Chapter 10- Language

 Chapter 10

Language

Dietary Exercise Suggested:

Grace & ‘Grape’


This is a two-part exercise.



The first part concerns the expression of formal Grace to be spoken over the meal using the deliberate combining of words, prayer and substance.



The second part relates to the experience of naming the foods just before delivering them to the mouth, making a deliberate and conscious exercise of identifying the substance, speaking its name and then decisively eating it.

Commentary: Grace


To name something is to address that something. By naming intentionally, we are approaching and calling for its attention. To name someone or something with respect, we are challenging the opportunity to meet and to be, for a time, with that which we are calling to.


It is interesting to see just how beneficial the action of a spoken Grace can be amongst the people; in action not only within the assimilative processes of the food thereafter, but in the context that a prayer is said in that very ‘open’ context before we are about to receive into ourselves that life-sustaining nourishment, and how communally we can be bonded by that prayer exampled in that food.


Further to this, we may bear in mind that all Grace said becomes a Communion in celebration to Christ. It is yet another form (and special indeed) of that blessed sacrament.

So, in this naming of the mealtime Grace we may call forth, in gratitude, ourselves, our food, and the spirit and the life which is in both. Added to this we crave that Christ be present amongst us in this substance we are to ingest, and in that substance within ourselves, ever present, that by a typical analysis the contents would read: Him, they and I.

Pertinent to our understanding of language the speaking of the Grace is most benefactory. Would that it was the first application given out by the speech therapist! For incredibly we do ‘eat our words’ over a meal table … and in this one is reminded to be cautious just as to what one does say (and how it is expressed) because the subject matter and emotion is absorbed as well, either becoming useful to us or as a poison, depending.


The second part to this exercise requires that we name each piece of food just before it enters the mouth!

“Celery!” bite,

“Bread!” bite,

“Milk!” gulp, gulp… and so forth.

If someone addresses us by name during a conversation we are awakened by its mention; brought forth and more enlivened. When we are the ones to say the name, we too are more intentional in our interaction to follow, and enlivened by the presence there before us.

In the naming of Christ this is a powerful reality. In the naming of Father God, it is and it isn’t, because the true name of Father God is never used (though known within). Historically there have been names given to this Name but none which are an accurate pronouncement of ‘The Unutterable’.


Yet, in part, all names are of Him, and it is to this that we chiefly address either in substance or being.



It is with this divine respect that we make our approach unto another; whoever. For it is the life of our Father, as it is with us, that stirs within and radiates without.


A wonderful confidence comes because the individual is connecting strongly with the reality of the present and begins to know it all the more. It therefore has a dual purpose in this exercise in that we become more accurate and conversant, whilst also more conscious and confident in the moment as well.


The beings of Language crave accuracy and sincerity. Sincerity and honesty are not dissimilar, but also are not of the same. Although there will be many passages where it is explained that dishonesty is devastating to ourselves, it is the insincerity within the dishonesty that effectively does the damage.

During any respective exercise we are able to rework patterns which have otherwise formed within us. These rhythmic behaviors translate into many differing levels of our being. The food exercise as described starts at the beginning once again, reinventing an accurate connection with our words and our immediate circumstances. This in turn should follow through to our overall linguistic ability as well as our confidence in the world.