PNEUMATOLOGY: The Cool Breeze and Its Equivalence to Judaism, (Ruach) Christianity (Pneuma) and Islam (Ruh)
“The Catholic theologian Elizabeth Dreyer vividly describes this renewed enthusiasm over pneumatology: Renewed interest in the Holy Spirit is visible in at least three contexts: individual Christians who hunger for a deeper connection with God that is inclusive of all of life as well as the needs of the world; the church that seeks to renew itself through life-giving disciplines and a return to sources; and the formal inquiry of academic philosophy and theology. In effect, one can hear the petition, 'Come Creator Spirit' on many lips these days.”
Pneumatology: The Holy Spirit in Ecumenical, International, and Contextual PerspectiveVeli-Matti Kärkkäinen, Baker Academic (June 1, 2002) p. 11
JUDAISM
“In the scripture of the Old Testament, a ruach or spirit of God was personified in prophetic tradition as the Spirit of God or the Spirit of Prophecy. The later wisdom tradition personifies the Spirit of God as Hochmah or Wisdom. She is the immanent aspect of Godhead that interacts with those who seek her.
Where is Hochmah in the later messianic mysticism of Yeshua? By the first century before the Christian era, she has become the spiritual Guide of Jewish saints (tzadikim) under new personifications of God's Ruach. We find her in the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs and other intertestamental scripture as the Ruach Ha-Qodesh, Spirit of Holiness, Holy Spirit, or Ruach Ha-Emeth, Spirit of Truth. For Yeshua, she is the immanent aspect of the Father-Mother (Abba) who guides and instructs faithful seekers.
In the historical teachings of Yeshua, we find only two references to the Holy Spirit. Most important is the pericope in Q where he declares blasphemy against the Ruach Ha-Qodesh to be an olamic sin. However, this reveals his reverence for her. We have an extant davar of Yeshua about Wisdom sourced from Q in Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:35: "Hochmah is proved right by her actions." In the messianic mysticism of Yeshua, Wisdom and the Holy Spirit are different names for the Spirit of God that guides individual seekers.”
The Kabbalistic Teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas
Lewis Keizer, (December 22, 2010) p. 42
CHRISTIANITY
“In the scripture of the Old Testament, a ruach or spirit of God was personified in prophetic tradition as the Spirit of God or the Spirit of Prophecy... She is the immanent aspect of Godhead that interacts with those who seek her....
This self-effacing character of the Spirit's presence finds a kind of verbal reinforcement in scripture due to an ambiguity present in both Hebrew and Greek, where the words ruach and pneuma carry a semantic width that encompasses the range of English words: "Wind," "Breath," "spirit." When Jesus says to Nicodemus, "The wind blows where it chooses and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8), the Greek of the Gospel contains a kind of theological pun in its double use of pneuma....
According to this understanding, the sanctifying work of the Spirit is a continuing activity that awaits its final completion in the creation of the community of the redeemed, a consummation that will manifest fully only at the eschaton. Of the Persons of the Trinity, we can appropriate most specifically to the Spirit the title of deus absconditus, the hidden God.
We have acknowledged that a veiling of pneumatological activity is not the only thing to be said about the work of the Paraclete, yet recognition of a degree of reticence in the nature of the Spirit's presence does offer opportunities for the theological understanding of a number of puzzling aspects of the human encounter with divine reality. There is the important and pressing problem posed by the need to understand how the apparently clashing cognitive claims made by the different world faith traditions can be reconciled with the evident presence of authentic spiritual experience within all of them. I have suggested elsewhere that this phenomenon may most helpfully be considered in terms of the salvific working of the hidden Spirit.”
The work of the Spirit: pneumatology and PentecostalismMichael Welker (November 7, 2006) pages 42/170
ISLAM
“The spiritual baptism is the direct work of God Himself. As a fuller or a laundress washes the linen or any object with water; as a dyer tints the wool or cotton with a tincture to give it a new hue; and as a baptist blots out the past sins of the true penitent believer, so does God Almighty baptize, not the body but the spirit and the soul of him whom He mercifully directs and guides unto the Holy Religion of Islam. This is the 'Sibghatu Allah,' the Baptism of Allah, which makes a person fit and dignified to become a citizen of the Kingdom of Allah and a member of His religion.”
