Below are copies of posts from December, 2008, that explain our name and why we chose it…just in case you don’t want to dig back through the archives!

Let’s begin with a riddle: ‘Why would an American use a Tamil word to name a website?’

I remember traveling through South America after eleven years of Spanish-language training. I was positively amazed at my complete lack of confidence. Phrases tumbled from my mouth like a house of cards in an earthquake, and I was completely unable to stand 100% behind my words, even though I encountered nothing but linguistic kindness and compassion in shops and restaurants. At times, it was as if I were two people – visitor and local. I would have bizarre out-of-body-like experiences, simultaneously talking and listening, judging my language ability as I was uttering it. My studies of Latin, Greek, German, and Japanese, have also led to similar situations, urging me to stick close to my “English” safety zone.

Even a casual observer of language may discern particular subtleties that are lost in translation that may lead to feelings of embarrassment if one has not perfected local dialects and tones. Sometimes that embarrassment is only perceived; at other times, real. Anyone familiar with the famous Kennedy quote, “Ich bin ein Berliner,” and the legend surrounding it, understands how history, remote or recent, can plague the well-meaning foreigner. According to lore, Kennedy’s famous statement of solidarity with the people of West Berlin, was actually a pronouncement that he was a jelly-filled baked good (Berliner). History and grammar have done their best to exonerate President Kennedy, but the joke remains. In this case, we clearly see the comedy of possibility is longer-lasting than the dramatic truth.

I am not from Tamil Nadu. I do not speak Tamil. However, the word orumai found me and struck me. I investigated and saw it translated as “oneness”. I checked with a friend from Tamil Nadu who indicated the word means “unity”.  From there, the love affair began. I know others may have another translation for this word, and will have their own contextual uses for it. But that only lends to its spirit. If it were to mean, “unity” and “a jelly-filled pastry from India,” that would not denigrate the spirit of this site, but only enhance it. Why not have unity and pastry?

Our mothers tell us to keep away from discussions of religion (and its twin, politics) in polite company in order that we may not offend. And in most cases, this is sound advice. But with all due respect, as we enter a new era of crisis and possibility on this planet, the true offense is silence.  We need resources to enable change, rather than cripple it.

At Orumai, we have a unique opportunity to come together peacefully and responsibly. The spirit of Orumai is that we can be of different view and one mind. But let us be charitable. Let us be respectful. And, above all, let us be open-minded.

And now, the answer to our riddle.

Orumai stands for “unity”. The definition solves the riddle. The word is an expression of union and oneness. I like to think of it as a handshake across the miles, across the years, and throughout history. For those visiting this site, I shake your hand. Let us explore the spirit of unity together. In time, you will find videos, articles, and podcasts covering the world of spirituality, religion, culture, wellness, and relevant news. And, of course, we will have room for good old-fashioned discussion and debate.

Welcome to this place on the way…

Why, “A Place on the Way”?

It sounds nice. But that’s not why.

All rivers lead to the sea. Or something like that. If you were on a raft on one of these rivers, your destination would be certain. You could make as many plans as you wanted along the route. You might decide to camp out, take in a little fishing, or visit with the locals.

But if you stayed afloat long enough…if you were not diverted too long into pleasantries and distractions…if you were entirely committed to the journey, your destination would be certain. You would reach the sea.

The spiritual journey is this way, in many respects. We set out on individual tributaries of consciousness to reach the infinite ocean.

To do this, we hop aboard our watercrafts – yoga, tai chi, meditation, journaling, service, prayer, devotion, healing. Maybe we make a few stops on the way. It could be the ashram, the church, the temple, a volunteer opportunity…but if we paddle long enough through a lifetime or lifetimes, the end is certain…the ocean of unity.

We are all on the journey just described, but there is a continuum of just how conscious we are of it…how aware we are we are on it. One is not better or worse than anyone else. Just different.

If you’ve ever taken a road trip, you know there are many sights along the way. Do you stop at every one? No. You pick your favorites – the ones that strike your interest, and you pull over for a few minutes. You give your attention to the place and take in its history, its sights, its sounds. Then, it’s back on the road.

Orumai.com is a stopping point. A place to rest. We are all on the way, and Orumai.com is a place to check in with other travelers. It’s a place you can come back to again and again to recharge and recharge others. If you are here, we welcome you. If you stay awhile, put your feet up. If you are just passing through, we wish you well.

It’s just Orumai. A place on the way…a place on your way.