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The Symbolism and References to "I AM" in Neville Goddard's Teachings

In the teachings of Neville Goddard, the phrase “I AM” carries profound spiritual and practical significance. It is far more than a simple declaration of existence — it is a statement of divine authority, creative energy, and inner transformation. According to Goddard, understanding and consciously using “I AM” allows us to align with the source of all creation and shape the reality we experience.

“I AM” in the Bible

The spiritual root of this concept comes from the Book of Exodus. When Moses asks God for His name, God replies:

“I AM THAT I AM”
And He said, “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, **I AM hath sent me unto you.”
Exodus 3:14 (KJV)

In Hebrew, the name God gives is Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh, which translates roughly as “I will be what I will be” or “I AM THAT I AM.” The root verb hayah (הָיָה) means to be, to exist. The divine name revealed here is deeply connected to YHWH (יהוה), often translated as “The LORD,” and traditionally understood to mean “The Existing One” — the One who is, was, and always will be.

Neville viewed this not just as a name of an external deity, but as a revelation of the eternal identity within each of us. “I AM” is not only God's name — it is the essence of who we are at the deepest level: pure awareness, divine being, and the creative source within.


1. “I AM” as the Source of Creation

For Neville, “I AM” is the first cause, the point from which all creation springs. It is not passive. It is the active, divine force that resides within every human being.

When you say “I AM,” you are not just describing your state — you are initiating creation. You are declaring a truth that shapes your reality. This awareness is the divine spark, the consciousness that brings desires into form.


2. The Triune Nature of Man: Spirit, Soul, and Body

Neville linked “I AM” with the threefold nature of our being:

  • Spirit (I AM): The divine consciousness within — the true self.

  • Soul (Imagination): The creative centre where desires are conceived.

  • Body (Manifestation): The physical expression of what is held in consciousness.

The “I AM” is the unifying force between these three. It is the power that moves thoughts into form, ideas into experience, and imagination into reality.


3. “I AM” as the Key to Manifestation

Manifestation, according to Goddard, begins with how we identify ourselves. When you affirm:

  • “I AM healthy”

  • “I AM abundant”

  • “I AM loved”

...you are not just hoping — you are claiming and creating. These declarations awaken the creative power of the “I AM” within. As Goddard said, “Imagination creates reality,” and imagination must begin with identity.


4. Jesus’ “I AM” Statements and the Divine Identity

In the New Testament, Jesus makes several powerful “I AM” declarations — each one revealing not only his divine nature but also reflecting the consciousness of God expressed through man. Neville taught that these were not exclusive to Jesus, but symbolic of what we all can claim when we awaken to our true identity.

Some of Jesus’ “I AM” statements include:

  • “I AM the light of the world” (John 8:12)

  • “I AM the bread of life” (John 6:35)

  • “I AM the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)

  • “I AM the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25)

  • “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58)

Each statement begins with “I AM,” pointing to the eternal, unchanging presence of God within. According to Neville, when Jesus said these words, he was not speaking of an external deity, but of the indwelling power we all possess. These declarations are templates — showing us what we, too, can claim when we identify with the divine “I AM.”


5. Resurrection as Awakening to “I AM”

Neville taught that the resurrection is not only a historical or religious event, but a personal transformation — the moment when you awaken to your divine identity as “I AM.”

The story of Jesus rising on the third day symbolises the inner journey from spiritual ignorance to self-realisation. To resurrect is to become fully conscious of your power to create, to shift from being a passive observer of life to its conscious architect.


6. Daily Practice: Using “I AM” Intentionally

Neville encouraged daily use of “I AM” affirmations as a spiritual discipline. When you speak “I AM” with intention, you are tuning into divine truth. You are shaping your world from within.

Try repeating:

  • “I AM confident”

  • “I AM peaceful”

  • “I AM free”

By doing this, you awaken the creative power that lies dormant in most people — the power to align thought, feeling, and circumstance.


Conclusion: “I AM” as the Divine Formula

The phrase “I AM” is at the heart of Neville Goddard’s philosophy. It is the bridge between the human and the divine — the key to understanding your role as a creator.

When you embrace “I AM” as your truth, you stop living by default and start living by design. This sacred phrase is not just a name for God, but the name of your true self — your creative identity, rooted in the divine message of Exodus 3:14, expressed in the Hebrew name meaning “The Existing One,” and echoed in the powerful words of Jesus Christ.


Remember:
Whatever follows “I AM” becomes your world.
Choose your words — and your identity — wisely.


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