is your porn name spiritual? it is if you say so!

New in town? Welcome. You can subscribe to my RSS feed, or my not-so-daily email - which is the best way to go, really. xoxo Danielle

Veronica Danielle LaPorte Johnson. That’s my full name.
I've always been called Danielle, because apparently my mother couldn't bear the thought of someone shouting out "Hey Vickeeey!" to me. "Johnson" came with my man. In high school, while obsessed with Lynda Evans' should pads in Dynasty, I considered changing my name to something more swellegant like, Victoria DuBonnet. Glad that phase passed.


NAME CHANGERS
Did you know that Ram Dass is really Richard Alpern? The new age guru-ette, Gangaji is really Catherine, named by her guru Sri Ramana Maharshi. Hell, even Eckhart Tolle changed his name from Ulrich to Eckhart.

I'm all for declaring your own moniker. In fact, I think more people should have the kahunas to change their names if they don't feel an affinity with what they were given. Yet, when I hear a dreamy new age name, my antennae lean forward. Why'd you change your name? Who gave you that to you...and why'd you agree take it?

Can you be enlightened and just be called, like, Joe Smith? "Joe Smith...all-knowing sage and metaphysician." I like it.

HOT GODDESS BABALICIOUS...IT'S GOTTA RING TO IT
I once took part in a talking circle of about forty hoity toity agents of change - a few economic profs, some United Nations delegates, a film maker, and some do-gooding millionaires. We gathered at a retreat center in the Catskills to talk about globalism and spirituality.

It was time for introductions. One person started the ball rolling by including their “spiritual name” in their introduction. “Hi, I’m Chris. My spiritual name is Winter Bear.” Next. “Hello, I’m Sarah. My spiritual name is Shakti, it means 'the manifest power that creates the universe'." And so it went. I was amazed. Carl had been named Ashok by his meditation master. Wendy had changed her name to Grace. About half the group had a name that a guru or elder or they themselves had bestowed upon them.

I was last to go. Would Hot Goddess Babalicious, qualify as my spiritual name? When my then-fiancee used it, I sure felt ascended. Uh...what about my Porn Star name? "Jessie Wyandotte" (your first pet's name + first street you lived on). Posh Spice was taken. I had to think fast...

All eyes on me. “I’m Danielle LaPorte. And my spiritual name is...
Danielle LaPorte.”

Roars of laughter. Whooping howls of relief. There we were, a consortium of brainiacs and dignitaries laughing so hard we were snortling and knee slapping. It was a damn fine moment in my comedic history. And my identity-crafting.

SPIRITUAL IS WHAT YOU SAY IT IS
If it comes from the heart, I say deem it divine. Be your own authority. Spirituality isn't something that is sanctioned, it is something that is felt -- deeply. Christen yourself. Call it the way you feel it.

I don't want to be "Dances With Wolves" or "Suri-ji-ji." I don't need anyone else to define my greatness with something exotic and new. And I admit, my folks had the good sense not to name me Gertrude or something hyphenated, but I love the idea of working with what I've been given. It's honest and efficient. It holds me accountable. And for me, it doesn't get more spiritual than that.



RESOURCES
Charming piece on interviewing Ram Dass on the Huffington Post

Possibly Related Posts:

←   read all current inspiration articles

posted 6 Jan 09 in: White Hot, inspiration + spirituality articles   ·   tags:   ·   Comments

• Follow Danielle on Twitter • Follow Danielle on Facebook

  • My mother has had a name thing going for quite some time. She had her maiden name, then my fathers name at age 20 (divorced 25 years later), then she kept my fathers name even though she married another man because she said it was her name and didn't want to change it. The 2nd husband finally got her to change it to his after a few years. They got divorced a few years after that. Now she couldn't really go back to firsthusbands name so she decided to make up a new last name. She is very interested in the Mayan Calendar so she chose White Bridger, taken from the 13-Moon Natural Time Calendar (Mayan Calendar), Cimi -- It was a part of her glyph. She has told me that she has always spelled out each letter as she wrote her name until she took on the name Bridger. She uses white as her middle name.

    A name is important and it is so true - you have to feel good in your name. I would have totally chosen my own name as my spiritual name, too.

