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Summary of Question:	Name Changing?
Category:	Other
Date Posted:	Saturday, 4/23/2005 1:14 PM MDT

Hello, thank you for your time. I am writing a play about a young, caucasian, 'all American' man who, after a long absense, comes home with a new religion, a new name, and what is essentially a new being. It is a play about identity, expectation, allegiance and how the seemingly simple question 'what's in a name?' can be so complicated. I am curious to learn about religions, religious practices, or spiritual journeys that either through edict or evolution result in one taking on a new name. I would either like to start a dialogue with someone knowledgable in these matters or gain some insight as to how I might point my research in the right direction. Please let me know if you can be of any help.

Sincerely,

Raymond Wortel
(REPLY) Sat Nam. Names are labels, of course, but at the same time, they become a "mantra" -- they have an effect upon us, and upon others, every time they are spoken. Think about all the movie stars who have changed their names! A spiritual name, given when one embarks upon a spiritual path, represents one's destiny. I'm sure you know that when a woman enters a Catholic convent, she is given a new name. In 3HO we were blessed to have a spiritual teacher who gave names to those who requested them. As a yoga master he knew the potential greatness in each person, and would give a name to reinforce and assist the person to relate strongly to the fulfillment of that vibratory frequency. In the Sikh tradition, babies are named with the guidance of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, our living Guru. SP