Ru'ach - breath, spirit and more..

Some years ago, when working with a Jewish client and Hebrew scholar I mentioned that there was the Hebrew word 'ru'ach' that refered both to soul, breath and wind - as far as I knew.
'"Oh" she said, "there is more!".

I contacted her again recently because I had lost my notes. Here is what she said:

"I would have told you that Hebrew is a consonantal language - and most words have a 3 consonant root, with the vowels fitting in patterns (for a gerund form, infinitive verb, adjective etc), or creating a related word for example NeSHaMa = soul, NeSHiMa = breath

The three words all have been translated as soul, but they have different nuances and are used in different contexts.


I couldn't remember the difference, but I found this:
'In Kabbalah or Chasidut,  Nefesh means a bodily soul, or instinct, or innate. (All created things have nefesh). Ruach is often used in the context of "Ruach Hakodesh" (spirit of the Holiness), which is a sort of divine inspiration, or an aspect of godliness /correctness of thought (morality is one example of that). Ruach can also be the basic life force of any living thing. Neshama is the higher level soul which is connected directly to Gd, it exists only in humans."

As Jewish belief is that everything in The Torah is the word of God, the fact that the words for breath and for the highest/divine level of the soul are based on the same root, means that there is a spiritual connection between them."

Thank you Neta.

It is more than 40 years now that I have been practising awareness of the breath, and more than 30 years of working with Conscious Connected Breathing for my personal & spiritual growth as well as working professionally with clients,

Such a practice leads to a perspective that allows equilibrium, well being and sense of being connected to a greater whole - however we name it. For me, that is a priceless foundation for living - for life.

Ann Harrison
Next trainings begin 28 March with an 8 day retreat.

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