  Spiritual
This week: Breathing Lessons Edited by: Sophurky  
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Hi, I'm Sophurky ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter.
The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred.  |
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Breathing Lessons
In his book “Eyes Remade for Wonder,” Lawrence Kushner writes that the letters that make up the name of God in Hebrew – yod, hay, vav, and hay – are frequently put together and pronounced, or more to the point, mispronounced as “Yahweh.” But in truth, he says, the name of God is unutterable – not because it is disrespectful to say the name of God because of the holiness of God’s name, but because the letters yod, hay, and vav are all Hebrew vowels, and, he says, “you cannot pronounce all the vowels at once without risking respiratory injury.”
He goes on to say that this Name of God is not so much a word as it is a sound - the sound of breathing. Kushner writes, “The holiest Name in the world, the Name of the Creator, is the sound of your own breathing. That these letters are unpronounceable is no accident. Just as it is no accident that they are also the root letters of the Hebrew verb to be.”
Thus the very name of God, the essence of God, the word assigned to describe and name God by the earliest Hebrews, is not a word at all, but is the sound of our own breathing, the essence of existence itself. Isn't that cool!?!
The Sacred Mystery, known by so many names, resides within us – in fact, that God is our very breath, our very being and being-ness. Which means that every time we take a breath, every time we breathe, we are uttering and invoking the name and presence of God in our lives. And while we are certainly not aware or conscious of it every time we take a breath, there is something so life affirming and positive about connecting our breath with the presence and very being of the Sacred. Perhaps this is why meditative breathing exercises are meaningful for so many.
I invite you to take a moment or two of silent reflection as you to close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. Whether you breathe in and out deeply, or with regular breaths, in this brief span of time, try be aware of your breathing – be conscious that the sound of your breathing is the sound of the name and being of the Sacred. Or as Kushner says, “The holiest Name in the world, the Name of the Creator, is the sound of your own breathing.” Rest in that realization and whatever insight may come to you for a moment or two.
Blessings, Sophurky |
Below you'll find some spiritual offerings from other WDC members. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review.
|  | Dandelion Clocks (E)
of life and death and dandelions... a mother's words to her child
#1997095 by Fi  |
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#1934745 by Not Available. |
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#1957737 by Not Available. |
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Here is a response to my last newsletter "Spiritual Newsletter (May 28, 2014)" about "Trivial Pursuits:"
From G. Krone
Hi Sophie,
Your piece offers much reflection to the importance we often give to the equivocal, inconsequential, trivial, and irrelevant. At the end of the day, we just can't pretend that we can even begin to really figure out what goes on inside the mind and heart of another, especially during a time of crisis.
My condolences to your husband over the loss of his brother.
Sincerely,
G.K.
Thank you so much for sharing, and for your kind words.
     
From Quick-Quill 
I had issues with my in-laws early in my relationship with their son and brother. Their treatment of him and us drove me crazy with anger and resentment. For a few years I dreamed of the day I could retaliate with the same treatment you received. Thankfully one day God slapped me up side the head and said, "You are becoming your mother. Is that the life you want to live, bitter and angry?" The Lord knew how to corner me. I had to learn to forgive them as if they had come to me asking for it. I can tell you I was tested but passed. They never did ask for forgiveness, they didn't need to. They did acknowledge they treated us badly. Mr.W parents died many years ago. Only his two older sisters and his younger brother stay in contact. I learned a valuable lesson and I apply it to everything when I can. I'm not perfect, but with God's grace its a daily walk.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us, it is much appreciated.
From Elfin Dragon-finally published 
You have asked us...What is the meaning of your life? How do you pursue that meaning? What are the pitfalls that threaten to derail your perspective, the temptations that bog you down in trivialities?
Sometimes, battered with chronic pain, I think there is no meaning to life; just this horrid overwhelming existence of pain. But I realize I'm still here writing, reading, helping someone else with their life as well. So there must be some meaning to the life I'm leading. This path God has put before me, even if I'm still unsure of my footing upon it.
I try not to think about pitfalls and temptations which may come along. I have enough in my day to day life which may cause me to stumble. The simple thought of not wanting to get up in the morning is a temptation I fight with every day, yet I seem to win. I fight my battles one by one, day by day. The road before me will stay clear as long as I consider my future not as a distant item but an attainable goal because it is tomorrow. Always tomorrow and never look back.
Blessings to you, and thank you for sharing.
From Red Barron 
I am sorry to hear about your family member, and the inconveniences the widowed woman caused you and her family. I don't know what the meaning of my life is. I have an illness I have to manage, and find much comfort and satisfaction in feeling like a bigger community in writing.com, encouraging people with reviews, and trying to write myself. I try to find humor in suffering, and hope God is really there to always help me when I am alone. Yet, I don't feel so terribly alone on this site. Thanks for your Newsleter.
You are most welcome thanks for sharing.
From BIG BAD WOLF is Howling 
One must have good memories. For instance, back when my grandmother was alive, I'd be with her on Friday evenings while my mother took my brother to his games. She would always take me to this place, where she'd have fried fish and I'd have chicken wings. Not too long ago, my brother was home, and we'd ordered supper from the place. When we got there, the place was basically the same, with, most likely, the same table and chairs over in the corner, and we sat there, waiting for our meal to finish. The memories just came flowing back.
What a wonderful story, thank you.
Please keep your comments and suggestions coming! Until next time! Sophurky
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Spiritual: June 25, 2014 Issue [#6391]
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