Words create realities. What you say comes into being. It’s as simple as saying, “I’m going to wash the car.” And then the car is clean. But if you said, “I probably should wash the car,” is it going to get clean?

Nope. Not unless someone else contributes their words, “Come on, let’s do it. I’ll help you.” A few simple words change the quality of your day and, for days afterward, the quality of your driving experience.

Words lead to action. That’s because words are an action in themselves.  When you speak words, you are speaking, which is an action.  Even thinking is an action, so every one of your thoughts is an action you are carrying out. Words are powerful, whether they are spoken or not.

Words are described in the Shiva Sutras:

Words have a tremendous influence in shaping our ideas which do not allow us to realize the splendor of Shiva-Consciousness, imprisoned within ourselves.

Wow! This says you use words to imprison Shiva within you. You lock Divine Consciousness up, out of sight, out of mind — by your words.  Your words and ideas shape your whole sense of self…

The splendor of Shiva-Consciousness is imprisoned within you. The prison cell bars are made of words. You lock Shiva down and hide him away by using the words you use.

You are so powerful! You can imprison Divine Consciousness. You can hide God. You can dim your own inner light.  You are able to make the all-pervasive seem to be absent. You can turn this Divine universe into a desolate landscape, all with your choice of words.

Does this incredible power have another outlet? Is there another way to use it?

Excerpt from Gurudevi’s Satsang Discourse, November 10 2024