Inspiration, Inspired (from Latin in into, upon + spiro breathe (cf afflatus from ad upon + flo breathe); adopted from Greek empneusis from en in + pneo breathe)

Generally the reception of knowledge or influence from a source superior -- or even inferior -- to the ordinary consciousness.

(See also: Inspiration, Inspired, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Inspiration

The belief that human actions of extraordinary insight, worth or power are due to inspiration - an inflow of psychic force, life-giving breath. The idea of inspiration in Christian theology may be traced to Hebrew prophecy and to Greek philosophy.

The most important theological problems of inspiration concern the subjects, the sources, the means and the criteria of true inspiration as distinguished from false, rather than the reality if inspiration itself.

The question of the proper subject of inspiration - whether a person, a community or a book may properly be said to be inspired - has been greatly confused in history by getting involved in the problem of church authority,. thus the doctrine of the inspiration of scriptures was largely developed to secure the Roman church against Protestantism when the Protestants made claims the inspiration for their special leaders.

The doctrine that ecumenical councils or popes are inspired when speaking on matters of faith and morals was developed partly to deal with the Protestants' rigid scriptural Òconst itutionalismÓ. The problem of the source of inspiration was raised in Hebrew thought by the appearance of false prophecy, and by the consequent question for monotheism in what sense such inspiration came from God. In Christian theology the questions were to what extent the inspiring principle in the Godhead was distinct from the creating and redeeming principle, in what sense it proceeded from one or both of these. The question about the means of inspiration has been dealt with indirectly and in confusion with the question of subject and criteria.

The orthodox Protestant and Catholic churches have emphasized the importance of Scriptures, of church discipline and instruction as the ordinary means through which inspiration comes.

Mystic and sectarian groups have shown a larger interest in other means - asceticism, the practice of silence, etc. In the Protestant doctrine of the Òtestimony ~ the Holy SpiritÓÓ which must accompany the reading of the word if there is to be true inspiration and in Roman as well as Eastern Catholic acceptance of monasticism the great churches have made some approach to the interests of the sects and mysticism.

Among the criteria employed by religious thought to distinguish true from false inspiration the most important are:

1)    the consistency of the product of inspiration not only in itself but also and primarily with accepted norms, i. e. , with the moral laws, the Òspirit of Jesus Christ,Ó the Scriptures, the common understanding of the community.

2)    the test of true inspiration is the truth of prediction. This test, which the basis of modern science, has been used apologetically rather than critically, to validate the inspiration of scriptures, as in the argument from prophecyÓ;

3)    disinterestedness, that is the extent to which personal interests and opinions are absent or negated in the ÒinspiredÓ utterance; in the extreme form,

4)    Intelligibility might be added as a fourth criterion of the validity of inspiration though not a test of its truth, since the unintelligible cannot be said to be true or false. Also, the Protestant doctrine that the Bible was written by the influence of God. It is, therefore, without error. It is accurate and authoritatively represents God's teachings. It is an illumination in that it shows us what we could not know apart from it. Believers know that the Bible is inspired, because it says so.

(See also: Inspiration, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Inspiration

The belief that human actions of extraordinary insight, worth or power are due to inspiration - an inflow of psychic force, life-giving breath. The idea of inspiration in Christian theology may be traced to Hebrew prophecy and to Greek philosophy.

The most important theological problems of inspiration concern the subjects, the sources, the means and the criteria of true inspiration as distinguished from false, rather than the reality if inspiration itself.

The question of the proper subject of inspiration - whether a person, a community or a book may properly be said to be inspired - has been greatly confused in history by getting involved in the problem of church authority,. thus the doctrine of the inspiration of scriptures was largely developed to secure the Roman church against Protestantism when the Protestants made claims the inspiration for their special leaders.

The doctrine that ecumenical councils or popes are inspired when speaking on matters of faith and morals was developed partly to deal with the Protestants' rigid scriptural Òconst itutionalismÓ. The problem of the source of inspiration was raised in Hebrew thought by the appearance of false prophecy, and by the consequent question for monotheism in what sense such inspiration came from God. In Christian theology the questions were to what extent the inspiring principle in the Godhead was distinct from the creating and redeeming principle, in what sense it proceeded from one or both of these. The question about the means of inspiration has been dealt with indirectly and in confusion with the question of subject and criteria.

