I just finished reading Lawrence Weinstein’s book, “Grammar for a Full Life,” and I’m planning to write a review of it later this week. Spoiler alert: I’ll be recommending it highly! The book dives into a somewhat unusual topic—the spirituality of grammar.
You might be wondering what grammar has to do with spirituality. A lot, as it turns out, but I’ll delve deeper into that in my review. For now, let me provide a glimpse of this connection through an example from the book. It starts with traditional grammar, which many might find a bit dry, but it soon shifts to something more magical, offering a new perspective that can invigorate and enhance our meditation practice.
To begin with, let’s talk about ordinary grammar. You’ve probably heard of the difference between the “active voice” and the “passive voice” in writing. The active voice is used in a sentence like, “I drove the car,” where “I” is the active doer. On the other hand, “The car was driven” is in the passive voice, where the person driving is not mentioned.
People often use the passive voice to avoid taking responsibility. For instance, politicians might say, “Mistakes were made,” conveniently leaving out who made those mistakes. Similarly, when I ask my children who broke a vase, they usually respond with, “It broke,” which seems to be a budding political strategy.
Weinstein suggests that using the active voice can be empowering, reminding us of our agency. If someone asks why you’ve been holding a phone without saying anything, instead of replying, “I’m being kept on hold,” you might say, “I’m waiting to talk to my bank.” This active framing can make you feel more in control and even prompt you to consider other actions, like hanging up and calling back later.
However, the passive voice also has its place. Weinstein talks about “creative passivity,” where letting go of effort can sometimes lead to better results. For instance, in learning to sing, too much tension can hinder performance, but letting go can allow the voice to flow effortlessly.
The active voice can sometimes feed our ego, while the passive voice can express modesty and interdependence. For example, saying “I won the Oscar” implies it was all due to one’s own effort, whereas “I was awarded the Oscar” acknowledges other contributing factors like luck, support from others, and even the judges’ personal biases.
Additionally, the passive voice can accurately depict the creative process. Writers often feel that their characters take on lives of their own, and painters might feel inspiration flowing through them. The passive voice captures this sense of being a vessel for creativity.
Now, what about love and magic? Interestingly, grammar and magic are connected. The word “glamour” comes from the Scots word “glammer,” which was originally an alteration of “grammar.” Both grammar and magic use symbols to convey ideas and influence others, making them powerful tools for communication.
Weinstein discusses a grammatical form that is neither strictly active nor passive, often used in meditation. This “active-passive hybrid” begins with the auxiliary subjunctive verb “may,” as in “May your spirits lift.” The speaker isn’t directly causing the action but is invoking a force to bring it about. This blend of invocation and passivity can be quite powerful.
In lovingkindness and compassion meditation, we frequently use phrases like “May you be happy” or “May you be free from suffering.” These phrases can help us feel like channels for positive forces, allowing love and compassion to flow through us and bestow blessings on others.
So, imagine during your meditation that you are a conduit for these unknown, benevolent forces, whether they come from the universe, the earth, or deep within you. As you say, “May you be at peace,” feel that you are inviting those forces to manifest through you, combining passivity with the active intention to bring about positive change.
Understanding grammar as a form of magic or “glammer” can transform your meditation practice from a routine exercise into something truly magical. Let yourself adopt this mindset, allowing blessings to rise within you and flow out into the world. This perspective can make your meditation practices more powerful and enriching, blending receptivity with active engagement and humble acknowledgment that the power isn’t solely yours.
By integrating this understanding, your meditation can become a beautiful blend of receiving and bestowing blessings, making it a deeply transformative experience.