Pneuma (pronounced Nü-Mə) is the essence or motor force of an individual; Your spirit or creative fire.

Origins

The word pneuma comes from the ancient Greek πνεῦμα, which means «breath» or «air in motion», «wind». (Compare with the similar word psyche).

In the ancient Greek philosophy, Pneuma was the active force of life, responsible for regulating the heat and movement of the internal functioning of the body. It was also the active vital force of the universe, which was introduced into the body through breathing.

Pneuma also refers to the flammable appearance of the air (oxygen), as seen when air is thrown over a fire, causing its combustion.

In biblical translations, the word pneuma often translates by «spirit», sometimes referring to the Holy Spirit.

The idea of ​​pneuma as a ghost, demonic entity or other independent spirits of corporeal forms, suggests the relationship between the invisible but felt of such being and the invisible but felt presence of the air in motion, the breath, the wind.

The idea of ​​Pneuma in different traditions

Understood as cosmological principle, the concept of Pneuma became very important for stoic philosophers. This mode of thought explained the world in terms of rational structure and matter.

In the Hebrew tradition, Pneuma represents life, consciousness and conscious and invisible agents, such as angels and demons. In Christian doctrine, the term is often related to divine inspiration; In John Pneuma is used to describe God himself, but this use is unusual in the Bible.

Stoicism and Pneuma

According to the stoic world, there are three types of pneuma, depending on the proportion of air and fire at stake. The state pneuma is a conforming and unifying pneuma that was believed to provide cohesion and stability to the matter. The Pneuma of the vital force is the force that distinguishes a thing like living and allows its growth.

Pneuma as a soul is the most burning and thin way of force and is the animal soul that permeates an organism. This concept is linked to Aristotle’s theory about Pneuma in sperm; The philosopher believed that he conferred to the eventual child the ability to locomotion and some sensory perceptions.

The Bible: the impact of Pneuma on the believer

There are many ways, according to the Bible, in which Pneuma can affect the believer. For example, it is key to acquiring spiritual knowledge. In addition to providing the believer wisdom about all aspects of life, it is said that Pneuma can even help remember things that have been forgotten.

In his facet of invisible force, Pneuma is also, according to the Bible, a means of increasing the personal power of the believer so that he can become a witness of God and his will on earth. In addition to power, the Bible also suggests that Pneuma can have a beneficial effect on the creativity of an individual and confer the ability to find a solution to almost any problem that arises.