I recently read this little passage of the Mother: For writing, even more than for speaking, if you aspire to remain in the best attitude for advancing swiftly towards the Divine, you should make it a strict rule to speak (and even more to write) only what is absolutely indispensable. It is a marvellous discipline if you follow it sincerely. I’m finding it pretty difficult.
I’m trying to follow it, but unfortunately, I’m not exactly sure what is indispensable and what is not. For example, will saying a joke or saying words of affection be considered unnecessary? Also, I have a habit of breaking into a song while doing chores. Is that considered bad? I’m too confused and honestly, it’s frustrating. Could you please throw some light on this, Alok da?
The principle behind this advice given by the Mother is that, firstly, speech externalises the consciousness and throws out a lot of energy. Hence, the advice is to use words that are indispensable. The second reason is that a lot of harm is done due to incontinence of speech. Hence, we should speak only what is necessary, especially in our conversation with people.
The main principle is to conserve energy, as speaking is one of the main pastimes through which human beings waste a lot of energy.
The advice is mainly with regard to conversation that we hold with others, leading to a lot of unnecessary interchange of an unnecessary and even of an unhealthy nature.
It is not an embargo on singing to yourself or writing profusely, especially under the stress of inspiration.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
