Linguistics – Control and Insight

Posted on October 1, 2005
Filed Under Journal, Society |

I have written before about the usage of language and words as tools for manipulating consciousness. This is a vast topic, and can never be covered in too much detail. With the events unfolding around the planet as they are right now – we will discover an increasing need to gain a true and secure understanding of how language can affect us. And even better, we can learn that this understanding can allow us to see straight through all the illusions.

We can talk of the benefits of various types of thinking for eternity; but what we must understand is that we can gain no true benefit from these systems if we use them purely as lone singular tools. Language is a construct, and it is as malleable as any computer programming language. Indeed Russian scientists have discovered that aspects of DNA are actually structured remarkably similar to conventional human language syntax. In effect DNA has its own grammar, sentence structures and words. Further under test conditions it has been proven that DNA will indeed respond to human language

Of course this leads to the question; “Did language therefore originate in humans as an inherent by-product of our DNA?” The answer to that may well be “yes”, however this isn’t the issue I wish to focus on.

What we first and foremost need to be aware of is that language is a physical product. It is a system used for and within the five sense world. It has been taken and “enhanced” so that within this realm it can have maximum impact and affectivity. Partially this has been a natural process which has increased our communication potential massively. But also many far more insidious adaptations have been made to language.

Neither of those issues are the focus of this article though. Rather, what I focus on here is our attachment to language, and the manner in which we allow it to dictate to us our personal world view.

Take for example Wikipedia’s definition on Critical Thinking, it lists nine points that are essential to one who posses a clear critical mind. On first glance, it looks like a phenomenally useful process – one which no doubt we should all seek to implement into our thought methods. But upon closer inspection one can identify some extremely insidious techniques that instantly undermine any “natural” thoughts. Some of them attempt to hit at logical black spots – individually the questions are reasonable. But when combined they break down and directly challenge intuition.

1. What do you mean by_______________?
2. How did you come to that conclusion?
3. Why do you believe that you are right?
4. What is the source of your information?
5. What happens if you are wrong?
6. Can you give me two sources who disagree with you and explain why?
7. Why is this significant?
8. How do I know you are telling me the truth?
9. What is an alternate explanation for this phenomenon?

These questions provide an excellent perspective of the flaws that lay within using language as a self contained vehicle for defining ones reality. They are purely and simply reliant upon semantics – the same method can easily be used to instantly destroy them.

I will use the age old Plato scenario, of a group of people sitting within a dark cave, (I am sure there is little need to elaborate very much on this scenario as I know most people have heard it – (and to be honest I don’t even like using it – let’s face it by now it is a bit of a cliché – anyhow, it serves a function so I will therefore be as brief as I can)).

A group of people are in a cave deep within the earth. They are tied up facing the front of the cave…they cannot move, or turn. Their eyes are permanently facing forward and all they can see is the cave wall. This is all the existence these people have ever seen. Behind them burns a great fire; anything placed between them and this fire casts shadows upon the wall. The tied up people will naturally believe the wall and the shadows to be their entire reality – for they have seen nothing else.

Let’s assume that one of these people one day gained the ability to turn around and see the fire. They would initially be confused as to what was occurring. But eventually they would understand that reality is different to what they had always supposed. Take this a step further; this person got free, and made their way up to the surface of the planet. They witnessed the sky, the sun, rain, and animals. Indeed they would realize that reality is so much more than those shadows upon the cave wall.

Now this person returns to the cave – and seeks to discuss the nature of reality with their fellows. The fellows listen attentively for a while – but then they pose the above nine questions to this free person.

How would she respond?

All at once she would have many responses and none. But in no instance would these nine questions benefit either the free person or those still tied up. The simple fact of the matter is that both parties are intrinsically reliant upon the usage of language. As they now live in different realities, language suffers considerably. If language then has to be burdened with the semantic structures we insist on placing upon it…it breaks down and ceases to be of any use at all.

Take this a step further…assume this once free person sits back down in their seat. Facing forward – but now free of their bonds. As the days, months and years pass, they converse continuously with their fellows. Again, they all use language – as there is no other form of effective communication. But further; inside this now free persons mind - during the interceding years when they saw true reality - they have since filtered that knowledge through the confines language has placed upon them. Now not only does their language follow physical structures, but so to does their thought patterns.

In a matter of moments this individual loses something essential and discovers something very consuming.

They have become an individual that has freed themselves from the material world, whom has awakened to the spiritual and multi-faceted nature of reality. However they have bound their mind by the shackles of language. They have hindered their very thoughts by a construct that is born from the five sense physical world.

A caveman could tell you that oxygen exists. He could tell you this because he breaths and continues to live. He could therefore deduce why breath is required for him. He knows intuitively that if he ceases to breathe – he dies.

When posed with the aforementioned nine questions, how would he respond?

He could not.

