Starting the human journey as cavemen where certain sounds and body gestures comprise the linguistics. It was interesting how without the use of a proper dedicated grammar system (it was proper in cavemen point of view) they were able to convey feelings. While in today’s time with such rich vocabulary we often get confused about which word to use.
Large number of Words could give rise to a false sense of knowing. Suppose I casually say ‘I am happy’ then at the same time it could mean joyful, exciting, thrill, satisfying, mesmerising, awesome, bliss. When I say a word (let say ‘happy’), it is already a failed attempt to capture my feeling in words. And when this word reaches the listener, it is again interpreted by their unique perception. I assume everyone is familiar with this situation.
if we could forget all the emotions as they are taught to us, Rather feel or discover them again from their roots and trace their origins
Our proficiency in language could make us think ‘we know things’/‘we understand things’ but all it does is, keep us from the fact that we know nothing (In a sense: egoistical).
When we see a clock, the thing that comes to our mind is ‘yeah that’s a clock’ but we know nothing about its structure and working. Naming things also limits our will to know them more. [ so yeah that’s a clock, so what? ]
Hereby If I ask one to forget all vocabulary and language. I dare say ‘there would remain nothing of the so-called knowledge’, all the treasured theories and information might just go stagnant. It would destroy your own mind’s chatterbox (maybe for an instant). This is a renowned issue with knowing. That is why there is a significant difference in words like knowing and realising/experiencing.
After reading about newton’s third law I can say I know it. But after applying force with my hand to an object and experiencing the equal and opposite repel I can realise the existence of the law. Only then do I truly know that law. This understanding goes beyond words, it doesn’t even need words, it remains in my mind even without the law’s definition.
The language is all, this so-called ‘monkey mind’ has in its arsenal. Most of the valuable energy supplied to the brain ends up being wasted by the mind by the tool called language. Maybe that’s why ‘the wise teaches no talking’ (but one could surely use punch lines :).
The point is, there are merits and shortcomings along with the advancement of a thing. Language for how it has provided us social comfort of communication has also put a wedge with our self. We extensively talk in our head in sounds/words which people/world has put into us.
Footnotes:-
The term monkey mind is a commonly used Buddhist term for constant mind chatter.
This write up was inspired while engaging with the Lao Tzu’s quote ‘The wise teaches no talking’.
