The Sufi Side of Jesus, with Neil Douglas-Klotz

We interview Neil Douglas-Klotz, revealer of mysteries about Jesus.

Neil Douglas-Klotz discusses his journey of discovering the Aramaic version of Jesus and its impact on his life. He shares how his upbringing in a free-thinking household and exposure to various languages influenced his spiritual path. Neil also recounts childhood experiences that sparked his curiosity about Jesus and led him to explore the Aramaic language. He explains the importance of understanding the different ways of viewing the world and knowing in ancient cultures, and how his work aims to present a different way of knowing and cosmology. Neil emphasizes the need to go beyond translations and delve into the deeper meaning of Jesus' teachings. The conversation explores various themes related to the Aramaic language and its connection to the teachings of Jesus. The guests discuss the importance of understanding the original Aramaic words and their meanings to gain a deeper understanding of Jesus' message. They highlight the significance of breath, light, and fire in Aramaic and how these words can change the interpretation of biblical texts. The conversation also touches on the concept of mind and heart in Aramaic, emphasizing the importance of connecting with the deeper heart and the always-on breath. Other topics include the feminine gendering of the word 'kingdom' in Aramaic, the idea of holiness as creating space for what's important in life, and the interpretation of Paul's teachings. The conversation concludes with a discussion on speaking in tongues and the completion and fullness of Jesus' mission.

Takeaways
Neil Douglas-Klotz discovered the Aramaic version of Jesus through his upbringing in a free-thinking household and exposure to various languages.
His childhood experiences and inner urge to understand Jesus led him to explore the Aramaic language and its impact on his spiritual journey.
Neil emphasizes the importance of understanding the different ways of viewing the world and knowing in ancient cultures.
His work aims to present a different way of knowing and cosmology, going beyond translations to delve into the deeper meaning of Jesus' teachings. Understanding the original Aramaic words and their meanings can provide a deeper understanding of Jesus' teachings.
The words breath, light, and fire in Aramaic can change the interpretation of biblical texts.
In Aramaic, there is no word for mind, only heart. The goal is to clear the surface of the heart and connect with the deeper heart.
The word 'kingdom' in Aramaic is feminine gendered, highlighting the importance of the divine feminine.
Holiness is about creating space for what is important in life.
Paul's teachings should be interpreted in their specific context and not as universal rules.
Speaking in tongues has a connection to the Aramaic language, but genuine channeling of Aramaic is rare.
Jesus' statement 'it is finished' on the cross signifies completion and fulfillment of his purpose.
The conversation highlights the importance of unraveling traditional interpretations and following one's own spiritual journey.

Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Background
03:14
Early Religious Education and Inner Experiences
06:22
Unconventional Experiences and Interpretations
08:22
Spiritual Search and Connection with Sufis
10:12
Working with Matthew Fox and Writing 'Prayers of the Cosmos'
12:25
Deepening Understanding and Expanding Work
15:30
Different Way of Viewing the World and Knowing
18:09
Jesus' Seeding of Wisdom for the Present Time
21:16
The Presence of Jesus and Oneness
23:48
Praying in the Name of Jesus and Inner Connection
26:23
From Mind to Heart
29:26
Creating Space for Holiness
31:48
Reinterpreting Paul's Teachings
36:21
Exploring Speaking in Tongues
39:07
Completion and Fullness
44:19
Unraveling Traditional Interpretations