Psyche, Spirit, Awareness (Buddhism 101), Ken McLeod

In dharma discussions, many terms circulate that terms everyone seems to take for granted but whose meanings are rarely examined in a Buddhism 101 or Buddhism for Beginners manner. In this clip, Ken McLeod examines the terms "psyche" and "spirit," then considers "awareness."
Ken McLeod received traditional training mainly in the Shangpa Kagyu lineage through a long association with his principal teacher, Kalu Rinpoche, whom he met in 1970. He is the author of Wake Up to Your Life and a commentary on the Heart Sutra called An Arrow to the Heart. This interview was conducted in Los Angeles, California on November, 15, 2004.
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[@e.c.4590]

Psyche=self, soul, life. Pneuma=breath, spirit, wind and my preference is "attitude" (all depending upon contexts of course). I have great respect for Ken McLeod, his scholarship and his inspiring Buddhist translations, as well as for the many writings I have read over the years. Nevertheless, I suggest that he is obliged, as a careful, diligent translator of Buddhist texts and words, to apply the same integrity and care with Biblical and Christian terms, usages and meanings. As one who has: personally been concerned with the meaning of psyche and pneuma; years ago (1993), had a Buddhist-Christian Studies article published ("Beyond Kenosis"); for several decades practiced Christian spirituality, Buddhism and Clinical Psychotherapy (as a licensed therapist)--I request that he look again at the meaning of psyche and Pneuma and correct his misrepresentation of these being the same in meaning in Genesis (originally in Hebrew, not Greek). Psyche does Not have the same meaning use or function as "Spirit". It is Not the Greek word for breath, wind or Spirit-Pneuma is! Doing a simple Greek concordance word search for occurrences of Psyche and Pneuma in the New Testament and then also looking at a dozen or more English translations of those occurrences would make this unmistakably clear to anyone, layman or scholar. One more suggestion. Comparing or looking for similarities or differences based on words or word meanings (or etymology) is not a solid basis for "dialogue" as it does not penetrate the inner meanings meant for "the inner person". Jesus said (John 6:63) "the Spirit (pneuma, not psyche) is life-making...my words are Spirit and Life". One more verse that shows there is a distinguishable, surgically precise and significant difference between psyche and pneuma is Hebrews 4:12: "The Logos of God is energetic/powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts so deep and penetratingly as to divide "soul" (psyche) and "spirit" (pneuma)"! What makes, reveals, generates, ignites and detonates LIFE in Buddhist expression? Find that!! Then humbly one might find a glimmer of the same metaphorically breathless "Spirit", Soul and Life in both! Hint: "Bodhicitta" the "Spirit of Awakening" (one possible translation) might be a worthwhile starting point! E.C.

[@DharmaTime-is-now]

Thanks for your very thoughtful feedback!

[@trudywretched]

I thought I read somewhere that the words psyche and pneuma have a linguistic link though? and can pneuma also mean spirit?

[@tomforde9135]

Ken has a lovely voice :)

[@loveyourself_first]

Wow, that was really good. I hope to be able to attend a program with Ken McLeod someday.

[@nasrinaktershapla3044]

That was excellent.

[@priyajain6137]

Outstanding Video!

[@mdrabiulislam9669]

Love this Video🥰🥰