    My husbands last name is Legg. I wasn't a Legg. I married late and I told him that I know who I am and I wasn't going to change it now. Thankfully he didn't disagree and that wasn't a bone of contention like it was for my mother. So I am who my parents named me & they did a great job.
  • Nosey Lurker
    Joe Smith - aka Joseph Smith founder of the Mormon religion... what a name to choose.
  • QuiteLight
    It took me years to grow into Katherine, but it fits a lot better than Kathy. It's odd, though, I care so little about it. People call me Kathy & sometimes I barely realize they're talking to me. It's not like they use nick-names either, only my family & partner use those.

    But my porn name... Brain Limberlost... now I'm all distracted picturing what SHE'D be like.
  • re: your porn name...I'm guesing with a name like Brain Limberlost, you's be starring in some very high-minded XXX flicks.
  • candis
    xoxo
  • Linda Borland-Fitzgerald
    I've been saddled with and chosen a variety of names in my lifetime, but hadn't realized it until I read your blog on the subject.

    I was born Linda Rose Borland (illegitimately). At age 10, after escaping my brutal father in the middle of the night, my mother assigned my sister and I a new surname (long story but it turned out to be her first husband's name and my sister's biological dad). I always hated my middle name, Rose so avoided telling anyone.

    At age 19 I worked alongside someone who used to talk about his friend, Terry and his difficult relationship with a spoiled rich girl. After listening to the stories over a short period, one day I asked what Terry's last name was. "Fitzgerald," he answered. I repeated it in my head, "Fitzgerald. Linda Fitzgerald. Hmm..." We have been married 41 years this May.

    Only recently have I decided to like my birth name even though technically my parents never married, and since embarking on a serious, writing career, I now use Borland-Fitzgerald.

    When I was a young teenager, I went by the name of Quiinn O'Hara and spoke with an Irish accent to strangers. I have no idea why.

    When I was simply entertaining the idea of writing, many years ago, I landed on the name Leslie MacHeraldt (Irish Gaelic for Fitzgerald).

    This no longer suits me either, and I may consider something altogether different.

