Category: faith

Speaking the name of YHWH

It’s interesting that in yoga – breath carries energy. Many of the movements are centered around breathing and shifting your focus to the simple act of breathing.

I’ve also read and heard that the name of God – YHWH is comprised of aspirated consonants — that when spoken, are truly the sound of breathing.

Over time we’ve arbitrarily added an “a” and an “e” in there to get YaHWeH, presumably because we have a preference for vowels. But scholars have noted that the letters YHWH represent breathing sounds, aspirated consonants that in the Hebrew alphabet would be transliterated like this:

Yod, rhymes with “rode”, which we transliterate “Y”
He, rhymes with “say”, which we transliterate “H”
Vav, like “lava”, which we transliterate “V” or “W”
He rhymes with “say”, which we transliterate “H”

(source)

Rob Bell has wondered what this means in key moments like when a baby is born – newly arrived on planet earth, must they take their first breath, or rather speak the name of God if they are to be alive here? On our deathbed, do we breathe our last breath? Or is it that we cease to be alive when the name of God is no longer on our lips?

My friend Frank has shared that at many times he’s found himself stressed about his situation and by just taking a moment to breathe the name of God Yod-He-Vav-He, has helped clear his mind of distractions and helped ease him through the situation – as if it was a simple prayer to re-center him on what’s important.

All interesting ideas.

With all this in mind, it fascinates me that this practice of yoga that so many people (myself included) find renewing and helpful — and the simple practice of breathing that we do day in and day out — may be centered around “speaking” the very name of God.

YHWH – I am that I am.

For more on breath prayers visit Soul Shepherd.

Reza Aslan talks about the historical Jesus

A really interesting interview of Reza Aslan on The Daily Show:

I thought Jon Oliver’s comments were really insightful:

“I like this man. I liked the guy who was the day laborer, who was probably illiterate who was a radical nationalist. I like this guy. I like him a whole lot me than the bird statue. He means more to me. You can have a personal relationship with this man and I have to wonder what the hell he would feel about “touchdown Jesus.” I wonder if this guy would be like ‘What is that? It seems sacrilegious but it’s also it’s kind of great.'” – Jon Oliver

I wonder if in focusing so much on the divinity of God, we’ve lost the humanity that reaches out to so many people.

Adding Reza Aslan’s book to my Wish List.

Muslims see irony in Obama’s Ramadan wishes

“I am assuming Obama’s greetings to Muslims wrt Ramadan are also directed at Muslims he will be force feeding at #GTMO during that month.”

“Obama wishing Muslims a happy Ramadan while he drone bombs them is like Hitler wishing Auschwitz a happy Hanukkah”

Via The Washington Times

Bono talks with Focus on the Family

Bono talked with Focus on the Family this week about his life, his wife of 30 years, his family and more. Listen to the interview.

A few stand out quotes:

“The job of love – and maybe job is the wrong word – is to realize the potential of others. So if you’re doing that equally in a relationship and both of you are fixed on realizing each other’s potential then you’ll probably get places.”

“You have to be very careful that grace and politeness do not merge into a banality of behavior where we’re just nice – sort of death by cupcake…”

“And I believe that Jesus was, you know, the Son of God. I understand that for some people and we need to… if I could be so bold, need to be really, really respectful to people who find that ridiculous…”

“It’s very annoying following this person of Christ around, because he’s very demanding of your life. You don’t have to go to university and do a Ph.D. to understand this stuff. You just go to the person of Christ.”

‘Grace defies reason and logic’

You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff…

If only we could be a bit more like Jesus, the world would be transformed. When I look at the Cross of Christ, what I see up there is all my s— and everybody else’s. So I ask myself a question a lot of people have asked: Who is this man? And was He who He said He was, or was He just a religious nut? And there it is, and that’s the question. And no one can talk you into it or out of it. – Bono

Read more | HT