Respiration System & the Tabernacle Pattern
By Lee E. Warren B.A., D.D. (© 1998 PLIM REPORT)
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Introduction
One of the most basic biological systems necessary to sustain physical life is the respiratory system. It is this system that directs oxygen from the atmosphere into the body. Once inside, the circulatory system transports air to various cells of the body. Now oxygen enables the cells to transform the food we eat into energy to perform their various functions. Without oxygen the bodys cells, especially the brain cells, die within minutes. Thus, the importance of the respiratory system cannot be over emphasized.
Modern science has done a wonderful job in understanding the structure (anatomy) and operation (physiology) of the respiratory system. By the mastery of these principles, modern medicine has developed lung machines for those not able to breathe and perfected medical operations to transplant lungs, for those whose lungs are badly damaged. Yet with all this knowledge, modern medicine fails to see the spiritual significance of the respiratory system.
Many see the human body as parts to a car. When one organ is damaged, doctors seek to switch it with a healthy organ, as an old carburetor can be replaced with a new one. Yet, only by understanding the body holistically can many metaphysical principles be gleaned. Now the creator Yahweh Elohim created mans physical body as a witness or reflection of his soul or spiritual embodiment. If the scientific knowledge of the human body were understood in the proper light, it would allow man to understand Spirit and its operation. Simply put, the things of the physical realm are reflections of the spiritual realm (Rom. 1:19-20), or as it is below so it is above (Jn. 3:12).
For the respiratory system to operate it needs the assistance of the circulatory system. Now both the respiratory and circulatory functions can be represented in terms of the male-female relation or the Ying and Yang. In relation to the circulatory system, the respiratory system represents the male principle, the Yang.
" The respiratory system brings oxygen into the body to sustain life as the sperm brings about conception in the female ovum.
" The circulatory system represents the female or ying since it circulates the blood, which is the life of the body as the female is the carrier of all life.
What is the intent of this article?
Now the intent of this article is to compare the principles in the respiratory system with the spiritual and psychological principles contained in the operation of the mind. This article stresses the significance of the spiritual and psychological principles laid down in the respiratory system as found in the mind and soul.
But before this can be done, an examination of the principles of breathing must be examined in terms of the Bible. This article will use the Bible, the principles of modern science, and eastern religions to examine the principles of the respiratory system.
This article will not repeat many of the correlations laid down in the respiratory system in Elohim the Archetypal Original Pattern of the Universe by H. C. Kinley, D.D. (Vol. 3, p. 36-34). This book emphasizes correlations between the respiratory system, the tabernacle pattern, the migratory trek, and Yahshua the Messiah.
Are there Biblical references to "breath" and "life?"
The Bible is full of allegories and analogies of "breath" being synonymous with life. In all cultures breathing was consistently associated with life and the soul long before Israels formation. This association existed despite these cultures misconceptions and superstitions concerning breathing.
Moses wrote in Genesis that Elohim breathed into Adam the "breath of life" and he became a living soul (Gn. 2:7). Here the "breath of life" and the "living soul" are synonymous with the principle of "life." Man breathing oxygen into and expelling carbon dioxide from the lungs reflects this operation.
Ezekiel was shown a vision of dry bones (Ezk. 37:1-2). Elohim asked him if these bones, which represents the whole nation of Israel, could live (Ezk. 37:3). Ezekiel did not know so Elohim told him to rise and prophesy unto these dry bones (Ezk. 37:14). Elohim also told him that He would cause breath to enter into these bones and they would be restored back to life (Ezk. 37:5). This vision prophesied the resurrection of Israel.
After Yahshua the Messiahs resurrection from the grave, He breathed on the disciples in fulfillment of Him putting the "breath of life" into Adam (Mt. 5:17-18; Gn. 2:7). Now Yahshua the Messiah said: "Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost (Jn. 20:21-22):"
Yahshua is saying that the mans soul and mind need to intercourse with the Holy Spirit. Lukes account of Pentecost as a "mighty rushing wind" is very similar to air entering the lungs and man breathing. "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting (Acts 2:1-2)."
