Conscious Evolution

[janos]

Like any other tool, language can aid or hinder us in understanding mundane things, and existence itself.

The magic of language lies in its self-referential nature. But it can also transcend itself--leave itself behind... go beyond words and concepts and stand us before the great mystery of being.

In evolutionary terms, modern language is a very new invention*. It is the most important invention of the species. Fire was there to be discovered; the wheel, electricity and all other technologies are really the product of nature. But language comes out of the very core of being human.

*Modern language is roughly of the same age as settled communities. For most of the time true lived as nature-bound hunter/gatherers hiding out in caves or tree tops. Language that is sophisticated enough to support complex societal existence has been in use only during the last a tiny fraction of mankind's existence. This means our competence in using this tool is very far from masterly.