Truthspeaking

Photo by Min An at Pexels

I first encountered the word “truthspeaking” when I was working to crystalize my personal Rule of Life for the Third Order Society of St. Francis (TSSF). At the time I wanted to allow for growth and present a challenge for myself, which turned out to be more than I had bargained for, but worth the journey. You might be wondering: “What is a Rule of Life?” It is a living document that people in religious orders (community or dispersed) use to guide them in living a spiritual life. Although it sounds prescriptive, the Rule is a self-designed, intentional document of disciplines to guide a person’s spiritual and personal growth. If you are interested in designing your own Rule of Life, here is a place to begin: www.ruleoflife.com. You don’t have to be part of a religious community to pursue this endeavor.

In reviewing my Rule of Life several years ago, I came across SACRED SPEECH A Way of Truthspeaking by Tamarack Song. The author suggests that the pages of her book do not present a teaching on truthspeaking, we already know what it is; nor is the purpose of the book to offer another practice in which to engage. Sacred speech is about taking to heart words (our own and others) in order to embody our speech into an art of speaking honestly, respectfully, and truthfully.

Truthspeaking is a term found in many Native languages. To Truthspeak is to state clearly and simply what one thinks and feels. There is no judgment or expectation, no disguise of humor or force of anger. This manner of speech is sacred, because it wells up from the soul of our being rather than from our self-absorbed ego.

We have to be wise, awake, and committed to listening during truthspeaking. And like prayer, it can be done anytime and all the time, especially when we are in conversation and paying attention to our voices.

The throat region it is a primary source of communication. In some cultures the throat is a spiritual center. It raises our lower energies to a higher vibration. We say things like “there’s a frog in her throat” when a person can’t find words to express her thoughts or feelings; or “she got all choked up” to define a person’s moment of vulnerability. We acknowledge the power of the voice as a communication tool and vital source of self-expression, and yet, sometimes we speak irreverently.

The practice of truthspeaking refuses to allow any consideration that we are superior to anybody or anything else, especially animals who in some ways have proven to be more intelligent than humans. Relationships with our neighbors and the natural world becomes more refined. With practice you are drawn to speak respectfully, own your feelings, speak in the present moment, and be brief and concise in your delivery.

I experienced the power of truthspeaking several days ago in a gathering of women. Except for one person I had not met the other participants. The occasion was without an agenda, but somehow a symbiotic flow of storytelling and sharing occurred. What stirred my soul both during and after the occasion was the openness of the conversations. In spite of the diversity of backgrounds, knowledge, and skills each participant was equally validated and listened to with compassion. Holding sacred space and witnessing the uniqueness of each participant was deeply moving.

There are several deterrents to truthspeaking which Tamarack Song notes: idle chatter, gossip, humor, lies, and swearing. Even though cursing is pretty much accepted in some circles, she considers it to be

“ . . . our most emphatic form of expression, and at the same time the most ambiguous.”

The simple reason to expunge swearing from our vocabulary is that it is not truthspeaking. As my father used to say, “swearing is sloppy talk.” And Tamarack Song seems to support my father’s thoughts on swearing:

“It somehow gives us license to make exceptions to honoring and respectful expression. Repeat a few of the curse words you are familiar with and listen to what you are saying. When I do so, I hear externalizing and judging with some, blaming and belittling with others. Most of them also tend to stereotype.”

As it turns out, swearing and other misuses of language are merely a means of expelling our emotions. And not in the most helpful manner, I dare say. Especially in public discourse, the use of lies, gossip, etc., turn out to be displays of egocentricity, power, and know-it-all behavior instead of truthspeaking.

When we don’t know what to say or how to express our feelings or thoughts, it might be best to keep silent and heed the words of Mark Twain:

“When in doubt tell the truth.”

I listen for truthspeaking in many arenas; politics, churches, schools, local governments, and the performing arts. Sometimes artists are the most profound truthspeakers. They are multidimensional in their expression adding a well-developed craft to their truthspeaking. A handful of truthspeakers who have resonated with me over the years are classical musicians, composers, and ballet dancers. Here are some you may not have heard of: William Grant-Still, George Walker, Nina Simone, Janet Collins, Michaela DePrince, Eleanor Alberga, Chiquinha Gonzaga, and Misty Copeland. There are hundreds more who have left their legacy of truthspeaking in the arts. For your appreciation, I leave you with “Mississippi Suite” by pianist, organist, and composer, Florence Price. The music is a classical work of art to contemplate and rest in this afternoon.

Mississippi Suite

Truthspeaking is a skill worth embracing for those who want to transform the world in their own way—through peaceful living and being sacred place holders where humanity and the divine intersect in conversation.