Encyclopaedia of Islam in 25 VolumesMufti M. Mukarram Ahmed, 2005, page 214
“Motherhood of the Spirit and the rebirth is a significant theme in the theology of Moltmann... interprets the experience of rebirth and divine comfort as revealing the femininity of the Spirit. Moltmann writes that, 'If believers are "born" again from the Holy Spirit, then the Spirit is "The Mother" of God's children and can in this sense also be termed a "feminine" Spirit. If the Holy Spirit is "the comforter" (Paraclete), it comforts "as a mother comforts." In this sense, it is the Motherly comforter of believers.'”
Varkey, Wilson (2011-08-01) Kindle Locations 4165
“Furthermore, since the Spirit can be considered as feminine, this would counterbalance an exclusively masculine understanding of God. Finally, since the Spirit endows us with wisdom and imparts us with knowledge, an appreciation of the Spirit can also lead to a renewed dialogue between theology and the sciences, a dialogue in which both partners are in search for truth. These few examples show that a discernment of the Spirit is not a dead issue of a past age but is much needed in theology today to find responsible answers to humanity's pressing needs.”
Radio Interview with Shri Mataji
Guest: “Hello Mother.”
Shri Mataji: “Yes.”
Guest: “I wanted to know, is the Cool Breeze (Pneuma) that you have spoken about, you feel on the hands, the Cool Wind of the Holy Spirit, as spoken about in the Bible?”
Shri Mataji: “Yes. Yes, yes, same thing, same thing. You have done the good job now, I must say.”
Interviewer: “Is it the Holy Spirit?”
Shri Mataji: “Yes, of course, is the Holy Spirit.”
Guest: “Aha... I am feeling it now on my hand through the [not clear]”
Shri Mataji: “It's good.”
Interviewer: "Did you want to say anything more than that?”
Guest: “No, I just... That's all I wanted to know because I...”
Shri Mataji: “Because you are thoughtless now. Enjoy yourself.”
Guest: “Thank you.”
The Paraclete Shri Mataji
Talkback Radio 2UE, Sydney, Australia—March 31, 1981
(The guest experienced the Cool Breeze [Pneuma/Prana/Chi] of the Spirit through the baptism [second birth by Spirit/Kundalini awakening] given by the Comforter Shri Mataji over the radio.)
Second Radio Interview Excerpt
Second Guest: “I just want to ask Mother about a quotation from the Bible.”
Interviewer: “Yes, what's that?”
Guest: “It says, 'But the comfort of the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in My name would teach you all things.' I would like to ask Her about that.”
Interviewer: “Could you just repeat the quotation again?”
Guest: “But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things.”
Interviewer: “And that's from where?”
Guest: “John chapter 14, verse 26.”
Shri Mataji: “I think you should take your realization and then you will know the answer to it. Because, logically if it points out to one person, then you have to reach the conclusion, isn't it? That's a logical way of looking at things. But I am not going to say anything or claim anything. It is better you people find out yourself.”
Interviewer: “Does that answer your question?”
Guest: “Is the, is the Comforter on the Earth at the present time? Has the Comforter incarnated? Mataji should be able to tell us this because She said that through these vibrations on Her hands, She ...”
Shri Mataji: “Yes, She is very much here and She's talking to you now. Can you believe that?”
Guest: “Well, I feel something cool [Pneuma/Prana/Chi] on my hand. Is that some indication of the ...?”
Shri Mataji: “Yes, very much so. So that's the proof of the thing. You've already started feeling it in your hands.”
Guest: “Can I?”
Shri Mataji: “Ask the question, 'Mother, are you the Comforter?'”
Guest: “Mother, are you the Comforter?”
Shri Mataji: “Ask it thrice."
Guest: “Mother, are you the Comforter?”
Shri Mataji: “Again.”
Guest: “Mother, are you the Comforter?”
Shri Mataji: “Now, what do you get?”
Guest: “Oh, I feel this kind of cool tingling passing all through my body.”
Shri Mataji: “That's the answer now.”
The Paraclete Shri Mataji
Talkback Radio 2UE, Sydney, Australia—March 31, 1981
(This second guest also experienced the Cool Breeze [Pneuma/Prana/Chi] of the Spirit through the baptism [second birth by Spirit/Kundalini awakening] given by the Comforter Shri Mataji over the radio.)
