Almighty has bestowed man with the ability of speech so that he may express his thoughts in spoken words. Expressing through writing came much later. But expressing through voice can be considered as the first ever method in which a person expresses himself in life. This also is the most used and simplest method of communicating what’s transpiring in one’s mind – be it emotions or happiness or worries or pain or anything else. Even children learn to speak first before learning to write or read because one cannot survive without expressing oneself. It will not be an exaggeration to say that spoken word is the basis for human expression.
While speech plays a vital role in our existence and expression, it also happens to be the primary cause for the loss of our mental energies. Speech also is the medium through which we express our ego, lust, anger, hatred, desires and ambitions. All our suppressed emotions and passions get expressed through our voice in the form of words. This is why controlling and utilizing our speech is a very important means for conserving our energies.
If we practice merely controlling our thoughts and ignore our speech, whatever mental energies we intended to conserve will now find their way out in the form of words. Hence we should certainly consider restraint in both thoughts and speech as a means for conserving our energies.
Using our ability to talk is an inevitable part of our daily lives which is why we tend to forget how important it is. We end up speaking whatever comes to our mind and speaking without considerable thought has become the order of the day. Truth is that more amount of energy gets expended when we talk than when we do physical work. So, it’s important that we give serious thought to how we use this important energy. Speech is directly related to our mental energies which is why eight hours of physical work is equivalent to one hour of mental work.
Keeping all these facts in mind, observing silence is considered as an efficient means of protecting our mental energies. Lord Shri Krishna in Srimadbhagwad Gita extols the significance of practicing silence and places it in the league of mental penance.
“Serenity of mind, warm-heartedness, silence, mental restraint and purity of thoughts are considered as mental austerity.”
Once mind is brought under control, even big tasks get accomplished easily. When Maharshi
“Sometimes not speaking says more than all the words in the world. – Colleen Hoover”
Vedavyasa was composing Mahabharata and dictating it, the task of putting it in writing was taken up by Lord Ganesha. But while doing this great task, Ganesha observed Mauna or silence so that no disturbance could deflect his focus away from what he was doing. These principles can also be applied in daily life. If a task requires utmost focus and attention, then one can try to use the technique of Mauna for guaranteed success. This is why maintaining silence is considered to be an integral aspect for conservation of mental energies.
Talkativeness not only depletes energy but also can create bitterness in relationships. Those who are in the habit of gossiping, complaining, criticizing and spreading hatred will often be seen having strained relationships. When people are in the habit of talking without thinking, they fail to even grasp the effect of their words on the other person. This is why in addition to talking less or even remaining silent, it might be worthwhile to speak politely and only when required. This ensures that one will conserve spiritual energy and also maintain cordial relationships in material world. Those who talk less and conserve their energy end up being good listeners and comprehend the other person better. This opens the doors to knowing and learning something new. Those who are interested in talking rather than listening lose many such opportunities of learning from others. Also, those who speak more often tend to get excited and get into animated discussions that further lead to loss of vital energies. Such continuous depletion of vital energy in due course leads to mental weakness that makes a person restless and intolerant. This can also be perceived as a permanent damage to and downfall of one’s personality.
The intention of writing these facts is to bring the attention of s³dhakas in the direction of conserving vital energies by practicing restraint in speech. By maintaining Mauna (silence), speaking less, speaking politely and speaking only when necessary help in enhancing mental energies, developing love in relationships, resolving issues in a holistic manner; and also attain both material and spiritual success owing to the increased focus obtained by improved mental vigor. Therefore consider judicious use of your speech as a form of spiritual s³dhan³ and reap benefits in your life.
“We cannot control the way people interpret our ideas or thoughts, but we can control the words and tones we choose to convey them. Peace is built on understanding, and wars are built on misunderstandings. Never underestimate the power of a single word, and never recklessly throw around words. One wrong word, or misinterpreted word, can change the meaning of an entire sentence and start a war. And one right word, or one kind word, can grant you the heavens and open doors.”– Suzy Kassem
“Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. – Roy Bennett”
Akhand Jyoti Magazine 2019 March-April