THE POWER OF THOUGHTS, WORDS, THE SUBCONSCIOUS AND IMAGINATION #2

WORDS

Words can limit. Symbols, images, poetry, ritual, song, music and art can be more powerful than words alone. They allow us to go where the mind cannot take us. 

If you perceive uncertainty or a need, let the words simply acknowledge and nourish. 
If they do not inform, inspire, give comfort or bring laughter, do not use them.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”  Psalms

Everything begins with the thought and the word. “In the beginning was the word…” John 

“The thought manifests as the word.
The word manifests as the deed.
The deed develops into habit and habit hardens into character.
So watch the thought and its ways with care and let it spring from love, born out of concern for all beings.”  The Buddha

The way we think and speak will affect how we form and realize our intentions and how we color our subconscious' imaginative potential. A thought is one thing but once expressed in words, body language or anything else it becomes more powerful - harmful or beneficial to ourselves or others. When expressed positively or negatively in song (for instance offensive Heavy Metal music or  Rap) they can be more powerful. 

 

“What we speak becomes the house we live in.” Hafiz

 

“Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. 
Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior.
Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits.
Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values.
Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.” 

M. Gandhi

 

The words we use in prayer are also key. Frequently prayer is supplication rather than expressing one’s gratitude. If we are going to make requests of the Field, our guides or the great Spirit we should ensure it is either directly or indirectly for the greater good of others rather than for only our-selves (as in little self.) The request should also benefit others. If the request is granted we then need to express gratitude in some way.

 

Words have great power.
They acknowledge, affirm and inspire.
They strengthen, heal and comfort.
They express intention, love and gratitude.
They are messengers of laughter.

 

When using words, choose them well. Never use them as a weapon to harm or as an alienating defense but rather for explanation and instruction.

Kind words can be at the heart of the placebo response, harsh, unkind ones, the nocebo response which can dispel hope.

 

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Proverbs 

 

“Today I bent the truth to be kind and I have no regret, for I am more sure of what is kind than I am of what is true.” 

Robert Brault

Sometimes others are ill prepared to have to hear the truth so we should consider Socrates' question ...

"Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?" Socrates

 

“Tell all the truth but tell it slant 

Success in Circuit lies

Too bright for our infirm Delight

The Truth's superb surprise

As Lightning to the Children eased

With explanation kind

The Truth must dazzle gradually

Or every man be blind”

E. Dickenson

 

Especially when it comes to our loved ones … Of love be a little more careful.

 

“It is not that we are reticent to speak…it is rather that we choose not to unless we can improve on silence.”

 Old Proverb of Maine woodsmen

 

 “The things you say make you rich. Saying the things you do not have to say weakens your talk. Hearing the things you do not need to hear, dulls your hearing. And the things you know before you hear them, those are you and why you are in the world.” 

William Stafford

 

“Wise people do not speak in the presence of those who are wiser than they are. They do not interrupt their friend’s words. They do not reply in haste. They ask what is relevant, they answer to the point. They reply to questions in orderly sequence. Of what they have not heard or understood, they say they have not heard. They admit to the truth.” Arichat Sefatayim

I am always struck by TV anchors and others who have the gift of filling a time slot with words that are disguised to repeat something over and over again but somehow sound different. 

 

 “You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts; and when you can no longer dwell in the solitude of your heart you live in your lips; and sound is a diversion and a pastime. And in much of the talking, thinking is half murdered. For thought is a bird of space that in a cage of words may indeed unfold its wings but cannot fly.
K. Gibran

God’s breath is heard in quietness and  felt in stillness. Beware the noises and clamor of ego which drown out the Divine whisper.

“Guard your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” Psalms

"Do not judge a person until you have walked a mile in his moccasins." Native American Proverb

 

Our words can also create harm when we gossip or more especially slander others. Buddhist teaching tell us not to say anything unless we know it to be completely true. Often we do not know the whole story behind unskillful behavior. This teaching goes one step further.

 

Do not spread a bad image of anyone or any group, even if true, or to the person himself. Do not share information that can cause harm. Do not embarrass even in jest. Do not pretend that innuendo or body language is not speech. Do not gossip or listen to gossip.”

Chofetz Chain

The Talmud teaches that when we slander we "kill" three people; the one who says it, the one who listens and the subject of the slander. 

Hence its best not to listen or walk away from those who engage in harmful gossip.