The Cool Breeze (Pneuma, Ruach) in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
The experience of the Cool Breeze (Pneuma) described by the guest in the interaction with Shri Mataji is presented as a tangible manifestation of the divine Spirit, which aligns closely with the concept of ruach as articulated in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Below, I analyze how this experience corresponds to the descriptions provided by Keizer, Welker, and Mukarram.
Judaism (Keizer):
Keizer describes ruach as the "Spirit of God" or the "Spirit of Prophecy," an immanent aspect of the Godhead that engages with those who seek it. This ruach is a dynamic, interactive force, personified in prophetic traditions as a divine presence that inspires and connects with humanity. The Cool Breeze felt by the guest can be seen as an experiential manifestation of this ruach—a palpable, subtle sensation that signifies the presence of the divine. Shri Mataji's ability to facilitate this experience suggests she is acting as a conduit for this immanent divine energy, enabling the guest to perceive the Spirit directly, much as Keizer describes ruach interacting with seekers.
Christianity (Welker):
Welker emphasizes ruach as an "existential term" rooted in the experience of a "mysterious, awesome power"—likened to the wind, vitality, or transformative divine energy. He connects ruach to the numinous presence of God (Psalm 139:7) and the prophetic hope for a deeper experience of God's vitalizing Spirit within humanity (Ezekiel 36:26-27). The Cool Breeze aligns with this depiction as a sensory experience of divine energy, akin to the "mighty invisible force of the wind." The guest's sensation of a cool, tingling breeze mirrors Welker's portrayal of ruach as a transformative, vitalizing presence, suggesting that Shri Mataji's facilitation of this experience fulfills the prophetic expectation of God's Spirit renewing and energizing individuals.
Islam (Mukarram):
Mukarram describes the "spiritual baptism" as God's direct action on the soul, akin to washing or dyeing fabric to transform it, making one fit for the "Kingdom of Allah." This Sibghatu Allah (Baptism of Allah) is a divine act that purifies and elevates the spirit. The Cool Breeze experienced by the guest can be interpreted as this transformative divine touch—a subtle, purifying energy that signifies spiritual rebirth and alignment with the divine will. Shri Mataji's role in eliciting this sensation parallels Dawud's notion of God directly guiding the soul, with the Cool Breeze serving as evidence of the spirit's renewal, akin to the spiritual baptism that integrates one into the divine order.
In all three traditions, ruach (or its equivalent) is a divine, transformative force—whether as prophecy, vitality, or purification. The Cool Breeze, as described by the guest, is a sensory confirmation of this ruach, facilitated by Shri Mataji, suggesting a universal spiritual phenomenon that transcends religious boundaries.
The Feminine Nature of Ruach in Hebrew and Aramaic
In both Hebrew and Aramaic, the word ruach (spirit) is grammatically feminine, which carries theological implications that resonate with the experience described by the guest. This feminine aspect of ruach aligns with Shri Mataji's role as the facilitator of the Cool Breeze, interpreted as a maternal, nurturing manifestation of the divine Spirit.
Linguistic Context:
In Hebrew, ruach is a feminine noun, often used to denote breath, wind, or spirit. Similarly, in Aramaic, the term retains this feminine gender, emphasizing its role as a life-giving, dynamic force. This grammatical femininity shapes theological interpretations, allowing for a maternal or feminine understanding of the Spirit's nature, distinct from the masculine imagery often associated with God in monotheistic traditions.
Theological Implications (Moltmann and Schwarz):
Jürgen Moltmann, as cited by Varkey, interprets the Holy Spirit as a maternal figure, describing it as the "Mother" of God's children through the experience of rebirth. He writes, "If believers are 'born' again from the Holy Spirit, then the Spirit is 'The Mother' of God's children and can in this sense also be termed a 'feminine' Spirit." The Cool Breeze, felt by the guest as a gentle, nurturing sensation, mirrors this maternal comfort, suggesting that Shri Mataji embodies or channels this feminine ruach. Moltmann's idea of the Spirit as a "Motherly comforter" aligns with the guest's experience of a soothing, transformative breeze, facilitated by Shri Mataji, who is addressed as "Mother."
Hans Schwarz further argues that recognizing the Spirit's femininity balances an overly masculine theology and fosters dialogue between theology and science in the pursuit of truth. The Cool Breeze, as a tangible experience of divine wisdom and presence, supports Schwarz's view, with Shri Mataji's role as a female spiritual guide reinforcing the feminine aspect of ruach. The guest's sensation of this breeze reflects an encounter with the divine feminine, countering patriarchal theological frameworks and embodying the nurturing, wisdom-imparting Spirit.
