The Power of Words and the Sanctity of Dialogue
Deteriorating Scenario
There are words and words. On one side, as in ancient times, words were soft, soothing and peaceful; on the other side, in the last few decades, the words the world uses are brash, crude, cruel and derogatory. We can see the deterioration in language in public life the world over. Behaviour and language have taken a toll, as seen in the political arena and within legislatures and parliaments. It has gone to unthinkable low levels, and people take pride in using offensive and derogatory words. Ironically, even public sensibility has hit a low when they applaud and appreciate such words and statements, even to the extent they seem to take vicarious pleasure and like to hear more and more. Generally, there is a term unparliamentary more in keeping with the need to maintain decency and decorum of such august bodies. In the olden days, even the word ‘lie’ was considered unparliamentary for use inside the houses of elected representatives.
British House of Commons
An apt example is an incident in the British House of Commons. A member was speaking, and Churchill interrupted and said, ‘This is a lie’. Members immediately protested the use of the word ‘lie’, saying it is unparliamentary. In his customary wit, Churchill withdrew the word and said, ‘What the member has said was a terminological inexactitude’. Such were the days, and now many filthy, dirty and derogatory words are flaunted with an expletive of four-letter words becoming the order of the day. We witness the utter poverty of speech and etiquette in India, especially during the election campaign days. Unfortunately, public sensibility and common sense have also fallen so low that they seem to savour such words and speech and eagerly gobble it up. It is indeed a sad commentary on public consciousness and their vulnerability.
Falling Standards of Human Perception and Consciousness
Even the commoner has sunk into this mire of abusiveness as people stoop low, use abrasive, filthy words, and even come to blows for small, petty misunderstandings and arguments. People have become increasingly less sensitive and tolerant of anything not in agreement with their views or interests, as seen from the road rage killings and the gun culture witnessed in modern times worldwide.
Fanaticism Everywhere
Fanaticism has become a universal phenomenon manifesting in almost every sphere of human activity. Though most commonly associated with religion and politics, it can be found in almost every sphere of human activity, including the social sphere, sports, and community life. Intrinsic to fanaticism is a belief in the supremacy of one’s own ideas and culture, so it wants to impose them on others and suppress or eliminate those with a different opinion. And when people become fanatics and try to become God, they frequently make life hell for others.
One only has to see the writings and vehement and ugly arguments seen on the internet between the fanatic followers of different religions and belief systems. The abusive language and words that each religious follower uses to support one’s religion and its beliefs or writings. Fanatics have made a tyranny of compulsions out of their needs and wishes, forcing them to get what they desire no matter the cost. So the religious or political fanatic needs to win others over to their faith or ideology and to change the world according to their ideals. Words of choicest expletives have become the order of the day.
Cultural Heritage
We have lost the art of creative conversation and debate that can clearly express and explain sharply divergent views without using abrasive and abusive words. Differences of opinion and beliefs can be discussed effectively through cool dialogue instead of shouting at each other and using insinuating and insulting words. Peaceful dialogue is a deeply embedded concept in our cultural heritage.
The religions of the East or the Indic religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikkism) with a spiritual outlook have always emphasized peaceful debates and discussions as the mode of expressing one’s opinions and beliefs. All these religions, including the Semitic ones, have in them the inherent idea of oneness and one Ultimate Truth. This is aptly mentioned in the Rig Vedic hymn, “Ekam sat viprabahudha vadanti”. The meaning is the Truth is one, but the wise may call it by different names. This is the crux of our pluralistic culture. The only Ultimate Truth may be called Par Brahm, Aksharateet, Supreme Truth God, Christ of Christ, Allah or Noor Jamaal; what difference does it make? It is just a matter of language and words, that is all. Without realizing it, people waste their lives and efforts fighting for the name by using derogatory words. After all, people are ruled by dogmatism and not pragmatism.
The Priemaval Word Across Religions
With its Universes and creations, the Cosmos appeared with a primaeval word, considered sacred in general. The Upanishad says, ‘Aum ityekaksharam brahmn’, meaning the syllable ‘Aum’ is Brahman (the Creator God). The Bible opens with the words, ‘In the beginning, there was the word, and the word was with the God, and the word was God’. Islam’s word ‘Kuhn’ marks the beginning of the Cosmos with Universes and creations within.
This is the first word with vibratory power that people do not realize. Words have vibratory power, and using abrasive, crude, abusive, and derogatory words and language would negatively impact society.
Why Words Count
There are some apt sayings in this connection. One saying is, ‘wounds of arrows can be healed with time, but the wounds of words can’t be healed over time’. Another saying is. ‘Word can be weapons that inflict wounds, and they can also be bandages to heal wounds’. Both these sayings aptly emphasize the importance of words and their vibrations. Another saying is, ‘Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can break my heart’.
To Conclude
What can be said in conclusion is that words have powerful vibrations. So, use words with utmost care and consideration to spread positive vibrations rather than spread negative vibrations by filthy, derogatory words. We should cherish and respect our words and not denigrate the value of words by misuse. We must preserve this cultural heritage for human welfare and create a positive global society.
We must understand that divinity resides in everything and everywhere, in fact, in the entire Universe. So, words are part of the Universe and life and should be used with choice and care. In this respect, we must remember what Kabir said in one of his dohas.
“Ghat ghat mein tore sain basat hai, katu vachan mat bol re.” What is conveyed is that ‘divine resides everywhere, so do not use bitter words at all‘.
I hope we shall endure to remember this and try to practice peaceful, soothing words rather than piercing, harsh words and denigrating humanity.
In Passing Some Quotes on Words
“Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs.”
Pearl Strachan Hurd.
“Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble.”
Yehuda Berg.
“The tongue has no bones but is strong enough to break a heart. So be careful with your words.”
Unknown.
“Don’t mix bad words with your bad mood. You’ll have many opportunities to change a mood, but you’ll never get the opportunity to replace the words you spoke.”
Unknown.
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