What’s in a Name?

by Amelia Williams

I had an experience which shows how our names can work in us. The story starts at the 2000 World Congress in Bali. I was with other helpers testing youth about their talent. As we stood after the latihan, one of the helpers asked “What is the meaning of your name?” I would have sat out, feeling no need to test that again. 

But, there I was when suddenly the latihan shot through the top of my head and filled my being. My mouth then began to move with a name – and it was not my name “Galiana” given by Bapak, with which I was very satisfied. My tongue was unclear where to land, so I was not sure about all this. But clearly, something had happened!  

I wrote to Ibu Rahayu while still in Bali and her reply arrived when I returned to California. “Yes, this was a true experience, but it is best if you use the form…” I preferred the name I thought I received to Rahayu’s ‘suggestion’ so I trotted myself to the helpers and explained that I received what seemed like one name and Rahayu revised it to another name. I did not say which name was which, just asked to test how each name is for my spiritual development.

First, we tested AMALIA. Ahh – a beautiful Persian garden of color and fragrance. What’s not to like? Then, we tested AMELIA – and WHOOSH! Up went my arms in praise. There was no decoration, just a direct connection to the almighty. Well, ok, then – that’s the name.  I also received that it would help me to drop a lot of baggage. YAY! 

It happened that I was scheduled for urgent laparoscopic surgery the next week. Since this is a minor intrusion to the body, I wanted to test if I could return to latihan or would have to wait. We all received that I would know when it was time to return. As it happened, I sustained a surgical accident during the procedure which resulted in the loss of half my blood, a stay in ICU, and months of healing.

I did eventually know when I could return to latihan. What I feel I experienced was the power of my new name getting right to work.  Apparently dropping half my blood carried away much debris.