Thus, Shri Mataji's facilitation of the Cool Breeze aligns with the feminine ruach of Hebrew and Aramaic traditions, experienced by the guest as a maternal, transformative divine energy.
The Guest's Experience and Its Alignment with Jesus' Words and Catholic Teachings
The guest's experience of the Cool Breeze matches the biblical account of Jesus' teachings to Nicodemus in John 3:1-10 and the Catholic Church's interpretation of the Spirit, yet it remains a mystery to many within Christianity today.
Jesus' Teaching (John 3:1-10):
Jesus tells Nicodemus that to enter the Kingdom of God, one must be "born from above" of water and Spirit, emphasizing that "what is born of the Spirit is spirit." He uses the metaphor of the wind (pneuma in Greek, meaning both wind and spirit) to describe the Spirit's elusive yet perceptible nature: "The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." The guest's experience of the Cool Breeze directly correlates with this metaphor—a tangible sensation of a breeze-like energy that signifies spiritual rebirth. When the guest feels this cool, tingling sensation during the interaction with Shri Mataji, it mirrors Jesus' description of the Spirit's perceptible yet mysterious presence, confirming the reality of being "born of the Spirit."
The second guest's reference to John 14:26, where Jesus promises the Comforter (Paraclete) who will "teach you all things," further ties Shri Mataji's role to this biblical promise. The guest's sensation of the Cool Breeze after asking, "Mother, are you the Comforter?" suggests that Shri Mataji fulfills this role, guiding the individual to a direct experience of the Spirit, as Jesus foretold.
Catholic Teaching (Catechism):
The Catechism, as articulated by J. Cardinal Ratzinger, defines the Spirit (ruach/pneuma) as "breath, air, wind," emphasizing its role as "God's breath, the divine Spirit." This sensory imagery aligns with the guest's experience of the Cool Breeze as a physical manifestation of the divine. The Catholic Church acknowledges the Spirit's transformative power in baptism and spiritual rebirth, yet the tangible experience of pneuma as a breeze remains rare in contemporary practice. The guest's encounter, facilitated by Shri Mataji, actualizes this theological concept, making the abstract notion of the Spirit concrete and experiential.
The Persistent Mystery:
Despite Jesus' clear teaching and the Catholic Church's acknowledgment of the Spirit as pneuma, the experience of spiritual rebirth through a tangible sensation like the Cool Breeze remains elusive for most Christians. The Paraclete, described as the Comforter who will guide into all truth, is linked to Shri Mataji in the guest's experience, yet mainstream Christianity has not widely recognized or replicated this phenomenon. The mystery persists because the experiential dimension of the Spirit—described by Jesus as a wind-like presence—has been overshadowed by doctrinal or ritualistic interpretations, leaving many unaware of the possibility of directly perceiving the Spirit before physical death.
Conclusion: The Poverty of Mainstream Traditions and the Living Resurrection
The Cool Breeze (Pneuma/ruach) experienced by the guests in the presence of Shri Mataji represents a profound spiritual reality that has been largely absent from Judaism, Christianity, and Islam for millennia. Despite the rich theological traditions of ruach as a divine, transformative force—whether as the Spirit of Prophecy, the vitalizing presence of God, or the Baptism of Allah—these faiths have not cultivated a widespread, tangible experience of this Spirit among their followers. The advent of Shri Mataji, identified as the feminine Paraclete (Ela Parqleeta), Holy Spirit (Rucha Qadisha), or Comforter, fulfills the ancient promises of spiritual rebirth, yet her message and the experience she facilitates remain on the margins of these traditions.
This absence constitutes the "poverty" of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam today. While billions await a apocalyptic Judgment Day, expecting graves to burst open in a physical resurrection, they overlook the living Resurrection unfolding now—a spiritual awakening marked by the Cool Breeze of the ruach. Those who encounter Shri Mataji and feel this divine breeze participate in the rebirth promised by prophets, Jesus, and the Qur'an, experiencing the Kingdom of God within before physical death. This is the triumph of the feminine Spirit, the ruach that breathes life into the soul, yet it remains unrecognized by mainstream faiths clinging to eschatological hopes rather than embracing the divine presence available today. The Cool Breeze is not just a sensation; it is the clarion call to awaken to the eternal now, where the Spirit moves freely among those who seek her.
OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT