“But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” -Psalms 3:3
This first Name of God can be used as a teshuvah meditation. It is used in this manner to look into and correct the past. Vav Hei Vav is a mantra for meditation that can protect us from shame as Christ’s Grace erases our embarrassment, confusion, and instability brought by sin. It emphasizes on the correction of past errors and helps assist us return to control. Using this mantras indicates remorse.
It’s also a mantra for the gift of the spirit of prophecy. One may use this to deepen their relationship with the Holy Spirit to receive visions of the past, present, and/or future. In Kabbalah it is known as the “time travel” Name of God because in Christ it cleanses us; past, present, and future; and because of its ties to the spirit of revelation.
Vav
Vav (or waw, or wav, or vaw,) is the sixth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. It signifies the number 6, or 6,000 when referring to years. Vav is shaped like a hook. It has the power to unite everything that is separated in creation. It represents kav, Hebrew for “window.” It connects God’s perfection to the created world. God guides existence step by step.
Within us, this refers to the guidance to eventually the perfect unity to God through Christ. It is a window through which we may see all God has revealed. Through the window of Vav we gain the direct light of God, given to us through Christ, filliong us with the Holy Spirit.
Vav contains the power to connect the heavens and earth. This is Jacob’s ladder, rooted in earth, extended into the heavens. It is the priesthood, the power of God, sent from above down to mankind, God’s created beings. It represents the six days of the creation of the world, and thus the six stages of teshuvah. It also reminds us of the six physical dimensions; right to left, front to back, up to down). Vav can teach us the state of constant presence needed to connect our own heaven and earth (physical and spiritual aspects).
Hei
Hei (or He) is the fifth letter in the Hebrew Alphabet. It signifies the number 5, or 5,000 when referring to years. Representing divine revelation,it is said the world was created with the utterance of the Hei. It represents the gift of life, both created and spiritual life. In Kabbalah it is the symbol of divinity, gentility, and specificity.
Through Hei we gain the freedom of choice. We have walked through the doorway and climbed the stairway of Delet. We now gain an audience with God. No longer trapped by sin, we have regained our free agency.
In Judaism, many Jews use Hei as a way of saying “God” without actually saying the name of God. It is an abbreviation of the term “Hashem,” which means “The Name.”
Mudras, Mantras, & Mandalas
Mantra
The mantra here is “Vav Hei Vav.” This should be said or thought on a inhale of breath, and again on an exhale. One may also add a phrase or short passage of scripture. Example: inhale, “Vav Hei Vav;” exhale, “God redeems” to better let the spirit breathe.
Mandala
While doing this one may wish to draw the letters in Hebrew, as seen above, or look at them. Some images to combine to create a mandala would be a cross, or a heart. One should use images that remind them of healing, repentance, and forgiveness.
Mudra
The prayer mudra is excellent with this Name. The plea mudra would also work with this Name. This is made by placing the hands together, as done in the prayer mudra, and intertwining the fingers. Other mudras may be used as well, as the Spirit directs.
Temple Mudra
If one holds priesthood keys they may use the temple mudras with this mantra to gain greater spiritual guidance. Endowing Vav-Hei-Vav with power from the temple will unlock doors into worlds without end for the righteous. Temple tokens used in conjunction with the Shem HaMephorash mantras will unlock the power of God, and the power of His temple, in one’s life.
For those inducted in to the priesthood and given the First Sign of the Lesser Priesthood, the Sign of the Law of Sacrifice, this mudra would also be appropriate. This sign is made by bringing the right arm to the square, the palm of the hand to the front, the fingers close together, and the thumb extended. I
Prayer
One may use the following prayer to help begin and/or end the process:
Lord, I open my heart to you in remorse of my past misdeeds. I accept your judgement and acknowledge that past sins have created problems both in my life and the lives of others. I ask for Christ’s mercy in my life, and for His mercy to bless the lives that have come to harm due to my actions. I pray that thou will help me as I uproot the negative seed I have planted. Please bless and help me plant a new seed of your Word that will bring peace to my past, present, and future and pour your light from my kli into the lives of others. In Jesus name I pray, So mote it be. Amen.
If you have already cycled through or are in the process of cycling through teshuvah, I recommend using this meditation during your next cycle. Why didn’t we bringing it up until now? Line upon line, precept upon precept. Otherwise we get overwhelmed! We are infinite beings, yes, but currently finite looking for guidance from the Lord.
“Blessed be the name of our God; let us sing to his praise, yea, let us give thanks to his holy name, for he doth work righteousness forever.” -Alma 14:88 RAV, 26:8 OPV