Now this "rushing mighty wind" symbolizes Spirit and is correlated with the oxygenated enriched air entering the lungs and bringing about life. Elohim is using these signs to show that mans soul and mind need to intercourse with Spirit to have Eternal Life.
Clearly, the "breath of life (Gen. 2:7)" is the Holy Spirit resurrecting a soul unto eternal life (John 17:1-4). So the natural or physical life of the physical body reflects the eternal life of the soul. All souls have an immortal existence either unto illumination and eternal life or darkness and eternal death. Before examining the spiritual and psychological reality of the operation of the lungs, an examination of the etymology of the words "breath" and "soul" will be very helpful.
What is the spiritual significance of the lungs operation?
The Hebrew word for "breath" is "neshamah (nesh-aw-maw);" according to Strong Exhaustive Concordance (#5397). It is defined as follows: "a puff, i.e. wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect, or (concretely) an animal:"
Here the breath of Elohim is being associated with the "life principle" itself. Now the soul is symbolized here by "a puff of air" showing forth its ethereal nature. This conforms with the cloud that filled the tabernacle (Exo. 40:34).
Now the Hebrew word for "soul" is "nephesh" (neh-fesh); #5315 Strong Exhaustive Concordance. It has the following meaning: "a soul self, life, a creature, a person, an appetite, a mind, a living being, a desire, an emotion, a passion
a) what breathes, the breathing substance or being, a soul, the inner being of man
b) a living being
c) a living being (with life in the blood)
d) the man himself, a self, a person or an individual
e) the seat of the appetites
f) the seat of emotions and passions
g) the activity of mind (uncertain)
h) the activity of the will (uncertain)
i) the activity of the character (uncertain)."
Air and breath in all cultures have always been associated with Spirit. It is the oxygenated enriched air, symbolizing Spirit, that must be taken into the lungs, a treelike structure, to sustain life. The bodys creator, Elohim, is giving mankind the signs or hieroglyphics to understand the life principle.
What is the structure (anatomy) of the respiratory system?
The structure of the respiratory system can be summed up as an inverted tree. The windpipe is like a trunk of a tree and it divides into two branches with each forming the lungs.
The air enters the nostrils and travels down the windpipe or tracheae to the lungs. Now the windpipe divides into two main branches called bronchi which subdivides into smaller bronchial passages that form the two lungs. The smaller air passages, measuring 1/50th of an inch, are called bronchioles. At the end of the bronchioles are tiny air sacs called alveoli, which look like fruits. This is where the air and the blood meet.
The lungs are soft, spongy, and elastic tissue that weigh little more than a pound. The lungs have no muscle. It is the muscle around the rib cage and the diaphragm that does the work of breathing.
Now the adult lungs hold about ¾ of gallon of air. In normal breathing only about a pint of air is exhaled and inhaled.
What is the spiritual significance of the lungs structure?
One may ask why are the lungs in the form of an inverted tree? What is the Creator Yahweh-Elohim trying to tell mankind with this tree symbol in his chest that sustains life? From the ancient times, many of the secret schools, orders, sages and philosophers realized that the inverted tree represented a metaphor.
Now the tree is inverted to tell man that the things in the physical realm are shadows, reflections, or the reverse of the spiritual realm. For example, when one looks at an image of oneself in a mirror, the image in the mirror is the reverse. Thus, things in the physical are not as they appear.
Manly Hall in his book The Secret Teaching of all Ages explains how scientists who are materialistic misinterpret the principle of growth in this realm. "To the materialist the phenomenon of growth is a movement from within outward, a kind of expansion, for by this process form came into existence. To the philosopher growth is a movement from without inward; not a contraction, but a directionalzation of consciousness toward the center of being (facing; p. C XXI)." Thus, the earth plane is full of hieroglyphs or signs which mankind fails to read.
