Five Trees

Template:Short description Template:More citations needed The Five Trees in Paradise is an esoteric or allegorical image from the Coptic Gospel of Thomas, a collection of logia (sayings) of Jesus.

"Blessed is he who was before he came into being" is similar to other enigmatic statements commonly found in mysticism, and mayTemplate:Cn refer to the benefits of self-awareness (knowledge of one's true nature) before developing one's ego-identity. "If you [listen], these stones will minister to you," may refer to "listening" to the true self within – accurately tracing the internal by observing the external – or it mayTemplate:Cn mean that only through self-awareness are we able to understand Jesus' symbolic language and master external reality.

In the Acts of Thomas ch. 27, during an anointing ceremony, the apostle implores, "Come, elder of the five members, mind, thought, reflection, consideration, reason; communicate with these young men."<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> According to Theodore bar Konai,<ref name="Cumont1908"/> the five words for 'mind' are the equivalents of hauna (sanity), mad'a (reason), re'yana (mindfulness), mahshebhatha (imagination), tar'itha (intention) – considered the Five Manifestations of the Father of Greatness which may provide the clue to the meaning of the five trees. These five would therefore be the causal factors in the experience of the Real.

Marvin Meyer writes: "The "five trees" in paradise are mentioned frequently in gnostic texts, ordinarily without explanation or elaboration. In Manichaean Psalm Book 161, 17–29, it is said that various features of life and faith are put together in groups of five. This section opens with the statement, 'For [five] are the trees that are in paradise ... in summer and winter.' On the trees in paradise according to Genesis, see Genesis 2:9."<ref name="Meyer2004"/>

Senses

According to the Naassenes,Template:Cn "Paradise" in this allegory represents the human head. It has been suggestedTemplate:By whom that the "five trees" represent the five human senses which produce one's internal worldview, knowledge of which is a requirement for purification and enlightenment. However, the body's five senses – representative of lower-level egoism and learned misperception – would more likelyTemplate:Cn be considered an impediment to reunion with the divine.

References

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External links

• Template:Usurped
• Gospel of Thomas