GOLD
We know that the spiritual consciousness which we are all engaged in building is spoken of in the Bible as the Temple of Solomon. The name Solomon means peaceful, and symbolizes wisdom. This is logical, for peace of mind is the foundation of all spiritual building, the hallmark of understanding.
The Bible states that five things were to be found around the temple; For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks (1 Kings 10:22).
This is the Scriptural manner of telling us that there are five principal temptations that may come to the soul that is striving to build the spiritual temple. The particular form that each temptation takes will vary according to the temperament and circumstances of the subject, but in principle will be the same.
First comes the gold, and this stands for desire for personal power over other people, the desire to regulate their lives, to make them toe the line, our line, naturally, and even to make use of them. Many people on the spiritual path have given way to this temptation. They must dominate other people’s souls. They tell themselves that it is done for the good of the victims, of course, but it is really a craving for personal power and glorification. It is not an ignoble sin like that connected with the silver, but for that very reason it is far more dangerous, far-reaching, and enduring.
The thing that gold symbolizes when rightly understood is the omnipresence of God; and of course religious tyranny is a denial of this. You should do all you can to help, to enlighten, and to inspire others, as far as your own understanding will permit, but you must never try to dictate their convictions; or to hold to your own opinions. Religious tyranny is poisonous to the victims; but it is absolutely mortal to the tyrant.
The next few Good Morning Garden messages will delve into the harmful temptations that all of us face each day. Some temptations arise from good intentions gone bad, while others are the result of pain avoidance and some emerge form overtly wrong intent. The thing to remember is that all of them close the gates to our gardens and open the door to separation from God, denial of God or even rejection of God. They are all dangerous and represent direct threats to our relationship with God, others and our own souls.
When we correctly identify them, rise above and overcome them, we are lifted up closer to God, our brothers and sisters here below and the Holy Spirit of God that dwells in us. Each temptation we conquer exponentially expands our faith in , understanding of and relationship with God. Just as a trampoline multiplies the energy we exert, so does conquering temptation catapult us forward in our spiritual journey. Temptation’s defeat therefore can be viewed as a spiritual force multiplier that springboards us farther than we could go on our own.
So today, let us commit to view the dominion over temptation not as self-denial, but as a sure path to greater spiritual development and a shortcut to the garden God gave us in which to be glad and joyful each day.
Springing into the garden,
Z gardener
Good Morning Garden 
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