Rudyard Kipling called words the most powerful drug used by mankind. The author argues that words can be misinterpreted without humor and love, and recounts a brief relationship where humor helped overcome language barriers. Words have more power than deeds, and can drive people to hallucinations by changing meanings over time or without context. Online, words often lose their intent, and negative or hurtful words can leave the receiver in a difficult position. The author advocates using words with discernment, compassion, and as an extension of love and meditation to have meaningful dialogs.

1. Most Dangerous Drug
October 24, 2012
“I am, by calling, a dealer in words; and words are, of course, the most
powerful drug used by mankind.” -Rudyard Kipling
Humor and love are the antidote! With words that occasionally fall into
misinterpretation, or maybe not, when they leave the mouth without a sense of light humor and love from
the heart, the recipient will suffer the world of - it’s ‘just words’!
Back in NYC, I had a brief flirtation with a budding fashion designer from Paris. She spoke and
understood english ‘somewhat’. It was amusing whenever her fiery side blurted out english words that
were the misused ones to speak, and I knowing really what she was trying to say, used a little humor in
feigning to not understand as she would become more frustrated, and then we’d just laugh and hug.
Words can be more powerful than swords or good deeds. Whether ‘syrupy’ or ‘head
banging’, words rule! Words can be hypnotic so as to drive one into hallucinations as to
what’s real, and what is merely totally out of context from the original
meaning. A word today may mean something else tomorrow, or to the
‘word giver and recipient’, especially without some compassion, and
perhaps a little humor if received negatively and differently than intended.
Words from the heart are meant to convey thoughts and feelings not
needing examination.
Now that we frequently exchange words on the internet, they usually lose
the full impact of their intent even to someone known at the receiving end. On written chat
groups, it falls into the worst of possibilities for dialogue as we can have little or no idea who we are
talking to. The sender can make judgmental words that are very hurting which leave the receiver in a
quandary as to whether any words are useful to correct the negative words sent.
Skillful use of words intended to convey only positive messages, even if turning around received negative
words, is an art of dialog. Being open beyond what you ‘believe’ is good word-shipping as an effort to
extinguish judgmental words. Use discernment of who you are speaking to, and what their life up to this
point is amenable to in ‘word handling’. Know the absence of ‘words’ can be as damaging as the ‘wrong’
words. Focus on compassion and learning the art of using words that embellish all situations rather than
extinguish what could have been a meaningful dialog. Make words an extension of love and meditation
energy! Communicate from the heart!
Yesss Self Love Center
ArhataOsho.com