“Then the angel who spoke with me returned and aroused me, like one awakened from sleep. He said to me, “What do you see?” I replied, “I see a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on top of it. There are seven lamps on it, with seven spouts on each of the lamps that are on top of it. And beside it are two olive trees, one on the right of the bowl and one to its left.” Then I said to the angel who spoke with me, “What are these things, my lord?” And the angel who spoke with me replied, “Do you not know what these things are?” I said, “No, my lord.”
“These seven are the eyes of the LORD that range over the whole earth.” I then asked him, “What are these two olive trees, on the right of the lampstand and on its left?” A second time I asked, “What are the two streams from the olive trees that pour out golden oil through two taps of gold?” He said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I answered, “No, my lord.” Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
-Zechariah 4:1-5, 11-14
This obscure set of verses has a very profound spiritual lesson. The olive tree is symbolic. The Hebrew word for olive tree is es shemen and means “tree of oil.” This comes from the root understanding of shemesh- to be brilliant. Another Hebrew word for olive is zayith, meaning “an olive,” as in “yielding illuminating oil.”
Now why did the Oracle of the Lord choose olive trees to symbolize the anointed ones?
Why is the olive tree a symbol of spiritual illumination?
When we look at olive seed under a microscope it has a striking similarity with our reproductive organs. We know that the esoteric meaning of earth is our physical beings right. Trees root deep within the earth and grow upwards. So the esoteric meaning here is simple. Each olive tree represents a spiritual channel that flow upwards from our sexual organs and through our bodies.
Seven lamp stands pertain to our seven chakras or seven energy centers that house Divine energy. At the root of these lamp stands is illuminating oil. Our sexual energy is the seat of this illuminating oil, or Divine energy.
Meet Ida and Pingala. They’re the energy centers within our body that connect our reproductive organs to our breathing. The funny thing is the word ida means “flow,” and pingala means “golden.” Those of you in the east will literally recognize the concept of chi or pran at work in this text. To the west, we’re talking about our life force.
So when we see a prophet being aroused like one who is asleep what follows is undoubtedly going to be profound. The Oracle of the Lord proceeds to show the prophet how vital life force, or illuminating golden oil, flows within us.
Now Ida and Pingala wrap around sushumna-the gracious and kind channel that flows up our spinal columns. We all know sushumna because it channels pranayama to each of our chakras- seven lamp stands. God literally flows through our very being illuminating our interior Temples. In this instance we see God as the life force within our being; our ability to create life is the source of Divine energy.
AWAKEN THE SLEEPER
There’s a really simple deep breathing mantra that can help awaken this divine energy within. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think.
Sit in a meditative posture and breathe deeply for a few rounds until you’ve relaxed.
Once you are relaxed feel your body sink into the floor. As you exhale feel that awareness root into the ground beneath you. Once you are aware of being rooted to the earth inhale, bringing the earth’s energy into your being. Exhale feeling your awareness root deeper into the earth beneath you. Allow yourself to become completely rooted and grounded. Note how energy entering into your body seemingly flows along a double helix around your spine as it travels upwards. That’s Ida and Pingala.
When you are fully aware of the Earths energy flowing into the base of your spine start repeating the mantra of Om-Sa while breathing deeply.
Breathe in deeply silently saying OM, allowing it to fill your being. Hold your breath for a moment and allow that OM sense to permeate throughout your body.
Exhale vocalizing SA. It should almost sound like a hiss coming out of you.
Repeat as many times as you like. Once you feel that Divine energy flowing through you carry on with your regular meditative practice. Or pray. Whatever your daily practice entails.
Note: it’s worth mentioning that this sort of practice should only be used during periods of abstinence from sex and masturbation. To transform sexual energy/desire into spiritual energy requires sexual energy to do so. I do not recommend edging or utilizing the white heat practices of the left hand. I will do a post on that at another time.
Mystical Mindstate 