Comments on: As The Spirit Moves You http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/ public domain playground. friendly entities welcome. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:05:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Tim Boucher http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/comment-page-1/#comment-29901 Tim Boucher Sun, 24 Dec 2006 22:18:30 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/#comment-29901 Thanks J: I appreciate the clarification. I guess I was aware that I was generalizing towards the extreme with this article, but I was doing so in order to hopefully break through to some new conceptual ground for myself, and clear out old debris - if that makes any sense! Thanks J: I appreciate the clarification. I guess I was aware that I was generalizing towards the extreme with this article, but I was doing so in order to hopefully break through to some new conceptual ground for myself, and clear out old debris - if that makes any sense!

]]> By: J Nigro Sansonese http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/comment-page-1/#comment-29885 J Nigro Sansonese Sun, 24 Dec 2006 15:54:21 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/#comment-29885 Just a caution, Tim. The Christian mysteries, while undoubtedly centering on breath, involve ALL the senses, including the sense of taste and the literal tongue. Literal breath, literal tongue, literal teeth. That experience is esoterically called the Eucharist or Holy Communion. Thus, when Jesus speaks of "drinking from one's own cistern," he is talking about an experience of drinking in which the organ, the tongue, is in effect tasting itself! True, the breath is being used in a special way to activate the taste receptors of the tongue/glossopharyngeal nerve, so this IS a libation of the breath and of the life of the bod; yet one that does not require crudely stimulating the tongue as with ordinary food, which always obscures the neural energy that is the true source of life. An interesting conclusion follows, I think: food nourishes us only by gross stimulation of the body. The Buddha once said, when your heart is pure, you can live on one sesamum seed a day. In our fallen state, that single seed is doubtless necessary, but it is so because something is needed to provoke the ever-close-at-hand experience of the living energy of the body. The sesamum seed's material insignificance, then, is also desirable, lest the stimulus obscure the response: the taste of the living waters. J Nigro Sansonese Just a caution, Tim. The Christian mysteries, while undoubtedly centering on breath, involve ALL the senses, including the sense of taste and the literal tongue. Literal breath, literal tongue, literal teeth. That experience is esoterically called the Eucharist or Holy Communion. Thus, when Jesus speaks of “drinking from one’s own cistern,” he is talking about an experience of drinking in which the organ, the tongue, is in effect tasting itself! True, the breath is being used in a special way to activate the taste receptors of the tongue/glossopharyngeal nerve, so this IS a libation of the breath and of the life of the bod; yet one that does not require crudely stimulating the tongue as with ordinary food, which always obscures the neural energy that is the true source of life.

An interesting conclusion follows, I think: food nourishes us only by gross stimulation of the body. The Buddha once said, when your heart is pure, you can live on one sesamum seed a day. In our fallen state, that single seed is doubtless necessary, but it is so because something is needed to provoke the ever-close-at-hand experience of the living energy of the body. The sesamum seed’s material insignificance, then, is also desirable, lest the stimulus obscure the response: the taste of the living waters.

J Nigro Sansonese

]]> By: james http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/comment-page-1/#comment-29196 james Thu, 21 Dec 2006 22:28:46 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/#comment-29196 Oops, my bad-- it's <i>neshima</i> with an 'e'... http://is-root.de/wiki/Breath (should've used more than one word the first time, eh?) Oops, my bad– it’s neshima with an ‘e’…

http://is-root.de/wiki/Breath

(should’ve used more than one word the first time, eh?)

]]> By: james http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/comment-page-1/#comment-29195 james Thu, 21 Dec 2006 22:25:27 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/#comment-29195 One word: <i>nashima</i> One word: nashima

]]> By: unthinkable http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/comment-page-1/#comment-29073 unthinkable Thu, 21 Dec 2006 14:25:37 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/#comment-29073 <blockquote>He is talking about sharing breath, how we all breath the same air, the same spirit</blockquote> Why, that's just a conspiracy theory! What's separates the living from the dead? Breathing. You respire until you expire. It's no surprise that when people first made up words for stuff, they chose the most obvious description of the situation. <em>Is he dead? No, he's breathing, see?</em> It's a beautifully innocent portrayal of life as a material process, not a sophisticated definition of an intangible object. The "merely" physical is in fact sublime. Behold! This prison we call hell is made not of iron but of ideas. Remove the head!

