Musicality of Language
May 24, 2010
My reason and inspiration for writing the ‘Vitality of Voice‘ article came from a friend’s complaint about the poverty of (spoken) language in general – that it doesn’t give enough scope for expression – in fact, the term ‘monotonous’ was used. I replied that we can bring passion and fire into a language, but how we convey our sometimes impossibly deep feelings is what makes it zing.
Later, I realised there’s more that wants to be unfolded, and so here is this article.
First, I’ll mention what’s already known. There are many tonal languages, such as Vietnamese and Mandarin, where a change in tone changes the meaning of a word. Languages have so many rules that require us to perfect our listening and speaking skills, and cultivate a desire and passion for tuning in to what’s being pronounced. This is the side of language that we already familiar with. But from here on I’m going to write about less familiar territory.
I want to bring attention to the inherent music that’s in us and how we can shape our lives with it.
There is sound everywhere: echoing inside our bodies, thrumming in the air, resonating through the vastness of the cosmos: endless motion. As we idly listen, we can perceive structured rhythm and make sense of what we hear. How can we do that unless it’s a language that we are attuned to and already know?
Many people I have talked with say that expressing their real truth (their own music) is a difficult thing to do. It’s like asking them to connect to a part of themselves that they sense is there but to which (they will say) they have no access. Oh, that the juiciness of life is so easily leached away through all sorts of rules and conditions that diminish originality, authenticity and radiant living.
So how can we connect to our whole being?
Well the following suggestions have worked well for many people.
- Let go of all that you know and think that you know about yourself.
- Stop trying … just that … stop trying.
- Let go of all the questions that you want to ask.
- Allow yourself to expand and fill the cosmos, both energetically and in consciousness.
- Now enter into the state where time and space don’t exist.
- Breathe deep and then hum, whistle, sing, tone, or make any sound at all that feels right.
- In the play of listening to your sound, sense that you are it.
- Continue to play until it dawns in you that you are the creative force. That you are shifting your physicality into alignment with your total being.
Drop any thoughts about trying to put the power of your feelings into existing words. Words will come as you allow your mouth to form the shape of each sound that presents itself. You feel into what wants to be sounded and you let it happen without any censure.
Forget about trying to put a meaning on what you wish to convey. The sounds will carry many meanings in textured overlays. For when you speak with your whole being, it’s as if you gather many energies together then provide an outlet for them.
As my good friend Jane says,
“All languages are spoken on many levels and layers, so we listen on many levels and layers. That is, we listen with all of us – our beingness if you like.”
One of the secrets to doing this well is to be in a state of total unconcern that you have nothing prepared. This allows you to bypass any preconceived thoughts and ready-made phrases that can detract from what really wants to be said.
Now when you go to speak, you are pushing yourself to allow the miraculous to be achieved.
[ to be continued ]
Comments
2 Responses to “Musicality of Language”
Wow, this is powerful Santari! o x o
David Darling’s very simple but transformative concept for this is: “One Quality Sound”, a sound that aligns with your heart and feelings IN THE MOMENT. And that by allowing the space for a series of these sounds to arise, melodies naturally emerge. With a life of their own. (See link for a short summary.)