Etymology and Mindfulness of Language

In one of m.y classes I run an exercise in mindfulness I call 'GRAPE-FULNESS' and 'ORANG-INS' of things:

Appreciation, through seeing, tasting and appreciating the origins and effort that is embodied in something as simple as a grape or an orange. We take time to appreciate where something came from, how many hours and work and people went into delivering it to my mouth. Then we savour the thing - taste it, explore its textures and notice how we feel before-during-and after the experience. This can create natural, un-forced gratitude - a lovely state of mind to be in. 

I love how when we delve into the origins of things we discover new things we never saw before. The same is true for words. I love the etymology of language. Our language of words is our main way to communicate and there are two quotes that remind me why it’s so important to appreciater and be conscious of the words I use, and how I think about them

"The words you speak become the house you live  in " - Hafiz

“We shape our tools and thereafter our tools shape us” - John Culkin

These point towards how valuable it is to examine our language and our self-talk. The voices in your head and the words you say to others.

This morning I had another revelation - and I’m excited. I teach mindfulness and dance. There are four types of connection in dance, as well as dance as a metaphor for life:

CONNECTIONS

1. With your sense of self - your presence - intuition - conscience.
2. With your sense of balance - safety of knowing with where you stand - your immediate environment - contact
3. With the music and rhythm - timing and inspiration - playing with it - with confidence
4. With your partner - with other people - each of you adding adventure and contribution.

I first was turned onto these ideas by Justin Riley - a dance teacher from the USA who teaches that dance is a form of connection - which is what we are all seeking - but if done consciously, in this order, can ensure our dances feel great!

LANGUAGE
When I look at some of these words I love the hidden meanings I glean and how they relate to meditation, to the simple things we need and do and then the whole of life. Here I've explored the latin root of some of the key elements of good connections:

1. Conscience: Con (with) Science (Study). We must take time to study the self. How am I?
2. Contact: Con (with) Tact (Sensitivity). We must be open to the world around us. Where am I?
3. Confidence: Con (with) Fidelity (Trust): We must have faith that we can play and be with the flow of the rhythm of life. We have to follow something. That takes trust of something that can never be intellectually known, like music. What moves me?
4. Contribute: Con (with) Tribute (Gift): We can and must share and receive the gifts we have and that others have. What can I give?
5. Adventure: Ad (plus) Venture (New risk): We must take a chance, be bold, have courage to dare greatly and then add something to this exchange. What am I afraid of?

As Brene Brown says: Your power is actually in your vulnerability. Let yourself be seen as the imperfect being you are and you can discover a new level of appreciation, even for things that seem unpleasant. 

CHOICE
Whatever you choose to Connect (bind with) to; whatever words you use - if you do so with conscience, contact, confidence, contribution and adventure you will probably find the dance of life flows well and is fun. You always have a choice to speak the words you 'want' and to notice how you are interpreting something you see and hear - and decide if you want to focus on and maintain that thought, or if you want to explore other ideas, perhaps ones that bring less stress, more gratitude, appreciation and connection to the things you love. 

Therefore mindfulness of language is not only important as I mentioned in this blog, but also fun and can help reveal different ways of looking at anything!

Enjoy! x

Mindful communication is something I'm passionate about. It's much more than language - but that's a part of it. Interested. Come along to the workshop!