He is talking about sharing breath, how we all breath the same air, the same spirit

Why, that’s just a conspiracy theory!

What’s separates the living from the dead? Breathing. You respire until you expire.

It’s no surprise that when people first made up words for stuff, they chose the most obvious description of the situation.

Is he dead?

No, he’s breathing, see?

It’s a beautifully innocent portrayal of life as a material process, not a sophisticated definition of an intangible object.

The “merely” physical is in fact sublime. Behold! This prison we call hell is made not of iron but of ideas. Remove the head!

]]> By: Piers http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/comment-page-1/#comment-29013 Piers Thu, 21 Dec 2006 12:06:42 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/#comment-29013 I'd say that it's a major mistake to equate religion/spirituality with morality and ethics. Morality may be important, but to equate spirituality with it is to ignore the reality of spirituality. Ultimately spirituality must be about an experience of the divine. It's perhaps our dessicated traditional western Christianity, which appears to offer nothing but a bit of aesthetic experience plus some rules for how to be nicer people, that makes people view religion/spirituality as essentially being about morality. I heard the beginning of an intellectual discussion about hell on the radio this morning, and amid all the talk of the Greeks and Egpytians and the Bible (interesting stuff), the one starkly missing aspect (that no one noticed was missing) was any consideration of whether hell really exists. Seeing as it was a mainstream intellectual discussion, that would be taboo and rather ridiculous. And that's perhaps slightly similar to thinking religion is essentially about morality. If the divine does exist, if we are more than accidental bodies, then spirituality must be about much more than morality (about reality in fact), but if not, then it wouldn't be much more than that. I’d say that it’s a major mistake to equate religion/spirituality with morality and ethics. Morality may be important, but to equate spirituality with it is to ignore the reality of spirituality. Ultimately spirituality must be about an experience of the divine. It’s perhaps our dessicated traditional western Christianity, which appears to offer nothing but a bit of aesthetic experience plus some rules for how to be nicer people, that makes people view religion/spirituality as essentially being about morality.

I heard the beginning of an intellectual discussion about hell on the radio this morning, and amid all the talk of the Greeks and Egpytians and the Bible (interesting stuff), the one starkly missing aspect (that no one noticed was missing) was any consideration of whether hell really exists. Seeing as it was a mainstream intellectual discussion, that would be taboo and rather ridiculous. And that’s perhaps slightly similar to thinking religion is essentially about morality.

If the divine does exist, if we are more than accidental bodies, then spirituality must be about much more than morality (about reality in fact), but if not, then it wouldn’t be much more than that.

]]> By: Tim Boucher http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/comment-page-1/#comment-29005 Tim Boucher Thu, 21 Dec 2006 02:06:43 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/#comment-29005 Ethics and morality are simply tools to prepare you, to enable you to live well with others, and to give your life structure as you go along the way and experience various things falling away. You needn't ignore them. Ethics and morality are simply tools to prepare you, to enable you to live well with others, and to give your life structure as you go along the way and experience various things falling away. You needn’t ignore them.

]]> By: jlhart7 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/comment-page-1/#comment-29002 jlhart7 Thu, 21 Dec 2006 01:54:54 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/#comment-29002 I wouldn't personally want to ignore the moral/ethical aspect of anything spiritual I'd see any point to being a part of. Not that I'm saying anyone's ignoring that, it's just that I've been equating religion/spirituality with morality and ethics for as long as I can remember (not that I practice what I preach of course). I guess I've figured breathing exercises and other spiritual practices are mainly useful for helping one develop a more compassionate consciousness that will in turn help one behave more ethically/morally. I wouldn’t personally want to ignore the moral/ethical aspect of anything spiritual I’d see any point to being a part of. Not that I’m saying anyone’s ignoring that, it’s just that I’ve been equating religion/spirituality with morality and ethics for as long as I can remember (not that I practice what I preach of course). I guess I’ve figured breathing exercises and other spiritual practices are mainly useful for helping one develop a more compassionate consciousness that will in turn help one behave more ethically/morally.

