When God first called Moses from the burning bush, Moses answered by uttering the Hebrew word “Hineini.” (hee-nay-nee) This means “I Am Here.” This word appears 23 times in the Torah.
There are several compelling examples of the use of the word “Hineini” in this Biblical text. When God called upon Abraham to kill his son Isaac, Abraham’s response was “Hineini.” When Isaac and his father were heading to the place of the planned sacrifice, the son addressed Abraham, who also responded by saying “Hineini.”
What is being communicated when this word is used? The answer springs from understanding that the Torah (the Five Books Of Moses) is primarily a spiritual document. Though the communication describes stories, history, human interaction, events, lessons, directives, prohibitions, and relationships, the essence is about how to be spiritual.
Spiritual monologues are instructions that teach how to be more like God. After all, God said, “You will be Holy, For I, the Lord your God, am Holy.” As explained in a previous Blog, this means: “You will explore being different in the way that I, the only purely Spiritual Entity that has ever existed and ever will exist, Am different.” God is different by being that uniquely separate and non-material Deity. Mortal beings are tasked to associate with our ethereal selves.
Although we were born into and live and die in a world described by its characteristic of having substance, we have the potential to awaken and connect with our God-like spiritual aspect. This alternative reality is an important component of our nature. We have within our human makeup a soul. A reflection of the Deity. It is the image of God.
We bridge these earthly and heavenly planes by mindful and intentional focusing. This attention to meditative concentration while suppressing [and ideally negating] distraction allows us to embrace and empower our transcendent abilities.
Our unbridled thoughts, active imaginations, and keen senses are the developing blueprints for controlling and taking advantage of our world. The goal for ultimate spiritual fulfillment is to overcome and dominate these diversions. We can suppress and regulate them to prevent being controlled by the enticements of the physical universe.
The interaction between the material and spiritual expands and enhances each other. This reciprocation leads to the ultimate expression and potential within the physical world. As the material enhancement is achieved, the spiritual can soar. The heavenly realm is a perfect monotonous harmony. But it is a material vacuum that yearns for the earthly companion to parallel it without disturbing its pure spirituality. Bridging the two realms is a meditative feat. It is best accomplished by single mindedly focusing thought and perception.
“I Am Here” are the words that encompass the entire bonding of the heavenly and earthly powers into a single force of consciousness.
“I” refers to the entire, complete, and fully actualized self. Nothing is missing. There is no extraneity. The individual is self grounded. One sees oneself as an integral part of the whole universe in which he or she dwells. All of the connections in this grand schema of creation and a person’s place in it are sensible and natural. What is, is; and “I” is an essential constituent of it.
“Am” is a statement of existence. It is both recognition of and enjoinment with the totality of being. I live. I think. I feel. I project myself upon my environment, which reflects itself onto me. I realize my separateness in my completeness. “Am” envelops harmonious satisfaction while excluding false ego. There is clarity in purpose and lucidity of direction. Distractions of anxiety, fear, envy, and anger are relegated to the oblivion they deserve.
“Here” is this moment in this place with this attitude. Time is eternally the present. Location is everywhere and nowhere. Thought and emotion are irrelevant. Concentration on the epiphany being experienced is all consuming and rewarding.
“I Am Here” fuses the earthly and heavenly planes. A person becomes as close to being like God as is possible while occupying a physical body. This accomplishment is the ultimate goal of Creation. It completes the work of repairing the limitations of our material world.
The extent of mindfully uttering this phrase implicates perceiving oneself objectively without emotion or braggadocio, being complete within a merging of the spiritual and material realms, and transcending the restrictions of space and time. It is achieved by employing an all-embracing focus by the mind and the soul. The result is ultimate self-awareness leading to the repair and elevation of our origins in the tangible world.
By coalescing the sublime into the mundane, a potent force emerges. The celestial adds a dimension of infiniteness to the worldly. Restrictions are curtailed. Limitations are surpassed.
One who knows of oneself that “I Am Here” experiences life beyond the edge of earthly opportunity and expectation. It all begins by learning and developing the skills of undistracted meditation. Culminating in an unvarnished appreciation of the true nature of our sensory input, mental and emotional clarity flourish.
Life’s events and pursuits are augmented by insights and episodes in life that build from no apparent preceding stimuli. What may have been previously classified as random epiphanies and coincidences are now known as the action of the infinite and eternal upon the finite and circumscribed. Arbitrariness becomes awesomeness. Endless possibilities awaken.
Human sentience reaching for celestial opportunity describes the purpose of creation. Earthly life gains heavenly expansiveness. Spiritual harmony acquires a logical grounding. Both benefit. Either is insufficient and weak without what the other adds to it. Mortal consciousness and focus are the effort needed to achieve this goal.
When “Hineini” appears in the Bible, the moment is one of a mortal human being attaining utmost and fundamental heights of spirituality. A task of transcendence is offered. A relationship builds to fulfillment.
Using the phrase “I Am Here” is itself focusing and enhances meditation. It is a complete mantra to connect to the soul within us. Saying these words mindfully while excluding distraction can develop a spiritual life. In this way, we become Holy, like God is Holy.
Health and Spirit by Dr. Jack Zoldan 