    And finally, I no longer cringe when I tell people my middle name is Rose.
  • rose is beautiful. Your story about being a young teenager and this topic in general, reminds me a bit of Carson McCullers' The Member of the Wedding, when "Old Frankie" becomes "F. Jasmine."
  • There is a book I absolutely love called the Secret Universe of Names: the Dynamic Interplay of Names and Destiny by Roy Feinson. In the preface he writes, "(this book) proposes the idea that words evolve into our language and culture because the very sounds in these words evoke a particular emotional resonance in humans..... The reactions to these sounds in our own names can affect our self-image and the expectations others have of us." As a someone who writes poetry, I tend to think there is something to this, and it makes a fun cocktail table book....
  • harking back rather than forward... i often sign a piece
    o'hOgain
    its the old Irish :)
  • Becciebeth
    I am marveled by your words. The concept of your name defining "you" has always been a favorite subject of mine. My born name is Rebecca, called beckybeth since birth. When I was 12 I thought I would give Beccie a try. As soon as I put it on paper it just felt right. Although still to this day, my father insists on Becky. When I met my husband, there was an instant spark. I was never one to fantisize marrying boyfriends or even trying out there last name to see if it sounded right. But when I heard his last name, June, it was the first thing that popped in my head. Beccie June. I always joke that I fell in love with his name before I did him, but I have to say, it's not a joke. Something sounded more than right when I said it outloud. It sounded and felt like I found the one thing I was missing. It sounded complete. Many women use their maiden names on social websites to help people find them. I can't imagine doing that. I am Beccie June and if the people that I want to be in touch with don't know that, well I guess we shouldn't be in touch. It is more than "who I am", it is "what I am".
  • I was named Suzanne at birth. My parents took to calling me Suzy, but by the age of three, I told them "I don't want to be called Suzy, I want to be called Susan." My dad, who is a brilliant mathematician as well as a spiritual seeker, was really into numerology at the time, so he wrote down every spelling of Susan he could come up with, and ran the numbers for each. That's how he came up with Suzyn. I love it.
  • Lineage names can be so empowering. Veronica is my grandmother's name. And if I had a girl, I wanted to name her Veronica. I think it'd be beautiful if their were more female "juniors" -- if western women took lineage-recognition into their own hands more often. Mexican women are great at this.
  • diane
    My (real) name is Rebecca Diane. However, my parents called me Diane as my mother went by Rebecca. I am the 10th generation of first daughters to be named Rebecca _______. (There is also a garnet ring that each Rebecca received on her 13th birthday.) Alas, I am the final Rebecca in the unbroken chain, as I have no children.
  • I just had to laugh, bc spiritual is as spiritual does, and I'll give credit to Forrest Gump on that : )
    I actually wrote a thang about 'call me ROXY' the other day, hahaha, but I actually love my name, people tell me I sound like a soap opera star: Lillian Devin and yes, I go by Lill, Lily to true intimates (30 yrs+) and Zen to my pals who recognize my ability (or lack thereof) to maintain under pressure, not always graceful but I get in my 'zone' - love the goddess babalicious, I love pet names though, they say a lot about the giver and the receiver. Ciao, Zen Lily baby ; )
  • JoeM
    I think cultural expectations are that names are like the clothing we put on to go out into the world. When someone addresses us as Mr., Mrs., or Ms. it formalizes the clothing we wear, it causes us to act a little bit different than if we were addressed by our nickname, which is more informal or familiar. When we change our name we change the clothing we want people to perceive us in. If we want people to perceive us for what's in our heart, then our name should come from our heart. If we want people to perceive us as something different than what we are, then we change our name to give an impression. Acting as, being as, doing as we actually are, embosses whatever name we've chosen and gives it meaning to the world. So, whatever name we chose, we have to be totally true to our selves in order to give it value, substance in the world, or real impact that won't be forgotten.
  • Traci
    My middle name is Jo and I was called Traci Jo until I had enough words in my vocabulary to beg people to please stop calling me that. I loathed my middle name. And then one day I found myself 25 and digging it. I still would rather not be called Traci Jo, but I like that the Jo is there.
  • I was born Kathryn Jo, after both my grandmothers. I was called Kathy Jo until like you, I was six and able to make them stop. When I was in eighth grade, there were six Kathys in one of my classes. I changed my name to Kate at 18, because I thought Kate was cooler. It was, and still is. Like you, I don't mind that the "Jo" is on my passport anymore.
    Names are important, and I always call people what they prefer to be called. I hate it when people shorten or lengthen someone's name without finding out their preference. Don't assume Christopher likes to be called Chris or Danny likes to be called Dan.
  • I have never once met a Kate I didn't like. Really, not ever.
  • I'd resist advocating changing one's name before looking deeply at one's reasons. Behind each of us stands a powerful ancestral line. Changing one's surname breaks this line, Changing one's first name is less significant, but perhaps adapting the name may be adequate: Kit instead of Katherine, MJ instead of Mary Jane. Several women I know who changed their first names still took themselves into the new name, and are no happier, wiser, or more talented, or beautiful than they were before.
  • LOVE this Danielle. Wouldn't trade PEARL for anything. It has connected me to little old european ladies, african american women and my japanese friends when I lived there. I feel that every day and every year I imbue it with more nuance and intrigue. I am shaping PEARL every day...
  • Lou Niestadt
    My name used to be Margreet. It took me 41 years to have the guts to change it because I found it hard to go against the gift that my parents gave me when naming me. Last summer, in Jamaica, I was ready for it. I didn't want a spiritual name, it doesn't have a meaning either, it's just that it sounds better and feels better to me. That's what surprised me the most, it really feels different when you introduce yourself or are called with a name that suits you. It's like opening up instead of closing down.
    After I decided to take the leap I had to tell my parents. The funny thing is that my dad's reaction, for whom I almost didn't dare to change my name, was brilliant. He sent me this poem by the Dutch Poet Neeltje Maria Min.

    Mijn moeder is mijn naam vergeten,

    mijn kind weet nog niet hoe ik heet.

    hoe moet ik mij geborgen weten?
    .

    noem mij, bevestig mijn bestaan,

    laat mijn naam zijn als een keten.

    noem mij, noem mij, spreek mij aan,

    o, noem mij bij mijn diepste naam.
    .

    voor wie ik lief heb, wil ik heten.

    It's about not existing untill you have a name. That you need to be called by your deepest name, your true self.

    By changing my name into Lou I gave myself permission to be who I want to be. I cut myself loose from other peoples opinions and expectations. And since I dared to change my name, I dare everything!
blog comments powered by Disqus