Mr. Hall goes on to say that the ancients realized the soul of man was figurative to a tree. The Messiah told His disciples in a parable that the fruit men bear judges them (Mt. 7:17-19). So as a tree bears forth fruits in her season, likewise the soul has to bear fruits in its season, which is why the lungs have alveoli-fruit like structure.
Mr. Hall states the following about the souls growth and its ability to connect the two worldsthe physical and the spirit. "This soul tree, by an almost incomprehensible process, grows inward toward the source of its own seed& like the beanstalk of the nursery rhyme, connects two worlds. The trees roots are the source of the tree which represent pure Spirit, the source and substance of all things."
Hence, the lungs in the form of an inverted tree with alveoli (fruits-like structure) symbolize a soul in a resurrected state. This means the soul has the potential to develop fruits of the spirit (Gal. 5:22). Clearly, this process takes place within the mind and is a spiritual not an outward growth.
This is why the respiratory system is an inverted tree. Oxygen entering the lungs typify the Holy Spirit, which is Yahshua the Messiah (Jn. 14:26) revealing itself to the mind or conscious. This is the inspiration of mankinds soul. Job said: "But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding (Job 32:8)." Let us look at the function of the lungs and see their spiritual operation.
What are the lungs basic functions (physiology)?
Breathing involves basically two processes of inhaling and exhaling. Some correlate these two processes with the Mystery of Righteousness and Iniquity, respectively.
A deeper perspective is to look at inhaling and exhaling metaphysically, in terms of a growth process. As humans grow and develop, especially psychologically, ignorance is exhaled or expelled with every new experience or knowledge acquired. For example, a babys nervous system is ignorant of heat from a hot stove, but once it experiences burned fingers, ignorance has been expelled.
Thus, the principle of the respiratory system can be understood on a psychological and spiritual level with each new idea or experience. These new ideas and experiences are likened unto fresh breaths of air to the mind, which aid it in its growth and development.
Once ideas enter the mind, they quicken it on some matter, as oxygen refreshes the physical body. The ignorance in the mind on this matter is expelled and is correlated with the carbon dioxide exhaled from the lungs through the air passageway.
The exchange of carbon dioxide laden air from the blood, with oxygen rich air, takes place in fruit-like structures within the lungs called alveoli. The alveoli are made-up of thin membranes that enable oxygen to pass through and carbon dioxide to be released from the blood. It is this process that sustains life in the body. Medical doctors know the process is more complex than this, but this simple explanation serves our basic purpose to convey spiritual principles.
Now one may ask the question: why is the air exchanged in these fruit-like structures, called alveoli, in the lungs? Science cannot answer this question, for only Elohim, along with those He revealed it unto, knows the answer.
As was stated earlier, the lungs represent the tree of life, a sign to those that have eyes to see. The lungs with alveoli symbolize the "fruits of truth" that supplant both ignorance and lies. It is the fruits of rightness, which is the Holy Spirit, and all its attributes that eradicate ignorance.
To make this point, Elohim created a tree like structure in mankinds chest that sustains life to show that this process mimics the real Spiritual process that sustains eternal life in the soul. It is Yahshua the Messiah, who is the tree of Life, that took all of mankinds sins upon Him and freed mankind from them.
Hence, the Messiah is the true fruit-like structure that allows false ideas and doctrine to be expelled or exhaled and the truth to be inhaled. This process is clear when one understands what happened on the Day of Pentecost. The ignorance of the scriptures and the Spirit was expelled when the soul inhaled (or accepted) the Holy Spirit.
What is the spiritual significance of exhaling and inhaling?
Exhaling and inhaling reveal some fundamental principles about the purpose of Spirit and its operation within mankinds mind. Now in breathing, inhaling is the taking in of oxygenated rich air and exhaling is the expulsion of oxygen-poor air laden with carbon dioxide, the waste process of the cells burning oxygen to generate energy to perform their various tasks.
