hostmelissa
01-06-2009, 07:07 AM
Much contemporary research in the field of metaphysics points out that our words and thoughts exercise a powerful influence on our reality.
The effect of words on our conscious and on the material world has been made visible through the work of Japanese scientist Masuro Emoto (http://www.masaru-emoto.net/english/ephoto.html). Emoto conducted experiments where human speech or thoughts were directed at water droplets before they were frozen. Words such as love and thank you created beautiful hexagonal patterns in the water crystals. Words such as I hate you created distorted and chaotic shapes.
From Emoto’s research, we realize that our words and sounds not only affect our own bodies, which are 70% water, but also the bodies of other living organisms, which also contain water.
If you are interested in exploring these concepts more deeply, I strongly encourage you to seek out Water, the movie. (http://www.intentionmediainc.com/water.asp)
Russill Paul (http://www.russillpaul.com/home.html), author of The Yoga of Sound says, “Imagine how comfortable we use many powerful words today without connecting them to the depth or energy of what they signify”
Take a moment now and reflect on the use of violent language you use freely in every day life:
“I hate…”
“This kills…”
“I could kill her…”
What about violent thoughts:
“I hate my body”
“I’m so stupid”
“I’m an idiot”
Russill Paul goes on to say, “One of the first tasks of the postmodern yogi is to reconnect the words we use with the feelings associated with them. As language has evolved into its contemporary abstract form, we have learned to communicate without feeling – a disastrous condition for our relationships and our wholeness.”
Reflect back on our loving kindness meditation. “May I be free from inner and outer harm.” Is the voice in our head, and the words we speak out loud reflective of loving kindness and non-violence? “May I be happy and peaceful.” Are the words in our head bringing peace to our bodies? Do the words we speak out loud promote peace in the world?
The eight "limbs" or steps prescribed in the second pada of the Yoga Sutras are: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.
The first yama is ahimsa. Ahimsa means non-violence, inflicting no injury or harm to others or even to one's own self, and it goes as far as nonviolence in thoughts and words.
Consider how often we create an inner environment that is filled with violence. If someone has physically harming you or another, you would label those actions as violent. Yet, your own inner landscape may be a continuous barrage of violent thoughts.
Russill Paul encourages us to bring the yoga of sound to our day-to-day experience by bringing awareness to the voice in our head and the words we use in our private lives and our most intimate relationships.
This week, I encourage you to bring mindfulness practice to your speech. Become aware of your thoughts. Invite the yama of ahimsa to your practice of the yoga of speech.
(If you are interested in hearing more about The Yoga of Sound, listen to my interview with Russill Paul (http://contacttalkradio.soundwaves2000.com:8080/ctr/melissawest123108.mp3) which aired last week on Returning to the Body Mind (http://www.contacttalkradio.com/hosts/melissawest.html).)
The effect of words on our conscious and on the material world has been made visible through the work of Japanese scientist Masuro Emoto (http://www.masaru-emoto.net/english/ephoto.html). Emoto conducted experiments where human speech or thoughts were directed at water droplets before they were frozen. Words such as love and thank you created beautiful hexagonal patterns in the water crystals. Words such as I hate you created distorted and chaotic shapes.
From Emoto’s research, we realize that our words and sounds not only affect our own bodies, which are 70% water, but also the bodies of other living organisms, which also contain water.
If you are interested in exploring these concepts more deeply, I strongly encourage you to seek out Water, the movie. (http://www.intentionmediainc.com/water.asp)
Russill Paul (http://www.russillpaul.com/home.html), author of The Yoga of Sound says, “Imagine how comfortable we use many powerful words today without connecting them to the depth or energy of what they signify”
Take a moment now and reflect on the use of violent language you use freely in every day life:
“I hate…”
“This kills…”
“I could kill her…”
What about violent thoughts:
“I hate my body”
“I’m so stupid”
“I’m an idiot”
Russill Paul goes on to say, “One of the first tasks of the postmodern yogi is to reconnect the words we use with the feelings associated with them. As language has evolved into its contemporary abstract form, we have learned to communicate without feeling – a disastrous condition for our relationships and our wholeness.”
Reflect back on our loving kindness meditation. “May I be free from inner and outer harm.” Is the voice in our head, and the words we speak out loud reflective of loving kindness and non-violence? “May I be happy and peaceful.” Are the words in our head bringing peace to our bodies? Do the words we speak out loud promote peace in the world?
The eight "limbs" or steps prescribed in the second pada of the Yoga Sutras are: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.
The first yama is ahimsa. Ahimsa means non-violence, inflicting no injury or harm to others or even to one's own self, and it goes as far as nonviolence in thoughts and words.
Consider how often we create an inner environment that is filled with violence. If someone has physically harming you or another, you would label those actions as violent. Yet, your own inner landscape may be a continuous barrage of violent thoughts.
Russill Paul encourages us to bring the yoga of sound to our day-to-day experience by bringing awareness to the voice in our head and the words we use in our private lives and our most intimate relationships.
This week, I encourage you to bring mindfulness practice to your speech. Become aware of your thoughts. Invite the yama of ahimsa to your practice of the yoga of speech.
(If you are interested in hearing more about The Yoga of Sound, listen to my interview with Russill Paul (http://contacttalkradio.soundwaves2000.com:8080/ctr/melissawest123108.mp3) which aired last week on Returning to the Body Mind (http://www.contacttalkradio.com/hosts/melissawest.html).)