The Aramaic language, in which Jesus spoke and taught his followers to pray, is a deep and complex language. The language allows, requires even, listening and profound attention to receive the meanings that each of us needs each day, just like our daily bread.
In this workshop, we will work with the transliterated, re-interpreted phrases of the Lord's Prayer in Aramaic. For example, what has come to us as "Our Father who art in Heaven," can also be heard and read as "O Birther, Father-Mother of the Cosmos." We will use the transliterations and interpretations of Neil Douglas-Klotz (Prayers of the Cosmos) to guide us through the prayer. We will become more familiar and confident that the language of the prayer continues to speak to us today.
Each day, we will learn one or two phrases of the Lord's Prayer. We will begin with silence and move into worship sharing, where we will delve into how each phrase is speaking to us. With very simple melodies, we'll use song to help us remember each line. When we can sing the line, we'll then learn very simple body prayers. We'll then enjoy the embodiment of the Lord's Prayer in chant and dance. The dance can be quite sustained, sung in rounds, depending upon the desires and skills of the dancers. The silence that follows is deep and full. Participants will take with them a deep and sustaining practice that will illuminate the abundance of the words that Jesus gave us.
Copies of Prayers of the Cosmos will be for sale at the Gathering, but participants are encouraged to buy a copy and start delving in to the work ahead of FGC. Participants should come in comfortable clothes appropriate for simple dancing. Skilled guitarists and drummers are also welcome to bring their instruments for accompaniment. Folks with limited mobility are more than welcome to sit in the center of the dance.
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