The orthodox Protestant and Catholic churches have emphasized the importance of Scriptures, of church discipline and instruction as the ordinary means through which inspiration comes.

Mystic and sectarian groups have shown a larger interest in other means - asceticism, the practice of silence, etc. In the Protestant doctrine of the Òtestimony ~ the Holy SpiritÓÓ which must accompany the reading of the word if there is to be true inspiration and in Roman as well as Eastern Catholic acceptance of monasticism the great churches have made some approach to the interests of the sects and mysticism.

Among the criteria employed by religious thought to distinguish true from false inspiration the most important are:

1)    the consistency of the product of inspiration not only in itself but also and primarily with accepted norms, i. e. , with the moral laws, the Òspirit of Jesus Christ,Ó the Scriptures, the common understanding of the community.

2)    the test of true inspiration is the truth of prediction. This test, which the basis of modern science, has been used apologetically rather than critically, to validate the inspiration of scriptures, as in the argument from prophecyÓ;

3)    disinterestedness, that is the extent to which personal interests and opinions are absent or negated in the ÒinspiredÓ utterance; in the extreme form,

4)    Intelligibility might be added as a fourth criterion of the validity of inspiration though not a test of its truth, since the unintelligible cannot be said to be true or false. Also, the Protestant doctrine that the Bible was written by the influence of God. It is, therefore, without error. It is accurate and authoritatively represents God's teachings. It is an illumination in that it shows us what we could not know apart from it. Believers know that the Bible is inspired, because it says so.

(See also: Inspiration, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Inspiration

The belief that human actions of extraordinary insight, worth or power are due to inspiration - an inflow of psychic force, life-giving breath. The idea of inspiration in Christian theology may be traced to Hebrew prophecy and to Greek philosophy.

The most important theological problems of inspiration concern the subjects, the sources, the means and the criteria of true inspiration as distinguished from false, rather than the reality if inspiration itself.

The question of the proper subject of inspiration - whether a person, a community or a book may properly be said to be inspired - has been greatly confused in history by getting involved in the problem of church authority,. thus the doctrine of the inspiration of scriptures was largely developed to secure the Roman church against Protestantism when the Protestants made claims the inspiration for their special leaders.

The doctrine that ecumenical councils or popes are inspired when speaking on matters of faith and morals was developed partly to deal with the Protestants' rigid scriptural “const itutionalism”. The problem of the source of inspiration was raised in Hebrew thought by the appearance of false prophecy, and by the consequent question for monotheism in what sense such inspiration came from God. In Christian theology the questions were to what extent the inspiring principle in the Godhead was distinct from the creating and redeeming principle, in what sense it proceeded from one or both of these. The question about the means of inspiration has been dealt with indirectly and in confusion with the question of subject and criteria.

The orthodox Protestant and Catholic churches have emphasized the importance of Scriptures, of church discipline and instruction as the ordinary means through which inspiration comes.

Mystic and sectarian groups have shown a larger interest in other means - asceticism, the practice of silence, etc. In the Protestant doctrine of the “testimony ~ the Holy Spirit”” which must accompany the reading of the word if there is to be true inspiration and in Roman as well as Eastern Catholic acceptance of monasticism the great churches have made some approach to the interests of the sects and mysticism.

Among the criteria employed by religious thought to distinguish true from false inspiration the most important are:

1)    the consistency of the product of inspiration not only in itself but also and primarily with accepted norms, i. e. , with the moral laws, the “spirit of Jesus Christ,” the Scriptures, the common understanding of the community.

2)    the test of true inspiration is the truth of prediction. This test, which the basis of modern science, has been used apologetically rather than critically, to validate the inspiration of scriptures, as in the argument from prophecy”;

3)    disinterestedness, that is the extent to which personal interests and opinions are absent or negated in the “inspired” utterance; in the extreme form,

4)    Intelligibility might be added as a fourth criterion of the validity of inspiration though not a test of its truth, since the unintelligible cannot be said to be true or false. Also, the Protestant doctrine that the Bible was written by the influence of God. It is, therefore, without error. It is accurate and authoritatively represents God's teachings. It is an illumination in that it shows us what we could not know apart from it. Believers know that the Bible is inspired, because it says so.

