_{“Saraswati – Goddess of Learning”}

There is significance in the internal or divine meaning of the holy of holies.  In truth, there is only one place that is holy, and it lies within the inner sanctuary of the soul.  As the sadhu enters this place or holy of holies, the soul is transformed.

It was the custom of the Old Testament that only the high priest could enter the holy of holies where God dwelt and only once a year on the Day of Atonement for the sins of the people.  There is much insight to gain from this outward expression, but let’s transform it inwardly for the renewing of the mind.

The high priest is the soul who enters this most holy place.  Like the high priest, no one can enter this place, but the soul, for no one else, has access.  Atonement can only be accomplished for the one who enters, and no other.  One can’t pray for the atonement of a friend or family member and no one, including a priest has the authority to grant such a request.

The menorah or golden lampstand is said to burn both night and day and this is also true for the soul.  Each lifetime, this progression is carried forward, and the candles or chakras burn just as bright as before, whether three, four, or more.

There’s a table of shewbread and this represents the teachings that bring nourishment for the soul.  One’s shewbread may be lighter and less satisfying than the one who seeks a deeper and more robust flavor but let each one find what satisfies.

The soul with five chakras opened might find a deeper and richer meaning than the one with three but let each have their own bread of life.  Each candle or chakra lit is significant and meaningful for the next.

In the first holy room, there is an altar of incense.  It’s recorded that the high priest uses incense to enter the holy of holies.  Some reason that the incense represents prayer and praise.  Rather, it represents karma and raja yoga, for this is the only route into the holy of holies.

Prayer is good for the soul as far as praying for God’s will to be done, but that may be different than what we hope for.  Most times, prayers are our wishes and wishes are passive, whereas karma and raja yoga are active and purposeful.

These two yogas cleanse the soul and bring about positive change that spurs spiritual growth within the soul; another candle lit brings more light and joy than the last.

There’s a veil between the first holy room and the holy of holies.  The first room is the hustle-and-bustle of sadhana or our conscious actions on a day-to-day basis.  The second room is the inner chamber of the soul.  The veil represents the separation between the two areas.  When the soul enters the second room or holy of holies, it finds happiness, contentment, peace, and joy.

The colors of the veil are important, too.  They are blue, purple, red, and white.  They represent the levels of intensity or effort in sadhana.

Blue represents trust, loyalty, and sincerity, and these are the attributes that a suvisadhu should aspire to in their sadhana.  Our daily actions should support good workmanship and trust so that each day, we aspire to give the Lord our best.

Purple represents passion, fulfillment, and vitality.  This is the character of the bodhasadhu as they strive to excel in good workmanship, by increasing the joy of those they work with.  This increases their own sense of well-being while bringing peace, love, and cooperation.

Red is the color of the aghorisadhu who strives diligently, with an uncommon passion and zeal.  They represent the fire of selfless labor and unflinching desire for God-realization.  They are fearless in their fervor and tireless in their devotion.  They stand beside the bodhisattva as torchbearers by their level of uncanny passion and zeal.

White represents the bodhisattva for when they enter the holy place, their menorah is lit with seven candles.  All the chakras are opened, and they work with divine inspiration in the world.  Their level of intensity may be that of a bodhasadhu or an aghorisadhu, depending on their situation in a lifetime.

The sash around the priest’s waist consists of blue, purple, red, and white, but there is no color for the sadhu who makes no effort.  Everyone born in a human body is a sadhu so the one who doesn’t strive does not have access to the inner chamber.

There are four pillars at the entrance of the holy of holies, which signify truth, love, action, and humility.  The pillars support the veil between the two rooms.  This keeps the veil in place should the winds blow, or storms arise.  The pillars are gold in color signifying their importance in sadhana.

It’s recorded that when Jesus died, there was a mighty earthquake, and the veil was torn in two.  This did happen for the sake of the fullness of time.  Among God’s many objectives was to mold society away from the superstition of killing and burning animals on an altar.

Jesus’s death was the sacrifice that ended animal sacrifices and brought the world out of the dark ages.  In truth, there is no sacrifice for sin outside of karma, and not everyone is a sinner.  Original sin is the ego because all sin originates from the ego.  Jesus didn’t die for the sins of the world.  He died because of the sins of the ego.

