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Why Words Matter
by Marlaina Donato
From witchy incantations in Shakespeare’s Macbeth to ancient Sanskrit mantras; from the stirring speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. to the divinely inspired poetry of the Sufis, words have bridged the chasm between the visible and the invisible since the dawn of human language. They have the capacity to conjure change, rock the boat, manipulate mood and alter the inner landscape.
According to language research center Ethnologue, there are more than 7,000 languages in the world. We use words every day to communicate, to learn, to teach, to bond with kindred souls and to win opinion wars on social media. We can use words as medicine or weapons, and we too often forget their power.
Many religious texts draw attention to the spoken word, especially in creation stories and the creative capacity of deity. In the Vedanta Sutra, an ancient Vedic text, the phrase anavritti sabdat translates to “by sound vibration, one becomes liberated.” Consider what it would be like if we each made a daily commitment to use everyday words as a conscious tool for healing—a practical form of spiritual discipline from which everyone might benefit.
In our age of rapidly developing technology and jam-packed schedules, the spoken word is becoming a casualty in the daily blur of abbreviated texts and emojis. Forty percent of the world’s languages are on the threshold of extinction, and so is the language of everyday courtesy and compassion. “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” the old saying goes, but words do hurt, chipping away at our mental health in the classroom, on the checkout line at the supermarket and in our social media newsfeeds.
Negativity-overwhelm has become the norm. If the mystics of old are correct regarding the energetic impact of our words, thoughts and self-talk, incredible power awaits on the tip of our tongues. With a little bit of attention and intention, there’s so much we might be able to create for ourselves and others.
Words are seeds, and we can sow life-sustaining gardens for generations to follow. Consider what to plant today.
Marlaina Donato is the author of several books and a composer of visionary music. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.
Intuitive & Healing Arts
The World Peace Sanctuary, located on 28 acres in Wassaic, is the headquarters of May Peace Prevail On Earth International, The Peace Pole Project and Peace Pals International. Anyone is welcome to explore the grounds, enjoying the peace monuments and points of interest throughout the property. Peace Pole on the grounds “When people come to the sanctuary, they are in awe of how peaceful it feels,” says Ann Marie Robustelli, assistant to the executive director.
The sanctuary grounds offers a seven-circle-wide Peace Labyrinth, based on a design found on an ancient Cretan coin; the Sacred Grove, which surrounds the sanctuary; and the Wisdom Trail, designed by Michael Guldbrandsen.
The World Peace Sanctuary grounds are open from dawn to dusk seven days a week. Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors can stop by the sanctuary office to learn more about The World Peace Prayer Society and shop for gifts bearing the universal message of peace: “May peace prevail on earth.”
Location: World Peace Sanctuary, 26 Benton Rd., Wassaic, NY. For more info, call 845.877.6093 or email info@worldpeace.org or visit WorldPeace.org/sanctuary.
INTUITIVE ENERGY HEALING
The Temperance Center Merrill Black, LCSW Reiki Master/Instructor Light Body Quantum Healings 914.793.2600 TheTemperanceCenter.com
INTUITIVE HEALING
White Lotus Grace Healing/Dance/Readings 845.677.3517 Millbrook & Remote Whitelotusgrace.com
NEW AGE STORES
Persephone’s Pearl Spiritual Development Center Candles, Books, Tarot, Jewelry Psychics, Crystals, Classes, etc. 1014B Main St., Peekskill @persephonespearlpeekskill 914.737.3460 PersephonesPearl.com
The Soul Connection Shop Metaphysical Shop; Crystals, Jewelry, Reiki, Tarot, more at Universal Healing Arts Center Cortlandt Manor, 914.737.HEAL SoulConnectionShop.com
Synchronicity Psychics/Crystals Candles/Tarot/Sage 1511 Route 22 Brewster @synchronicityny 845.363.1765 SynchronicityNY.com
PSYCHIC MEDIUM
Angel Aura Spiritual Boutique 12 West Main St, Pawling, NY 845.493.0432 AngelAuraBoutique.com
QIGONG
In Balance Concepts Qigong. Tai Chi. Meditation 2505 Rt. 6, St. 108, Brewster 845.803.1992 Inbalancetaichi.com
REIKI
Balancing 4 Life Anne Bentzen, Jikiden Reiki Certified Teacher/Practitioner 25 Broadway, Pleasantville, NY 914.588.4079 Balancing4Life.com
Edit Babboni, CHC, RYT 200 Reiki Healing. Health Coaching. Yoga. 61 Lakeview Drive, Yorktown Heights, NY 917.721.2529 yoga.zengarden@gmail.com
Laura DeToia In person and Long-Distance Reiki 914.645.7704 MerkabaPeace.com
The Loving Lotus In person or remote sessions 914.557.8213; lovinglotus.org the.loving.lotusx3@gmail.com
TAROT CARD READINGS
Purple Lotus Zen Michelle B Whitney Tarot & Oracle Readings, Medium, Energ Healing. By phone appt. 914.513.8398; Purplelotuszen.com
WELLNESS BOUTIQUE
The Healing Collective NY 267A Central Ave. White Plains Shop & Heal: 914.236.HEAL thehealingcollectiveny.com
ASTROLOGY
Pam Cucinell Phone, online & in person 917.796.6026; InsightOasis.com
Samyama Flowering Tree Spiritual Astrologer, Intuitive Mentor-Coach & Teacher Samyamallc.com
ENERGY MEDICINE
Bernadette Bloom, MI Energy Healing & Teacher 239.289.3744 theesotericbloom.com Celestial Touch Laura Schek, Psychic Medium, Reiki Master 7 Arch St, Pawling, NY 845.244.1767 celestialtouchllc.com
Discover more healing resources on WakeUpNaturally.com
Find local classes and workshops on pages 54-57.