(See also: Inspiration, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

inspirational speaking

A spirit-controlled entry of thought to the medium's consciousness and corresponding spirit control of the oral presentation of thought

(See also: Inspirational speaking, Body Mind and Soul)

inspirational writing

The activity passes through one's consciousness and stimulates the mind to record its thought flow. This procedure contrasts with automatic writing which is passed by the spirit contributor directly into the energizing and control of the hand doing the writing

(See also: Inspirational writing, Body Mind and Soul)

A Christian theological definition of Inspiration according to CARM - The Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry:

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Inspiration

See also: Inspiration , Christianity, Body Mind and Soul

Theopneusty. Revelation; something given or inspired by a god or divine being. Divine inspiration.

(See also: Theopneusty, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Rishis (Sanskrit). Adepts; the inspired ones. In Vedic literature the term is employed to denote those persons through whom the various Mantras were revealed.

(See also: Rishis, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Apana (Sanskrit). "Inspirational breath"; a practice in Yoga. Prana and apana are the "expirational" and the "inspirational" breaths. It is called "vital wind" in Anugita.

(See also: Apana, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Swami Ramdas: One of the best-known and most influential spiritual figures of twentieth-century India, founder of Anandashram in South India and author of the spiritual classic In the Vision of God as well as many other inspirational books.

(See also: Swami Ramdas, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

NUMINOSITY - a light in the aura attracting psyche energy and inspiring the individual to develop his or her spirituality and psychic understanding (Jung) (NAD)

(See also: NUMINOSITY, Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING - n or adj. inspiring radical ecological, women’s, gay or spiritual awareness in self or others. (NAD)

(See also: CONSCIOUSNESS, Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Overshadowing Generally used in references to the spiritual influence exercised by a higher being upon a lower, as in the case of an excarnate buddha, who is said to overshadow and thus to inspire or enlighten living men on earth.

(See also: Overshadowing, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Nagal. The title of the chief Sorcerer or "medicine man" of some tribes of Mexican Indians. These keep always a daimon or god, in the shape of a serpent - and sometimes some other sacred animal - who is said to inspire them.

(See also: Nagal, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Bath Kol (Hebrew, Jewish). Daughter of the Voice: the Divine afflatus, or inspiration, by which the prophets of Israel were inspired as by a voice from Heaven and the Mercy-Seat. In Latin Filia Vocis. An analogous ideal is found in Hindu exoteric theology named Vach, the voice, the female essence, an aspect of Aditi, the mother of the gods and primeval Light; a mystery.

(See also: Bath Kol, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Vine A symbol of inspiration and of spiritual fertility, both as a tree with many branches and as the producer of grapes and wine. It was sacred to Dionysus-Bacchus when that god and his wine stood for spiritual inspiration and when the only kind of inspiration was artificial stimulation of the lower vital centers. It occurs frequently in the Old Testament, and in John (15:1, 5) we read: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandmen . . . I am the vine, ye are the branches." Osiris-Isis is said to have taught humanity the use of the vine, music, astronomy, and geometry, as well as other sciences and arts.

Much could be said about the vine and the juice -- fresh or fermented -- of its fruit. Ancient peoples selected certain animals or plants as emblems of spiritual and mystical facts. Thus with the Mediterranean peoples the juice of grapes was chosen as an emblem of inspiration.

(See also: Vine, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Manas-taijasa (Sanskrit) [from manas mind + taijasa radiant, radiating]

The radiant mind; the mind which radiates its own manasic characteristic or svabhava. As this with invariability takes place when manas is stimulated by buddhi, it likewise signifies the union of manas with buddhi, or the human reason lighted by the inspiring fire of the spiritual or buddhic monad.

(See also: Manas-taijasa, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

O-mi-to Fo, Amita Fo (Chinese) The Chinese form of Amita Buddha (Sanskrit, "boundless buddja") a title given to the cosmic manifested buddhi or mahabuddhi, equivalent to the Second Logos, which is resident in the essence of every entity in the universe as its inspiring and guiding spiritual light.

(See also: O-mi-to Fo, Amita Fo, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Pan-Eu-Rhythmia: Dance-Yoga that regulates the physical and nervous systems and thus attunes one to the subtle energies of the natural and spiritual worlds. Its design is to enable one to channel universal energy and inspiration.

(See also: Pan-Eu-Rhythmia, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)