Spirituality and WORDS
By missak
@missak (3311)
Spain
July 16, 2007 5:23pm CST
Do certain words have certain spiritual/metaphyisical energies by themselves? Are there words, languages or spells that have some magik or metaphysical power indeed? If yes, are this words somehow universal or valuable for different people? Why? I'll start by the christian view on that point, later I'll go for other religions that seem to be easier or clearler in that idea.
The Bible talks about "speaking in tongues", the Saint spirit come in form of "fire tongues" and they are many special passages that seems to talk about the mistery of words. The name of God (Yahve or Yehova or different spellings) was very special in Jewish tradition, and even humans were not allowed to pronounce it. Some other names and expressions have different meanings related to God, that seems to unravel the relation between the Old and the New Testament (such as the discussions about the Elijah identity that appears in Luke and John). There are a serie of words that are just intended to mean somehow the presence of God (Amen, Ossana... ).
Even the word itslef becomes God: John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
So is it important for the christianism (and for related beliefs/philosophies such as Jews and Muslims and Gnostics) to pronounce certain words? Why? Do they have a special force? Do they connect us to God, the Saint Spirit or any other metaphysical identity? Should we use the anciant words for thoose purposes or can we translate them to newer words and meanings?
3 people like this
6 responses
@meme0907 (3481)
• United States
17 Jul 07
Hey m,
You have the most interesting discussions-first off I just want to say I don't believe anyone in this modern day really speaks in tongues I think they are frauds.I believe the Bible had a seperate intention when it referred to speaking in tounges but I'll leave that for ppl to investigate.I feel like any person can call on the spirit of the Lord in times of need & use any one of his names.Another thing I believe that sorta hits on your discussion (that is also referred to in the Bible) is curses & healing-you can curse a person through your own power (which may be wrong so I'm not advising anyone to lay a root on another) & blessings come from Jesus. However, the Lord could turn your curse into a blessing if he sees that you cursed someone unjustly.
+'s|:)
2 people like this
@Artsimba (1334)
• United States
16 Jul 07
It is my opinion that there are no words in themselves that have any power. However, when I say the name of Jesus it invokes in me peace and tranquility. And all I have to do is think of the name "The Serenity Prayer" and I feel the serenity that is suggested when we pray it to accept that which we cannot change. When I pray these words and ask God 'to grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, for the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference' and repeat them when I feel like a crises is coming on, I feel the soothing wave of serenity wash over me and I know that God is listening to me and I can sense peace. But, no I don't believe that words have any power, magic, or mysticism about them by themselves. Although, sometimes I feel like a word spoken now and then may be giving me a kind of sign or confirmation of God talking to me, but that's just me. Anyway, thanks for asking. Take care.
1 person likes this
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
3 Aug 07
In Hinduism, the word "OM" is supposed to have high spiritual energy. In fact all the religious hymns start with this word. It is the word considered most suitable for meditation. Apart from this the language Sanskrit is supposed to be the language of the Gods. So it is said that if you speak in Sanskrit you feel the spiritual energy because of this.
Whether they have spiritual energy or not, it does have a calming effect when you meditate on these slokas and words. Of course, whether the calming effect is because of meditation or due to these words is up for a discussion.
Cheers!
Ram
@missak (3311)
• Spain
27 Jul 07
In my original country, christianism is blended with other african religions, and they synchretize the names of Saints with the original entities of nature they had. We are usually wrong when we say anciant african religions were politheist, they were monotheist and the other entities were like christian angels.
I tell you that because your explanation recalls me the names they use for this unique God: Olofin (olo/ofin "infinite master of the /cosmos"), Olorun (olo/orun "infinite master of/Heaven") and Oloddumare (olo/odumaye "infinite master of the/Earth").
I usually compare religions to get a better understanding of them, it is my way of learning.
So I guess Kabalah "El" is very similar to Yoruba "Olo". My question now would be why and when is used one gender or another.
@SEOGUY (906)
• United States
27 Jul 07
Yes Elohim (pronounce: el-0h-heem) Is one name I use when talking about The Divinity or the Creator in general, But also the singular masculine "El", And in it's constucts, The name El is a construct name of God "El Shaddai - The all suffeciant God", "El Tsaddik - The Rightous God" "El Echod - The One God" and so on, Their are countless constructs of El. Also the God name of "YHVH" or YHWH" mostly pronoonced Yahweh or Yahveh, Mostly this word is never spoken, when readers see this word they trnscribe the word Adonay or "The Lord" The name Yahveh (YHVH) is also a contaction of Yehi Hove Vaheh, showing Gods presence as past present and future in one name of Yahovah or Jahovah But Eloh is a feminen Name of God and is used only a few times in the anciant text of our cannon, and usely it is used when talking about faulse gods, and the suffix "im" is plural. These ideas go back to Kabbalah as well as the ten sephrot are devided by three pillers, Mercy (femine) Sevarity (masculine) and then the ballence between the two forces. And the sephrots are governed by diferent god names, ither the fimine Elohim Or a more masculine YHVH, I could leteraly talk for hours, so I will close now and wait to see if you have further questions, One of my favorite names though is Yashuah ( Yah-Shu-ah The God Who Saves - Jesus)
1 person likes this