The Christians speak of justification as the result.  There’s never any justification when a child takes the life of a loving and benevolent parent.  It should be considered less so for the Creator and Sustainer of every living being on earth. 

Just as the ego is the enemy of God, so it is to the soul.  Listen wisely to this council.  The enemy who lies within goes by many names and the most infamous is Lucifer.  Do not trust it, but lean on the four pillars of truth, love, action, and humility.

When the storms of life arise, embrace the pillars as your dearest friend.  Be steadfast always and God will meet you in the darkness of night and the light of day.

This teaching heralds in a new dispensation that sews up the veil once again to its pristine condition, and names all who strive with access to the mercy seat of God, for our Lord is merciful. 

The seeker who strives is the high priest for no one else can enter the holy of holies and each one who strives, will be granted access.  Those who don’t are cast aside just as Jesus spoke of in Matthew.  “You are the salt of the earth but if the salt has lost its flavor, what will it be salted with?  It is then good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.”

The one who seeks finds, and for the one who knocks, the door shall be opened.  This is active participation and not a passive prayer, for God is the God of Action. 

He made the earth and sea over billions of years.  He sustains the soul continuously and each continuation is through God’s active participation. 

God welcomes action through karma yoga.  A friend of karma yoga is a friend of God’s, indeed!

Inside the holy of holies resides the Ark of the Covenant which sits on a foundation of stone.  The foundation represents the structure of the soul or the subtle body and the Creator’s purpose.  The Ark of the Covenant is the impersonal Atman that resides within the soul.

The Atman is a small portion of the soul but mighty in its ability to steer the soul in the right direction.  It is cagey and wise.  The Atman knows its own soul like no one else and remembers every action since the soul’s birth.  It also accurately predicts every future action by where the soul currently is in sadhana.

The Ark of the Covenant contains the two stone tablets or the ten commandments that Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai.  This represents the divinity of the Atman.  What is divine always upholds the Creator’s purpose in life which is peace, love, and cooperation.  When the soul inflicts suffering on another, the Atman responds with suffering against the soul.

Like the ten commandments, the Atman’s goal is to bring wholeness.  Its objective is enlightenment or divinity for its entire being.  The ego with its samskaras is deeply rooted within the being, and the Atman knows the difficulties the soul will have in its extrication.  As the chakras open, the Atman’s influence becomes more profound, and the soul becomes more aware.

The two cherubims sitting atop the Ark of the Covenant are the guardians or protectors of the soul’s progress.  They represent contemplation and meditation.  It’s through these two, the soul receives the most progress in sadhana and is useful for keeping the soul diligent on the path.

There is a staff that leans against the Ark of the Covenant.  It’s reported that Aaron’s staff sprouted almonds which signified that he was to be the high priest.  The internal meaning of the almonds is the fruit of one’s labor or the joy of the Atman.

The almond is a dry, small fruit, and just so do not dally long with pleasant experiences in meditation or contemplation. Enjoy them but resume the work that brings more!

The staff is a useful tool for walking, especially in rocky areas or difficult terrain.  The staff represents the tools one uses in their sadhana, which involves karma yoga or raja yoga.  With both, the staff is the strongest and bears the most fruit.

Aaron’s staff was reported to have magical powers as his staff turned into a snake in front of the Pharaoh.  The sadhu, too, shares in this power with what’s known as siddhis in the Eastern tradition.

These are supernatural abilities that may take the form of foretelling the future, psychic abilities, or telekinesis.  The sadhu should ignore these abilities in favor of continuing their sadhana.  These powers are not the end of sadhana and there is still much to do before enlightenment is achievable.

These are the divine meanings of all that dwell within the most holy place.  There’s no need to look for the Ark of the Covenant without.  Objects, of themselves, are not divine.  Each soul carries the Ark of the Covenant, within.  By finding that ark or refuge, the soul finds peace, love, and wholeness.

Use all the internal meanings of these objects available and God will bless you on your path.  Pick up your staff of motivation and begin your journey of love for the Atman waits within. 

The Atman’s reward will transform the soul with more chakra openings, and a deeper understanding of the spiritual path.  Look within and up always, for your salvation lies in your quest for God-realization.  These are the most loving and selfless actions the soul can do, and the only road that leads home.