The Deceptive Word

Words can be incredibly deceptive.

Looking at the simple process through which we speak and communicate, this dilemma with words can be easily seen. First, the speaker has a thought. That thought needs to be processed and articulated into language. Then that language is communicated. The communication is then heard by another, reinterpreted through their own language abilities, their own perspectives and their own abilities before turning back into a thought in their own mind.

With all of the layers of potential miscommunication and misinterpretation present, it seems obvious that words are deceptive. Often times, what I mean to say, is not what you will hear. Even when it is written, edited, re-edited and modified several times. Is the true message in the words being conveyed?

Words are a risky business indeed... Sometimes I wonder, why did God choose to communicate His message in such a flawed form?

When I hear or read the words of the Holy Qur'an, I am reading or hearing another's interpretation of these words. Even when listening in their native language of Arabic, the listener hears inflections and tone that the speaker puts into the text... There is always some level of interpretation, there is always some flaw.

But is this a flaw?

Diversity of belief and interpretation are a part of what makes our world beautiful. It leads to ugliness as well, but also beauty. The world is made up of opposites, without ugliness, there can be no beauty for beauty would be the norm... it would be average.

When I read something in my flawed perspective, and you read something in your flawed perspective, we are transmitting something that may be inaccurate in it's parts, but accurate as a whole. When I look at the big picture, all of us together in our beauty and our ugliness. We represent a bigger tapestry, a larger calling, a beautiful mosaic.

We need to move back farther, accept our own failings and those of others and believe in the bigger picture. This is unfortunately, impossible for most of us to do. Seeing the perspectives of all of humanity is daunting, but adding in the entire universe of thought? Inconceivable...

So, what can we do? I say, never trust your words, they can betray you at any time. If you can't look at the perspectives of all of humanity, turn instead to no perspective at all. Clear the mind of thought and let the vessel be filled not with words that you cannot control but with grace that guides. Don't go with the flow, be the flow.