Unveiling the True Image and Likeness of God
God is the Absolute Unmanifest
When we speak of God, we are not merely describing a deity shrouded in mysteries or distant from our understanding. We are referring to the Absolute Unmanifest — the source of all that exists yet transcends existence itself. God, in His essence, is not bound by matter, form, or time. He is beyond manifestation, eternally imperishable, unlike the physical reality we experience. This divine truth is foundational to understanding our own existence and what it means to be created in the image and likeness of God.
Creation: The Unmanifest Becoming Manifest
Creation itself is the unfolding of the unmanifest into the realm of manifestation. It is the process by which the unseen becomes seen, the formless takes form, and the invisible becomes tangible. From the vast expanses of the universe to the intricacies of our own lives, we are all witnesses to the ongoing dance of creation, where the infinite flows into the finite.
But even within this manifested reality, there remains a deeper mystery — a connection to the unmanifest source. The Bible teaches us that we are made in the image and likeness of God. And while many have traditionally understood this to mean that our physical bodies are in some way a reflection of the divine, there is a much deeper, spiritual truth to uncover.
The Body: A Manifested Reality, Perishable and Temporary
The doctrinal church has often taught that our bodies are the image and likeness of God. However, this interpretation does not fully capture the profound essence of the biblical truth. Our bodies, as we know them, are products of the physical world — a world that is in constant flux, decay, and renewal. They are formed from the union of sperm and egg, evolving through the processes of nature into physical beings. But because our bodies are made from matter, they are subject to the same laws of impermanence that govern all material things.
God, on the other hand, is not material. He is beyond time, space, and physical existence. To claim that our physical bodies are a direct reflection of God is to limit the scope of the divine and miss the deeper aspect of our being that truly reflects the unmanifest nature of God.
The Unmanifest Within Us: Life, Soul, and Consciousness
If our bodies are not the true image and likeness of God, then we must ask: what part of us bears the imprint of the divine? The answer lies in the unmanifest aspects of our being — our life, our soul, and our consciousness.
Our Life: Life is a force that cannot be fully explained by science or material understanding. It animates our physical form, yet it is not bound by it. It is this life force that connects us to the divine, for just as God is the source of all life, so too does the life within us bear His mark.
Our Soul: The soul is the seat of our eternal essence. Unlike the body, which is perishable, the soul is imperishable, just as God is imperishable. Our souls are individual expressions of the Divine Consciousness, separated but not severed from the source. Quantum mechanics gives us a fascinating analogy in the concept of “separated particles” — particles that, despite being distanced, exhibit the same behaviors as if they were still connected. In the same way, our souls, though seemingly separate from God, operate with the same divine mechanics.
Our Consciousness: Consciousness is perhaps the most profound aspect of our divine likeness. It is not merely a product of brain activity or bodily functions; it is the unmanifest force within us that continuously creates and recreates. Even within our physical bodies, cells die and are reborn each day — a process orchestrated by consciousness. This mirrors the quantum field that permeates all of existence, continuously creating and sustaining reality. Our consciousness is not bound by the physical; it is a direct link to the Divine Consciousness, the same force that brought the universe into being.
Divine Observation: Jesus and the Unmanifest Soul
One of the most remarkable insights into this divine connection comes from the life of Jesus. Jesus did not seek the external world or distant heavens to commune with God. Instead, He observed the unmanifest aspects of His own being — His soul, His consciousness — and through this, He saw the activity of the Father.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “I only do what I see my Father doing” (John 5:19). This statement reveals the profound truth that God’s work is not external, but internal. Jesus was able to observe the divine activity within His own soul and consciousness, and through this observation, He aligned Himself perfectly with the will of God.
This raises an important question: why is it so difficult for us, as human beings, to observe the unmanifest aspects of our own being in the same way that Jesus did? Why are we so often caught up in the distractions of the external world, when the true reflection of God lies within us?
The Challenge of Seeing the Unmanifest
The difficulty in observing the unmanifest aspects of ourselves stems from our attachment to the material world. We are conditioned to believe that what is real is what we can see, touch, and measure. Our bodies, with their constant demands and limitations, dominate our awareness. We are distracted by the physical, by the fleeting pleasures and pains of life, and we forget that within us lies a deeper, eternal truth.
Moreover, the unmanifest is subtle. It does not shout for attention the way the material world does. It requires stillness, silence, and a willingness to look beyond the surface. This is why meditation, prayer, and contemplation have been such central practices in the spiritual traditions throughout history. They are the tools by which we can begin to observe the unmanifest within ourselves — the life, soul, and consciousness that truly reflect the image and likeness of God.
Our Divine Potential: Moving Beyond the Ordinary
The journey of discovering the unmanifest within ourselves is not just a philosophical exercise; it is a practical path toward realizing our divine potential. As leaders, innovators, and creative individuals, we are called to move beyond the ordinary and tap into the extraordinary wisdom that resides within us. By aligning ourselves with the divine consciousness, we can create, lead, and inspire from a place of deep spiritual connection.
When we understand that our true likeness to God is found in our unmanifest life, soul, and consciousness, we begin to see the world through a different lens. We realize that we are not limited by the physical, by circumstances, or by our own fears and doubts. We are, in fact, co-creators with God, capable of bringing forth new realities through our divine connection.
Conclusion: A Call to Observe the Unmanifest
The image and likeness of God is not something we can see in a mirror or measure with scientific instruments. It is found in the unmanifest aspects of our being — our life, soul, and consciousness. Just as creation is the unmanifest becoming manifest, so too are we called to manifest the divine within ourselves, to observe the activity of God within our own souls, and to live in alignment with the eternal consciousness that sustains all of existence.
Our mission is to help leaders and creative individuals live spiritually enriched lives. By understanding the true nature of our divine likeness, we can move beyond the ordinary and step into the extraordinary wisdom that lies within us. Anthony Nayagan coaches leaders and innovators to realize their divine nature, encouraging them to tap into the unmanifest potential that is their birthright.
Let us pause, reflect, and reconnect with the unmanifest. In doing so, we not only honor our divine nature but also become vessels through which the divine manifests in the world.