What's in a Name?

There is a well known practice within toning circles of chanting names. This can be done in all manner of ways, with each person chanting their name into the group and the others echoing this back, or everyone chanting just the vowel sounds within their names all at once, or even one person in the center of a circle receiving their name as it is chanted by everyone else. There is a soothing and healing gift within this practice.

There is a great deal of power within a name. First of all, the name itself as it sounds carries a certain frequency. Then there is the power within the sound of each present vowel. And then there is the traditional meaning of the name, and finally, there is the personal meaning and associations. Chanting your name to yourself can help you uncover the secret energy treasures within your name.

What if you have always disliked your name or just feel energetically detached from it? Well, if you dislike your name, chanting may help you cultivate an appreciation for it. And often, hearing others chant it can restore it to its original power template free of any negative associations you may have. But what if you do not resonate with your name?

I believe that names should help us remember who we are and where we are going. Names should reflect our service to the world. But often our given names just do not fulfill this purpose.

When I had just turned was 38, I was in a near-fatal car incident. I was driving home late at night when two coyotes crossed in front of me on the freeway. I slammed by brakes and spun out of control as my life really did flash before my eyes. It was a strange time-space suspension experience. When I finally stopped spinning, I was facing oncoming traffic on the freeway. By miraculous protection, I was able to right myself and pull over. The odd thing was, I had no fear. As I was pulled over on the shoulder, I heard myself say, "Just take your time. Relax." But I already was relaxed. My heart wasnt even racing. When I woke up the next morning, I had a knowing that I had to change my name.

About this same time, I was reading The Fifth Mountain by Paulo Coelho. In it the prophet Elijah experiences a death of sorts of his old life and so chooses a new name to reflect his new life. His purpose becomes his name. Whatever name I received, I wanted it to reflect my purpose.

So, I spent the next couple of months nameless. I shook off the trappings and energy of my old name and awaited the revealing of my new name. I had been reading Being and Vibration
by Joseph Rael in which he writes that the name of humanity is Drinking the Light. I liked that phrase. It spoke to me of my truth. But I was not about to go around calling myself Drinking the Light. So I waited some more.

About this same time, my job contract ended, my lease was up, and I was freshly divorced. So I packed up what I could fit in my car and drove away following a call into my new life. Somewhere on the road between Ohio and Pennsylania, I heard a voice say "Giselle." My reaction was, "You have got to be kidding me." But the voice was insistent, so I just sat with it for awhile. Giselle turned out to be a hint. The rhyming Dielle was the answer, a derivitive of Drinking the Light. Only later did I learn that Dielle held additional meaning that pointed to the service I am here to provide.

Not everybody wants or needs to change their name of course. But I encourage you to consider the symbol of your name and whether or not and in what ways it serves your life...or maybe even limits you. And if you find your current name somehow lacking in energy for you at his time in your life, ask to receive a new one, one that will remind you of your truth. It will be given. It is up to you whether or not you use that name secretly or publicly or at all.