]]> By: Tim Boucher http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/comment-page-1/#comment-28994 Tim Boucher Wed, 20 Dec 2006 23:43:24 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/#comment-28994 <blockquote>To say, however, that the spirit is merely breath is selling it quite short, I think, and “materializes” it almost completely.</blockquote> I'm not saying it's "merely" breath. I'm using language to describe something beyond language.

To say, however, that the spirit is merely breath is selling it quite short, I think, and “materializes” it almost completely.

I’m not saying it’s “merely” breath. I’m using language to describe something beyond language.

]]> By: Dennis http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/comment-page-1/#comment-28986 Dennis Wed, 20 Dec 2006 22:18:26 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/#comment-28986 Spirituality is as easy as breathing! hehehe :D Spirituality is as easy as breathing! hehehe :D

]]> By: Dan http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/comment-page-1/#comment-28983 Dan Wed, 20 Dec 2006 22:15:33 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/#comment-28983 My thoughts are that the spirit is composed of Chi (prana), invisible energy which is contained in all things, but also is present in the air. It is my understanding that breathing is how the body (primarily) obtains Chi. Breathing also seems to be assosciated with (and may control) many physiological body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, awareness, blood chemistry, mood, etc. You may wish to check out a book by Ashida Kim called Ninja Mind Control. The book states that the Ninjas used breathing techniques to alter one's metabolism, mood, etc, to suit their needs at that moment (be it combat, evasion, etc). One quick example will illustrate this. When someone is in pain and crying, their breathing is usually shallow, quick, and uneven. Having that person change their breathing to deeper, slower, even inhalations/exhalations will have an instant calming effect. My thoughts are that the spirit is composed of Chi (prana), invisible energy which is contained in all things, but also is present in the air. It is my understanding that breathing is how the body (primarily) obtains Chi.

Breathing also seems to be assosciated with (and may control) many physiological body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, awareness, blood chemistry, mood, etc.

You may wish to check out a book by Ashida Kim called Ninja Mind Control.

The book states that the Ninjas used breathing techniques to alter one’s metabolism, mood, etc, to suit their needs at that moment (be it combat, evasion, etc).

One quick example will illustrate this. When someone is in pain and crying, their breathing is usually shallow, quick, and uneven. Having that person change their breathing to deeper, slower, even inhalations/exhalations will have an instant calming effect.

]]> By: The Necromancer http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/comment-page-1/#comment-28982 The Necromancer Wed, 20 Dec 2006 21:37:23 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/#comment-28982 The breath-spirit connection is a deep one in the western tradition...and one that links to the notion of vitalism. Early medical theorists like Hippocrates and Galen placed the pneuma in a central place in understanding what made living things living. In Hippocratic thought the origin and beginnings of life lie in the pneuma (breath) that causes growth and articulation. The concept of the pneuma was also very important to the Stoic philosophers, who saw it as essential to creating the integrity, cohesion and basic characteristics of a living being. The division between the anima and the Galenic pneuma is attributed to Fernelius (1497-1558), otherwise known as Jean François Fernel. Interestingly, Fernel has also been credited with being the first to make a distinction between “physiology” and “pathology.” In the 17th century "pneumatology" was a synonym for psychology. Around the same period speculative physiologists like Van Helmont used the idea of the archeus, or arc/arch, which was felt to lay in the center of the body (i.e. the diaphram), and along with the nervous system and stomach, was a regulating triumverate of health. Suppose this is a good example of the centrality of somatic balance. The most famous physician to discuss the anima was Georg Ernst Stahl, an 18th century German who advanced animism as a central medical theory and influenced the Montpellier medical school in its development of vitalism. It is here, between spirituality and physiology, where the idea of the pneuma/anima version of spirit resonates. To say, however, that the spirit is merely breath is selling it quite short, I think, and "materializes" it almost completely. Still, clearly, the link is fundamental... The breath-spirit connection is a deep one in the western tradition…and one that links to the notion of vitalism. Early medical theorists like Hippocrates and Galen placed the pneuma in a central place in understanding what made living things living. In Hippocratic thought the origin and beginnings of life lie in the pneuma (breath) that causes growth and articulation. The concept of the pneuma was also very important to the Stoic philosophers, who saw it as essential to creating the integrity, cohesion and basic characteristics of a living being. The division between the anima and the Galenic pneuma is attributed to Fernelius (1497-1558), otherwise known as Jean François Fernel. Interestingly, Fernel has also been credited with being the first to make a distinction between “physiology” and “pathology.” In the 17th century “pneumatology” was a synonym for psychology.

Around the same period speculative physiologists like Van Helmont used the idea of the archeus, or arc/arch, which was felt to lay in the center of the body (i.e. the diaphram), and along with the nervous system and stomach, was a regulating triumverate of health. Suppose this is a good example of the centrality of somatic balance.

The most famous physician to discuss the anima was Georg Ernst Stahl, an 18th century German who advanced animism as a central medical theory and influenced the Montpellier medical school in its development of vitalism.

It is here, between spirituality and physiology, where the idea of the pneuma/anima version of spirit resonates. To say, however, that the spirit is merely breath is selling it quite short, I think, and “materializes” it almost completely.

Still, clearly, the link is fundamental…

]]> By: skip wiley http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/comment-page-1/#comment-28981 skip wiley Wed, 20 Dec 2006 20:55:59 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/#comment-28981 To go along with the great YHWH passage at the end of your post, here is Campbell talking about "AUM": <blockquote>"AUM" is a word that represents to our ears that sound of the energy of the universe of which all things are manifestations. You start in the back of the mouth "ahh," and then "oo," you fill the mouth, and "mm" closes the mouth. <strong>When you pronounce this properly, all vowel sounds are included in the pronunciation. AUM. Consonants are here regarded simply as interruptions of the essential vowel sound.</strong> All words are thus fragments of AUM, just as all images are fragments of the Form of forms. AUM is a symbolic sound that puts you in touch with that resounding being that is the universe.</blockquote> To go along with the great YHWH passage at the end of your post, here is Campbell talking about “AUM”:

“AUM” is a word that represents to our ears that sound of the energy of the universe of which all things are manifestations. You start in the back of the mouth “ahh,” and then “oo,” you fill the mouth, and “mm” closes the mouth. When you pronounce this properly, all vowel sounds are included in the pronunciation. AUM. Consonants are here regarded simply as interruptions of the essential vowel sound. All words are thus fragments of AUM, just as all images are fragments of the Form of forms. AUM is a symbolic sound that puts you in touch with that resounding being that is the universe.

]]> By: Tim Boucher http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/comment-page-1/#comment-28570 Tim Boucher Tue, 19 Dec 2006 10:10:02 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/#comment-28570 See also the Thomas text: http://www.snant.com/fp/archives/gospel-of-thomas-108/ <blockquote>"I am not your master. Because you have drunk, you have become drunk from the bubbling stream which I have measured out. ... He who will drink from the bubbling stream which I have measured out.... He who will drink from my mouth will become as I am: I myself shall become he, and the things that are hidden will be revealed to him."</blockquote> He is talking about sharing breath, how we all breath the same air, the same spirit And: <blockquote>Rather, the (Father's) kingdom is within you and it is outside you.</blockquote> Air! And: <blockquote>"If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you."</blockquote> Breathing in, breathing out... Also: <blockquote>Jesus said, "Know what is in front of your face, and what is hidden from you will be disclosed to you. For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. </blockquote> What is in front of your face is literally air - spirit, breath, etc! See also the Thomas text:

http://www.snant.com/fp/archives/gospel-of-thomas-108/

“I am not your master. Because you have drunk, you have become drunk from the bubbling stream which I have measured out. … He who will drink from the bubbling stream which I have measured out…. He who will drink from my mouth will become as I am: I myself shall become he, and the things that are hidden will be revealed to him.”

He is talking about sharing breath, how we all breath the same air, the same spirit

And:

Rather, the (Father’s) kingdom is within you and it is outside you.

Air!

And:

“If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.”

Breathing in, breathing out…

Also:

Jesus said, “Know what is in front of your face, and what is hidden from you will be disclosed to you.

For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed.

What is in front of your face is literally air - spirit, breath, etc!

]]> By: Tim Boucher http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/comment-page-1/#comment-28569 Tim Boucher Tue, 19 Dec 2006 09:21:46 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/#comment-28569 JK also pointed out to me: <blockquote>Well when one was "inspired" in the olden days, they were taken literally by the air. Here let me check your etymology site. Yes. . . inspiration Look up inspiration at Dictionary.com: c.1303, "immediate influence of God or a god," especially that under which the holy books were written, from O.Fr. inspiration, from L.L. inspirationem (nom. inspiratio), from L. inspiratus, pp. of inspirare "inspire, inflame, ***blow into***," from in-"in" + spirare "to breathe" (see spirit). Inspire in this sense is c.1340, from O.Fr. enspirer, from L. inspirare, a loan-transl. of Gk. pnein in the Bible. General sense of "influence or animate with an idea or purpose" is from 1390. Inspirational is 1839 as "influenced by inspiration;" 1884 as "tending to inspire."</blockquote> And: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/inspiration <blockquote>Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary - Inspiration that extraordinary or supernatural divine influence vouchsafed to those who wrote the Holy Scriptures, rendering their writings infallible. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" (R.V., "Every scripture inspired of God"), 2 Tim. 3:16. This is true of all the "sacred writings," not in the sense of their being works of genius or of supernatural insight, but as "theopneustic," i.e., "breathed into by God" in such a sense that the writers were supernaturally guided to express exactly what God intended them to express as a revelation of his mind and will. The testimony of the sacred writers themselves abundantly demonstrates this truth; and if they are infallible as teachers of doctrine, then the doctrine of plenary inspiration must be accepted. There are no errors in the Bible as it came from God, none have been proved to exist. Difficulties and phenomena we cannot explain are not errors. All these books of the Old and New Testaments are inspired. We do not say that they contain, but that they are, the Word of God. The gift of inspiration rendered the writers the organs of God, for the infallible communication of his mind and will, in the very manner and words in which it was originally given. As to the nature of inspiration we have no information. This only we know, it rendered the writers infallible. They were all equally inspired, and are all equally infallible. The inspiration of the sacred writers did not change their characters. They retained all their individual peculiarities as thinkers or writers. (See BIBLE �T0000580; WORD OF GOD.)</blockquote> Which I take to mean: that they are - probably without their knowledge - passing on the secret fact that the Bible was written by people who mastered these breath techniques and it is *about* these breath techniques. And that since the techniques are an "infallible" method of connecting to god/spirit, then the text therefore is infallible too. See also enthusiasm and enthousiasmos, the Greek version of inspiration http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=enthusiasm&searchmode=none http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enthusiasm And: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afflatus <blockquote>Afflatus is a Latin term derived from Cicero (in On Divination) that has been translated as "inspiration." Cicero's usage was a literalizing of "inspiration," which had already become figurative. Literally, "inspiration," like "afflatus," means "to be blown into" by a divine wind. As "inspiration" came to mean simply the gathering of a new idea, Cicero reiterated the idea of a rush of unexpected breath, a powerful force that would render the poet helpless and unaware of its origin.</blockquote> JK also pointed out to me:

Well when one was “inspired” in the olden days, they were taken
literally by the air. Here let me check your etymology site. Yes. . .

inspiration Look up inspiration at Dictionary.com:

c.1303, “immediate influence of God or a god,” especially that under which the holy books were written, from O.Fr. inspiration, from L.L. inspirationem (nom. inspiratio), from L. inspiratus, pp. of inspirare “inspire, inflame, ***blow into***,” from in-”in” + spirare “to breathe” (see spirit). Inspire in this sense is c.1340, from O.Fr. enspirer, from L. inspirare, a loan-transl. of Gk. pnein in the Bible. General sense of “influence or animate with an idea or purpose” is from 1390. Inspirational is 1839 as “influenced by inspiration;” 1884 as “tending to inspire.”

And:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/inspiration

Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary -
Inspiration

that extraordinary or supernatural divine influence vouchsafed to those who wrote the Holy Scriptures, rendering their writings infallible. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (R.V., “Every scripture inspired of God”), 2 Tim. 3:16. This is true of all the “sacred writings,” not in the sense of their being works of genius or of supernatural insight, but as “theopneustic,” i.e., “breathed into by God” in such a sense that the writers were supernaturally guided to express exactly what God intended them to express as a revelation of his mind and will. The testimony of the sacred writers themselves abundantly demonstrates this truth; and if they are infallible as teachers of doctrine, then the doctrine of plenary inspiration must be accepted. There are no errors in the Bible as it came from God, none have been proved to exist. Difficulties and phenomena we cannot explain are not errors. All these books of the Old and New Testaments are inspired. We do not say that they contain, but that they are, the Word of God. The gift of inspiration rendered the writers the organs of God, for the infallible communication of his mind and will, in the very manner and words in which it was originally given. As to the nature of inspiration we have no information. This only we know, it rendered the writers infallible. They were all equally inspired, and are all equally infallible. The inspiration of the sacred writers did not change their characters. They retained all their individual peculiarities as thinkers or writers. (See BIBLE �T0000580; WORD OF GOD.)

Which I take to mean: that they are - probably without their knowledge - passing on the secret fact that the Bible was written by people who mastered these breath techniques and it is *about* these breath techniques. And that since the techniques are an “infallible” method of connecting to god/spirit, then the text therefore is infallible too.

See also enthusiasm and enthousiasmos, the Greek version of inspiration

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=enthusiasm&searchmode=none
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enthusiasm

And:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afflatus

Afflatus is a Latin term derived from Cicero (in On Divination) that has been translated as “inspiration.” Cicero’s usage was a literalizing of “inspiration,” which had already become figurative. Literally, “inspiration,” like “afflatus,” means “to be blown into” by a divine wind. As “inspiration” came to mean simply the gathering of a new idea, Cicero reiterated the idea of a rush of unexpected breath, a powerful force that would render the poet helpless and unaware of its origin.

]]> By: Tim Boucher http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/comment-page-1/#comment-28568 Tim Boucher Tue, 19 Dec 2006 08:18:59 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/#comment-28568 See also the gnostic concept of the "indwelling spirit of God" as a reference to the breath... And the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Holy Breath) become very obviously references to the Siddhis gained through yoga: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Co%2012:4-11;&version=9; See also the gnostic concept of the “indwelling spirit of God” as a reference to the breath…

And the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Holy Breath) become very obviously references to the Siddhis gained through yoga:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Co%2012:4-11;&version=9;

]]> By: Tim Boucher http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/comment-page-1/#comment-28567 Tim Boucher Tue, 19 Dec 2006 08:17:16 +0000 http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2006/12/20/as-the-spirit-moves-you/#comment-28567 Reinterpreting passages from the Bible turns into a fun and very revealing game when you start substituting in the word "breath" in place of "spirit": http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ROM%208&version=49; <blockquote>However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. </blockquote> Translates out to: <blockquote>However, you are not in the flesh but in the BREATH, if indeed the BREATH of God dwells in you But if anyone does not have the BREATH of Christ, he does not belong to Him. </blockquote> Just one of many examples we could give, which if we wanted to take extremely literally seem to point to a lost Christian technique of BREATHING. Or the gnostic Gospel of Thomas: <blockquote>29. Jesus said, "If the flesh came into being because of spirit, that is a marvel, but if spirit came into being because of the body, that is a marvel of marvels.</blockquote> Jesus seems to be talking on two levels here: that life/breath existing in matter is itself a remarkable miracle, but that if the matter then takes control of that breath, then that is the true miracle. Reinterpreting passages from the Bible turns into a fun and very revealing game when you start substituting in the word “breath” in place of “spirit”:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ROM%208&version=49;

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

Translates out to:

However, you are not in the flesh but in the BREATH, if indeed the BREATH of God dwells in you But if anyone does not have the BREATH of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

Just one of many examples we could give, which if we wanted to take extremely literally seem to point to a lost Christian technique of BREATHING.

Or the gnostic Gospel of Thomas:

29. Jesus said, “If the flesh came into being because of spirit, that is a marvel, but if spirit came into being because of the body, that is a marvel of marvels.

Jesus seems to be talking on two levels here: that life/breath existing in matter is itself a remarkable miracle, but that if the matter then takes control of that breath, then that is the true miracle.

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