of consciousness as described in the resurrection
- The discovery of divine sonship
- The understanding of oneself as the father of all creation
The Relationship Between Law and Promise
While The Law and The Promise might seem separate, they are deeply interconnected. The Law serves as a bridge to The Promise by demonstrating through direct experience that consciousness is the fundamental reality. As we successfully work with The Law, we build faith in the power of consciousness, preparing us for the deeper revelations of The Promise.
Neville emphasized this relationship: “The law of consciousness is like unto any law of nature. It works whether or not you understand it, whether you believe in it or not.” However, he also stressed that The Promise is inevitable: “The promise is true and will not fail, for it was made to man by God.”
The Evolution of Neville’s Teaching
In his earlier years, Neville focused primarily on teaching The Law, helping people understand how to use their imagination to create desired changes in their lives. However, after experiencing the fulfillment of The Promise in himself, his teaching expanded to include this deeper spiritual dimension.
This evolution didn’t invalidate his teaching of The Law but rather placed it in a larger context. The Law became understood as not just a means of achieving worldly desires but as a stepping stone to spiritual awakening.
Modern Relevance
Neville’s teaching of The Law and The Promise holds particular relevance in our modern world:
Understanding of Reality
His explanation of consciousness as the fundamental reality aligns with many findings in quantum physics and consciousness studies.
Practical Application
The Law provides a practical method for creating positive change in one’s life, while The Promise offers a profound framework for spiritual understanding.
Integration of Material and Spiritual
Rather than opposing material and spiritual pursuits, Neville’s teaching shows how they can work together in service of complete human development.
The Path Forward
Understanding The Law and The Promise provides a complete framework for both material success and spiritual awakening. The Law teaches us how to navigate and create in the world of manifestation, while The Promise points to our ultimate destiny of spiritual awakening.
As Neville taught, everyone will eventually experience both The Law and The Promise. The Law can be tested and proven in daily life, while The Promise unfolds in its own time, leading to the ultimate realization of our divine nature.
This understanding offers both immediate practical value and ultimate spiritual fulfillment, making Neville’s teaching uniquely valuable for anyone seeking both material and spiritual development.