Language when used in this manner is very insidious, and powerfully undermining. It subtly works its way into your mind, and slowly eradicates any notions that do not fit into its own pattern. *However* this is not to say that the mind of the five-sense world does not have its uses. Clearly it does, because it has helped develop the modern world…but it is also that same mind that flaws our world.

People talk of intuition and discernment; we consider these as an almost sixth sense. However they are entirely a part of our being, we may chose to ignore them – but nonetheless they are very much a part of us. So why do we talk of making a distinction between intuition or a balanced mind? We adopt a polarized perspective – which itself has been born from the flaws of language. Both intuition and reason need not be held one separate from the other, to be used as tools depending on the situation. The situation cannot be likened to the plumber that chooses between the hammer or the wrench depending upon the task at hand. Both intuition and reason can be brought into harmony with one another; each must be fully integrated with the other.

For the longest time humanity lost their spirituality…some in the far east retained it for millennia. Indeed some even went as far as to throw away the physical in order to live purely in the spiritual. The western world has suffered a different fate; one of spiritual emptiness, replaced by the purely physical. We have descended deep into the realms of physicality.

However we can view this as a gift…the mind void of spirituality gains an unprecedented understanding of the physical world. We gain an understanding of what is seemingly solid matter. This understanding has given birth to an entire perspective on reality; it has given us “reason”. We must understand though, that on its own “reason” is nothing. Without integration of spiritual understanding our awareness of physicality is rendered useless.

With the reawakening of western spiritual faculties, a new problem has arisen; that of the “materialistic spiritualist”. Like the individual that got free from Plato’s cave; they have returned only to have their awareness shackled by their conditioning of physicality. The mentioning of this fact should not be perceived as applying labels, or creating groups. In fact contrary to that – it is about finding a way to come to the understanding that balance and unity define the human mind. We cannot merely be one or the other – or use one faculty at the expense of the other. The human spirit is intrinsically linked with the realms of the non-physical, whilst our physical body is attached deep within physicality. Upon integration of the whole we find we can walk in both worlds at once _*simply because they are not separate worlds – but one!*_

A spiritual mind rooted within the realms of the language of physicality – is still shackled. It is tied into the prison, believing itself free. In many ways there has been a movement around the world for the past forty to fifty years that has sought to teach this version of “spirituality”.

I want to make myself very clear here. This is not about finger pointing at one, or group or institution. Rather I seek to highlight a line that has been drawn inside our collective consciousness; it is a line that encourages further division within our own minds.

As the global events continue to unfold; we will find this division growing ever more apparent. So we need remember that this is not about choosing sides, that it is not about being a “Spiritualist” or a “Physicalist”, but rather understanding that there is no division. Language gives creation to labels; thus it separates and creates distinctions. Whilst we require language to communicate – we do not need language to understand reality. When we lack this understanding we place ourselves totally at the mercy of all the multitude of powers around us.

Events are occurring around the world today that are acting like a spotlight…this vast light is shining upon everyone – and for the first time it is very clearly showing those who are spiritually awake, and those who are still asleep. Further it is beginning to show - to those who can see – that some indeed have no spiritual self in them that can be awoken. This is something I have always avoided believing…but recent events have shown this to be an indubitable truth. What do I mean by this? How did I arrive at this conclusion? How do you know I am telling you the truth?

These questions cannot be answered whilst still satisfactorily highlighting to anyone what is occurring. The point is – that one human cannot give another human the answers to life. Life must be lived in order to be understood. A line from the movie “The Matrix” holds true for many many things: “No one can be told what the Matrix is; you have to see it for yourself.” This is not a matter of self elevation – or placing one method of perception over another. This is simply and merely a matter of pointing to what is going on – and the perspective that is required to see it. Choice is a wonderful thing, and it is choice that allows us all to walk whichever path of understanding we choose. I am not here to dictate which is which – and who should follow what.

There is an undeniable truth. The world is now experiencing an unprecedented change – and each person will perceive this in a different way. Those that lack spiritual insight open themselves up to unknown numbers of attacks. This is not arrogance that speaks, but simple fact.

Watch people next time you talk about the destruction that Katrina has wrought. I will not tell you what to look for as that is your own choice; but if you look for certain elements you will see something almost etheric that glares out of them. This is their true nature. If you listen to people talking you will find that the same is also happening, they cannot even hide behind the written word, for even there it is obvious.

I am not talking about looking in the physical sense – but looking, listening, feeling and reaching out in the spiritual sense.

A great change has occurred, and from this point onwards people are going to find it increasingly difficult to hide their true natures. This isn’t something to worry about (unless you are George Bush); personally I am not worried at all…it is all going to be very interesting indeed.

Most importantly watch for the use of language; language can program – but it is also a two way process, and it can literally act like a window…it is here where the truth will begin to seep out. When the media trumpets at you; feel inside the affect it is causing. Does it evoke a response within you? Does it implant a thought in your mind that previously you hadn’t considered? Does it seek to impose perceptions of physicality?

Many people, especially Government agencies and officials are going to squirm under this great floodlight. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

Marcus – 2005