Inner and Outer Things (Rabel)

Cain and Abel: Inner and Outer Things

Every human being is a thinking person, Adam and a person of feelings, Eve. And because of this, we have developed two dominant tendencies characteristic of all human nature. In the book of Genesis these two dominant tendencies, typical of all human nature are characterized, are presented as character symbols.

The first two children of Adam and Eve, very accurate symbology, because they stand for the first two recognizable tendencies in every individual human being in the phase of humanity we’re now expressing in. Cain, who is a tiller of the soil, and Abel, who is a keeper of the sheep. In the MBD (Metaphysical Bible Dictionary) we find the word Cain means possession, acquisition, draws to itself. The word Abel means breath, vapor.

Now, one of the two dominant tendencies in our human nature is our concern with doing things in the outer and getting things for ourselves from the outer. This is the tiller of the soil, or Cain. The other dominant tendency is our concern for our inner life, our inner thoughts and feelings, and this is our more observing side. This side of us is mostly interested in learning meanings and in understanding; and this side of us, or this tendency of us, being more interior, then, is nearer to the spiritual ideal; and this is the keeper of the sheep, who is Abel.

Transcribed by Bill Nelson on 02-12-2015