Video Information: 13.07.2023, GSE, Greater Noida
Description:
In this video, Acharya ji discusses the intricate relationship between emotions, language, and the mind. The conversation begins with a question about how emotions can be seen as a "bundle of chemicals" and their connection to words and language. Acharya ji reflects on personal observations, noting that when contemplating ideas, they often find themselves left with just more words, which evoke emotional responses.
The discussion delves into the nature of words as stimuli that can trigger emotional reactions based on past experiences and memories. Acharya ji explains that words carry meanings that are deeply tied to the ego, which seeks validation and is sensitive to loss or gain. For instance, being called a "hippo" can evoke anger not only from the immediate experience but also from the memory of that experience, highlighting how language can impact emotional states.
Acharya ji emphasizes that all words have existential connotations for the ego, which craves meaning and relevance. If a word lacks significance, it is easily forgotten. The conversation concludes with the idea that language serves to remind us of our self-interest and can either diminish or elevate our sense of self.
Context:
~ Is a word more than just a word?
~ How words are related with self interest?
~ How are words related to the ego?
~ Are all words meant for the ego?
~ Is there anything in our life that is meaningless?
Music Credits: Milind Date
Description:
In this video, Acharya ji discusses the intricate relationship between emotions, language, and the mind. The conversation begins with a question about how emotions can be seen as a "bundle of chemicals" and their connection to words and language. Acharya ji reflects on personal observations, noting that when contemplating ideas, they often find themselves left with just more words, which evoke emotional responses.
The discussion delves into the nature of words as stimuli that can trigger emotional reactions based on past experiences and memories. Acharya ji explains that words carry meanings that are deeply tied to the ego, which seeks validation and is sensitive to loss or gain. For instance, being called a "hippo" can evoke anger not only from the immediate experience but also from the memory of that experience, highlighting how language can impact emotional states.
Acharya ji emphasizes that all words have existential connotations for the ego, which craves meaning and relevance. If a word lacks significance, it is easily forgotten. The conversation concludes with the idea that language serves to remind us of our self-interest and can either diminish or elevate our sense of self.
Context:
~ Is a word more than just a word?
~ How words are related with self interest?
~ How are words related to the ego?
~ Are all words meant for the ego?
~ Is there anything in our life that is meaningless?
Music Credits: Milind Date
Category
📚
LearningTranscript
00:00Pranam, Acharyaji. I'm very excited to finally see you and interact with you. So my question
00:12is, or rather reaction is, you have talked a lot about emotions being a bundle of chemicals.
00:20Now the context here is, what is the relationship between emotions and language or words, basically.
00:29So I have been observing myself for some time now and I have seen that a lot of ideas and
00:38concepts that I have, when I try to investigate on them, all I end up is with just more words.
00:46And basically what I see is that these different groupings of words, which my mind tells, it
00:55is basically creating kind of emotional responses within me. So I want to understand from you
01:03whether the mind and my word is anything more than just words. Thank you.
01:10Words come upon observation. That is one thing. And words are mind stuff. That is another thing.
01:18One thing is I observed and then I was trying to verbalize my observation. And then the words got muddled up.
01:26That is one thing. And it's a different question to ask, is mind stuff just words?
01:32What exactly, which of these two is the question?
01:36Basically, when I contemplate all the ideas that I have, the definitions of ideas, I feel that in essence, they are just words.
01:47They are. They are. Okay. Step by step. Yes, they are. Then?
01:51Right. Since they are words, there is something in me which is giving more meaning to them than just seeing them as words.
02:00And this happens because when words pop up in my mind, I start to, some kind of emotion happens.
02:08Right. Like if I'm anxious now, there is like an explanation why I'm anxious.
02:15So, I started to...
02:17So, let's stop. That's just because the mind can receive stimuli not only from the externally looking senses, but also from its internal database, memory.
02:36So, somebody called me a hippo. I got angry when called a hippo.
02:46And then I again got angry when I remembered that he called me a hippo.
02:53First time the word hippo came to me from?
02:57Outside.
02:59Outside. Second time the word hippo came to me from?
03:03My mind, inside.
03:06From inside, from the memory. And where did the meaning of the word hippo come from?
03:11Outside.
03:14Again from experiences which is stored within.
03:17Right.
03:19So, the word has a certain meaning. What does the word meaning mean?
03:27It has a stake. Meaning means stake.
03:30In spiritual parlance. In linguistics, meaning simply means translation.
03:36If I ask the meaning of a word, you will simply translate it into other words that you already know of.
03:41That's called a meaning.
03:44In spiritual terms, meaning implies interest. Meaning implies stake.
03:49So, for example, when you say, let's live a meaningful life.
03:53That means let's live a life that fulfills your deepest interest.
04:01Are you getting it?
04:03So, that's what the word as a stimulus does.
04:08It tells the ego whether it is gaining or losing.
04:13So, the word comes to me and the word is hippo.
04:16And the word has told the ego, oh you are losing something.
04:21And the ego is already afraid of losses.
04:24It's already sitting shivering.
04:27And on top of that, it has been told that it's a hippo.
04:30And being a hippo means loss of social acceptance and respectability.
04:35Because I'm a hippo, so nobody respects me.
04:38So, the ego feels even more shriveled.
04:42That's what the word does.
04:45All words have existential connotations to the ego.
04:50That existential connotation is the meaning.
04:57If that connotation is removed, words will do nothing.
05:02All words carry something that impinges on your very existence.
05:08If you can clear the word of that, then words will remain just words.
05:16Words will have the power to shake you up or disturb you.
05:23So, basically, the way I'm using my language is affecting my ego also.
05:32All words exist for the ego.
05:37And the ego is so damn desperate that nothing can exist for it without having a meaning for it.
05:43In your entire universe, nothing can exist just for its own sake.
05:48We are so hungry that everything exists for our sake.
05:53Is there anything in your house that is meaningless? Please tell me.
05:59Is there anything in your house that doesn't serve any function?
06:02That's what is called meaninglessness.
06:05Is there anything in your house that does not serve your self-interest?
06:09Your house is your Brahmand, your universe.
06:13Everything inside it must have a meaning for you, otherwise you'll throw it away.
06:18Similarly, your entire vocabulary has things, which is words, that have meaning for you.
06:26And if a word does not have any meaning for you, you'll forget it.
06:33So, that's what language is.
06:36It reminds you of something that potentially can either belittle you or inflate you.
06:46Every word is a pointer to the ego of its hollowness and also of its potential fulfilment.