Now it is self-evident that on a psychological level when new ideas and experiences enter the mind, this symbolizes the oxygenated enriched air entering the lungs. As these new ideas or experiences are integrated within the mind, beliefs, and personality, oxygenated air enters the blood stream where it is taken to the cells to aid in creating energy.
Likewise, within the mind, ideas or experiences are accepted into the belief system that cause various components of the mind, such as the minds will, creative processes or imagination, emotions, feeling, thinking, etc., to operate. In short, for the energy within the mind to operate, it takes some ideas or thoughts.
As there is a by-product, which is carbon dioxide, in the cells when oxygen is burned, likewise there are by-products when the mind accepts new ideas and experiences. Ignorance, antiquated ideas, and preconceived notions are expelled from the mind and is the by-product of new knowledge accepted or experiences received.
When a child is taught sharing, selfishness is expelled from the mind. So it goes without saying, that once a positive principle is accepted into the mind and exercised, the waste product or negative has to leave.
On a spiritual level, Yahshua the Messiah came to die for Israels sin and transform their consciousness into one that worships Elohim in Spirit and truth. They have to exhale (or give up) their former way of worshipping and perceiving Yahweh, such as sacrifice, feast days, etc., (Col. 2:14-18; John 4:21-24), along with the lies of the adversary (John 8:44).
What view do Eastern religions have on breathing?
Now the eastern religions, especially Hinduism, Hatha Yoga, and Buddhism, attach special significance to breathing. For example, according to the book Hatha Yoga (© 1931 Yogi Publication Society) by Yogi Ramacharaka, one who practices various breathing exercises in Hatha Yoga believes and "knows that by rhythmical breathing one many bring himself into harmonious vibration with nature, and aids in the unfoldment of his latent powers. He knows that by controlled breathing he may not only cure disease in himself and others, but also practically do away with heart and worry and the baser emotions (p. 104)."
Rammurtis Mishra, M.D. in his book The Textbook of Yoga Psychology also confirms this. He states: "Control of breath leads to subjugation of mind and the senses. This process increases ones strength and energy and so sharpens the intellect that it can easily apprehend the most abstruse and subtle problem (p. 150)."
Now Yoga has the concept of Prana, a Sanskrit term which is translated as "life force." Harper's Encyclopedia of Mystical and Paranormal Experience by Rosemary E. Guiley states: "Its existence has been acknowledged universally since ancient times& A vital force or energy that transcends time and space, permeates all things in the universe, and upon which all things depend for health and life (p. 626)." Hindus believe the body has a store of Prana that we will discuss in future issues. It should be noted that most religions were established before an understanding of the physical body was developed by modern science. This resulted in many misunderstandings about the human body and its operation. Prana is one of those concepts not supported by science in the literal sense.
Now many of the Yoga breathing exercises have been shown to increase the lung capacity and health of the physical body. The article on worry (see p. 28) shows that these breathing exercises also can help alleviate the habit of worrying.
Conclusion
It is our hope that the reader of this article can see the spiritual and psychological principles laid down in the respiratory system. From a psychological standpoint, psychologists know that the mind must have intercourse with ideas, people, places and things to grow or reach its potential.
These things symbolize the oxygen rich air the body needs in order to sustain life. A person that has well integrated these experiences within the mind is considered able to contribute to society versus an individual that has been cut off from such intercourse for whatever reason.
Likewise, on a spiritual level, the mind must also intercourse with Spirit if it is to receive eternal life. This is why the prophets of Israel prophesied on the Day of Pentecost that the Holy Spirit would be poured out (Acts 2:38). This would result in mankind having all types of spiritual visions, dreams, and experiences (Acts 2:17-18).
These experiences reveal the Holy Spirits effects upon the mind, which expands its horizons, possibilities, and stimulates growth.