The Five Trees in Paradise is an esoteric or allegorical image from the Coptic Gospel of Thomas, a collection of logia (sayings) of Jesus.
"[1]"Blessed is he who was before he came into being" is similar to other enigmatic statements commonly found in mysticism, and may[citation needed] refer to the benefits of self-awareness (knowledge of one's true nature) before developing one's ego-identity.
27, during an anointing ceremony, the apostle implores, "Come, elder of the five members, mind, thought, reflection, consideration, reason; communicate with these young men.
"[2] According to Theodore bar Konai,[3] 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.
However, the body's five senses – representative of lower-level egoism and learned misperception – would more likely[citation needed] be considered an impediment to reunion with the divine.