Secrets of Spiritual Happiness

Secret #16 -- Be Aware of the Words You Use

 

 

By Sharon Janis

Some people speak like animals; their words have no meaning. They chatter day and night like frogs in a well.  People have their own ways of talking, and they are all different. You should think carefully before you speak. Words should be uttered with great discrimination.

- Sundardas

One of the key secrets of spiritual happiness is to be aware and careful about the words we use.   Words are the currency through which thoughts take form in our minds, and with which they are expressed outwardly.  

You can think of choosing your words as though you are selecting the ingredients and flavors for the recipe of your life. God's creative power weaves all of your thoughts and words, along with the thoughts and words of those around you, to create the grand banquet of your life, and together, our collective lives.  

Most of today's social and educational systems don't really teach how important words are in creating our lives and the world.   I wish they would.   Sometimes, when I hear politicians and media personalities using phrases that serve only to defeat their own goals, or our greater goals, I wish I could whisper to them through the screen.   "Hey, don't use the words 'evil' and 'evildoers' five times in the same sentence.   Pssssst. . . Repeating over and over that, 'They hate us and want to destroy us' is not a good mantra or power phrase, nor are big, dramatic television banners saying things like 'Attack on America!'"   

Anyone who understood the power of words would be more careful to avoid unintentionally attacking his or her own country with written or spoken words. Nobody who truly understands the nature and power of words would say or print such recklessly negative things - especially not over and over again.

With repetition, our words become even stronger and more engrained in the consciousness of ourselves, of those who are receiving our words, and perhaps into the planetary web of consciousness as well.   Words are powerful currencies that deserve great respect and care.

During our daily lives, we may also be programming ourselves for unhappiness through the words and phrases we use.   This is especially so for phrases and words that have become a habit.   If something goes wrong and you tell the universe - or God no less - to "damn it," well then, who do you have to blame if things get worse instead of better?    If you have a habit of saying that people or situations make you sick, then don't be surprised if you end up making substantial use of that HMO insurance plan!

 

For what goes into your mouth will not defile you; but what comes out of your mouth, that is what will defile you.

- Jesus Christ

 

In a way, we're all like magicians - knowingly or unknowingly reciting mantras, hexes, blessings, and other potent and magical words every time we speak.   Some ancient philosophical scriptures explain that the entire world as we know it is created by words. In Sanskrit, the term for this creative energy that expresses through syllables and words to create the universe is Matrika Shakti, the Mother Power.   Therefore, respect this awesome power of words, and attend to how you're spending the currency of your words with at least as much care as you watch your financial spending.

Of course, it is fine to use words to discuss your burdens with friends, but also remember that every time you put your troubles into word form, you may be solidifying them that much more.   See if you can phrase your words in more constructive and positive ways.   Catch yourself while speaking, and ask if the benefit of sharing your troubles in word form is worth giving more power to those troubles.   Sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn't.   As with most things in life, it's a balance.

One method that is always available for uplifting the words in our minds is to intentionally think good thoughts.   Whenever you can, replace harmful thoughts with positive thoughts. This is the alchemy behind using positive affirmations to change your life.   Do your best to speak and think happy, uplifting, and positive words, and you may find yourself living a more happy, uplifting, and positive life.  

 

Today is the day of my amazing good fortune.

- Florence Scovel Shinn

 

One common way for questionable words to slip into our minds and speech is from hearing and singing songs from the radio or television.   Some songs may express ideas and phrases that do not even come close to how we would really like to speak to ourselves or to the universe.   And yet, when we sing along, we may even try to match the singer's dramatic delivery and sing as though we are really feeling the emotions being expressed in the song.  

Singing with feeling is great if the song has a positive flavor, but may not be so good if the words are describing situations of despair, defeat, and dejection.   I've caught myself doing this many times, hearing songs and wanting to sing along.   Since I do understand the power of words, I tend to catch myself and stop singing songs that have negative words.   Sometimes I'll even make up my own, more positive words so I can still sing along to the tune.

Of course, if you do have some deep despair and sadness, a somber song can be just the medicine for helping you to express and release those feelings.   Taking care of the words we use is not about squelching all negative-sounding thoughts and feelings that come up. The hints that I'm sharing are not intended to be made into rigid rules, but are offered to share with you some information and insights that I've found helpful on my own journey.   My hope is that these ideas will assist you in orchestrating the words that you hear and speak with a greater awareness of their significance and creative power.   This awareness of the power of words can be an excellent tool for creating and supporting your spiritual happiness.

The powerful effects of words can be described either in psychological or spiritual terms.   On a psychological level, every single word we speak and every single word we hear goes into our subconscious minds and creates some small or large effect there. How these words affect our psyches and attitudes are inevitably going to have a powerful effect on how we experience, interpret, and respond to the events of life.

On a spiritual level, our subconscious minds are also reflections and facets of the Great Universal Mind of God.   Whatever words you input into your personal mind are also being fed into the Great Universal Mind that creates all the circumstances of your life, including your experience of spiritual happiness.  

It is for the purpose of gaining control over this immense power behind words that monks of various traditions undergo periods of deep silence.   Can you imagine not speaking for 24 hours, much less for weeks, months, or even years?   Let me tell you a story about one monk's journey into silence:

Once, an aspiring spiritual seeker wanted to devote his life to God. He went to a monastery, where the head monk told him: "You can stay here, but we have one important rule.   All monks must observe a strict vow of silence. You will only be allowed to speak one sentence every twelve years."

The seeker agreed to this austere condition, and spent the next twelve years in complete silence, steeped in prayer, meditation, study, and service.

The day came when it was time for the monk to speak his one sentence.   Meeting with the head monk, the young monk said: "The bed is too hard."

After twelve more years of austere discipline, the monk had another opportunity to speak to the head monk. He said: "The food is not good."

Twelve more years of hard work went by, and the now much older monk finally got to speak again. The monk's words after thirty-six years of practice were: "I quit."

The head monk quickly answered: "Well, I'm not surprised.   All you have done is complain since you got here!"

 

 

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