Words

[Kristopher]

~

The way in which we view the world in general and knowledge in particular depends on the way in which we understand and use words.

It must be stressed that words, no matter how carefully chosen, always veil the truth. This fact can never be over-emphasized, for again and again does man stumble over words because he does not as yet see words for the symbols they are, and therefore we hear and reads words in the context of our social conditioning.

Words convey the truth in much the same way that a cup holds water. Obviously there is no comparison between the cup and the water it holds, just as there is no comparison between the face value of words and the truth they convey.

The fact that words are but a form of symbol for a deeper knowledge is one of the most difficult concepts to get across to anyone.

In man's effort to refine his view of the world, linguists have laboured hard across a great many centuries to define and to redefine the words of language so that every word man uses today has fixed values within a prescribed context. As a result, words have acquired more importance than the knowledge they were initially intended to convey.

Today a person is judged educated or not more by the way in which he speaks than by what he is actually saying. Words have become more important than knowledge itself, and theory has won a privileged position in the life of man.

In man's present view of the world it is astonishing to see the power of words and the influence of man's speech upon his world. It has been said that the universe is never ever the same again after every word spoken, and true as this is, it is even more true to say that man's view of the world becomes ever more concretized after every word spoken.

Whenever man is faced with something new or something which he cannot grasp with his rational mind he immediately sets about describing it and explaining it with words. By the time he has finished explaining it, it fits very comfortably and securely into his view of the world. Such is the power and the trap of words.

We cannot avoid the use of words, but we can avoid falling into their trap. Firstly, by keeping his use of words down to the bare minimum, and secondly by choosing those words we use very carefully.

We know that all explanations and all descriptions are relative to the chosen frame of reference, but as all frames of reference are variables, we shouldn't place any real importance upon explanations as such. An explanation is exactly what the word tells us it is, namely an ex-plane-tion.

In order to be viewed more closely, what is being explained has quite literally been removed from its true plane, or been taken out of its true context. The moment anything is taken out of context, any information gathered about it must necessarily be impure, and in most cases down right inaccurate. The only effective way in which to side-step the trap of words is through the practice of what is termed not-doing.

By refusing to accept words at their face value and by keeping in mind that words are mere symbols for the knowledge they veil, it is possible to use words safely. In truth, the only value words do have is to make us think more broadly, deeply, and further than before.

Words are instruments with which we may assist others to probe the unknown and in this respect they are rightfully very important, but here their value stops. Moreover, it is vital to remember that the ability of words to reveal knowledge is dependent upon the listener's proficiency in the use of words, and relative to his understanding of their value. What then should man's approach be to the use of words?

[Gonzo]

What about that old saying of Confucius? "If you don't know words, you cannot know man."?

[Kristopher]

What about that old saying of Confucius? "If you don't know words, you cannot know man."?

Is that so?

[serendipity]

[Red Heart]

whoever wrote that used alot of words to say...be careful with your speech, dont take shit out of context, and the experience is more important than the telling of it....sheesh someone likes to see themselves talk...

[Kristopher]

whoever wrote that used alot of words to say...be careful with your speech, dont take shit out of context, and the experience is more important than the telling of it....sheesh someone likes to see themselves talk...

This is writing, not talking.

"Someone likes to see themselves talk...."

...and you've never explained yourself here, there or anywhere?

<chuckles>