Prayers of the Cosmos: Meditations on the Aramaic Words of Jesus

Not being an Aramaic scholar, I cannot really comment on the alternative shades of meaning and translations contained in this book, but I can, without reservation, say reading through these words and using the body prayers makes my heart sing. After many months I go back again and again to this book when I want more expansive material for meditations. Expansive, yeah, that's exactly what it is!

In my search for the wisdom of the ancients, I have been acutely aware that we do not many original texts of Jesus' words. Klotz' translation comes so much closer to the storytelling techniques of the Middle East, that it is hard to escape the idea that this is truly how the Master sounded when he taught in person. Now we can begin to recognize the Beattitudes as the bones of the path we are to walk

One reviewer found the difference between the King James version translation and this one disturbing - well yes. That may be the point. This very small book explains how this translation was done - looking at not just literal translation but other layers of meaning. Our Sunday study group (some Christian, many not) found it deeply inspiring and enriching. It brings into sharp focus the patriarchal, hierarchical mindset of King James' translators. They were a product of their times and of whatever political pressure may have been brought to bear upon them. This book does much to expand our understanding and to expand the accessibility and usefulness of the newly translated material

Jesus' Prayer is so very familiar that it can become 'fixed' in our minds and hearts -- our old meanings, images and feelings might be rich, but may also limit the possibilities of the Spirit's ever creative prayer in us. The original Aramaic words of Jesus, and the poetry and commentaries in this book, help Jesus to "teach us to pray" anew, with fresh associations to every word. The author gives us access to a sweetness and power of this prayer that is truly too deep for words.