A WORD ON THE TROUBLE WITH WORDS

                                                 A WORD ON THE TROUBLE WITH WORDS

     As spiritual entities and realized souls (or perhaps “conscious seekers” is a more appropriate term), we find ourselves struggling to express our inner experiences not only to others, but also to our very “selves”.  Indeed, one can express his or her thoughts and emotions in a variety of ways, but essentially ALL communication is a DYNAMIC process that depends upon the use of symbols and images and a translation of those symbols and images into “meaning”.  Language is in essence an amalgam of words and phrases, which are mere symbols associated with ideas about abstract and concrete items.  If effective communication is to occur between two or more people, the interactive parties must have a mutual familiarity with the particular medium of communication—that is, the language.  But wait, as I will attempt to protract my imminent digression!  In short, or might dare I say “in a word”, the problem with words is that we vainly attempt to use them to express concepts which are infinite in meaning and which are continuously undergoing the vicissitudes of the “context”.  To cut to the chase, I suggest that one should contemplate the question “What is meaning?”  Can we “define meaning” without the use of words?  But what in fact are words without “meaning”?  How is it that we attach “meaning” or “significance” to words and symbols?  Is the process the same for everybody?  Indeed my friend, capture the “meaning” of a single word, and you have captured the “universe”.  Express the meaning of a single word, and you express the universe…at this point, silence reigns supreme—golden.